An Afternoon of Tea, Feathers, and a Toothbrush

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After years of working in the wedding industry, one skill I have learned is to be flexible. Often times I will have to resort to plan B, C, or even D. This week’s wedding is ‘flapper’ inspired and we are using ivory feathers. After a week of searching, the only place I was able to find both the small and large feathers I needed had a $50 shipping charge, which I did not want to spend. So my next step was to get a little creative and come up with a plan B. In looking at the feather color choices I thought my best bet was to purchase white feathers and somehow die them ivory. A few years back I read an article about dying fabric with black tea. I thought to myself, if it works on fabric it should work on feathers–and to my delight I was right! Below is a step by step guide of the process I followed to dye feathers ivory.

As a disclaimer: I realize that there might be a better way to go about dying feathers with tea, but this is the process that I followed which was a success.

Supplies Needed:
Sauce Pan
Black Tea
Feathers
Paper Towel
Toothbrush
Something to dry your wet feathers on  (I used cookie sheets and a big box)

Step #1: Boil Water.

Step #2: Steep your tea in the boiled water. I used 1 tea bag per 1 cup water

 

Step #3: Put your feathers into the pot of tea and stir them around.

Step #5: Let the feathers dry. I placed mine on the windowsill to speed the process up. I can be a little impatient with waiting :)

Step #4: After a few minutes take the feathers out and place them on a paper towel lined cookies sheet (or something simila

Step #6: When the feathers are dry, take a toothbrush and comb them out. I found it worked best to comb the backside of the feather with the toothbrush at an angle.

 

There you have it. A fairly simple process to dye feathers. The final result is not a drastic change but it is the perfect tone of ivory for the flapper inspired wedding this weekend!

Grey: The New Neutral

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Grey is a color that in the past has gotten a bad rap; it is often a color associated with sorrow and mourning. However, today is a new day! Now grey can stand strong against its more popular counterpart: black. This year grey is “the” choice for weddings. Many may not know, but in Native American cultures grey is associated with friendship and is seen as a symbol of security, maturity, and dependability. No matter what grey tone you use this hue can add a cooling yet sophisticate vibe.

Grey comes in a variety of shades and tones that will work perfect for you. If you want your wedding to feel fresh and crisp you should pair it with softer, pastel combinations such as greens, peaches, pinks, lavenders and blues. Grey can also work amazingly with more saturated hues of purple, reds, yellows, and hot pinks. By pairing grey with these bold tones you will create a more modern color palette. The beauty of grey is that you can replace white with light grey or substitute black with dark grey. Whatever tone of grey you choose you are bound to find a shade that is a perfect addition for your wedding color palette.

Below are a few of my favorite color combinations using grey

Grey color combos

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When incorporating grey into your wedding flowers, with a little creativity there are some wonderful choices. One of my favorite stems to use to bring out the shade is silver brunia. This berry not only complements most color palettes but also adds a unique texture to any bouquet. My other go-to for grey is any type of eucalyptus. This foliage comes in many varieties such as baby blue, gunnii, or silver dollar eucalyptus. Each offer a great option to add a hint of blueish gray to a flower arrangement. If you are seeking a true grey foliage, stick with the fuzzy textured ’dusty miller.’ Finally, succulents are an awesome choice to add a touch of grey to your flower combo. Choosing any of these suggestions will bring texture, sophistication, and a sense of modernity to your bouquet.

Plan a Wedding In Weeks

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Planning your wedding in less than a month can seem daunting, but I am here to tell you that it can be done. After the initial “are we crazy!?” emotion broke down, my fiancé Alex and I knew that if we were going to plan our wedding in three weeks we had to get to work. Soon we came to the realization that organization was going to be imperative if we were going to successfully plan our wedding. Lists became our best friends. As our to-do list got longer we also knew that we couldn’t do it alone. Delegation became second nature to us as we enlisted the trusted help of our friends and family. It soon became obvious that planning a wedding in just a few short weeks was not only possible but also a fun family affair.

Below are some specific steps we followed that allowed our wedding to go off without a hitch.

Step 1:
Decide your location of your nuptials and reception. If you are getting married in the busy season realize that most venues will have already been booked for months. Look for alternatives such as a local park, a restaurant that has a banquet room, or even a family or friends backyard.

We opted to have our ceremony at a quaint country church that had been relocated adjacent to the college that Alex and I both attended. Our reception was held in the wine cellar of a local Italian restaurant. Both places were perfect and fit the casual, intimate feel of our wedding.

