Rose Petals - the Best Choice for Your Wedding

When choosing which rose petals to buy for your wedding, you need to define when and where you will be using them and if there are any restrictions imposed by your venue. Then take into account the advantages and disadvantages of each of them, to help you reach your decision.

For Outdoor Use - you will need a natural, biodegradable petal. Many parishes have banned the use of rice and paper confetti as they are not good for the environment. You have a choice of fresh rose petals.

For Indoor use - you need to check with the venue if there any restrictions.

Flower Girls - you may want to have your flower girls toss petals and any type will do as guests do not usually give these too close an examination.

Table Decoration - Fresh rose petals are good for table decoration as they look romantic.

Tossing Petals - if indoors, then silk petals are probably the best choice because of cost considerations and appearance. If outdoors, then you should choose any of the natural alternatives mentioned above.

Now that we have discussed the different choices available, here are the pros and cons for each type.

Fresh Rose Petals need to be obtained on the day of the wedding or the day before and also need to be prepared just before use.. The upside is that they are all-natural and biodegradable, but the downside is that they also break down fast and they may not look so great later in the day. Another disadvantage is that they can stain clothing and tablecloths, and can also be slippery, so you and your guests need to be extra careful.

School Fundraising with Colored Carnations

Involving children in a school fundraising project is a practical way to teach them fiscal responsibility, time management skills and business strategies. Selling colored carnations is one of the easiest and most lucrative school fund-raising projects, because they are simple to manage and appealing to a wide consumer base. Teachers or parents looking for a winter fundraiser can sell pink carnations and red carnations as sentimental Valentine’s Day flowers. Colored carnations make appropriate fundraisers in the spring, as they are a colorful way to welcome the new season. Consider these fundraising ideas to help determine whether selling carnations can be an easy and lucrative project for your class.

1. Sell something that appeals to the masses. Everyone from school- age children to adults seems to catch the love bug around Valentine’s Day. Flowers are a great way to express that love and appreciation, and pink carnations or red carnations specially suitable choices, as they are inexpensive, hearty and long lasting. Students will be interested in giving carnations to other students, and parents can purchase flowers from their children to show their support.

2. Teach gratitude through your school fund-raising project. Although the primary goal of a school fund-raising project may be to earn money, it can also teach students other important lessons- specifically, that of appreciating their role models. Purchase assorted carnations and teach children to give them to their parents, grandparents and teachers who have made a difference in their lives. Have the sale around Mother’s Day or Teacher’s Appreciation Day to further drive this point home, or run the fundraiser at any time of the year to illustrate that appreciation should be a daily part of a person’s life. Encourage students to purchase flowers for their friends and write notes explaining how each friend has made a positive contribution to his life.

3. Expand your client base. Who says that only students can purchase products from a school fund-raising project? Having a fundraiser like a carnation sale is a great way for children to solicit participation from other people in the neighborhood. Neighbors, friends and grandparents may want to purchase flowers for themselves or for others. Because carnations are not difficult to carry, children can carry them home from school and distribute them easily. Flower wrapping paper and plastic sleeves are inexpensive additions that can increase the value and beauty of the bouquet while making the carnations easier to handle.

4. Consider your merchant’s needs. Likewise, young children who are asked to sell a wide variety of products are likely to mix up their orders, causing headaches for both students and customers. Having a fundraiser with pink, red or even colored carnations will limit the amount of products that are for sale and will minimize confusion during order fulfillment.

When planning a school fundraiser, one must consider the profit margin, the ease with which the project can be executed and the lessons that can be learned by fundraiser participants. Carnation flowers make fabulous school fundraising products because they are affordable, easy to handle and can teach children valuable lessons about showing appreciation. What more could any teacher want?

Calla Lilies and Roses Bridal Bouquet Ideas for Every Bride

The details involved in planning a wedding are often overwhelming. Coordinating photographers, invitations, seating arrangements, music, menus and a location to hold the event are only some of the arrangements that need to be made. In addition, every bride has her own idea of how her wedding should be, how her dress should lay, how the music should sound and how her bouquet should look. While many decisions are time consuming, choosing a bouquet doesn’t have to be. By selecting a calla lilies and roses bridal bouquet, every bride can relax with the knowledge that she will have a classic and sophisticated bouquet that will look stunning throughout the event.

