Tall Centerpieces…And Why I Hate Them

February 1st, 2012

It’s been a while since I’ve written a Love it/Hate it post, but a recent consultation with a bride who expressed her horrible experience with tall centerpieces at a friend’s wedding has ignited my flame.

People often choose tall centerpieces to make a large ballroom feel more “full” or to give a feeling of opulence, but there are drawbacks.  I think they are impractical and obstruct the guests’ view across the table.  If a guest has to move a centerpiece off the table to feel more comfortable that’s a bit of a floral faux pas.  If my centerpiece hindered conversation and socialization at your wedding I’d be pretty bummed.

Taller pieces are also more top-heavy which means when your Uncle George leans on the table after a few glasses of vino something may get tipsy…and I’m not talking about your uncle!  I’m a firm believer in not booby-trapping your wedding.  Even the amazing Preston Bailey, Oprah’s go-to floral designer, has shared horror stories of his impressive pieces causing chaos at a reception.  You simply cannot predict how guests are going to interact with your table decor.

I simply dislike tall centerpieces.  They may seem impressive when you first enter the reception, but once seated your guests are staring at the base of the vase and the real action (aka the flowers!) are above their heads.  Short and sweet, I think your centerpieces should be short and sweet.  If your guests can easily see across the table, then the centerpiece is the right size.

 Here are a few centerpieces that are full, colorful and will not hinder conversation.

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Winter Wedding Flower Tips

January 25th, 2012

Winter weddings can be cozy and romantic…especially in Vermont!…but flowers and winter weather don’t go well together.  It’s straight forward enough that freezing temperatures will kill flowers.  Anything below 35 degrees is sure to end the life of your fresh blooms nearly instantaneously.  If you’re planning a winter wedding don’t bring flowers out in the cold.  (Easy rule of thumb:  If it’s snowing outside, it’s too cold for your flowers.)

If you are planning a winter wedding here are some tips for handling your fresh flowers:

Get 2 bouquets; one for photos before the ceremony and one for the vows.

Use “permanent botanicals” (aka artificial flowers) for any outdoor activities like photos of you frolicking in a snowy field…otherwise be advised that your bouquet may be frozen before you say “I do”.

Have your florist deliver bouquets to the ceremony location so you don’t have to walk outside with them.  If you have to move from one location to another have someone put a plastic bag (or two) over the flowers so the cold air doesn’t touch them.  I can’t stress enough how quickly the cold can take the life out of a fresh flower.

Limit your time outdoors even if the mercury rises above 35 degrees.  Florists store fresh blooms in coolers that are around 40 degrees (give or take a few), but winter air can be more harsh so keep your outdoor photo ops short and sweet.  You may want to take a few photos with your bouquet and then have someone run it inside so you have additional outdoor pics without your flowers.  Same rules apply to boutonnieres by the way!

If you opt to use some wintery greens like pine or cedar they will be more cold tolerant, but choosing to marry in winter doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to have an “evergreen” inspired event, however.  Based on this info you may be wondering how I got this bouquet photo on a snowy day…Well, we were fortunate that it was about 40+ degrees that day and the flowers are NOT touching the snow.  We still wrapped the flowers for delivery so they wouldn’t get a chill!

The above bouquet includes lisianthus, callas, roses, hydrangea, freesia, leucodendron and berzilia.

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An Inside Look At Wedding Planning

January 18th, 2012

When I was planning our wedding in 2003 there was no Google to speak of; I was impressed that my caterer had a nice website and I found my photographer through the bridal insert in the Burlington Free Press.  Endless wedding inspiration simply did not exist outside of the pages of a magazine and Style Me Pretty would have sounded like nonsense words.  It was indeed a simpler time.