Whirlwind Wedding

 

Step 2
Decide your guest list and mail your invitations. Depending on your guests you could opt to go paperless and send electronic invites. Whether you choose to do paper or paperless invites, request the RSVPs via telephone or through email.

For our wedding we had a small guest list (less than 30 people) so we chose to call our family and friends. Some would say that was not the proper way to invite guests to a wedding, but hey, what is another rule thrown out the window? Most of our guests were close relatives that would have expected a phone call prior to our wedding. You have to do what is right for your situation. Remember with short engagements your guest list will most likely also be shortened. Not everyone that you would like to make it will be able to attend. It is up to you to be happy to share the day with those that can and not fixate on those that can’t be at your wedding.

Whirlwind Wedding

Step 3
Find your officiant and get your paperwork in order. The sooner you know who your officiant is the better, especially during peak wedding season. If you cannot find an officiant, have a friend or family member become ordained online. In addition to finding an officiant, get all of your paperwork in order. Contact the county clerk and find out the requirements for a marriage license.

We were lucky because my uncle is an ordained pastor and he agreed to marry us. All we had to do was meet with him to tell him our preferences for our ceremony and go down to the county courthouse and apply for a marriage license.

Whirlwind Wedding

Step 4
Choose your wedding party. You will want to give your wedding party ample time to clear their schedules and make arrangements for your wedding. This is especially true if you have out of town attendants.

For our wedding I chose my sister-n-law to stand up with me and my brother to walk me down the aisle. Alex chose his sister to stand up with him. We wanted to keep it simple and by using just family members no friends felt left out.

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Step 5
Decide what everyone is going to wear. In a previous post I discussed how I found my dress online. Remember with your dress and the bridesmaids’ dresses you may not have time to have them fitted.

For our wedding I ordered simple black dresses online through David’s Bridal for my sister-n-law and Alex’s sister. Prior to me ordering the dresses both of them were able to try them on at the store which meant they did not need to have them altered when they arrived in the mail. As for Alex and my brother they opted to wear coordinating suits. We bought matching jewelry for the girls and a tie for my brother for wedding gifts that they also wore.

Whirlwind Wedding

Step 6
Order your cake and flowers. Remember in peak season you might not get your first choice but that doesn’t mean you have to settle on something you do not want. If your first choice is booked ask them for a recommendation for someone else. Most likely the vendor will recommend someone similar to their style and tastes. And once again, if you keep things simpler, the easier it is for them to create you vision.

This is one step that was easier for me then most because I am a florist. I knew I didn’t have to worry about the flowers. The cake on the other hand, I ordered from a local baker who I have worked with before. When ordering it I told her my favorite flavors and the types of cakes I like and gave her free rein to be creative. The cake turned out beautifully and tasted even better then it looked

Whirlwind Wedding

Step 7
Figure out your music for the ceremony and reception. Ask yourself what type of music do you want at your wedding – live music, a DJ, or track music? If you have trouble finding musicians ask a local college. Often they have students or facility members that will play at your wedding. When choosing track music remember to pick songs that appeal to a wide range of ages. You want all of your guests to enjoy your celebration and throwing in a few oldies will be sure to be a crowd pleaser.

Again, we were lucky with the music at our wedding. At our ceremony my brother sang and played guitar to one of my favorite songs and my mother’s friend played the piano for the processional and recessional. For the reception we played a track that Alex compiled with songs that had everyone asking for a copy after the wedding was over.

Whirlwind Wedding

Step 8
Purchase any of your additional needs. For example, will you need centerpieces, favors, partyware, or a guest book? This is the time to tie up all your loose ends. Planning a wedding in weeks takes a lot of organization; but, most importantly remember that even the most well planned weddings never go exactly right, so laugh at the mistakes and enjoy your day!

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Whirlwind Wedding

Our Whirlwind Wedding

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It is crazy how time flies. Almost a year has passed since my wedding and I have yet to write a blog post about the amazing day. Well, today is the day….no more procrastinating.

Working in the wedding industry has allowed me to be a part of some truly awesome weddings. From elaborate, grand affairs to charming backyard bashes I have seen and done it all. With all this experience, I was able to figure out exactly what I wanted for my own nuptials. As a somewhat reserved person I knew that I did not want a big, expensive wedding; instead, I wanted something more intimate. My dream was to have a wedding that would allow me to enjoy myself and my fiancé Alex with our handful of guests.

When I began planning my wedding it was right on the cusp of my soon to be busy wedding season. The option was to either wait a year for the next spring or plan our wedding in three short weeks – I chose the latter. The thought was a bit overwhelming at first, but once I started the process I knew it could be done. Weddings are about celebrating love (not to sound too cheesy) and as my big day quickly approached I realized planning a wedding in three weeks allowed me to focus on the true meaning of marriage. I wasn’t able to get hung up on all the small, sometimes insignificant details. Instead I had to choose what I wanted and not second guess any of my decisions.