There are many designs and color options from which to create a beautiful calla lilies and roses bouquet, making certain that every bride will find one that she loves. The great variety of roses available means that brides can choose peach and orange roses for a spring wedding, pink or hot pink for a summer wedding, brown and yellow for a fall wedding, or red or lavender for a winter wedding. Colored roses can match a seasonal theme or be ordered to match bridesmaids’ dresses. Any color rose will be elegantly accented by delicate crisp tall calla lilies or charming mini calla lilies, depending on the bride’s style preference.

Just as roses come in many colors, so too, do calla lilies. A calla lilies and roses bridal bouquet can offer a dramatic monochromatic look or a vibrant multi-colored appearance. A lovely idea for a contemporary bouquet is to have white or cream colored roses intermingled with orange mini calla lilies in a tight-packed bouquet tied with a salmon colored satin ribbon. Another elegant option is to use various pastel colors such as rose peach, rose pink, rose cream and rose lavender and combine them with white calla lilies and a silver satin ribbon. Such a bouquet will add wonderful contrasting color to a sparkling white wedding dress without drawing attention away from the bride.

From the simple to the lavish, a bouquet of elegant calla lilies and roses can be created easily, making your wedding planning that much easier and less stressful. Given the wide range of color choices every bride will have an easy time finding the right combination for her dream bridal bouquet.

Petal Tips

Create a "Picture Perfect" moment straight from the movies! Just imagine you & your new hubby leaving your wedding ceremony, blissful...you are being showered by beautiful fresh rose petals.

* Will guests know what to do...when to toss your rose petals?

* Will your photographer capture the moment?

* You can have a "Picture Perfect" rose petal toss with very little effort! A few simple things to consider.

* When should you have the petal toss?

* The toss is often done on the steps of the church as the bride and groom walk outside.

* If you are having an outdoor wedding location you may consider having the toss during your recession from the ceremony.

* We have known many brides that choose to do their toss at the reception site as the wedding party enters and is announced by the band or DJ.

* Some even choose to toss at the first dance.

* Remember, it is your special day. It should be exactly as you dreamed it would be.

How to distribute your Rose Petals?

* If you're plan to do the petal toss during your recession, each guest should receive an organza bag, clear petal bag or cone filled with petals at the same time that they are handed the wedding program. You will need about 1 cup per sachet or cone.

* For a traditional toss outside the church, place the cones, clear petal bags or organza bags filled with your petals & place them in a shallow box or basket.

* You can fill your bags or cones 1 day ahead of time if using our fresh rose petals. Simply store them in a cool, dry & dark place until you need them.

* Place the boxes or basket at the exits of the ceremony where attendants and ushers can hand them out.

* You can also choose to have ushers hold large baskets full of loose petals. As your guests exit the ceremony site the ushers can instruct them to take a small handful for tossing. This normally takes about 1 cup per guest.

Guests: How to use the petals?

* You want to make sure your guests know exactly what to do with their petals once they have them.

* If you're using petals loose from a basket after the ceremony, your ushers can simply spread the word as they encourage guests to take a handful to toss.

* Some of the most successful tosses are those where the couple attaches "instructions" to the toss packet. The tags can be printed out on your home computer and don't be afraid to have some fun with it.

Here's one suggestion:

"To toss in the air & sprinkle around To shower the newlyweds so that joy will abound. When [bride] and [groom] exit as a pair, please toss your petals high in the air!"

Final Tips

* If you're still concerned about capturing the moment perfectly, consider giving special instruction to a select group of people who can lead the way and ensure your success.

* Consider asking the groomsmen, your younger cousins or even a few of your high school friends.

* Simply ask them to be sure to toss the petals...even cheer or whistle at the right time. All of the guests will follow suit and you'll have your magical "Picture Perfect" moment!

