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.

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!

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!

5 Tips for Decorating Your Fall Wedding on a Budget

You've got your fall wedding dress. You've chosen your wedding photographer, tasted 100 different wedding cakes, picked your fall wedding location and you've mailed out your save the date magnets and wedding invitations. Any chance you can keep to your budget as you put the final touches on your fall wedding decorations? Absolutely. Here are five fall wedding decorating tips to help you do exactly that.

Fall Wedding Budget Decorating Tip #1: Take Advantage of Nature

One of the most often cited reasons for choosing a fall wedding is the outdoor beauty that defines the season: the gorgeous shades of scarlet, pumpkin oranges, rustic browns and reds create a fiery sunset whether your choose a morning, afternoon or evening fall wedding. Take advantage! Maximize nature. Choose an outdoor location for your fall wedding near a wooded area right after the leaves change, somewhere with tree-lined mountains in the background. There need not be a church or reception area. There need only be chairs divided into two groups creating a natural aisle and facing in the direction of the most brilliant vista view, the foreground of which will be lit up by the bride and groom.

Fall Wedding Budget Decorating Tip #2: Make Centerpieces Serve Double Duty

You can maintain your fall wedding budget by hundreds when you make your wedding centerpieces serve double duty as wedding favors as well. Pyramids that break apart into gifts for each place setting, baskets full of wedding favor gifts, and other arrangements that easily transition into individual wedding favors at the end of your fall wedding reception are the best way to bring beauty to your day and savvy to your budget. Create fall centerpieces that allow your wedding guests to take home a little piece of your special day.

Fall Wedding Budget Decorating Tip #3: Harvest Themed Weddings

Fall is harvest season, and with that means that nature has given us tons of big beautiful crops... and free or cheap wedding flowers as well. Why not use them to decorate your fall wedding on a budget and create a harvest themed wedding? Big pumpkins and gourds can serve in place of wedding flowers, decorating the cake and gift table, or even serve as wedding centerpieces. You may even choose to serve tiny stuffed pumpkins as appetizers or use them as soup bowls for the opening course. Pick a fall color and pull the whole thing together with matching tulle, satin ribbon and table cloths, all of which can be had for a bargain at your local fabric store.

Fall Wedding Budget Decorating Tip #4: Do It Yourself

Just like anything you need to do on a budget, it makes sense to decorate your fall wedding yourself. Let the wedding planner go. Ignore protests that you need a coordinator or a florist. Search in the internet for wedding flowers, farm direct flowers and do it yourself flowers and pick out the freshest blooms of the season. Get your bridesmaids and flower girl working to make the boutonnieres and bouquets. Put your skills and talents to work: if you can sew, make some decorations if not your wedding dress. If you can cook, consider making some of the food for an outdoor fall wedding or even baking your own wedding cake. Make it fall wedding cupcakes! It's your fall wedding. When you do it yourself, you make sure it's done right and for a price you can afford.

Fall Wedding Budget Decorating Tip #5: Be Unexpected

Don't let the trappings of tradition force you into buying things for your fall wedding that you neither want nor need. You'll find that if you question many of the expected characteristics of a fall wedding, many things will simply fall off your wedding budget because they are unnecessary. You don't need to buy out the local wedding supply store or perfectly recreate a celebrity wedding. Make it unique by making unexpected choices in your fall wedding decorating ie. Fall color roses, gerberas, sunflowers, alstroemerias, callas, hydrangeas, bells of Ireland, hypericum berries, Asiatic lilies and make sure that your money is spent only on things that serve to highlight you and your new spouse.

Autumn is Here and the Perfect Wedding Flowers need to be picked!!

Autumn is the perfect time of year to get married with the beautiful scenery and rich fall colors. Autumn is a time of year that symbolizes and celebrates prosperity and abundance, what a perfect way to start a new life together. For an earthy couple or couple that enjoys gardening, a harvest wedding is a unique Autumn wedding idea where you can celebrate the things you love.