The most important part for me in planning my wedding was being open and not lamenting on the things I couldn’t have. For instance, my wedding dress could have been a major stress. Usually, it takes months to find the perfect gown. From childhood to adulthood girls dream about their “perfect” dress that will make them not only look amazing but fulfill all their youthful fantasies. For me I had put those fantasies aside and sought to find my perfect dress given my time frame. I ended up ordering it online believe it or not. In five days time my dress arrived via FedEx and lo and behold all that it needed in terms of alterations was a hem. If I could have had more time to search and try on dresses who knows what I would have selected, but this dress was beautiful and everything I could have imagined for my day.

As the weeks ticked by and our wedding day quickly approached I was surprised that I had none of the common pre-wedding jitters. My jitters were replaced with only excitement. Looking back I think I was able to avoid those unwanted feelings because we had such a short engagement. There wasn’t time to worry or second guess. Decision making can be a stress reliever and when we made our wedding decisions they were final. No going back, no ifs, and, or buts. As a result, we were able to have a more relaxed attitude, which made the process all the more fun.

I know that planning a wedding in three weeks is not typical, but no matter the length of your engagement I recommend trying to look at your wedding with this frame of mind. Because in the end your wedding is suppose to be a celebration. It won’t ruin your day if the napkins on your reception tables are ivory and your chair covers are white. What matters is that you are happy and excited to join your life with your partner. I am a firm believer when you take on this attitude, not only will you enjoy your wedding more but so will all of your guests. The memories you make will not be focused on all the stress of planning your wedding, but instead will be of a day that was filled with love, happiness, and joy.

Look for my next blog post that will give you a step by step break down of the steps to planning a wedding in just a few short weeks.

Glam isn’t just for Hollywood

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Hollywood bombards us every day with alluring starlet’s, swank parties, and eye-catching fashion. Women across the country pore over magazines discussing the latest Hollywood trends, wishing just for one day that it could be them, living this glamorous lifestyle. Well, I have news for you….this life, or a piece of this life can be yours. What better day to make your fairytale come true then on your wedding day. The following Hollywood glam ideas will not only wow your guests, but it will allow you to truly shine on your special day.

Luxury Seating

Luxury is often a word associated with Hollywood. To translate this luxury theme it is important to pay attention to your seating. Instead of using the standard banquet chair rent elegant chiavari chairs. These classic chairs most often come in gold, silver, black, or brown. Another option to disguise the run of the mill banquet chair is to use chair covers. Today chair covers come in a variety of fabrics and colors. I suggest using a silk in ivory or white with chair sash knotted in the same tone. Finally, set up lounge seating areas with couches and chairs. Placing these groupings near the dance floor will allow your guests to rest their feet while still feeling like they can partake in the fun of your reception.

Lavishness Linens    

To achieve the Hollywood look it is important not to settle for your venue’s traditional white tablecloth. With your linens you can add style and glam. Today there are hundreds of fabrics and colors to choose from. Layer multiple fabrics, like embroidered organza with chenille or layer tablecloths with lush silks or sheer velvets.

Customized Lighting

Nothing can transform your reception like great lighting. Customized lighting can change the entire look of a space. For the Hollywood look use opulent chandeliers saturated in Swarovski crystals and accent lighting in amber or gold tones. To continue with the theme I suggest using an array of candles. Not only will your reception atmosphere glow, your guests will look even more radiant under this warm light. When it is time for the dance to start, you can create a club like atmosphere with red or blue lighting.

Bountiful Flowers

Beautiful flowers will turn any wedding into something spectacular! With a Hollywood-themed wedding, flowers are not only important, but essential. Nothing gives the feeling of lavishness and glamour than rich, bountiful blooms. To achieve the Hollywood look, I suggest using soft romantic blooms, like peonies, hydrangeas, roses, and ranunculus. Add a touch of the exotic with phalaenopsis or vanda orchids. It is important to minimize the use of filler flowers and greens to achieve the rich Hollywood theme. Finally, use a variety of centerpieces in various sizes to create tablescapes that will not only transform your reception but leave a lasting impression.