Last summer my husband and I remodeled our kitchen and we found all the decisions a bit overwhelming at times.  At one point while deciding which type of countertops we should get I thought to myself, this is what my couples must feel like.  It’s a big purchase.  There are a lot of once-in-a-lifetime decisions and even more small decisions.  The devil is in the details and it’s all about the details.  I wanted to make the “right” decisions so badly that at certain points I just didn’t know what to choose.

Throughout the stressful project I was happy to have an opportunity to get a glimpse of the perspective of where do I begin?!  I was able to put myself in your shoes and I truly have a new appreciation for the planning process my couples face.  With non-stop wedding inspiration there is a lot of pressure to stand out and make your wedding incredible, personalized and over-the-top.  (I found the same was true for planning a new kitchen!)

Dave and I wanted to make eco-friendly decisions for our remodel, but we didn’t have a budget for a “green kitchen”.  We had to decide where to go green and where to go with the flow.  We had to trust our contractor (which we did implicitly) to make the best recommendations to us and when we had some opportunities to really add a wow factor (like the cathedral ceiling and skylight) we had to decide whether it was worth it to go for it.  There were certain items that I cared far more about aesthetically and I took the lead on those decisions.  On the other hand there were aspects that meant a lot to Dave where he weighed in heavily.  It was a joint effort and the look we chose reflects both of our tastes.

In the end our kitchen came together perfectly.  The size, the colors, the way it flows with the rest of the house, the way it works when I’m cooking in there–the kitchen gods had our backs on this project for sure.  We came in on schedule and budget even with a few upgrades and additions we made along the way!

If we could do it, you can do it.  Focus on the most important pieces of the planning process like securing your venue, your vendors, your budget details and if you feel overwhelmed take a break for a day (or a week) until you feel ready to jump back into the details.  Try to enjoy it and make it a good experience along the way.  You’re only going to plan this wedding once and I’m sure it will be great!

When in doubt choose beautiful, bold colors that speak to you.  A great color combo is welcoming and fun!

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How To Keep Your Flower Budget In Check

January 11th, 2012

Everyone knows that the costs of planning your wedding can add up quickly.  If flowers are a priority for your wedding design, but you still want to keep things “in check” here are a few tips to help keep you on track:

1.  The biggest portion of your flower budget is usually dedicated to centerpieces.  If you have a large guest list you will likely require a larger floral budget.

2.  If you have 9 bridesmaids you will be spending more than twice the “average” for attendants’ bouquets.  Much like the guest list, a smaller bridal party will help keep costs down.

3.  Seasonal flowers may sound like code for “cheap & easily available”, but that’s not the case.  Seasonal flowers like peonies, lily of the valley and many others can be reasonably priced, but if they are well grown and in demand they will not be inexpensive.

4.  Details that add interest to your wedding decor, but also add onto your budget like decorated tent poles, wreaths, petals for the aisle and anything hanging from the ceiling may need to be cast aside.

5.  Be honest about your flower budget and be open to suggestions from your floral designer on how to maximize your budget.

As much as it pains me to say this you simply cannot have it all and have a small flower budget.  If you want beautiful flowers, but you don’t want to spend a lot the best option is to have a smaller wedding.  Once your guest list reaches 200 your ideas of budget florals are quite frankly out the window!

Here are a few areas where you may consider keeping things simple in order to make room for the florals you really want:

Skip the custom linens and stick with the white or ivory provided by your venue; opt out of the fancy ride to the wedding if no one will see you emerge from your vehicle; forget about the late-night menu (caterers often suggest that this is not necessary anyway); and in general, don’t hire vendors that blow your desired budget out of the water leaving you to skimp in other areas.

It’s all about balance at the end of the day!

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Plan A Wedding That’s Uniquely Yours

January 6th, 2012

I conducted a seminar last year at The Vermont Wedding Affair and a couple approached me afterwards who needed some advice on how to “claim” their wedding as their own.  The bride and groom wanted a Vermonty farm wedding and her parents did not think that was what a wedding should look like.  I could see in her face that the bride just didn’t know what to do since her parents were footing the bill and the groom just wanted his bride to get the wedding she wants.

