Bridal Fairs- To attend, or not to attend?

In an attempt to promote my business even more, I signed up to do two bridal fairs in January and February.  I heard mixed reviews from other florists on whether they got any business from the fairs or not, but I thought, what the heck, might as well try!

The first one was located in the San Jose area.  I used bright pink and purple anemone's, white Casablanca lilies, Stargazer lilies, pink David Austen garden roses, pink and cream spray roses, lisianthus, orchids and red roses to create 3 very different bouquets, a sweet heart table design, two tall centerpieces and a low centerpiece.  Take a look:

At the second fair, located at the beautiful Fox Theatre in Redwood City, I decided to try something a little different.  Instead of just doing bouquets, I matched each bouquet up with a centerpiece and created a vignette.  I used red roses, white hydrangea, eggplant purple calla lilies, peach roses, succulents, purple and pink lisianthus, jasmine, amaranthus and other greens.  I got a lot more of a response from this set up, then the last!  Enjoy the photos!

Which was your favorite design out of all these?

Rene van Rems

Recently, I attended a workshop hosted by Mt. Eden Floral, taught by the talented and entertaining Rene van Rems hosted by Mt. Eden

Due to my schedule, I've never been able to go to a workshop like this outside of school.  After today, I plan to go to as many as my bank account will allow!

The workshop focused on bridal bouquets and how to make a fashionable bouquet using bouquet holders.  Yes, I said bouquet holders!  Those plastic, tacky looking things from the 80s.  Most bride's look once at them and say, "No way!", but I'm here to tell you, "Yes way!"

There are so many products in the floral world that can make these holders look classy, sassy and most importantly, fashionable.  You can still get the hand-tied look using the bouquet holders, but the flowers will stay fresher a lot longer than a regular hand tied bouquet.  When you are talking to your florist about your bouquet, make sure to ask them about bouquet holders and see what they can do with them, you will be surprised!

In next few weeks, you will get to see a few different styles that I worked on for a photo shoot in San Francisco.  They turned out lovely and highlighted the designer gowns that our model wore.  Check back next Monday for photos of the designs and the shoot!

Taylor and Bryce

It's amazing to me how the internet can connect people.  A good friend of mine responded to a Craigs List advertisement for a work-out buddy.  The two of them started working out together and became good friends.  A few months ago my friend introduced me to Taylor and her fiancé.  When she discovered that I was a florist, she asked me if I would drive up to Yuba City and do bouquets and boutonnieres for her wedding.  I agreed and we started the planning.

For the fathers, I rolled petals from the Cabaret roses and used the cream garden rose buds.

The groomsmen boutonnieres had a cream bud with purple accents and monkey tail fern.

The grooms boutonniere was a mixture of the first two with a rolled Cabaret rose petal, monkey tail fern and cream garden rose.  For an added touch, Taylor had me put a locket on the boutonniere that belonged to Bryce's mother

The bridesmaids bouquet had mostly creams with hints of peach and a bright coral peony that really made the bouquet pop.  In each of the bouquets, there was a small photo frame of each girl with her spouse on their wedding day.  A very special touch for the special girls in Taylors life.

In the brides bouquet, I used peach garden roses, peach hydrangea, a white peony's and the beautiful Cabaret rose.  A collar of Dusty Miller surrounded the bouquet and gave it an antique feel.  There were small clusters of purple statice as a remembrance for the grooms mother who passed away.

It was definitely a challenge to get all the flowers up to Yuba City.  A few of them didn't make it and I had to take the bouquets apart in my car and fix them up a bit.  I think they turned out nicely and I loved the colors!  I did learn a lot, and have since learned some techniques I could have used from the great Rene van Rems which I will share with all you brides to be in next weeks blog post!  Until then, a big congratulations to newly-weds Taylor and Bryce Barrow!

*A big thank you to Kim Wodarczyk for her help!*

Marina Morrison Bridal Salon

This past Friday I headed up to Marina Morrison in San Francisco to try on dresses.  The salon is located on the 4th floor of the Gumps building.  The salon is light and welcoming and the staff is extremely friendly and knowledgable.  They make you feel very comfortable and even though I am cutting it close with ordering the dress, I didn't feel pressured at all to make the purchase.