* Make sure your photographer knows what your plan is for the petal toss, so that moment can be captured for you to enjoy for years to come...It is truly a magical moment!

* Your photographer may also play a part in making sure guests are gathered and ready for your grand petal toss or getaway.

Finally...Relax, have fun & enjoy every magical moment!

* Remember to e-mail us a photo or two of your petal toss...we would love to see them & even post them on our site if you agree to it!

Calla Lilies: Exotic Beauty for Any Occasion

"The calla lilies are in bloom again. Such a strange flower -- suitable to any occasion."
(Katherine Hepburn in Stage Door - 1937)

Originally cultivated on the beautiful coast of southern Africa, calla lilies (aka calla lillies) are stunning and dramatic flowers. Additionally, the strength and durability of calla lilies enable them to hold up perfectly as part of a centerpiece or wedding bouquet and to be enjoyed long after the event is long over.

Calla lilies are available in a multitude of shades and colors from pure white and sunny yellow to vibrant orange and luscious red. With so many fabulous choices, calla lilies can be used in virtually any flower arrangement to create a dashing, sophisticated look. Consequently, it is not surprising that calla lilies have become the flower of choice for both interior designers and event planners; their durability, longevity, and array of breathtaking colors make calla lilies a fantastic choice for decorating both homes and special events.

When choosing calla lilies, it is important to understand the different styles offered. Mini calla lilies (also commonly referred to as mini calla lilies) are usually about 15-18 inches tall and are available in a wide range of vivid colors. A full size calla lily can be as tall as two feet and is usually white or yellow. The taller variety is generally only available for a few months during the summer, making them a truly exotic and striking selection.

With their exquisite dagger-shaped leaves, calla lilies are an eye-catching way to decorate any event. They are frequently found in a robust pink color and are often as a complement in bouquets with other varieties of white, red and yellow flowers. Calla lily arm bouquets are popular among brides seeking a graceful, serene look. With a calla lily arm bouquet, the bride cradles the long-stemmed flowers in the crook of her arm as she walks down the aisle. Calla lilies are also ideal flowers for a "clutch wedding bouquet," where the bride holds the flowers in her hands. Both of these bouquet options create a sleek, classy bouquet and a simple, polished look.

When cutting calla lilies, it is best to cut the flower when the spathe (the leaf-like part of the flower) is already fully opened or at least partially opened, but while the pollen is still present. Once cut, you can keep your calla lilies dry at a temperature of 40° F for as long as three days, or if kept wet they will remain radiant for as long as a week. Cut for weddings and parties, calla lilies can be taken home by guests and enjoyed for days after the event.

Enjoy the beauty and originality of these outstanding flowers today!

Make the Most of Exquisite Lilies for your Wedding Flowers

The lily flower is unique in its attractive star shape, vibrant colors, and distinct fragrance. It can easily be the focal point of your wedding bouquet or table centerpiece, or serve as a supporting cast member in an assorted arrangement. Most lilies fall into one of two categories (not counting the calla lily): Asiatic or oriental. Asiatic Lilies are springtime flowers that come from Central or Western Asia and are not scented. Oriental lilies are from Japan; they bloom in the late summer; and they have a wonderfully pungent aroma.

One sophisticated idea for lily bouquets is to create an all-white look. You can design a beautiful wedding bouquet of white lilies using either an Asiatic lily theme or an oriental lily design and hide the stems with white ribbon for a complementing look. Add a splash of color with a gold or peach ribbon. You can also choose to make the bride\’s lily bouquet white and make the bridesmaids’ bouquets a different solid color of lilies, like bold red Asiatic lilies or sunny yellow Asiatic lilies.


If you\’d rather design a bouquet with lily accents, you can mix and match these luscious flowers with many other gorgeous blooms. Here are some recommendations:

·Orange Asiatic lilies, red gerberas, and yellow Fuji mums.

·Pink oriental lilies, pink daisies, and pink roses.

·Yellow Asiatic Lilies, yellow snapdragons, purple hydrangeas, and purple asters.