Communication is key to working with your partner and your family.  I suggested that the bride talk with her parents about how a ballroom wedding is simply not what she wants and that a more rustic, unique setting is what she was dreaming of.  I truly believe that parents want to give their children a beautiful wedding day.  The trouble is when there is a difference of opinion in what defines a “beautiful day”.

Family dynamics can be tricky even when we aren’t talking about planning a huge event like a wedding, but at the end of the day it’s absolutely essential that a couple feels their wedding reflected their style.  There may be a few areas where you need to take a parent’s preference into consideration (you can serve the type of booze they prefer or allow them to help pick the menu or perhaps you marry in the family’s place of worship), but don’t give up your vision entirely.

Your wedding day is the start of your life together and the planning process is a warm-up for all the decisions you are going to make throughout your lives.  Why shouldn’t you also set a tone with your families that says “this is who we are and we know what we want!”?  I am sure it will be the right decision for you to plan a wedding that’s uniquely yours.

Here’s an inspiration board with floral designs that have a more rustic, wildflowery feeling…perfect for a barn wedding!

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Wedding Consultation Tips For A New Year

January 4th, 2012

If there is one thing that holidays remind us of it’s that you shouldn’t bring too many cooks into the kitchen and when planning a wedding it’s wise if you don’t bring too many people with different opinions to your consultations.  It’s understandable that some people prefer the input of friends and family when meeting with vendors, however, it’s important to let your own preferences shine through so you get your wedding style, not your sister’s, your mom’s or your BFF’s wedding.

If you have already defined your wedding style as a couple it may be best to meet with vendors as a couple and inform family and friends about the decisions you made together.  When it comes to selecting your florist, photographer or caterer the most important thing is to feel a connection that allows you to trust that you are in good hands.  Part of the planning process includes letting go and allowing the vendors you’ve hired to fulfill the vision you’ve planned!

Here are 7 Tips to keep in mind when meeting with a potential florist and some inspiration for finding your personal bouquet style.

White and green bouquets are classic and timeless no matter what your style or season.

How has your wedding planning experience been so far?  Do you feel confident with your choices and happy with your progress?  Has your partner been involved in the details?  No matter how far you are in the process remember to keep calm and plan on!

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Floral Artistry 2011 Year In Review

December 30th, 2011

If you’re anything like me the end of the year may have snuck right up on you.  In 2011 we celebrated our 10th year in business and announced that we’re expecting a baby in the Spring, got a sweet little arbor pic in this article in The New York Times (page 2), made these super cute flower shoes, had 280 re-pins of my floral designs on Pinterest, and had a lovely “Unveiled” feature in Vermont Vows magazine (see pages 62-63 below).  We also worked with fabulous clients and vendors who made our 10th season both memorable and fantastic!  (You can check out some of our feature weddings here.)

It was a wonderful year full of flowers and I am looking forward to 2012.

Congratulations to all the newly engaged couples who are just embarking on their planning process and Happy New Year to all the newly weds who are celebrating their first holiday season as a married couple!

Here’s a peek at our Unveiled feature in Vermont Vows.  (Click image below for a closer look.)

♥♥ Thanks for stopping by my blog today!  I will see you next year with tips and ideas to help jumpstart your planning.

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Color Of The Year For Your Wedding

December 28th, 2011

People are talking about Pantone’s color of the year, “Tangerine Tango”, but when it comes to weddings this is a color that is going to have a hard time breaking through the bridal barrier.  If there is one color that I find people have a definite opinion about it’s undoubtably orange.  (Sorry to break it to you, orange, but you’re kinda polarizing.  People either love you or they don’t want any part of you on their wedding day.)

Orange is a fantastic accent tone for a fall wedding mixed with reds, burgundy and yellow, but as a main color or a theme I’m afraid it’s going to be a long haul for Tangerine Tango to take the main stage.