Marina Morisson is the only salon in Northern California that carries Claire Pettibone's line.  If you aren't familiar with her dresses, she uses a lot of lace and her gowns are whimsical and romantic.  Very different from any other dresses I've seen.  Katie, the consultant who helped me, said that if you are a Claire bride, nothing else compares.  Its so true.  I found my dress, but this post isn't about that.  If you want to read more, you can visit my wedding blog here.

My experience was amazing, just what I always thought it should be while shopping for the dress.  I highly recommend it to brides out there.  A few things to think about though, all the dresses start at around $3,000.  In house alterations are $450-$650, but don't they won't go over the $650 mark.  The salon is appointment only and they are open Tuesday through Saturday.  

Happy shopping!

2012 Wedding Trends

While doing some browsing, I came across this article and thought it was very interesting.  I especially loved the engraved plates that I pictured below.  Hope you enjoy it!


article courtesy of The Wedding Salon


Cookie-Cupcakes, Natural Accents, Colors of the Rainbow, Attention to Detail & Fashion Inspired Weddings, Amongst the Hottest Trends for 2012 Chicago, IL (October, 2011) 

Chicago, IL (October, 2011) --- Brides' fantasy weddings came to life at The Wedding Salon at The W City Center. The nation’s premier luxury bridal event showcased the hottest trends for 2012 including Nature Inspired Accents, Attention to Detail and Wedding Trends Straight from the Paris Runway. 

• "We were thrilled at the success of The Wedding Salon in Chicago and the trends that were unveiled for the upcoming year!  The Chicago Market came together for one night, showcasing incredible fashion-forward trends," says Wedding Salon Founder and renowned Celebrity Event Planner, Tatiana Byron.  

The ultimate trend for weddings will be looking to nature and the local landscape for reception tables. Chicago's finest event designers showcased reception décor inspired by nature. Telluride looked to the Colorado landscape pulling birch wood accents for a natural wedding look.  Additional décor trends for 2012 include elevated centerpieces inspired by architecture and mismatched looks incorporated into table design. 

Jenny Yoo wowed brides with a couture bridal and bridesmaid fashion show showcasing the trend of colors of the rainbow with teal, yellows and greens gracing bridesmaids on the runway. For the bride, Jenny Yoo unveiled a classic collection for 2012 with fitted looks accessorized to perfection. 

New attention to detail and simplicity will also be a key factor in the upcoming year. From flowerless canopies, showcasing nothing but rich, flowing linen and velvet runners, weddings will showcase regal linens in new and inspired ways. Couples will add detail to their wedding in never-before seen ways showcasing their individual style. Yanni Design Studio unveiled the new trend of etching menus onto charger plates for the bride & groom to keep as memorabilia.

Photo courtesy of Real Life Weddings

The Candy Bar trend of previous seasons will shift towards cookies in 2012 with the introduction of cookie– cupcake towers by Cookies by Joey.  Engaged couples enjoyed this never-before seen cookie cupcake with stacked cookies in cupcake liners topped with freshly made buttercream & flowers for a new alternative to the wedding cake.  A twist on traditional cakes, Oak Mill Bakery revealed that brides are no longer looking to the wedding gown for inspiration for the wedding cake; instead they are modeling cakes after their favorite couture designer. Wildflour Bakery also looked to fashion by recreating hand-painted silk flowers and origami flowers on their delicious exotic flavored cakes. 

Showing that a beach honeymoon will never go out of style, The Wedding Salon featured the biggest names in Destination Weddings and Honeymoons including St. Regis Bora Bora, The St. Lucia Tourism Board and The Mexico Tourism Board highlighting Puerta Vallarta & Cancun as the ultimate go-to destinations in 2012. http://www.weddingsalon.com/index.php

Up Coming Bay Area Wedding Events

In a few months time, wedding season will be gearing up.  Here are a few shows and websites that can help you plan your perfect dream wedding!


