Floral Frenzy

So my sister-in-law is a floral designer (and thus the recipient of a million emails from me of blog photos I like). But I wanted her to be able to be a part of the wedding as my sister and bridesmaid and have fun. So this meant that someone else would have to work with her and do most of the actual leg work. One problem, she lives in Hawai'i and our florist is from Tennessee (wedding coordinator recommendation). So they talked via email and between them and the wedding coordinator, I never had anything to do or worry about.

My parent's just renovated their office building and the side of it that is for rent we used for the floral ready room. We cranked the AC and set up of few tables. And the next thing we knew:

Poof! Pretty Flowers and vases!

At this point, Tom (florist) was walking my MOH and I around flower by flower and explaining the plans and asking if they were ok etc. I finally stopped him and said
"The flowers are beautiful, I can't imagine that there is anyway to make them look ugly. So, as far as I'm concerned - we're good. No need to explain - I'm not the floral pro."

And guess what - I WAS RIGHT!
Between the floral fiends - we ended up with some BEAUTIFUL centerpieces!
(Photo by the wonderful Rae Leytham)

And my sister hand made my bouquet for me, and I couldn't have been happier. It was beautiful, whimsical, tropical, and had a touch of sparkle!
(Photo by the amazing Rae Leytham)

THANK YOU FLORAL FIENDS!

Anyone else take a hands-off approach to their florals?

Bouquet Sashay

So I had this idea...
Ok. Like before, it wasn't my idea. But I found it, and liked it. (And by found it, I mean, thanks Next Exit Photography care of Southern Weddings :-) ).

These days its seems like many are shying away from carrying traditional bouquets in lieu of more personal or themed items. For the Catholics, Bibles and Rosary. Fans, books, and candles seem to be favorites. But fans are just asking to be fidgeted with, the books we like are across the board and often unheard of thus would require some explaining, and we are outside in the late afternoon - a candle would just be a battle of matches vs wind and something tells me wind wins!

So when I came across the above picture, I liked it! It was different from a bouquet, but didn't have to be themed or personal. I could find some cool fabric for the ribbon and call it a day. I sent the link to my bridesmaids positive that the responses would be that they love it! It was fun, different, but not so different that even my uber traditional bridesmaid would dislike it. SWEET!
If we have learned anything through my blogging (for those of you still awake or paying attention) it is that I almost never get the response I am expecting. The general response was that they didn't want a corsage. Am I the only one who totally didn't see this as a corsage but a funky wrist sash? Oh, and then as before, trust my eldest sister to have the best response.
MOH pointed out that she wouldn't know what to do with her hands. Eldest Sister "I'd just pinch butts."

Bouquets it is!!!!

Anyone else have some crazy friends and family with entertaining responses?

Anyone else love an idea that got shot down like a duck?

What are your girls carrying?

Funny Fortunes Disguised as Tradition

I am not a fan of tossing the bouquet. One too many weddings where I was called out by a DJ and dragged out onto the floor where I promptly dove out of the way. And that was when I had a date! Needless to say I really had no intention of incorporating that or the garter toss in our wedding. (Don't get me wrong, I think the garter thing could be some sexy fun.... if my parents weren't going to be there!!!! I just think thats weird.) And then I saw this from Martha Stewart...
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The traditional toss bouquet, when caught, tells one lucky receiver little more than that she will be the next to wed. But this distinctive toss bouquet is made up of a cluster of smaller bouquets, each bearing its own secret fortune that offers more detailed information about future husbands to a few agile guests. And for the bride, they form a lush bouquet of blossoms.

Fortune Bouquets How-To
Separate flowers into small bouquets; you can use one variety or combine several (we used roses, calla lilies, and ranunculuses). Wrap the stems of each bunch with seam binding, securing with a bow; leave ends trailing. Prepare predictions about future husbands -- "You will marry the boy next door"; "You will marry your true love" -- for the
bouquets. Print the fortunes onto a sheet of fine paper, and cut the paper so that each fortune appears on a single strip; finish the ends in an inverted V. Use a straight pin to affix each fortune to its bouquet.

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I think I might make them quirkier fortunes:

• You will gain admiration from your pears.
• Help! I am being held prisoner in a Chinese bakery!!
• Confucius say, man who eat crackers in bed wake up feeling crummy.
  

=D

Can't get through a whole wedding without a little snarkiness and I certainly can't be sarcastic in my vows! ... or can I? ;-)