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.

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.

Secret Garden

When a girl dreams of her wedding she may or may not envision her bouquet.  I'm firmly in the later group.  Not that I'm anti-floral, to the contrary - I just know nothing about flowers.  First time around, I skipped all but my bouquet and it was an FTD design (how original).  So this time I thought I should at least be "grown up" enough to pick some lovely stems to carry down the path to my new life.  I have been browsing bouquets pretty much anywhere I can find them.  Here are two that are currently topping my list.

Petals from more than three dozen Esperance roses create the illusion of one large bloom.  By

Amaryllis, Inc.

White cymbidium and dendrobium orchids, white peonies and mini calla lilies. By Preston Bailey