***Wedding Faire and Symposium
"The Wedding Faire has been coming to the Santa Clara Convention Center since 1986. Brides can shop, watch fabulous fashion shows, attend informational workshops and plan their weddings! The Wedding Faire offers everything to Plan the Perfect Wedding! Local and national retailers and services will have booth displays. There are fashion shows and Wedding Workshops throughout the day. The first 250 Brides each day will receive a Savings Booklet from local Bay Area Wedding merchants. Arrive early to register and win fantastic Wedding Prize Giveaways!"

Friday Thru Sunday January 6-8, 2012

Admission: $12
Located at the Santa Clara Convention Center

Modern Luxury Weddings

Filled with spectacular decor, innovative floral, sensational tastings, and inspiration galore, The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco invites you to meet with the bay area’s most celebrated and sought-after wedding professionals. Vera Wang runway shows highlight the season’s most fabulous wedding gowns. Enjoy the complimentary Beauty Bar, champagne and tastings plus the first 100 brides will receive a Swag Bag.

Sunday January 8, 2012 

Located at the Ritz-Carlton in SF


***The Lab

“A not-so-ordinary bridal experience to immerse yourself in creative inspiration to define your wedding style.  Are you ready for some chemistry? The Lab is a handpicked collection of some of the top trend-setting wedding industry professionals Northern California has to offer. It’s designed to be an experience for couples seeking vendors, inspiration, and style definition for their wedding day. The Lab won’t have typical vendor booths or pushy salespeople. Instead, in a laid-back setting, couples will experience inspiration boards brought to life, sips and bites from some of the best caterers, sweet and treats from top dessert designers, a vendor library, a non-traditional runway show, and one heck of a party to round out the night.”

Saturday January 14, 2012

Admission: $25 (group rates available)
Located at Cline Cellars


***Napa Valley Bridal Show
The 8th Annual NAPA VALLEY BRIDAL SHOW. Plan your entire Wine Country Wedding in one location where the finest wedding professionals will be found. Check out the latest fashions and register for incredible prizes.”
Sunday January 22, 2012 11am-4pm
Admission: $10
Located at Embassy Suites, Napa Valley

SF Wedding Fair

Sip chilled flutes of Domaine Chandon while sampling the newest trends in hors d’oeuvres and wedding cakes. Luxuriously stroll by 70 exhibits featuring the elite of Bay Area wedding professionals. View stunning couture fashions modeled throughout the afternoon.

Attention Grooms… Drop by the gentlemen’s lounge for scores, snacks and cold beer!

Sunday January 22, 2012 11am-4pm

Located at the Four Seasons Hotel

Modern Bridal

View the most incredible photography, breathtaking floral designs, and fabulous samples as you stroll through our aisles to find the right wedding professionals to make your wedding day vision a reality. Experience spectacular runway shows, view unique caterers, sensational jewelry, incredible photography and all you’ll need to make your wedding day the celebration of a lifetime

Sunday January 15, 2012 at the Pleasanton Hilton

Sunday January 22, 2010 at the Claremont Resort & Spa, Berkeley

I Do Venues

An insiders view to the venues serving California.

San Mateo County Hidden Gem

The Pulgas Water Temple in San Mateo County, is a small, unique, gorgeous wedding venue that I came across a few months ago located at 80 Canada Road in Woodside, California.

  It was built in the 1930s by architect William G. Merchant to commemorate the 1934 completion of the Hetch Hetchy Aqueduct.  Here are some specifics on having your wedding ceremony at this location:

Guest Count:  100 guests max, with limited parking

Available times:  April to October 9:30-11:30 or 1:30-3:30.  2 hours maximum which includes set up and tear down.

Price:  $150 non-refundable

Limitations:  The site does not allow rehearsals on the property.  The site is closed on Sundays.  To have amplification or any other electric needs, you must bring a 150 foot extension cord.  They do not have their own chairs so you must rent them.

All in all, its a gorgeous venue for a low budget, quick wedding ceremony and definitely something to look into.  For more information, you can call them at 650-872-5900 or visit the site here.  Here are a few pictures:

Something for everyone: What to do with kids at your special event

There are many activities for adults to do during a wedding or special event, but not a lot for the younger guests to do.