Sparkling Details

The cliché saying “it’s all in the details” is definitely true for a Hollywood-themed wedding. Hollywood does not do anything half way and neither should you. I believe it is all in the layering of the details. For example, carry metallic shimmer throughout your event by incorporating mercury glass vases, napkin rings, chargers and framed photos. Combine these items with sparkling crystals from chandeliers, candle sticks, and beaded strands. Continue layering with accents of feathers in your bouquets and centerpieces. Finally add reflective element with mirrors strategically placed throughout your reception. By layering these elements throughout your wedding you will create a magical Hollywood event that no one will soon forget.

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Be a Budget Savvy Bride without Sacrificing

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Planning a wedding is nothing but overwhelming. Decisions upon decisions bombard your once normal days. Try to juggle the details while sticking to a budget can seem like an impossible feat. However, with these few budget savvy tips you can maintain your overall look and feel without busting your buck.

  •  Bridesmaid’s dresses: Instead of choosing a bridesmaids dress from a wedding boutique, look for deals at your favorite retail stores such as Banana Republic, The Limited, or The Gap
  •  Votives: Nothing sets the tone of your reception then candle light. Saturate your reception with inexpensive votives.
  •  Garden Flowers: Raid your or families garden’s for flowers. Many florist will work your own grown flowers….just remember you will still need to pay for their services and floral supplies.
  •  Submerged Floral: Create a striking arrangement with as little as three flowers by submerging your favorite bloom, such as, orchids or calla lilies in vases with a floating candle.
  •  Vases and Jars: Instead of purchasing or renting vases create an eclectic look by gathering a mix of vases, jars, and glasses that you or loved ones may own.
  •  Colored Water: Bring color to your tables by floating a candle in a vase filled with colored water. Add a submerged flower for an extra touch.
  •  Rose Petals: Don’t scatter, but, create “petal piles” around candlescapes, which, gives you color for little cost. You can also fill rose petals in a hurricane vase with a candle or submerge in a vase filled with water and a floating candle.
  •  Hydrangeas: Although hydrangeas are considered one of the more expensive flowers, they cover a large area. Fill a vase with one to tree hydrangeas to create a lovely, simple centerpiece.
  •  Baby’s Breath: Don’t knock the baby’s breath… (Although I have been known to too) Packed tightly in arrangements or bouquets baby’s breath can mimic snow, perfect for a winter wedding.
  •  Bridesmaid’s Bouquets: Create modern, inexpensive bridesmaid’s bouquets by using a few stems of one flower such as peonies or hydrangeas.
  •  Paper Lanterns: Paper lanterns make an enormous visual impact whether they are lit or unlit. They are super budget friendly and tie the whole reception room together.

Fiesta Time

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During the cold winter, the dream of sipping margaritas on a warm Mexican beach seems all too enticing. However, the harsh reality is that most of the time real life does not bring such luck. Instead, a typical winter day involves people trudging through snow on their way to work only to finish their day with an ongoing list of dreaded responsibilities. The thought of basking in the bright tropical sun is just a daydream. Although a Mexican vacation is just a fantasy for most, that does not mean you cannot bring a little of the Latin flare to you, and what better way to escape a dull winter then by throwing a Mexican fiesta.

Recently I teamed up with Leah at Envision Wedding Studio and Grand Falls Casino Resort to host a fun filled fiesta for Novartis, a business in the area. The goal of this Mexican themed fiesta was to create a colorful, eventful party enjoyed by all. Leah took the lead on the design elements using cactus, colored and vintage vases, sombreros, maracas, piñatas, lanterns, indigenous textiles, and bright paper flowers. For the tables we combined these items with vibrant flowers. For our first table we used three colored vases filled with flowers, on the second table we used a 24” cylinder filled with cactus along with an antique vase arranged with flowers, and for the third table, a yellow lantern with small vintage vases packed with flowers. Each centerpiece was accented with a rectangle piece of indigenous fabric.

Creating fiesta themed centerpieces is nothing but enjoyable. Combining bright colors with funky flowers is an ideal pairing. For the Novartis fiesta I wanted to use a variety of textures and colors. The list of flowers I chose was: alstroemeria, stock, protea, tulips, spray roses, godetia, spider mums, acacia, wax flower, bupluerum, and monster leafs. The blend of these flowers allowed me to create unique, vibrant bouquets–no one being exactly alike. The result was a perfect marriage between the design elements and flowers creating an exciting, fun escape from the chilly winter months.

Below is a glimpse of the Mexican theme brought to life

Not Your Typical Grocery Store Flowers

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Passing through the aisles in the grocery store, it is easy to walk by the prepackaged, cellophane wrapped bunches of flowers.  However, it’s time to STOP! With a little creativity you can take these common flowers and use them to make something truly special! Below are 10 easy ideas using prepackage bunches of flowers that will transform your party or event.