Nature can take center stage when choosing your fall wedding colors and decorations. Natural fall colors such as reds, browns, deep greens, golden yellows, burnt oranges, burgundy, maroon, dark purples, and gold are all wonderful choices when choosing your bridesmaids’ dresses and other decorations.

Your decorations can focus on the abundance in nature; roses, calla lilies mango, calla lilies purple, Asiatic lilies, orchids, berries, green hydrangea, bells of Ireland, gerberas, kangaroo paws, squash, pumpkins, gourds, twigs, apples, and corn. You could have elegant centerpieces filled with fruits and vegetables that your guests could take with them after the reception. Bowls could be filled with floating candles shaped like apples. Pumpkins could be hallowed out jack-o'-lantern style but instead of scary Halloween faces you could have designs, leaf shapes, or wedding symbols like rings, doves, a cake, or a bride and groom silhouette carved into them. Small gourds and squash could be arranged on a mirror tile around a large candle.

Other decorating options include: swags and garlands of fall leaves and berries, corn stalks arranged elegantly and tied with raffia or ribbon, wicker baskets full of homemade looking jams, jellies, fruits, rose petals and applesauce, arbors or trellises entwined with grape vines and white lights. Your invitations can be decorated with the same harvest themes, rubber stamped leaves, apples or other fruits and vegetables or you could have invitations on elegant stationary embossed with gold leaves. Rose petals could be scattered on the buffet table and guest tables. Your wedding bouquets could consist of roses, hypericum berries, calla lilies, wild flowers, greenery and fall leaves.

The perfect location could be an apple orchard, farm, vineyard, or even a local Bed and Breakfast or Inn. Any place will do as long as you decorate with nature's abundance in mind. You could offer hay rides to your guests around the orchard or farm.

The Autumn harvest menu could include squash, pumpkin soup, pumpkin pie, apple pie, apple crisp, apple sauce, roast vegetables, roast turkey, breads like pumpkin, apple or zucchini, platters of grapes, berries, cheese and crackers, and don’t forget an autumn must have – apple cider and donuts.

Special wedding favors for an Autumn Harvest theme wedding could include small jars of homemade jams, jellies, applesauce, pickles, mustards, or sauces. Other options could be caramel apple kits; bread mixes in a jar or bag, muffin mixes, seed packets, or chocolates in wrapped in foil leaves. Make sure to attach special tags thanking your guests for joining you on your special day.

An Autumn Harvest Theme Wedding is an elegant and earthy way to celebrate your new life together with the abundance and prosperity of the season. Your guests are sure to appreciate such a unique celebration.

How to Pick fall wedding flowers and colors

Fall is such a beautiful time of year. And if you are lucky enough to live in a place that has plenty of fall foliage then chances are fall is your favorite season. If you are engaged to be married and then a fall wedding with vibrant colors of the season and beautiful fall wedding flowers will be a beautiful day to remember.

If you are going with a specific Autumn theme then you can really take advantage of the beautiful and vibrant colors for breathtaking fall wedding flowers.

1. Step 1

Pick your colors. What you decide for your fall wedding flowers will depend on which colors you go with. There are several different color combinations for fall that you can choose from by looking around at what nature has to offer. You can easily choose from rich shades or burgundies, burnt orange, copper and gold just to name a few.

2. Step 2

Talk to your florist or flower provider like RoseSource.com. Both will be able to recommend fall wedding flowers that will compliment your wedding colors and each other. Common fall flowers perfect in yellow/orange hues include sunflowers, gerber, daisies, mango callas, burgundy, black magic roses, orange rose and hypericum berries .

3. Step 3

Add other outdoor elements. Adding small pumpkins and gourds to your fall wedding flowers will make beautiful fall centerpieces.

Wedding Entrance Dance

Check out this wedding's party entrance into the church. Very cool and so much fun.



Labels: wedding flowers, wedding sample box, wedding in a box