Portfolio: Island Mist

I adore this bridal bouquet!

My bride's colors were light blue and chocolate brown. She decided to incorporate pink and green into her flowers and I think the combination turned out beautifully! The bright pop of color against the light blue and the orchids really gave it a tropical touch.







Groom's Bouttonniere:


Corsages:



Bridesmaids and Maid of Honor:



(that's my cute niece on the left...stay tuned for her wedding flowers in June!)

Insights #2 : Flowers don't mix with heat!

A common concern, especially in Arizona, is the heat. Some flowers are certainly hardier than others, but caution and AC are good ideas regardless of which kinds of flowers you choose. Little to no flower can survive for very long in +100 degree weather. If you're getting married in Arizona (or any other hot place) between the months of March and October you'll need to plan ahead. Here are some tips on keeping your bouquet happy until your special day and evening are through.

• AC is best. If there is access to an air conditioned area keep the flowers there. Wait times for the different activities throughout the day can sometimes run longer then expected, have someone bring the flowers inside until everyone is ready.



• Keep your bouquet in water as long as possible. One tip is to Start with slightly longer stems. This will allow you to give your bouquet a fresh cut (1/2-to 1 inch cut) 1-2 times throughout the day allowing the blooms to get their needed drink. Place a couple vases around your reception so that when the bouquets are not being used they can be safely drinking.



• Plan ahead. If you know there will be a significant time where you won't have access to a vase or AC then bring some soaked paper towels, bunch them around the bottom of them stems, and secure them with a rubber band.



• While outside during pictures or other activities, keep your bouquet in the shade as much as possible. In a car or outside, if you are hot, so are your flowers.



• ALWAYS transport with AC! If you transport your bouquet in a car without the AC you may as well stick your bouquet in a 120 degree oven for 15 min and see what happens.



• If you have a long transportation with your flowers put them in a vase in a cooler. Don't dump the ice out into the bottom of the cooler. The idea is not to have the vase sitting in icy water, but just to have cold air within the cooler. I use towels and hand towels to secure the vase to one place so that the bouquet doesn't get jostled around while driving.

Flowers that will hold up better in the heat are Calla Lilies, Roses, Orchids and most tropical varieties. Some flowers are particularly heat sensitive. Some examples are Hydrangea, Tulips, Peonies, and Gardenias.

As you are planning and discussing with your florist be sure to ask them how well the flowers you've chosen will hold up throughout the day. If you and your florist determine that your bouquet will be particularly sensitive, you may want to appoint a bridemaid to be the "flower girl" to be aware of the flowers throughout the day. That way, you can concentrate on more important things, like getting married!

Just For Fun

Why throw rice?
http://ask.yahoo.com/20030626.html

And speaking of something blue:
http://ask.yahoo.com/20031027.html

Why Brides hold Bouquets?
http://ask.yahoo.com/20040525.html

Featured Flower: Delphinium- Something Blue!

"There aren't necessarily a lot of choices when it comes to blue."

Actually there are. Problematically, blue varieties of many flowers are not highly cultivated for the cut flower industry, or may be cultivated for certain areas of the world but are not found everywhere, making blue flowers extremely difficult and expensive to get a hold of. Fortunately, there are a few varieties that are widely used and quite affordable. One of these varieties is Delphinium Belladonna. A closely related flower is Larkspur, in fact, sometimes the names are used synonymously.

• Cool colors: Dark Blue, Electric Blue, Light Blue, Lilac, Lavender, Purple, and White
• Symbolic of unity, trust, loyalty, and fidelity
• Available year round but will be most beautiful and inexpensive in the spring and summer months, March-October.
• Hybrid Varieties are the most impressive. (albeit the most expensive) Their Blossoms are large and vivid.
• In a vase, well cared for, Delphinium may last up to 14 days.
• Delphinium blossoms can be used in small pieces such as corsages and boutonnieres, bouquets and make excellent hair flowers. Additionally, because it grows on a tall stock it is also ideal in large, statement pieces such as alter sprays and banquet arrangements.

Something Old, Something New, Something
Borrowed, Something Blue.

Portfolio: Talk about a Happy New Year!

Mr. and Mrs. Alexander got married on January 3rd, 2009. What better way to start the year!

Featured Flower: Filler Flowers

Baby's Breath is beautiful in it's own right. But as far as fillers go there are lots of lovely choices! Here are just 5 of the dozens of filler flowers you can choose from:

Cute and flirty-Wax Flower

Comes in White, Light Pink, Pink, and Fuschia-Purple

A petite, berry-like bud before opening to a blossom.

Available all year round.

Vivid and Elegant- Bouvardia

Comes in Hot Pink, Pink, White, and Red

Available year round- Peak season is Summer

Wild and Bright- Solidago

Yellow

Because of the nature and color or the flower, it is a perfect choice in combination with Daisies, Gerber Daisies, Irises, and others in the "wild-flower" category.

Available year round.

Sweet and petite- Monte Casino

Mini Daisy Sprays.

Comes in White, yellow, Blue-Purple, Lavendar

Also a lovely accessory to wildflowers of all kinds.

Available year round.

A spray of color- Limonium "Misty"

Comes in White, Blue-Purple, Lavendar.


Available year round.



These are some of the most common fillers -Ask your florist for more options...there are plenty!

Portfolio: Black Beauty

This couple fused a classic black and white theme with rich, dark red for their October wedding. Roses and Schwarzwilder Callas were perfect for a clean, modern, fancy feel. I'm hoping I'll get some better pictures of this one, but for now the snap shots will have to do.