Flowers in your Hair

As we conclude my flower blogs for the month of November, I thought we'd discuss using flowers as an alternative to the wedding veil or in conjunction with the veil.

A romantic wedding look using dendrobium orchids or gardenias cascading down soft curls.

The use of a single flower adds a flair of elegance to the simplest hairstyles.

The sophistication of a modern chignon with an orchid speaks volumes.

The playfulness of a ponytail adorned with lilies is truly beautiful.

And even the shorter styles can add flowers.
Check out this style featuring calla lilies over her ear.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits: www.besthudsonvalleyweddingever.com; www.theknot.com; www.bridalweddinghairstyles.com; www.squidoo.com)

Happy Birthday, Deja!

In honor of my baby girl Deja (hence the business name), who's 9th birthday is today, I dedicate this "pink" inspiration blog to her. Happy Birthday!!!

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits - http://www.amandabarden.com/, http://www.weddingbycolor.com/, http://www.phoenixbrideandgroom.com/, http://www.weddinginvitations21.com/, http://www.theknot.com/, Victor Sizemore Photography)

Flower That Cake!

Although I LOVE fresh flowers on wedding cakes and they are cost effective, today I just have to dive into one of my indulges...sugar flowers! Simple, edible sugar flowers are made from buttercream, whip cream and ganache. These are the best in price when decorating a wedding cake. And although they do look like flowers, those flowers don't have the full detail of sugar flowers made of fondant, gum paste or marzipan and cannot be preserved.


Also when selecting edible flowers for your cake, consider the cakes location. Since the wedding cake is the centerpiece of the reception, it's usually displayed for some time before the reception fully begins. If the reception is outdoors, buttercream flowers will bleed or melt on the cake so consider using fondant.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits - http://www.pinkcakebox.com/, http://www.galleryweddingcakes.blogspot.com/, http://www.fashionablebride.com/)

The Reception It Is

On Monday's blog we discussed the florals needed for the wedding ceremony, well today we will talk about the reception's floral needs. I'm a firm believer that when dealing with the floral budget, put more towards the reception because your guests will be at that location for 4-6 hours verses your ceremony location for 1-2 hours.

For your reception decor, consider the following to enhance the space:

Cocktail table small arrangements

Escort Card table arrangement

Head or Sweetheart table arrangements (but you can cut costs in this department by using the bridal bouquets as decor)

Guest Book table arrangement, if it's not placed on the escort card table

Guest table centerpieces, possibly varying in height and size

Wedding cake and table florals

Gift table floral

Buffet/Catering table arrangements

Catering Tray floral buds

Bar arrangement

Restroom arrangements

One important note when selecting the guest table centerpieces, make sure to arrangement does not distort the guests conversation by being too large or by not using transparent vessels.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits: www.blog.flowerlab.com; www.elizabethannedesigns.com)

Ceremony Florals

Upon planning the wedding ceremony, there are certain florals to consider when adding the finishing touches to the wedding party and making the decor complete. When selecting your color palette, you will consider a wide array of floral designs to bring forth your vision.

When selecting for the wedding party, the following florals should be considered:

Bridal bouquet

Maid and/or Matron of Honor bouquet

Bridesmaids bouquets

Flower Girl basket arrangement, petals or pomander

Mothers and Grandmothers corsages (pin or wrist)

Hostesses corsages (pin or wrist)

Groom's boutonniere

Ring Bearer boutonniere

Best Man and Groomsmen boutonniere

Fathers and ushers boutonniere

When selecting the ceremony decor, the following should be considered:

Altar, Arch or Chuppa floral decor

Chair or Pew decorations
Aisle petals

Guest Book floral piece

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credit: www.davincisflorist.us, www.thebestweddingdecor.com)

Man Flower = Boutonniere

Today let's focus on the groom...we are going to discuss the boutonniere a.k.a. the bout. The infamous bout is a small floral arrangement for jacket lapels and are worn by the men in the wedding - groom, groomsmen, ushers, ring bearer, family members and the officiant. The style usually centers around the bouquets and floral theme and is secured in place on the left side of the jacket by a pin or two.

I always suggest ordering an extra bout for the groom because after all the hugging once you are husband and wife, a smashed bout can be replaced by a vibrant new one.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits - www.aroseisaroseflorist.com; www.soundimagedjs.com; www.projectwedding.com; www.elizabethanndesigns.com)

Tis The Season...of Flowers

In focusing on florals the month of November, I thought I'd discuss the flowers that are in season throughout the year. When selecting these flowers for bouquets, decor and centerpieces the price will be more budget-friendly because growers have these flowers year-round. Roses, carnations, Baby's Breath, and orchids are a few of the popular wedding flowers you can purchase any time of the year and can truly create some stunning designs. Take a look:

Heffernan Morgan designed this beautiful tablescape showcasing an airy centerpiece create from Baby's Breath at the Grace Ormande Book Launch.

A cluster of roses creating a simple but elegant table centerpiece for a fall wedding reception.

A stunning use of carnations to create pomanders sitting upon vases as you enter Belvedere Banquets in Elk Grove Village.

A mock centerpiece for a late summer wedding showcasing submerged orchids.

In wanting to cut some costs in your floral bill, consider using the less expensive flowers for the bridesmaid's bouquets and keep the fabulous, more pricey flowers for the bridal bouquet.

Until next time...WEDologize!

What's a Nosegay?

I've had bride's ask me the difference between a nosegay bouquet and a your typical bouquet. The biggest difference is size. The nosegay's round cluster of flowers tend to be slight smaller than the average size bridal bouquet and works very well as a Junior Bridesmaid or Mother of the Bride bouquet. Roses, peonies, hydrangea and carnations are popular flowers to use when creating a nosegay because the flowers can be packed together nicely in a round formation. Then adding some less conventional florals like orchids and lilies can really add some depth to the nosegay bouquet.

Until next time...WEDologize!

(photo credits: TheKnot.com, Esty.com, Wedding-Flowers-And-Reception-Ideas.com, ManoloBrides.com)