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Wedding Pros Know

Thursday, July 28th, 2011

Today’s post on Selecting Your Wedding Vendors was originally published on April 14, 2010.

I‘ve heard the term “faking it” used a lot recently and it got me thinking that when it comes to wedding planning there are times when vendors decide to fake it–especially when a business is still finding an authentic identity (ie. what they really do well).  My first few seasons were speckled with their fair share of faking it moments in an effort to never say “no” to anyone.

Can you decorate my tent poles?  Absolutely!  Have you ever done x, y, z before?  No problemo.  Is it possible for you to rent/build/invent something?  You got it!  I can learn how to solder by next June, can’t I?

While I can happily say that I have never promised something I couldn’t actually deliver (it’s not like I was just making things up as I went along after all!), I did fake iton occasion with the confidence that I could accomplish what was requested of me.

As my business has grown over the last 8 wedding seasons I have learned how not to fake it and experience has shown me the importance of being able to guide a bride in the right direction when design details become overwhelming, cost prohibitive, or out-of-line with the overall scope of the day.  Don’t get me wrong, I will still take on design elements that I haven’t done before–that’s half the fun of my job and part of what it means to create custom designs!–but I can approach them with an accurate understanding of the time considerations and costs required to complete them.

Moral of the story?…An experienced wedding vendor won’t need to fake it and can help guide you in your planning process to create a day that reflects your wedding style.  Personal style (of both the vendor and you, the couple!), pricing variables and gut instincts will be your guides when selecting wedding vendors.  You should be comfortable and confident with your choices so you won’t feel compelled to micromanage the professionals you’ve hired.  You have to trust your vendors, otherwise you should question why you hired them in the first place!

It’s our 10th Wedding Season in business this year and we’re looking forward to celebrating at the completion of the season!

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5 Wedding Color Palettes

Tuesday, June 14th, 2011

Pleasing palettes and fresh flowers you’ll find in those palettes (originally posted on December 1, 2009).

Selecting your color palette is a personal decision.  I gave you a few pointers last week on selecting your color palette, but if you’re not sure where to start here are 5 color combos to consider:

White/Ivory & Greens–A classic palette that works no matter what the season and will never go out of style.  It can be modern or vintage, high-end or casual and when it comes to flowers you can put the emphasis on the green or the white depending on your personal taste.  Yellow or peach accents can add a twist while keeping the look clean.  Flowers suggestions:  roses, callas, peonies, lisianthus, tulips.

Eggplant & Olive green–Mix deep tones for a lush, rich palette that makes a bold statement.  Choose green linens with centerpieces of various purple blooms and incorporate artichokes, figs or purple grapes for a natural eggplant tone.  Add candlelight and perhaps a touch of blue (periwinkle or navy) or white to compliment this combo.  Flower suggestions:  anemones, dahlias, callas, orchids, hydrangea.

Orange & Pinks–Truly a fun and interesting composition that can focus on raspberry pinks and deep orange tones or paler pink accents with orange, white and yellow.  Imagine raspberry pink or tangerine dresses or linens for a unique summery look that can transcend any season.  Consider using fresh raspberries and orange slices to decorate your cake.  Flower suggestions:  dahlias, callas, ranunculus, roses, lilies.

Navy blue & Yellows–A sophisticated palette that can also be fun.  Partner these colors for a bright, clean look with a preppy feel.  Picture dark navy attendants’ dresses and bright yellow bouquets with hints of white & green.   Flower suggestions:  freesia, ranunculus, roses, delphinium, snapdragons.

Pink & White–Almost needs no introduction as it is such a classic union, however the spectrum of pinks can make this look sweet or saucy.  Select pale pink blooms with white hydrangea for a more subdued, traditional wedding look or add punches of fuchsia for a more dramatic contrast.  Flower suggestions:  sweet pea, tulips, dianthus, bouvardia, nerine lilies.

Whether you lean toward the traditional or tend to make a statement your palette should be something that not only appeals to your personal taste, but also works with your venue and season.  Lighter colored blooms can help brighten a darker space, while deeper tones can bring the focus to the tabletops in a large space.  Work with what you have and have a beautiful wedding!

 

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Tips For Selecting Your Color Palette

Thursday, June 9th, 2011

A classic rewind from November 12, 2009 with color palette advice for couples planning a wedding.

Aside from your location and your wedding dress the color palette will be one of the biggest decisions that defines the style of your wedding.  Once you choose your colors other details about your décor will start to fall into place.  Many couples know their color palette prior to their consultation with a florist, however it is not unusual to discuss color options in your initial meeting and then take a little time to refine your ideas.

