Vermont Wedding Flowers by Alison Ellis

A Surefire Way To Ruin Your Wedding

May 7th, 2013

Micromanaging is the biggest saboteur of wedding day bliss. When a couple is “in charge” of too many details (or people to check up on) the joy starts to get sucked out of the whole experience.

If there is one piece of advice I can offer it’s this:

You have to enjoy your wedding day!

Sound advice, right?

Sooo….

Here’s how you’re going to do it:

Consider yourself a guest at your own wedding.

You may have planned this shindig, but you are the guests of honor. Guests of honor don’t put out unexpected fires.

Hire pros you trust.

Cross the “to-do’s” off of your list.

Delegate.

Go with the flow.

Don’t worry.

Enjoy your wedding and soak it all in because the day will be here and gone before you know it!

Do you know a micromanager who could use this advice? Share the love with a friend by passing this post on!

Tell me in the comments how you are going to ensure that YOU enjoy your wedding day!

Tags: DIY, engaged, Musings, planning tips
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Why You Shouldn’t Buy Anything For Your Wedding Before Hiring A Designer

April 23rd, 2013

Once you set a date for your wedding it may be tempting to start shopping for wedding decor, but it can be a huge mistake.

Talk to your florist, event stylist or wedding planner before buying any sort of wedding props. They probably know more about what works in your chosen venue and what you really need.

Plus they may already have items you can rent or they’ll know where you can get all those lanterns, wooden place card holders and votive candles you may otherwise spend hours sourcing.

You don’t really want to own 25 birch table numbers, do you?

If you like this post share the love with a friend, “like” it, tweet it or leave a comment below! Did you make any big decor purchases for your wedding day?

Tags: planning tips, wedding trends
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How To Make A Centerpiece More Expensive

April 9th, 2013

Want to know how to make your centerpieces more expensive? Add candles. Candlelight is so hot this year {pun intended!} and I’ve had more requests for “lots of candles” than ever before. The reality is that candles aren’t cheap. And if they are inexpensive it’s probably for good reason (like they won’t burn for very long, or the wax is scented).

Whether you purchase candles from your florist, wedding planner, or buy them yourself they should be considered in your decor budget.

If you have your heart set on “a ton of candles” you can easily add $50-70 per table for the romantic aura. Larger pillar candles in glass can cost $20+ a piece. Votive candles range from $3-7 each. Floating candles in vases of various sizes can start at $15-20 and the larger the vase, the higher the cost. Love mercury glass? Cha-ching! Even faux-mercury glass will easily add $15-20 per candle.

Here’s a quick tip to keep your candle costs in check: the first thing to do is ask your venue if they provide votive candles. Many venues will provide 3 to 5 candles per table for no charge. But sometimes you have to ask to find out what’s included so make sure you know what is provided.

If candles are essential to your wedding day ambience then perhaps the cost will not deter you! Enjoy the allure of amore and light up the night! Oh yes, that’s another thing…don’t put a huge emphasis on candles if you’re having a reception during daylight hours. It’s far more elegant at night!

Pictured here is a faux mercury glass julep cup filled with flowers for a cocktail table.

Tip: Water in the bottom of the votive holder allows the wax to be easily removed. These small votives have ice cubes in the bottom which will melt and allow the wax to come away from the glass.

Tags: planning tips, wedding trends
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White And Silver Winter Wedding Flowers

March 28th, 2013

Meline and Evans hosted their destination wedding on New Year’s weekend and they had a picturesque winter wonderland awaiting their arrival. The color palette was winter whites and silvers while being sure to stay clear of a holiday vibe. We did all of our planning & discussions long distance via e-mail, but with a little trust and some vision we can easily make the flower magic happen!

Mel carried a bouquet of white ranunculus, roses, scabiosa, silver brunnia, eucalyptus and hydrangea. This color and floral combo is so perfect for winter, but would fit in with any season!

Here is a “bride’s eye view” of her bouquet from above.

The bridesmaids carried bouquets of white roses, hydrangea, scabiosa, stock, brunnia and eucalyptus.

The flower girls carried birch baskets filled with hydrangea and baby’s breath.

Centerpieces also highlighted a natural birch inspired container and brought a wintery touch indoors.

The Round Barn was blanketed in snow and the sky was blue! A perfect day for a wedding.

Congratulations to Meline and Evans!

Here is Mel’s review on WeddingWire.com…

“Alison’s work was beautiful, and represented exactly what we discussed. Since we weren’t located in the area we never met her, but it didn’t matter because she was so thoughtful and listened so well during our conversations. The flowers couldn’t have been more beautiful, and Alison followed up the day before the wedding just to confirm the last minute details and give me peace of mind that everything was going to work out well. Would highly recommend working with Alison.”

Happy couples seriously make my day!

Tags: destination wedding, Feature Weddings, flowers, Vermont Weddings, winter wedding
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How To Define Your Wedding Day Style

March 20th, 2013

As a designer whose job it is to interpret your ideal style and meld your favorite looks into one cohesive theme I’ve found that the things you don’t like are just as important as the things you do like.

Perhaps you have found images you like, but there is no clear “vision” or your color palette is iffy and you have no idea what flowers you like which leaves you feeling like you don’t know what you want. Here’s what I suggest you do; take notice of what you dislike.

Are you not into bright, bold colors? Dislike many different flowers and textures mixed together in bouquets? Think hydrangea are too fluffy? Callas too formal? Blue seems too “blue” for you?

Believe it or not your dislikes can help paint a very clear picture of what you actually DO like. Never fear. You have a wedding style…even if you don’t know it yet!

For the wedding bouquets pictured below the bride told me specifically no roses, but we established that tulips, anemone and grape hyacinth were blooms she liked and the rest was up to me. A classic case where a bride’s dislikes revealed the nature of her true style.

