Secret Garden

Courtesy of Photography by Tessie

As you remember, I chose flowers as one of my DIY projects.  You can read about that here.  So I've gone back through my photos from the wedding to give you a bit more insight into my flowers.  I used silver colored chalices for the larger pieces and julep cups in the same color for the smaller ones.  I got both of these here. I also chose a 24" clear glass pilsner vase for the head table.  I stuffed the base of this with a few sheets of crumpled up iridescent foil, which I picked up at Michaels.  Included in this order as well was a case of Aquafoam blocks.  I cut them in half for the chalices and they fit rather snugly.

Courtesy of Photography by Tessie

The large pieces then, consisted of red, pink and purple roses, eggplant calla lilies, Purple Hydrangea, Purple Carnations and Red Garden Roses.  I think I did a pretty decent job choosing the color palate, if I do say so myself.  My bouquet consisted of all of the above sans the Purple Hydrangea and Purple Carnation.

The silver pillars on the table came from ZGallerie (I love them!), as do the silver spheres.  The silver trays that they are sitting on my mom picked up at a party store I think.  I ordered a case of off-white UNSCENTED pillar candles, assuming that vanilla bean times twelve would be rather nauseating while you try to enjoy your dinner.

Courtesy of Photography by Tessie

I used bouquet jewelry from Cristalier.  I also used extras on the girls' corsages.  There is platinum ribbon wrapped around the handle of my bouquet and secured with boutonniere pins.

Courtesy of Photography by Tessie

Overall, the flowers turned out great and I got lots of positive comments on the tablescapes, including an offer to assist with a future floral business...ha, ha.  Looking back, doing my own flowers created a very special memory for me.  I wouldn't have it any other way.

A Capitol Idea - Our Venue

Aside from figuring out if it was "capitol" or "capital" (I came to the conclusion you could use both) - planning a wedding at the Pennsylvania State Capitol is rather simple.  The biggest issue you have is logistics - getting your "stuff" ie, flowers, tables, chairs into the space is the most difficult aspect.  The jaw-dropping venue is very popular in our area - you can hold a non-religious ceremony, but still have a reverent feel. 

The biggest drawback for most brides is getting the venue in the first place.  This was my big "want" for my wedding, so I was willing to allow the venue to set my date.  We wanted something in the spring and it just so happened that a couple had cancelled, so we took their date.  This does not happen for everyone (or anyone - we were pretty lucky), so if you want this venue, you have to plan ahead - about 2 years ahead.  I worked with DGS (Department of General Services) to set up our date and to coordinate drop offs and pick ups, deliveries and that sort of thing.  They were very helpful and made this one of the easiest parts of planning my wedding.

Things I've Learned Doing My Own Flowers

Okay, okay.  I know doing your own flowers is one of those things that appeals to a small minutia of brides.  That said, I think that going in with eyes wide open can make this option more viable for more brides.  Not to mention thrifty.

I did all of the flowers.  Bouquets to Boutonnieres, Corsages to Tablescapes, it was all me.  Here's what I learned:

1.  Make absolutely certain someone is chained to the address you are having your flowers delivered to, even if you are quoted a delivery time.  Our flowers showed up 2 hours early and we had to ask them to do a second attempt delivery because we thought they were arriving much later.  Excess Stress does not help this close to the wedding.

2.  Buy too many containers to prep your flowers in.  We had to make another run for containers mid-way through prepping on Thursday.

3.  Invest in quality florist shears.  I was thankful I had purchased something other than a pair of Fiskars office scissors.  It makes a difference.  In that vein, waterproof garden gloves were essential.

4.  When in doubt, buy water.  We weren't sure the flowers would "like" our water, so we were cautious and purchased spring water for the flowers.  Nothing exotic, cheapest they offer is fine.  Buy way too many of these too - you can drink what's left.

5.  Make sure you clear your schedule the two days before your wedding to deal with the flowers.  It is a lot of work (which you pay for if you hire someone), but it is quite doable with some help.

6.  YouTube is your friend.  There are hundreds of arrangement ideas and tips out there if you look for them.

7.  Don't be afraid to re-do your bouquet (I did).  I did my bouquet first but came back after rehearsal and tore it apart to change out some of the blooms.  I never looked back.

8.  Use floral foam.  Buy it in bulk.  Soak it for 2 hours.  The flowers hold up beautifully, as long as the venue knows to put a little water in the next morning.

9.  In that vein, if you can store them at your venue DO IT.  So much easier than lugging flowers to the venue the day of your wedding.

10.  Do not use hydrangeas in your bouquet unless you are using entire blooms.  This is why I tore my bouquet apart.  I wired some hydrangeas and they just don't hold up.  They DID do well in the centerpieces, and would be fine if you are able to keep them in water as long as possible.

11.  Transportation.  Make sure you have a vehicle or someone who can assist you in moving your creations safely.  Keep your boxes that your flowers come in - they were useful in transporting our arrangements.

