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Silk Flower Surge

Dear Readers.


I've been out of commission for while bombarded with consultations and wedding preparation but I'm back and ready to blog about the latest surge. In my quest of meeting with brides and planners, there has been an overwhelming surge of silk flower request.

Silk flowers are back! Life-like silk flowers is rapidly becoming popular as having fresh flowers.

Here are some advantages of having silk flowers as opposed to fresh flowers at your wedding?

No more worries about your favorite flowers not being in season at the time of your wedding or room temperature being too high for the most fragile flowers that wilt. No doubt your first concern would be ­ whether they look real? Different materials have been added which make the flowers look natural, for a life-like appearance. Silk bouquets are lighter than fresh flowers, so they will be comfortable to hold for several hours. Silk flowers have no scent or pollen, so they won't aggravate allergies for you or your guests. There are also no surprises and your entire order may be previewed in advance.

I begin designing with silk and latex flowers and know first hand that with the right selection of high quality silks, no one will the know the difference. High quality silk flowers are not necessarily cheaper. They can average the same cost as fresh flowers. But with silk, you get longevity and can keep your flowers as a keepsake.

I've also known brides to mix fresh and silk, especially if a particular flower is out of season or have their toss or engagement session bouquet designed with silk. I personally love working with silk because I have no worries about hydration, conditioning or maintenance of fresh flowers.

Recently, my latest surge is a request for contemporary silk bouquets shipped to Chattanooga, TN and an exotic bouquet shipped to Florida for a bride's destination wedding. The greatest thing about silk flowers is the shipping. I can ship anywhere with out the headache of maintenance.

If your in limbo about your flowers consider going the life-like route and choose SILK!

The Truth about Chartreuse

Chartreuse: pronounce

(shär-trz, -trs, -trz) is a strong to brilliant greenish yellow to moderate or strong yellow green.

Chartreuse is the most widely used shade of weddings in 2008. This color is a trend that strutted from the runways right into the wedding industry.

What is the the truth about chartreuse? Well, you must admit the versatitly is quite amazing.

Chartreuse and Aqua...such a refreshing color combination; this color combo is one my favorite and ideal for a spring oudoor wedding

Chartreuse and Burgandy, a classical way to marry a bright citric and a bold jewel tone.

If you select Chartreuse as a primary color, then green cybidium orhcids or green hydrangeas are a must haves.

Chartreuse, Black and White is classy and a romantic way to soften black. This is ideal for a 6pm summer wedding.

WISHING TREE

When brides strive to be different and not follow standard norms I help them in suggesting other ideas. A Wishing Tree can replace the traditional sign-in book. This is a fun, attractive (WOW FACTOR) yet interactive way to welcome your guest. The Wishing Tree is strung with crystal garland strands(or pearls) and hung with momentos from your guest. Make sure your Wishing Tree is within arms reach so your guest can comfortably place their regards on your tree or this can be a task of your host or hostess.

This is simple to create. You can purchase a metal tree and crystal strands from (www.cristalier.com) Use precut white or color coordinated notecards (about the size of a sticky note) or rectangular notecards (about the size of a book mark). Whole punch and pre-string using thin ribbon.

For a cost effecient alternative, use sturdy tree branches secured in a glass container. Make your own rhinestone garland by gluing flatback rhinestones on a string of ribbon or wire. Basically, you will make a sandwich by applying glue to one of the flatbacks, lying the string/ribbon in the center of the flatback and adding the other flatback to sandwhich the ribbon/strand in the middle. Continue adding rhinestones until you have your desired length. Make sure you have adequate space and a table with plenty of writing room and feel free to accent the base of your tree with flowers, candles or other decoratives. One other cute idea is to make "flower / feather pens" or use distinctive ink pens so your guest want run off with the guest book pens.

Dum..dum...de...dum- Whose Wedding Is It Anyway

I've watched every single epidsode of Whose Wedding is it Anyway- an American realiity TV show on the Style Network (http://www.mystyle.com/) where wedding planners are followed as they map out nuptials for blushing brides. I have a whole new respect for wedding planners/bridal consultants. Most people think their job is measly...

It's not until you understand what they really do. In short, a wedding planner is a mediator, a consultant, a sounding board, an organizer, an artisan and a financial advisor all rolled into one. And sometimes they even turn out to be a punching bag when nerves get frazzled (figuratively speaking), even though their job description definitely does not call for it!

Some attributes of a GREAT PLANNER
*competency is wedding/event planning
*multi-tasker
*great personality
*patience
*well~organized
*task~oriented
*execute plans
*worker-BEE attitude
*professional demeanor
*creative
*lots of energy
*strong backbone~assertive

Whose Wedding Is It Anyway has featured a plethora of planners. Some of my faves are:

Lynette Richardson Hall- She's a PRO... nuff said!
Tracy French- Her personality POPS...and I love her design boards!
Jeffery Powell- He is hilarious and you get both a planner and floral designer!
Kimberly Bradford- Another PRO...nuff said!
Donnie Brown- Great sense of humor and another great designer!

These planners are top notch and have all of the attributes it takes to be a great planner. My motto remains: SMART BRIDES hire PLANNERS.

College Sweethearts say "I DO"

I am recooperating from a lengthy weekend after a whirlwind of brides and bouquets. First, I would like to congratulate...

George and Amanda Deroche

on such a beautiful ceremony held at the Cathedral of Incarnation http://www.cathedralnashville.com/ . The bride wore a Justina McCarrey dress with a cathedral length veil from Faccio Bridal http://www.facciobridal.com/ and carried a pristine white mini calla lily bouquet made by Rhonda Patton Designs http://www.rhondapattonweddings.com/

These college sweethearts both residing in Phoeniz, AZ wished to have their wedding in Nashville, TN where they met orignally.

The bridesmaids wore a beautiful floor length, crimson colored Jim Hjelm collection from Faccio Bridal and carried a pagent style bouquet-trio of white calla lilies

EXTRA....EXTRA..... READ ALL ABOUT IT!

The groom's cake, a replica of the front cover of the Tennessean Newspaper www.tennessean.com created by the creative cake designer of The Sweetest Day www.thesweetestday.com and the delicious food was catered by Jennette Goddard and the professional team from Chef Works, Inc.

Bridal Show Whisper

WHISPER

CHIC ELEGANCE

Every designer begins their design with an inspiration. My inspirations are conceived from intimate connections with my broader lifestyle taking cues from music, media, fashion and home decor.

This color palatte is referred to as "WHISPER" according to the California Cut Flower Commission http://www.ccfc.org/ WHISPER is tranquil, calming aura of neutral hushed tones of creams and grays.

I love inspiration boards which I've included boards inspired by fashion and home decor. This weekend, i'll showcase my version of WHISPER at the PWG bridal show http://www.perfectweddingguide.com/

I'll see you on Sunday, February 17 at the FRIST Center from noon-5pm.