 1. Dessert

Add color and texture to any dessert by decorating your sweet treats with blooms of flowers. Use flowers such as chamomile, daisies, violets, or pom poms either directly on your dessert or on the serving tray.

2. Candles

Take old garden pots and fill it with wet floral foam. Add a candle to the middle and fill around the edges with flowers. Try using different size pots to add interest to your table.

3. Pressed Flowers

When flowers begin to fade, don’t throw them away; press them in an old book for future projects. After they are dried frame the pressed flowers to enjoy them for years to come.

4. Tin Cans

For a simple grouping of flowers, turn used soup or coffee cans into vases for very little money. Spray paint the cans or cover them in fabric or paper to create cohesiveness among the containers.

5. Jars and Wine Bottles

Place single blooms of flowers into individual milk jars, wine bottles, or mason jars. I recommend varying the heights of your containers to add interest.

6.Place Cards

With a Sharpie write each guest’s name on greenery leafs and use them as place cards for your table.

7. Rose Petal Bubbly

Add a little extra special to your party cocktails by floating rose petals in the bubbly. (Don’t worry roses are edible!) Roses come in numerous shades, which allow you to coordinate the petals with your cocktail.

8. Napkins

Add an extra pop of color to your table by tucking cut flowers into your guests folded napkins. To keep the blooms from wilting, wrap floral tape around the cut stem. To fold the napkin, lay it on a flat surface, and fold in half widthwise so the folded edge is near you. Fold the top layer back down halfway. Turn the napkin over, and fold the edges into the center. Finish by folding the napkin in half.

9. Votives

Use candle votives (minus the candle) and place singular stems in each. Groupings work great on party tables or place one on a bathroom vanity or kitchen counter.

10. Submerged

Fill water to the top of your miscellaneous vases and submerged single stems or bunches of the same flower. A trick to keep the buoyant flowers in place is to use a floating candle; which also adds ambient lighting.

11. Ice Cubes

Freeze edible flowers with water in ice-cube tray, then adding the colorful cubes to signature cocktails.

Lovely Orange

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I love bright colors – the way they can take an ordinary floral arrangement and make it pop. One of the best colors to add that special touch is orange. This warm, vibrant shade gives a fun yet cozy vibe to any wedding. Often people can be intimidated by this alternative color; however, orange can transform your event depending on the colors you pair it with. By combining orange with warm, earthy tones such as brown and gold you can achieve a rustic, laid back feel. Often used during the fall season. However, a more modern color scheme can be achieved by pairing orange with blue, purple, or green, which leads to a fun, exciting ambiance.

Whatever direction you choose to go with there are endless orange options for your wedding or event. From light apricot to bright tangerine flower choices abound. Some of my favorite orange flowers are dahlias, tulips, roses, orchids, and calla lilies. In centerpieces I even have utilized orange fruit either whole or sliced to add a unique touch.

Below is an inspiration board to show you just how effective orange can be for your event. This color is truly unique in its ability to add a bright, cheery feel while at the same time adding warmth and coziness

All links for photos can be found here.

Finding Inspiration in Color Blocking

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As a florist it is my job to continually try to come up with new, fresh ideas. I look for inspirations everywhere – nature, home décor, magazines, internet, TV….the list good go on and on. Recently I was given the opportunity to create a table display along with Leah at Envision Wedding Studio for the wedding show at Grand Falls Casino Resort.

Leah and I were given free rein to come up with a unique, eye-catching table. We began brainstorming ideas, looking through bridal magazines for color inspirations. It was important to come up with a color scheme that was unique and had not been used in the past. Bold hues were our immediate direction. As the ideas started flowing we soon created a color palate of deep raspberries, burgundies, pinks, gold, and bright orange tones.

As I sought out to create the bouquet for the centerpiece, I remembered reading a fashion article about the infusion of color blocking in the spring lines of 2012. This trend can be spotted everywhere. From dresses to skirts, to shoes and bags fashionistas can’t get enough of this look. I knew the marriage between our bold color palate and the color blocking style would be perfect for the event.

In the bouquet I used deep purple and raspberry carnations (I know the dreaded “C” word) however, packed tightly in a bouquet these often ridiculed flowers work great! Along with the carnations, deep pink hydrangeas, fuchsia orchids, pink stock, burgundy roses, and orange spray roses were arranged in a color blocking pattern to make a packed round bouquet. The result was a modern, eye-catching bouquet. Paired with a fuchsia linen, gold chargers, burgundy napkins, and clear and gold votive candles, the table came together beautifully. By drawing inspiration from fashion, we were able to create a memorable, stunning display.