·Red Asiatic lilies, red roses, yellow roses, and white calla lilies.

You can also use these ideas for table centerpieces. Lilies truly light up any centerpiece arrangement with their bold and stately composition. Here are some great ideas for using lilies with the following wedding color combinations:

·White and peach: Combine white Asiatic or oriental lilies with peach roses or bright orange rose

·Pink and chocolate brown: Mix pink Asiatic Lilies, white calla lilies, and white roses in a vase covered with chocolate brown and light pink satin ribbon.

·Orange and purple: Include orange Asiatic lilies, orange roses, purple asters, and purple hydrangeas into your table centerpieces. Another idea is to omit the orange roses from this mix and place orange rose petals around the centerpiece instead.

It’s no wonder that lilies are symbols of majesty and purity. Lily flowers are a wonderful addition to your wedding if you are looking for something dramatic but not overdone.

Planning Your Wedding - Advice from An Insider

What to do when your future mother in law wants to do your wedding flowers??


As a floral designer for over 6 years- we have seen the stress of planning a wedding can take on the bride- and her family. Whenever there is high emotion and money involved- stress is sure to follow. There are some strategies that can help relieve the anxiety involved with planning your wedding and working within your budget.

Find out first who is paying for what and how much. Keep in mind that anyone who contributes money will feel entitled to express their opinion- sometimes loudly! So try and make clear what expectations are. Your future mother-in-law may want to help out- but she also might want her second cousins daughter in your wedding party. If possible try and pay for as much of the wedding yourself and not rely on anyone else.

Take a realistic look at how much money you have to work with- avoid going into debt. Most important- Have a budget!

Be honest with your wedding professional- tell then how much you want to spend and have them help you give you the biggest bang for your buck. They know their field and what is possible and affordable. We know from experience that most creative people want to do their best work for you- and want your wedding flowers to be spectacular or your wedding dress to suit your body type. It is a business but most bridal shop owners, wedding photographers or florists I have met all have pride in their work- if you are getting a sense that they don't or feel like just another dollar sign then move on and find some one else.

Ask our advice- we know our stuff! We have seen hundreds if not thousands of brides and have a pretty good idea of what works and what doesn't. I remember one year when a famous Kennedy got married- and pictures of his bride were all over newspapers and magazines of her holding a wedding bouquet of solid lily of the valley. We had DOZENS of brides walk in wanting this exact look. This is great if your are getting married in the 3 week window in June when lily of the valley is available. Any other time it is imported from Holland and packs a staggering price tag. For a 1/10 th of the money I could have given those brides stunnin a live band at your wedding reception. With a limited budget you will have to make choices. If you want to have 350 people to your wedding- you may have to have chicken and not surf and turf for your guests. Something will have to give. Some good advice- you will be looking at your wedding photos for the next 50+ years. I would invest money into anything that shows up in those photos. Get the best photographer you can afford- do not give this job to your brother or friend who took a Learning Annex course in Photoshop. Good hair and makeup. I suggest nothing TOO trendy in a head piece unless you want to suffer the jibes of your children… and grand children. Do not skimp on your bridal bouquet. This will be staring back at you for years in an 8x10 glossy. Your wedding attire- gets a lovely dress and something nice for your groom.
Anything else is really is just icing on the cake.

Trust me - you may regret spending all your money on a custom designed wedding cake. You will not regret beautiful and professional wedding photographs. It varies from person to person- but certain things really don't matter and some do- I will share my opinions on this. Your dress, wedding photos, your bridal bouquet, location, grooms attire MATTER. Bridesmaid dresses, bridesmaid's flowers and other wedding flowers, wedding cake, head table flowers, table centerpieces, food less but still count! If it’s not in the wedding photo that will be above your mantle- it probably doesn't matter.

Find our how much money you have to work with, who is responsible for what- make a plan and stick to it. Remember all weddings are beautiful and all wedding days are perfect- Try not to let the stress of money ruin the panning process for you. Best Wishes on your Wedding Day!