Do you have any major style dislikes or flowers you want to avoid on your wedding day?

Tags: Musings, planning tips, wedding trends
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The Wedding You Want vs The Wedding You Can Afford

February 27th, 2013

I saw a fellow “pinner’s” quote that read, “I have two wedding boards, one for the wedding I’m planning on Pinterest and one for the wedding I can afford.”

It’s kinda funny, a little bit sad and so true! In a world of endless wedding inspiration couples are all too aware of the many options, endless DIY details and must-have-luxuries that they may or may not be able to swing for. You can start out thinking…I HAVE to have THAT!…until your heart sinks when you find out the price tag that’s attached to it. It may feel like you’re pinning your hopes and dreams.

Every detail adds up when planning a wedding. The venue and food costs are just the beginning and once you add flowers, favors, photography, music, linens, dessert, table numbers and stationery things start to get real. And don’t forget your wardrobe. Wedding day attire is a huge detail and there is always one more thing you need to complete your ensemble…veil, shoes, the “right” undergarments, jewelry, an adorable bolero or pashmina!

Don’t get bummed out by the “must-have’s” of wedding inspiration boards, magazines and blogs. It’s better to spend wisely than to simply spend muchly! (You can tweet that and bring it to the bank.)

When all is said and done the most important things to keep in mind are the comfort of your guests, the quality of their experience (I’m talking ample food and drink here people!) and cherishing the fact that you will soon be wed and that’s what truly matters. Truly.

Photo by Landwehrle Photography

Tags: Musings, planning tips
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Wedding Planning Tips: Your Vermont Wedding

February 20th, 2013

Whether you’re planning a destination wedding in Vermont or you’re a local couple getting hitched close to home there are many details to address and I think a few short-cuts through the process wouldn’t hurt anybody! Today I’ve put together a collection of some of my personal planning tips to help you cross your t’s, dot the i’s and hopefully avoid a few faux pas along the way.

No matter how far along you are in the planning process you’re bound to find a tip or two (and hopefully more!) that can help you personalize your big day and introduce your guests to the beauty of Vermont. You may want to bookmark this page so you can revisit these tips later!

♥ Here are 7 tips to keep in mind when meeting with floral designers.

♥ Advice for choosing your personal bouquet style.

♥ I suggest you order boutonnieres and corsages for these VIPs.

♥ Some things to consider when hosting out-of-town guests.

♥ …And here’s how I think you should introduce your guests to Vermont.

♥ Want to really add a few special touches to your big day? Gild the Lily!

♥ The mother of the bride may need a few tips as well.

♥ Last, but not least, add a touch of green with eco-friendly inspired tips.

Would you like some advice on planning your wedding? Leave a comment below or shoot me an e-mail.

Photo: Orchard Cove Photography, Location: The Inn At The Round Barn

Photo: Daria Bishop Photographers, Location: Stowe Mountain Lodge

Tags: destination wedding, engaged, fun photos, green weddings, planning tips
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Have The Best Valentine’s Day Ever!

February 14th, 2013

My feelings on Valentine’s Day have changed dramatically over the years. It’s been many years since I’ve worked at a flower shop on one of the busiest floral holidays of the year and that’s allowed me to gain a fresh perspective and appreciation for the ooey-gooey sweetness that Valentine’s Day can be about.

This year I’ve got a new man in my life to celebrate the sweetness of this day and my husband and I can both agree that we heart him immensely.

Today I’ll be trying this recipe for Chubby Hubby Truffles to surprise my husband.

I hope you’ll do something sweet for your sweet…or for yourself! xoxo

Many thanks to Amanda of Orchard Cove Photography for the photo of me and my lil’ man!

Tags: fun photos, Musings
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Fall Wedding At West Monitor Barn

January 31st, 2013

Shannon and Darren had their destination wedding at The West Monitor Barn in September. The very beginnings of fall were felt in the air and their color palette reflected that seasonal style with reds, oranges and yellow contrasted with purples for a slight twist on traditional “fall colors”. Occasions Catering was on site to tend to all of the details and the talented Stina Booth of Studio SB captured all the details of the day.

The bride carried a bouquet of orange roses, yellow freesia, purple callas, anemones, montbretia, red spray roses, hypericum berries and agonis. I absolutely love the way these colors look together.

Her bridesmaids carried smaller, similar bouquets to contrast with their deep purple dresses. Stina captured this great shot of the bouquets!

A mom’s clutch bouquet made up of purple anemone, callas, asters, orange roses & red spray roses with freesia and hypericum berries.

The ceremony took place in an open field under a wooden arbor adorned with garlands of fresh greenery and flowers to complement the wedding party’s flowers.

The men wore calla boutonnieres with grey suits. Stina captured such a cute moment here!

Shannon acquired lanterns for her tabletops and wanted a few floral accents for some color. Orange callas, spray roses, asters, viking poms, hypericum berries and agonis add a fresh element to the tables.

The orange callas were stunning with nearly yellow centers that turned to nearly red tips.

Congratulations to Shannon and Darren who introduced many of their destination guests to the beauty of a Vermont fall day!

These last two are just for fun… I had a partner in my studio this season!

I also had some fun on Instagram. Find me at: instagram.com/floralartvt

As always I love when you share the love!

Tags: destination wedding, Feature Weddings, flowers, Vermont Weddings
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Wedding Planning Mantra Of The Day

January 10th, 2013

I am inspired by clients and potential clients to post these Wedding Planning Mantras and this one is SO important to keep in mind in a world where bigger, better and “more” wedding inspiration can potentially make you feel inferior. Mediate on this one for a moment. Be at peace with your budget. Zen, baby.

Tags: fun photos, Mantras, Musings, planning tips
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