April 27, 2010
Hi There,
Today I am borrowing an article by wedding planner extraordinaire…Ciara Daykin. Enjoy her words of wisdom.
Could You Go Green With Your Wedding?
By Ciara Daykin
When it comes to a wedding we all see the joy and the fun involved but do you see the waste? You probably didn’t even realize how much a wedding hurts the environment- not very romantic is it?
Can Being Green Be Sexy?
When most of us think of going green you start envisioning scratchy recycled toilet paper and everything in that beige, natural color. But it doesn’t have to be blah to help the earth while planning your wedding. In fact, going green for your wedding can be sexy!
Here are 5 Sexy Green Tips for Your Wedding:
1) Yummy Organic, Local Cuisine – Ask your venue or your caterer if they can help you go green. Choose food items that don’t have to travel very far and that are grown using organic methods. This will limit the pollution produced to get your food to your venue and the pesticides used to grow it. And organic food has sooo much more flavor and it’s super yummy!
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2) Rent Instead of Buy- I’m a huge fan of renting linens for a wedding. If you rent your linens from a rental company that follows green cleaning practices then you’re keeping the earth happy! And I just love the look of fabulous linens at a wedding.
3) Share the Beauty – Nothing pains me more than seeing phenomenal flowers being thrown into the garbage at the end of a wedding- yikes!! Instead arrange to give the flowers to your guests to take home and enjoy or donate them to a nursing home. You could also create centerpieces that don’t include flowers but rather use sticks or feathers. Don’t forget potted plants. You can replant these in your garden later- just please don’t put these on the tables with the ugly plastic bottom wrap! Pretty them up!
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4) Within Walking Distance – We know that most of the family will need to fly in for the wedding so the jet fuel isn’t exactly *coughcough* the best for Mother Nature. So once your guests arrive plan your wedding day to minimize car use and maximize the enjoyment of being outside! Hauling people from one end of the city to another causes pollution and breaks up the party. But letting people walk from the ceremony to the reception encourages conversation, fun pictures, and exciting adventure!
5) Meat and Leather Free?- One of the first weddings I ever did was entirely vegetarian and none of the bridal party wore leather shoes. And it totally rocked! If skipping meat is an option for you then you don’t have to feed your guests all salad. The meal was meat free but it was incredibly original and made to please even the pickiest foodie. Apparently cows are big polluters so you’re saving the earth there (and a few cows).
Ciara’s Bridal Advice
You don’t have to have a totally green wedding but it’s nice if you’re conscious of the impact your decisions make on the environment. Even just a couple of green tweaks to your wedding plans can make a big impact!
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Want to share this with the world? Please feel free to post this to your own blog or use the material in your own e-zine. We only ask that you please include this text with your post!
Ciara Daykin is the CEO of Firefly Occasions, Inc. a wedding and event planning company with offices in Calgary, Alberta Canada and Beverly Hills, California, USA. Ciara’s popular bi-weekly ezine newsletter is read by over 10,000 brides. Ciara is a frequent speaker at wedding industry functions and coaches other wedding planners across North America.
Ciara provides each bride she works with the haute couture wedding experience. Her planning website can be found at http://www.fireflyoccasions.com/ where you can sign up for her free report, “10 Tips to Take Your Wedding from Cookie Cutter to Couture.” She and her husband, Simon Daykin, are a husband and wife planning team and document their adventures on their popular blog http://sheandheplanweddings.com/.
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April 25, 2010
Hi There,
I came across this video today and wanted to make sure you all got a chance to see it. The video is a fashion show of wedding gowns coming right off the runway in New York.
http://news.yahoo.com/video/entertainment-15749636/latest-wedding-gown-trends-19290534
Some BEAUTIFUL designs! Enjoy!
April 22, 2010
Hi There,
Stephanotis is a bridal favorite flower, normally reserved for the bridal party bouquets and boutonnieres. It’s the small bright white flower with a tremendous tropical scent, sometimes called the “Hawaiian Wedding Flower”. 
Stephanotis is available year round, but is most abundant from late spring to early autumn. I once had a stephanotis plant in my yard. When I bought it at the nursery I bought a Madagascar Jamine plant. I was so surprised when it bloomed and I had stephanotis!
When you buy stephanotis, look for blooms that are bright white, waxy and firm. When they are old they will start turning yellow, get wilty, sometimes have mold on them or bruising.
Normally, you will find stephanotis sold by the box, with 25 flowers inside. These flowers do not have stems, per se, and once they are harvested they cannot absorb water through the tiny stem. That is why they are sold in air tight boxes with damp shredded tissue or other dampened material on the bottom of the box…to give the flowers moisture. Once in a while, you can buy stephanotis still on the vine, but that would be only at a professional flower market.