For couples who are unsure, here are a few tips to get you started:
Take a look around in your everyday life and try to notice which colors you feel good around.  It may be as simple as looking in your closet!  Your favorite scarf or sweater could be your inspiration!  In addition to looking through bridal magazines you should take note of colors you feel drawn to while you’re at work, walking down the street or looking for dresses for your bridal party.  Even if they aren’t the colors your wedding party will be wearing they may be a great choice for flowers or linens.

You could select a crisp palette of yellows, whites and greens or a colorful combination that also incorporates blues, reds, oranges and pinks.  Remember these are the colors you will be surrounded by on your wedding day so they should suit YOU. From the table linens to the boutonnieres & corsages, the colors you choose will help determine all these important details.  Keep in mind that certain flower varieties may be dictated by your color palette as well as the time of year you will be married.  For example if you LOVE peonies you will probably incorporate pinks or whites in your color scheme.

Important note: Have fun with this part!  The flowers and overall design scheme are elements that set the tone for the day and even if you are not sure what those colors are yet, your florist/event designer will be able to help you discover what suits your taste.

Happy planning!

 

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6 Tips For A Happy & Stylish Wedding Party

Tuesday, June 7th, 2011

Six Wedding Party Tips that will keep your attendants stylish and happy!  (Originally posted on December 9, 2009.)

Unlike the days when puffy sleeves and pastels were all the rage, it is totally fashionable to have a fabulous wedding party!

1. Consider having your girls wear different colors or styles of dresses (just in case everyone doesn’t feel she can pull off the color and strapless cut you may have in mind).

2. Coordinate the girls’ look with matching shoes & handbags.

3. Use bold, beaded jewelry to finish the look no matter what your style.  Necklaces, bracelets and earrings all work to accomplish a matched style.

4. Perfectly match pashminas to your palette or add another pop of color to pull the look together.  By the way, any of the aforementioned items would be thoughtful gift ideas from you to your maids!

5. Picture your groomsmen in matching suits (instead of tuxedos–particularly for mid-day ceremonies) with coordinating shirts & ties in your chosen palette.

6. Bridesmaids & groomsmen prefer to be seated with their dates instead of being separated by “head table status”.  Everyone will love you for this one!

What are you doing to keep your wedding party stylish and happy?

 

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Wedding Anniversary Traditions

Tuesday, May 31st, 2011

My 2010 couples have started to celebrate their first wedding anniversaries which got me thinking about a friend of mine who’s been married for over 30 years and has a pretty sweet anniversary tradition.  Each year she and her husband share a bottle of champagne, then they save the bottle and write a label describing where they were that day.  They may have been on a picnic or on vacation somewhere, but they’ve got a collection of bottles with reminders of where they were each year.  I think it’s romantic.

This post is for all of my couples because the commitment you made–you know that one…in front of all your friends and family…right before that HUGE party!–that commitment requires some tender loving care, maintenance, hard work and good old-fashioned L-O-V-E.

So create your own wedding anniversary tradition this year and celebrate the milestones in your marriage.  Maybe you’ll read through your guest book and share some chocolate cupcakes!

If you have a tradition to share I’d love to hear about it!  Leave a comment below.

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Vermont Wedding Flowers by Season

Tuesday, May 24th, 2011

Originally posted in December 2009 today’s tips have been freshened up a bit to help guide you through Vermont Wedding Flowers by Season.

When it comes to wedding flowers I think working with the season is always a good idea.  It is often suggested that you select flowers that are “in season”, but what does that really mean?  Thanks to a wide variety of growers around the world out-of-season really only applies to a small percentage of popular wedding blooms and if you are open to different flower types (ie you don’t have your heart set on anything in particular) beautiful arrangements in just about any palette can be achieved regardless of season.

If you are looking to use local flowers you should keep in mind that our growing season in Vermont is fairly short (from May-September for most crops) so local, in-season flowers will be most readily available for mid-June, July and August weddings.  There are some seasonal blooms that are nearly impossible to source locally other than a few weeks per year (such as lilacs, lily-of-the-valley & peonies), but a majority of the flowers you’ll find on wedding websites and in magazines are available from your florist no matter what time of year you marry, whether or not they are “in season”…there may be a higher price tag attached to some of those blooms, however.

Here are a few guidelines on selecting Vermont Wedding Flowers by Season

Mid-May: In season blooms include lilacs (a local favorite!) and a few bulbs like hyacinths, tulips or daffodils.

Late-May to Early June: Lily-of-the-valley, iris, poppy, hosta leaves and flowering branches.

