Weddingbee

Read more… or Read more right here… »

So running with the simple look, Karen came up with a simple way to recreate the centerpieces, for under $10 a table (for floral materials).

I’ve got 19 round tables total. Half of the tables will feature tall centerpieces, and half, short centerpieces.

Tall table centerpieces:

Using 24″ tall glass vases I bought from ebay seller HJK Imports, ($66 for 6 vases), Karen showed me how to set up our first centerpieces.

She added rocks, cut a slit in a large leaf about 3/4 of the way up, and added a cymbidium orchid to the front and the back of the leaf, for symmetry.

Then she filled the vase up with water.

All done!

I mocked the table up with 3 additional Cymbidiums, and tea lights. Here you can see that the front and the back of the centerpiece look virtually identical, giving our round tables a great 360 degree view. We cut the leaf to see what it would look like fully submerged, but I like the look of the leaf sticking out higher than the vase (above pictures) so we’re going that route.

Short Table Centerpieces:

Cutting small strips of a banana leaf, Karen placed a strip in each glass container.

Then, she added a Cymbidium orchid and filled each vase with water, and I added the same setup on the tables with the tealights and the orchids. Easy-peasy!

Afterwards, Karen and I grabbed a leisurly lunch and enjoyed the San Francisco sunshine on the restaurant’s patio. And with only a few weeks left till my wedding, look what I got:

Idiot.

COST BREAKDOWN:

TALL CENTERPIECES, Each:
These cost:
$11 for 24 inch vase from HJK Imports
$8 for 8 tealights and candles
$10 for 5 cymbidium orchids and large leaf
TOTAL: $29

SHORT CENTERPIECES, Each:
$11 for trio of vases from Pfalzgraff (search for a coupon code to get a discounted price)
$8 for 8 tealights and candles
$10 for 6 cymbidium orchids and small banana leaf
TOTAL: $29

The best part? I can lend out/sell the glass pieces later and recoup some of my costs!

Are you planning on DIYing your centerpieces?
« Hide it

Read more… or Read more right here… »

Here are the bridesmaid’s flower samples, the colors are slightly more saturated:

That peony is just incredible, the petals are so delicate.

Here is a shot of how the two work together:
The colors are soft and romantic. The flowers are classic and a bit rustic. I love them. I know I must sound like a spokeswoman for Diane, but I cannot think of anything I would change about them and she is a doll to work with. After the wedding, I will have them forever and that makes me very happy.

What do you think?
« Hide it

Read more… or Read more right here… »

The came in a couple of weeks ago, and here’s how they turned out!

View of the flowers

With the faux pearl handle

And finally, modeled by Daddy Toucan (he’s such a good model, isn’t he?)

Pretty good, huh? I’m really happy with how they turned out, and I’m pretty confident they’ll survive the hands of 6 little girls… though just in case, I ordered a couple extra (you never can be too sure, right? ).

Do you plan to have your flower girls hold real or fake flowers?
« Hide it

Read more… or Read more right here… »

 

Smirks and flowers galore!

My bouquet includes chocolate calla lilies, freesia, hydrangeas, and green berries.

Blue hydrangeas and green berries for the ladies (an uber-rushed mock-up).

(Photo courtesy van swearingen on Flickr)

Mr. Candy Corn will be wearing a double chocolate cymbidium orchid boutonniere.

Carl impressed us so much with his amazing attention to detail, that we went ahead and put him in charge of our centerpieces too. I had initially planned on DIY-ing the centerpieces, until I was given the task of arranging the centerpieces for my boss’s wedding, and spent the rest of the ceremony and reception sneezing my arse off and wishing my throat didn’t feel like it had elephantiasis.

We wanted something lovely and simple, that matched our bird aesthetic, without being too literal. These birch containers just screamed us and although they don’t exactly match the colors of our theme, I think they will be a refreshing break from all of the blue and brown.

  

These birch tubes were originally available at Small Stump, where I ordered 10 and later realized I’d need about 20 more for our centerpieces (arranging three at each table with varying heights, with flowers just like the photos above). Small Stump no longer offers the birch tubes and unfortunately, I haven’t been able to find them anywhere else. I found a website where I can order sheets of birch and make the containers myself (note to self: purchase a hot glue gun), which sounds easy enough!