Stephanotis needs to be hydrating when you get in home…so float the flowers in room temperature water for 20-30 minutes then put in the refrigerator, still soaking, for two hours.
After soaking, shake the water off the florets and place them back into an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to use them.
Because stephanotis don’t have stems, you have to give them an artificial stem to be able to use them in designs. You can buy “stephanotis stems” …..which have a cotton tube that is inserted into the flower to give the flower moisture attached to a wire. You have to soak the cotton tube end in water before inserting into the flower. You also have to tear off the tiny green stem of the stephanotis, which then gives you a small hole to push the cotton tube into. The cotton tube fills the center of the flower.
Often you will see stephanotis used in bridal bouquets with pearls inserted into the center of the flowers. That is done using boutonniere pins, cut down to about a 1/2 inch size and inserted into the cotton tube in the center of the flower.
During the really hot months of summer, I often dip my stephanotis in parafin wax to help them withstand the heat.
Stephanotis boutonniere
Stephanotis corsage
Jessica Simpson carried an all stephanotis bouquet when she got married. I read that the bouquet contained 500 stephanotis flowers….my guess is that her bouquet would cost between $3,000.00 and $3,500.00, if purchased from a florist. If you did this yourself, it would cost you about $400.00 plus A LOT OF TIME!
April 18, 2010
Hi There!
Roses are a bridal favorite whether they are in bright white or any other color. Roses come in so many colors, it is pretty hard not to find one that matches or complements your color scheme and for the most part, roses are pretty easy to get your hands on. Even the grocery stores sell bunches of roses!
How roses perform for you has a lot to do with how they have been handled before you get them and after you get them. For the most part, there is not much we can do to address what happens before you get them….if you are buying from a flower market of some kind, make sure you are buying from a reputable grower. But, I believe most of you are not buying wholesale, like I do, so you just have to go by how they look when you are buying them.
Have you ever seen somebody kind of pinching the rose heads….I do it sometimes….it is a way to see how firm the roses are….generally, the firmer they are, the fresher they are…..but NOT ALWAYS true. Some rose varieties are just softer because of the petal counts or the way the petals open. A rose that comes to mind is a POLO rose.
It is a white rose that opens up like an old fashioned rose, even though it technically is not an old fashioned rose. Those rose heads will typically be softer when you pinch them. They also are not a bright white. The picture above contains POLO roses.
Another soft rose is an Osiana, which is a beautiful shade of peach. It doesn’t have a super big petal count and therefore is typically softer to the pinch than other roses.
The Osiana rose is the rose on the right in this picture.
Besides the pinch test, there are other things to look for when buying roses. The stems should look and feel straight and strong, as opposed to limp and weak. The heads should be upright with no drooping petals. The foliage should not be yellowing or falling off. You’ll also want to be sure they don’t show signs of insect problems or fungal disease. If you see anything on the stem or just below the flower head that looks like gray mold…don’t buy the roses!
Assuming that you find and buy good roses, get them home as soon as possible and start processing them immediately. To process roses you want to strip all the foliage that will fall below the water line. I like to remove ALL the thorns as well. You really only have to remove the thorns below the water level, but trust me, you will be handling the roses above the water line and you don’t want to poke yourself with the thorns. Some varieties of roses have really tiny almost clear thorns on the top third of the stems and that is typically where I am handling them. Those micro thorns will get into your hands and fingers and wreak havoc, because you can’t see them to get them out. I normally will use a florist’s knife and gently scratch those tiny thorns off the stems!
Next you want to give the roses a fresh cut, cut at least an inch off the stem length and cut at the biggest angle you can cut. Make sure you are using really sharp sheers or knife. You do NOT want to damage the stem with clippers that can’t make a clean cut. The bigger the cut you can make, the more drinking surface you are giving the rose. Roses need to drink water and any obstruction in the stem will disallow the water to get all the way up to the head which will cause bent heads. Even an air bubble will cause the bent heads and roses are particularly vulnerable to this problem. There are many professionals who believe that roses should only be cut under water, because when you cut underwater there can be no air bubbles getting into the stem.
If you use a rose stripper, which I totally recommend, make sure you do not tear or scrape the skin of the stem, because this allows microorganisms (bacteria) to get into the stem and will impede the flowers ability to get that good drink of water it needs.
It is absolutely BEST to dip each rose stem into a dipping solution of a hydrating liquid before you put them in a bucket or vase with flower preservative. I don’t know of the hydrating liquids being sold at a retail level.
I plan on offering this product on my new website, www.flowerarranging101.tv under the products tab. I will be offering any products that I learn cannot be purchased at a retail store that I feel you need to be able to do your own flowers professionally.