Personally, I’m an orange fan.  In the flower world I love so many orange blooms and I especially love orange with whites and yellows.  I find it clean, fresh and modern yet classic all at once.  However, when a couple is picking a signature color for their big day orange is not usually at the top of the list.  It’s a major color commitment.  The honeysuckle pink tone that took the prize for 2011 color of the year is much easier to work with in the wedding world.

If you’re an orange fan, then I applaud your color courage and if you can’t imagine orange making an appearance at your wedding, then perhaps you’ll find a cute cardigan or accessory to keep you on trend for 2012!

Here is an orange inspiration board with some of my favorite orange blooms…

What do you think of the color of the year?  Would you choose orange for your wedding palette?

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A Floral Arbor For Your Wedding

December 21st, 2011

According to this article in The New York Times from December 16th (where you’ll see one of my birch chuppahs on page 2!) wedding arbors and chuppahs are increasingly popular no matter what your faith.  While a wedding canopy with floral details is a must-have for a Jewish ceremony, a flower-covered arbor is a beautiful addition to any wedding.

The father of the bride’s talus was used as the canopy for this purple and white chuppah.

This chuppah for a fall wedding at The Round Barn was covered in orchids and callas.

The bride’s grandmother’s lace tablecloth adorns the top of this chuppah for a summer ceremony.

The ceremony under this citrus colored arbor took place in a field of blueberries.

This is a photo I took of Laura and Andrew’s arbor/chuppah.  You can see Amanda from Orchard Cove Photography’s professional shot in The Times!

There are so many ways to make your ceremony special and a floral chuppah or arbor can make a truly beautiful setting!


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DIY Christmas + Burlap

December 13th, 2011

Lots of people get super crafty around Christmas time, but not everyone has time to pull out all the stops.  If you have tons of time and space it’s easy to deck the halls, but if you have limited space or multiple holidays to celebrate (like me!) here are a few tips to get you started…

The first thing to do is look around at what you already own that can be used for containers, ribbons, candles, accent pieces, etc. and then buy a few fresh greens or bulbs to add some life to your decor.  Burlap is one of my favorite accessibly easy materials to add some homespun holiday fun to your decor (and it’s so hot this year!) so I started with burlap which I used to make ribbons, a table runner and a Christmas tree skirt.

Since I’m a floral designer it’s admittedly easy for me to find lots of containers and ribbons hanging around, but this look can be duplicated at home with leftover ribbon, fabric or an existing table runner.  Amaryllis bulbs will start to bloom in a vase of water in no time.  A strip of burlap with 1″ brass fasteners camouflages the rocks in the bottom of a simple 5″ cylinder vase.

A vintage silver dish (still tarnished because I like it like that!) filled with fresh cedar, pine and star of Bethlehem with a few clusters of silver Christmas balls is easy and elegant.  Faux mercury glass votive holders finish the look atop a burlap runner for a mix of classic and rustic details.

If you live in an apartment or smaller space the windows are a great place to add a decorative element.  I took burlap strips (6 of them, 3 per window, tied in the center with one simple knot) to give the appearance of a bow in the center of small cedar swags.  I made the swags with only 3 pieces of cedar per window.  A 10″ fabric wreath in the center of the windows picks up on the golden tones of the room.  2 LED pillar candles create a nice, warm evening display that’s also safe.

This is trouble.  Her name is Lily and she cold not resist the feel of burlap on her paws or the LED candles in julep cups!

Here’s a look at my tree with the burlap tree skirt.  No sewing required, just wrapped and tucked.

Repeating patterns or ribbons or picking up on colors in your tablecloth or table runner can create a polished look that still feels cozy and inviting.  If you are going to purchase fabrics this year try to invest in something you won’t be tired of next year.  If you’re decorating for the holidays you want to make it last!

Try this DIY Fabric Wreath is you want another easy-peasy project.

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