How about you guys…is anyone having trouble finding an affordable florist that thinks outside the box?

ed. note: please see our editorial policy.
« Hide it

Read more… or Read more right here… »

I’d like my bouquet to play on our color palette (chocolate brown, burgundy, and sunflower yellow), possibly with some bright highlights in the red-orange-yellow spectrum. I’m imagining something mid-sized that will fit in my freakishly small hands and be easy to hold but large enough to make for some super photos. I want a more dynamic shape rather than a round, manicured bouquet. I think I’m going for that “fresh-picked” look; a little wild and less refined.

As for components? Well, they have to follow my rules for flowers, which means no roses, lots of colorful daisies, probably dahlias and chrysanthemums, and whatever wild grasses we can find for accents.

Have you seen any bouquets that fit the bill? What would you recommend for a September wedding?
« Hide it

Read more… or Read more right here… »

Now, don’t get me wrong, it’s a beautiful bouquet. But, all of a sudden, I decided that I wanted something a little more romantic and traditional for this one particular item in our wedding. Immediately I thought “Peonies!”

(Image from here)

I e-mailed our wedding coordinator to see if this would be a possibility for my portraits, since the likelihood of having peonies in our late-September wedding didn’t look so hot. Luckily, the florist said he could definitely do a bouquet of all white peonies. I can’t wait to pick it up tomorrow and see the final result with my bridal cross that I purchased for the bouquet.

(Image from here)

My next task is to find a similar type of flower that we could use in September for my bouquet, it just has to be the color white … any ideas?

« Hide it

Read more… or Read more right here… »

Pretty, yes?? I think they will totally evoke the lighthearted sweetness and romance of our Springtime wedding!

Those are blush hydrangeas, blush lisianthus, and darker pink roses. We got rid of the orchids, as they took away from the softness and fluffiness. I think these will go great with the theme, as there are other elements of our table set-up that will be completely pale green.

By the way, our florist is Shirvan Designs in Burbank, CA. We are working with Arsine, who was really wonderful in trying to make real the vision we had. We could tell that she definitely knew what she was doing! I’ll let you know how the wedding day itself actually goes - I am very excited!
« Hide it

Read more… or Read more right here… »

Oh my goodness! Those flowers are not real! They are made out of clay by an artist in California named Diane Phillips of DK Designs Hawaii.

I stumbled upon her etsy store while browsing around a few blogs last week. I immediately sent her an email and asked if she would be able to create the flowers for our wedding. I didn’t even give it a second thought. Since my centerpieces will be made out of paper, why not bouquets of clay?!

Here are the kickers 1: they cost the same as what I had budgeted for real flowers, 2: they will last forever and 3: it will prevent me from adding another DIY project, I think I’m up to 10 or 11 now and haven’t even begun to post about them!

So far, Diane has been an absolute joy to work with. She provided me with a quote and asked about some of my favorite flowers. I sent her the following inspiration images and color palette:

{image a la Miss Flamingo}

{image}

{image}

Although I have some idea of what I would like - vintage, a little rustic, muted - I want to leave as much up to Diane as possible.

She will be creating my bouquet, 5 bridesmaids’ bouquets, groom’s bout, 5 groomsmens’ bouts, 3 mom corsages and 3 dad bouts. Whew… she has her work cut out for her. In a few weeks she will have some sample flowers ready for me. I cannot wait to see what she comes up with!

They will probably be a bit heavy to carry and I know some of my more traditional guests will think this is crazy, but I am stoked.

What do you think? Anyone else not using real flowers in their bouquet?
« Hide it

Read more… or Read more right here… »

They still have the price stickers on them, which I’ll have to take off with some Goo Gone. Between these and the Coke bottles I have so much work to do with that stuff that I seriously hope it isn’t toxic.

As you can see, they’re not the most hardcore kind of shepherd’s hook with the “stabilizing arm” at the bottom (generally used for the super-tall hooks), but they are a solid and sturdy metal that should be perfect for hanging pomanders, cones, buckets, and more!

I love the way the shepherd’s hooks are used in the photos above (click for big), particularly with the cones in the last photo on the right. We’re going to be doing something a little different to make use of our mason jars and cans. I’m making wire hangers for the mason jars, which will hold flowers that will line the aisles during the ceremony. We’ll then re-use the flowers at the reception and swap votive candles into the jars in the evening. I might also make some lanterns out of cans with hole-punched designs to alternate with the clear jars. We’ll then scatter the candle-holding hooks around the reception tent and/or dance floor for a romantic summer ambiance.

I’d normally veto an idea that requires running around to move things from one location to another, but because the ceremony and reception will be so close AND because we have a wedding coordinator to take care of such things for us, I’m really eager to get maximum use out of all our accessories and decorations!