Make sure when you transfer your roses to a bucket or vase that it is a clean bucket or vase. I use Clorox Clean Up to wash all my buckets and vases. A watered down clorox solution is fine too. You just need to be sure that you are killing any bacteria in the bucket/vase.
If you are not going to use your roses right away, the idea situation is to process them (remove thorns/foliage, give fresh cut and dip in hydrating solution) and then place the roses into a bucket of tepid (luke warm) water for about two hours. After that, it is best to put the roses into a refrigerator for at least another two hours (ideal temperature is 33-35 degrees). After that, do all the arranging your heart desires with your roses.
I know this sounds like a lot of work….if you want your roses to last, this is the process you should go through. This is what any reputable florist does before they sell the roses to you!
After you have arranged your flowers, make sure to change the water every other day and recut the stems. Always use flower preservative in the water as well.
When you display your flowers, make sure they are not sitting in direct sunlight or any other heat source. So, don’t put your roses on a table right underneath a heater vent when the heater is in use.
Enjoy your roses!
March 30, 2010
Hi There,
I’m starting a new video blog. Among other things, I will be showing you how to make floral arrangements you see in the media.
On the Ellen DeGeneres show she always has a floral arrangement on her coffee table. They haven’t changed much in style…different flowers, different colors, but same basic floral arrangement each time.
I will be showing you via my new video blog how to make these centerpieces. Watch for more information coming very soon! Shoot me an email if there is a floral arrangement you’ve seen somewhere that you would like me to show you how to make. It would help if you can send me a link or photo! Do you have a favorite magazine that has floral arrangements you just love? Let me know which magazines and I’ll incorporate them into my video blog.
Do you have a dinner party coming up and you want to add a flower arrangement to the center of your table that ties in with your dinner party theme? Let me know and I will incorporate it into the new video blog. I’ll be showing you various types of centerpieces for various types of dinner parties, holidays, special events and just plain home decor.
March 16, 2010
Hi There,
I don’t know if you’ve heard anything about Wish Upon a Wedding in your part of the country. It is a new organization that is popping up all over the United States. The purpose of the group is to grant a wedding to a couple who can’t afford the wedding AND one of them is terminally ill. Last Friday was the first granted wedding in this area. Below is the link so you can see pictures and the story.
http://wishuponawedding.org/
March 9, 2010
Hi There,
It seems like there is a bridal show just about every weekend right now. Bridal shows can be a great way to get ideas and meet vendors. Here is my take on bridal shows. Not everyone will agree with me, especially the bridal show producers! Their goal is to book vendors because that is how they make money.
| Bridal Show Background Information
A bridal show is typically a gathering of vendors who service weddings. A few vendors will be there to service YOU personally, like skin care specialists, but the majority will be Florists, DJ’s, Event Planners, Caterer’s, Venues, Photographers, Videographers, Invitation Suppliers, Bridal Gown Stores, Tuxedo Stores, Hair & Make Up Specialists, Cake Companies, Transportation Companies, Linen Companies, Favor Companies, Musicians, Honeymoon Companies and a few other specialties like Gown Preservation, Bar Services and Alterations. The point is you can find every type of vendor under one roof, normally.
Keep in mind, these vendors have PAID to be in the show. The bigger the show the more they pay. Many shows don’t screen the vendors, so you aren’t guaranteed that the vendors at the show are reputable. Although, I don’t mean to imply that they aren’t reputable; I really just want to caution you not to think that just because a vendor is at the show you can count on them. I would personally rely on word of mouth, personal referrals for that! And, just because a vendor is NOT at the show, doesn’t mean they aren’t reputable! Not all vendors like the Bridal Show Experience! (I, for one, am not a huge fan of bridal shows….the smaller the better for me. I like personal time with you!)
What You Can Expect
You probably won’t get any personal one on one time with the vendors at a large show. I mean, you can try, but with hundreds or thousands of brides all hitting the show at the same time, it is nearly impossible to spend quality time with the vendors. It is my opinion, that the best you can hope for is to get some ideas….from what you see at the show. Now if the show is a small show, that is a different story….you may get some one on one time with the vendors.The vendors want to get your contact information so they can follow up with you and most will have sign up sheets or give-aways to entice you to leave your contact info. For this reason, I suggest you come with preprinted labels that have your name, address, phone number, email address and wedding date printed on them. That will make it easier for you and the vendors…imagine how tired your fingers will be if you write out all the information over and over and over again. Whether you do this or not, know that the show producer is going to provide all that information to the vendors after the show based on what information you provide when you register for the show. That information is part of what the vendors are paying for to be at the show….so don’t get mad at them when they follow up with you. That is the whole point of the show from the vendor’s point of view! They want your business!
Many vendors will have free goodies for you and before you know it, you’ll be carrying around several pounds of goodies and information. You may want to bring your fiance or a friend to help carry everything.