June (mid-late): Peonies are blooming and can be cut and held for a few weeks if need be.  If it’s been a warm spring you’ll find more local flowers coming into bloom.  If it’s been a wet or cool spring you’ll be likely to find more offerings in July.

July: Most annuals that have been started in greenhouses and planted in the field will be coming into flower by now including flowers such as snapdragons, astilbe, zinnia, phlox, lilies, delphinium, dahlias and fresh herbs.

August: Some of the July bloomers will continue through much of August with the addition of sunflowers, gladiolus, echinacea, bee balm, thistle and annuals that were started in the field or planted later in the season.

September: While we may hold out hope each year that summer will continue for a few more weeks the truth is that we can expect a killing frost anytime after Labor Day weekend in Vermont.  Other than blooms that can be grown in a greenhouse it can be difficult to predict which September flowers will be available.

October-April: Flowers won’t be “in season,” however your options are many.  Roses, tulips, callas, snapdragons, lilies, gerbera daisies, berries, seasonal greenery and tropical blooms, like orchids for example, are all available year round and can work with any color palette.

These lilacs are currently in bloom in my garden.

Some couples plan their wedding around seasonal flower availability.  Did you select your wedding date so you could have your favorite flower in season?

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5 Wedding Bouquet Handling Tips

Thursday, May 19th, 2011

As the 2011 Vermont Wedding Season kicks into high-gear I’ve got a classic rewind post from November 18, 2009 with tips for handling your bouquet on the day of your wedding.

Here are 5 tips for handling fresh wedding bouquets:

  1. Leave bouquets in water (in the florist’s box) when you are not using them for photographs prior to the ceremony.  Most flowers will last reliably for about 2 hours out of water.
  2. An attendant should blot the stems with a towel before handing bouquet to the bride to avoid getting water drops on the wedding dress.
  3. Carry your bouquet down by your hips/belly button.  If you carry it much higher you start to almost hide behind the flowers.  This will also be the best angle for you bouquet to be photographed!
  4. Display the bridal and attendants’ bouquets on your head table or sweetheart table in addition to (or instead of) a centerpiece.
  5. Incorporate something old into your bouquet by pinning a broach to the ribbon.  This is a great way to include your grandmother’s cameo or simply add a little sparkle.

Your bouquets will be the most photographed flowers on your wedding day so you’ll want to keep them looking their best!

Here are a few Spring/Summer bouquets from my 2010 wedding season…

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Pre-Wedding Day Pep Talk

Tuesday, May 17th, 2011

For all my beautiful couples who are having some pre-wedding day stress here’s a pep talk for ya.

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Wedding Planning Tip: Cooperate & Delegate

Friday, May 13th, 2011

Trip in the Wedding Tip Time Machine:  Originally posted on November 19, 2009 the tip of the day is listen to your partner’s opinions and delegate tasks when you can.

Planning a wedding can be a big job.  For some it is just a matter of pulling together vendors to acheive a look that you’ve been dreaming of for years, but for others it can be a daunting task with endless options and questions.  Oftentimes the bride is in the driver’s seat in regards to planning and the groom will step in when asked for input, but I think it is essential for both parties to be involved to some degree.

A quick tip: If you ask for your partner’s opinion you just may get it!  Don’t ask unless you really care.

I have had many a consultation with a couple where the groom is asked by the bride, “what do you think of these flowers”, and he quite frankly has no opinion.  On the other hand I have had consultations where the groom expresses his dislike for pink rose boutonnieres or mentions that a certain flower would be nice to have in the centerpieces.

Making decisions as a couple can be a way to bond over the planning details and is an opportunity to work together as a couple.  You and your partner may have opinions you didn’t even know you had!

For those who are having trouble finding elements of the planning that your partner “cares about” you should consider handing over certain details so there is some ownership.  Perhaps selecting the music, the photographer or the menu is something that is easier to get involved with than selecting linens, china and decor.  My husband had an opinion about our napkin colors–who knew!

No matter what your style is as a couple it is so much nicer to tackle the planning together as the partners you are than to charge forward on your own.  This day is about celebrating both of you.  Happy planning…together!

Are you delegating tasks for your wedding?  If so who’s in charge of what?

Here is a GREAT example of an involved (and talented) groom.  He designed the save-the-dates!  I adore them.

 

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No Apologies

Monday, April 18th, 2011

Today’s post is short and sweet for engaged couples out there.  

You do not have to apologize for being “new” to wedding planning. 

You are supposed to be “new at this”–it’s a wedding, not a test of your party-planning skills.  So, no apologies needed.  Your vendors should understand that you’re new at this!

I love what this couple came up with for their place cards!  Not bad for a couple of newbies!

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