Are any of you using shepherd’s hooks in your wedding?

( Image Sources in composite: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 )

« Hide it

Read more… or Read more right here… »

Exhibit B: I’m the amazonian tan lady (summer in Europe will do that) pursing her lips and formulating her catch-plan.

(HINT: Anybody play basketball? The key to catching a bouquet is the stance you take (wide, planted feet, hands up and open in front of you), and where you position yourself (judge the bride, watch her during the day, see if she would be a lobber, a girly-thrower, a ceiling-hitter, etc). Also, be RUTHLESS. )

ANY-WAY, I’m so not throwing my gorgeous bouquet if my guests are anything like me. Instead, I decided to hit my local dollarama, and grab some fake flowers for a little DIY magic!

::HOW TO MAKE A TOSS BOUQUET FOR SEVEN DOLLARS::

YOU WILL NEED:

• fake flowers (I used pink and yellow tulips, pink carnations, green kermit mums)… look at pictures of bouquets you like, choose the colours, types, and number of stems to coordinate with your vision. TIP: Buy stems with multi-heads, not single flower stems, to maximize your budget.
• sturdy, sticky tape (I used packaging tape, but you can use floral tape, duct tape, hockey tape - scotch tape won’t work)
• ribbons (I used two, one 1 1/2 ” ribbon, and one 1/2″ ribbon in a coordinating but contrasting pattern). I used about four feet for the wrapping and bow of the main ribbon.
• wire cutters (I used jewellery wire cutters, but any will do the trick unless you have mega thick stems)
• scissors
• hot glue gun

This DIY project is REALLY easy, and took me just over two hours. Put on some slow jams, grab a glass of wine/soda/water/whatever, and settle in!

::CARNATIONS/MULTI-PETALLED FLOWERS::

Because these are dollar store flowers, they are naturally very ugly. In order to prettify them, you will need to take them apart, and put them back together.

STEPS:

1. Rip the head of a carnation/or any multi-petalled flower off of its stem. Pluck off its green base (bottom of the flower), put it to the side - you will need it later.
2. Layer the flower petals how you like (I alternated the layers so that the Y shapes overlappped). You can also combine different petals from different flowers to create new types of flowers!.
3. Put a dab of hot glue around the hole in the middle of the petals, glue each layer together.
4. Cut off the green bit that originally went THROUGH your flower (not the original stem), so that it is flat and flush with the green base of the flower.
5. Glue this green base and green bit back to the bottom of the flower. The green bit will allow you to connect the flower head back on to the stem. Do so.
6. Arrange any moveable leaves on the stem to how you want them.
7. To make peonies, combine 2-3 carnations together, wrap with tape.

FINISHED CARNATION (PEONY):

:: TULIP OR STAMEN FLOWERS::

Flowers with these upright petals and stamens are a little bit trickier, but it’s basically the same.

STEPS:

1. Fold back the petals, they are usually glued to plastic bits that hold them upright. Cut off the stamen as well as these plastic supports (unless you want a tulip)
2. Rip the head of a tulip off of its stem. Pluck off its clear base (bottom of the flower), put it to the side - you will need it later.
3. Layer the flower petals how you like (I alternated the layers to that the Y shapes overlappped). You can also combine different petals from different flowers to create new types of flowers!.
4. Put a dab of hot glue around the hole in the middle of the petals, glue each layer together. You can fold petals over each other and glue together to create a “bud” as well!
5. Glue this clear base back onto the bottom of the flower. The clear bit will allow you to connect the flower head back on to the stem. Do so.
6. Arrange any moveable leaves on the stem to how you want them.

FINISHED TULIP/FLUFFY PRETTY FLOWER:

To create the bouquet, place the individual or clustered stems (like the peony we made) together, and use your sticky, sturdy tape to wrap around. Each stem you add, do another layer of tape. This way it’s secure.

When all of your flowers are together, apply some glue to the bottom of the bouquet handle. Place the MIDDLE of your wide ribbon on to it, then wrap the handle with the two sides. If you leave pieces hanging, you can wrap them into a bow. Make sure to apply glue every so often along the handle while you are wrapping, so that the ribbon doesn’t slide. If you are using additional ribbons, wrap them as you please, and glue into place.

::THE FINISHED RESULT::

So there you have it! I hope you enjoyed this DIY project - if you are on a budget and are using silk florals, the techniques I have listed here can easily be used for your real bouquets as well!

What do you think? Will my fake bouquet withstand the ravages of a hoard of clutching females?
« Hide it