Oh, and before I forget….WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES! Sample the food, sample to cake, sample the favors….taste is important in these areas!
Last but not least, go with an open mind. In the end, you’ll need to sort through all the information you have collected. If you do have a good feeling or experience with a vendor, make sure you have their contact information and don’t wait too long before you call them… “out of site, out of mind” will set in otherwise. If you see something you really like, make a note about it on the back of the vendor’s business card, so that later on you will know why you want to contact them.
I sincerely hope this helps you navigate the next bridal show you attend.
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February 28, 2010
Hi There,
I know I’ve been saying “coming soon” for a while now….you know, when you don’t know how to do these technical things yourself, you have to rely on other people and the web designer I have been waiting for just didn’t come through for me. So I moved on and I’ve hired a new Virtual Assistant, Terri. She was able to make the changes to the website and shopping cart and NOW, FINALLY you can buy the individual DVD’s!!! They are only $27.00 each. You can buy one, two, three or all of them…..although, if you want all of them it is a better buy to purchase the entire guide and DVD’s. The catch here is that you don’t get the workbook when you buy the individual DVD’s though.
The individual DVD’s can be purchased as a download, which saves you money because there are no shipping charges or sales tax! Buy the one that you need and let me know what you think!
Resources/Bonus DVD: Includes how to process your flowers, how to order your flowers, how to store your flowers and more! A whole hour worth of instruction!
Corsages & Boutonnieres DVD: Watch me wire and tape various types of flowers and then put them together for corsages and boutonnieres. Also included is info on how to store them once they are made!
Bouquets DVD: Learn how to make various types of bridal bouquets. This DVD also shows you how to make bridesmaid bouquets and nosegays for the moms. Ever wonder how to make a pomander (ball of fresh flowers)? Watch me make one here!
Ceremony Decor DVD: Learn how to make pew/chair end bows, how to add flowers to the pew/chair ends, what to do for the ceremony/alter area, how to use rose petals for aisle decor and more.
Reception Decor DVD: Learn how to make centerpieces, how to put flowers on your cake, how to decorate you toasting glasses and cake knife/server.
February 17, 2010
I’ve spoken a little bit about roses in the past….the information is worth repeating because it is one of my tips for brides on how to save money on her wedding flowers. If you are planning a wedding, stay away from Valentine’s Day if you are trying to save money! Roses are a bridal favorite and available all year. However, at this time of year, both red and white roses will start to go up in price leading up to Valentine’s Day! I had a large order the week BEFORE Valentine’s Day and it was for all red and white roses….3 dozen per vase to be exact. I got a last minute add on and had to run to the wholesaler to pick up one more bunch of roses on Saturday. That was a full 8 days before Valentine’s Day and four days after the initial order of 55 bunches arrived. I paid almost 2 1/2 times more for the roses on Saturday!
So, if your heart is set on a Valentine’s Day wedding, be prepared for the additional cost of roses anytime within the two weeks preceding Valentine’s Day. And, know that ALL flowers will be more expensive during this time period, with the red, white and pink colors carrying the biggest increases.
There are so many varieties of roses and new varieties being propagated every day. One of my favorite new roses is called Amnesia. It is a bi-colored rose, meaning it has two colors, the inside petals are lavender and the outside petals are green. It is a very vintage looking rose and vintage is IN this year as a trend. Things to look for in roses….the head size depends upon the stem length and the petal count of the roses. Not all roses are created equally. For larger head sizes, you want large petal counts. Many websites about roses will give you guidance in this area with clues about the petal counts like small, medium and large. If you are ever unsure, ASK someone, a florist, a wholesalers, a grower. You can find roses in the biggest assortment of colors than any other flower.
Roses are pretty hardy flowers. To get the most out of your roses, when they come in be sure to process them. I show you how to do this in the DIY Wedding Flower Guide, Bonus/Resources DVD. If you process your roses, you can expect anywhere from 5-7 days out of them. If you don’t process them correctly, you can almost count on them to droop the following day. Roses need to get water all the way up the stem to the head!
The shorter the length of stem, typically the longer the rose will last…..because it takes less time and effort for the rose to get water up the stem to the head! Here is an example, thinking a little out of the box, of a dozen roses, in a vase, but cut short….this centerpiece will last at least a week. This particular centerpiece has been like this for 5 days already.
I used a 5 1/2 inch squared vase with black aqua beads and a chartreuse green ribbon banded around the base with rows of red roses….I started out with 3 rows of 4 roses, but as the roses have opened, I removed one row (3 roses).
February 9, 2010
Hi There,
I was recently asked to make a dog bone out of flowers…..so I used 95 white carnations to create this fun floral dog bone.
white carnations were used to create a floral dog bone
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