12.  Use wholesale disposable containers whenever possible.  I ordered silver-looking vessels and some julep cups.  It was great to offer arrangements that guests oohed and ahhed over as parting gifts, without having to tear them apart and repackage them.

13.  Manpower to set up centerpieces.  This depends upon how complicated your tablescapes are.  Enlist a friend who can't afford to be a bridesmaid but wants to help.  She is also a good option for helping you prepare and make the arrangements.

14.  This is NOT as hard as it looks.  The biggest thing to remember is that its not about perfection, but about your own achievement at your own level.  Be ambitious, but not overly so.  Be flexible with your esthetic.  This is not a project for the overly-controlling bride, believe it or not.

In the interest of full disclosure, I have done one party of similar guest count prior to my wedding.  I am not a florist, I have not taken any classes on arranging or horticulture.  I have to say, having used vases and floral foam to arrange flowers, I prefer the foam 1000 to 1.  Chop it short, stab it in, move on.  My mother, who has even less experience, is confident she can arrange flowers now.

So all of this to say, doing your own flowers can be a great option for a bride who wants to save some money (I spent probably $900 on flowers and supplies all totaled - and I think I got about $2K worth of arrangements).  It is not for the bride who has to have everything "just so", but if you are willing to be flexible with your final product, you can create something that adds extra personality to your wedding.  I have to say I love my bouquet more because I made it myself - and despite all the work it was, I'd do it again.

Flower Gathering

Photo courtesy of MarthaStewart.com

At the risk of sounding completely crazy, I have a confession.  I'm doing my own flowers.


I must confess, I've done this before.  Granted, not for a wedding, but a birthday party of equal size.  It requires a bit of give regarding the precise look and perhaps flower choice for each arrangement.  It also requires either extra hands or extra time to prepare.  But, you can say you did your own - which to me is special in its own right, and save a good bit of money too.

I've found the best way to do this is to do your research.  You Tube has tons of videos showing you how to make all sorts of arrangements and bouquets.  There are just as many books on the subject.  Where to get your flowers depends upon where you live and what flowers you want.  Many wholesale florists will sell to the public, so you can google or ask around for good ones in your area.  There are tons of websites that offer wholesale flowers, two of which I have used and loved:  www.bloomsbythebox.com and www.fiftyflowers.com.  Buy a dozen from your florist or grocery store and try a small arrangement before you decide this is the option for you.

The one thing I recommend is to order a sample batch of flowers from your chosen supplier, something delicate like hydrangeas, to test the shipment times and quality.  Use these test shipments to create a nice centerpiece for your dining room table, or to give as a gift.  Once you feel confident you can place your orders.

I know this option is definitely not for everyone and that I have a small event to do arrangements for, but for the right money savy bride, this option is too good to pass up.

Celebrity Wedding - Cate Edwards

This Saturday, Cate Edwards, will marry on her parents' estate in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.  Cate is the daughter of politican John Edwards and the late Elizabeth Edwards, who lost her battle with breast cancer last December.

Happily, Elizabeth had the opportunity to assist her daughter in planning one of the most special events a mother and daughter can share.  Cate's beau Trevor Upham proposed just two short weeks before Elizabeth passed, giving the ladies just a few precious weeks to flip through magazines and talk about the upcoming nuptials.  The ladies managed to decide on a "rustic-romantic" theme for the outdoor wedding together.

The 100 acre estate will host three days of festivities for the couple's 150 guests, and is the home at which Elizabeth spent her final days.  The fete will feature Southern home cooking and outdoor cocktail parties, culminating in the nuptial ceremony. 

Father of the bride John Edwards, will be present to escort his daughter down the aisle.  Facing charges of violating campaign finance laws, his trial has been postponed so he may attend the event.  Elizabeth will surely be in attendance as well on this happiest of days.

Bridal Events - Mechanicsburg

For our Central PA brides, Sunday October 30th from Noon to 4 pm join other area brides at the Mechanicsburg Bridal Walk, showcasing bridal services from the Mechanicsburg area, and hosted by Main Street Mechanicsburg.  Should be a nice way to get some fresh air and do some wedding planning at the same time!

 

The event is free to the public and is rain or shine.  There will be raffle prizes and refreshments available.

Visit Discover Mechanicsburg's website for more details!

Bridal Show - Rose Bridal Party

For our Central PA brides, mark your calendar for Sunday, October 30.  From noon to 4 pm, Rose Radio, May Grant Associates and Dream Weddings PA will hold their annual Rose Bridal Party at the Eden Resort in Lancaster.  Over 70 vendors will be available for your perusal.  The best part is that admission is FREE!

If you register to attend, you are automatically entered to win The Dream Weddings Giveaway including a minimum $15,000 wedding package toward your dream wedding.  The winner will be chosen from the registrations at the end of the show (you must be present to win).  If you preregister you get two entries!

Other prizes include a honeymoon to Palace Resorts in Mexico compliments of Dream Makers Vacation Services.

Childcare is available by Just Play PA I wrote a post on them here.

Get all the details at Rose Radio's website!