One of the more recent trends in weddings is to have a goody-bag for each kid who attends.  Usually these bags have coloring pages, some candy and small toys to keep the kids occupied during all the "boring grown-up" stuff.  If you want to go beyond the goody-bag here are a few ideas:

Kids Only:
Have a special Kids Only area that is open for a few hours during the reception.   For safety, create a sign-in, sign-out rule with the parents and the kids and only permit them to leave with the designated parent.  In this area, have board games, coloring books, craft supplies, and goody-bags to keep the kids occupied.  Find out if the venue has a television you can rent and hook up a Wii console for the older kids.

Chid Care Providers:
If you have any responsible, high school age attendees, ask them if they could be in charge of the kids area.   Sweeten the deal by offering to pay them.  If you don't have anyone that could be a sitter, look into babysitting services or home care services that offer babysitters.  Make sure they come with good recommendations and are reliable!

Games:
Organize a wedding scavenger hunt.  Separate the kids in several groups and give each group a disposable camera and a list of events during the reception.  The first group to complete the list gets to take a special picture with the bride and groom, or gets a goody-bag.

Piñatas are always a fun event at any party.  Make sure there is plenty of room in whatever area you designate since candy tends to fly everywhere!

Hiring entertainment:
If the budget allows, hire children's entertainment for an hour or two.  Here are a few magicians I looked into in the San Francisco area:

http://www.danchanmagic.com/

http://www.Pymagic.com/

http://www.WhoAteTheRabbitMagic.com/

If you can't find a magician you like, look into face painting, clowns, or puppet shows as well.  If you have hired a photo-booth company for your wedding, have a specific time set aside for kids to use it.  Have a chest with dress up clothes so the kids can get silly and have fun dressing up.  As a craft, you can have them make a photo frame to hold their keepsake in.  You can also have your DJ call up the kids during the cocktail hour and have a "kids only" dance hour with kid friendly music.

There is so much you can do for your kid guests to keep them entertained and have them remember your wedding as something very special!

If you have any other ideas you have used in the past, please post them here and share with all of us! 

More upcoming Bridal Faire's

For all you brides out there, here are a few upcoming fairs to check out:

Brocade Weddings brings you Bay Area Wedding Fair

September 25 at the Palo Alto Crown Plaza Cabana

October 23 at the Marriot Hotel in Pleasaton 

A City Club Affaire at The City Club

October 2, 2011 

This has some top of the line vendors attending.  Definitely something to check out.

Central Coast Bride events:

For the "Green" couple: Central Coast Bride's Fabulous Fall Bridal Show 

October 9, 2011

The Chaminade Resort and Spa in Santa Cruz

South Bay: San Jose Bride's Fabulous Fall Bridal Show

October 9, 2011

Dolce Hayes Mansion

And check out this website for even more listings.

Edita and Reyes

In August, I got to be apart of Edita and Reyes' special day.  The ceremony was at St. John Vianney church in San Jose and the reception was at Flames Restaurant in down town San Jose.  The color palette was shades of purple.

The ceremony site was very simple, just a few simple aisle markers on the pews.  She also had her father bring in beautiful flowering trees, inspired by the Royal Wedding.

At the reception we went with two different designs for the 18 tables.  The ceiling of the banquet hall was low, so we wanted to keep the arrangements somewhat low as well.  The first was a single medium sized cylinder with orchids inside and a overflowing arrangement of roses, hydrangeas, freesias and amaranthus.  This was placed on a mirror with small votives surrounding it.

The other centerpiece was three different sized cylinders with orchids inside and a floating candle on top.  We used Oasis wire to add some extra flair to the piece and these were also set on top of a mirror with votives.

For the Sweet Heart table, I took a low oval shaped vase and put purple tea leaves inside and used orchids, hydrangea, roses, amaranthus, freesia, stock and alstromeria to create an overflowing design.  I set votives on the table and used candles and flowers as an accent.

For the flower girl, she had a mini bouquet similar to the bridesmaids and also a clip in her hair which included three spray roses and purple statice.

The bridesmaids bouquets included hydrangea, roses, freesias and lisianthus.

The groomsmen's boutonnieres were purple vanda orchids with bear grass accents and a purple ribbon.

The grooms boutonniere was two mini-cymbidiums with a feather accent and purple ribbon.

The bridal bouquet included roses, lisianthus, hydrangea and freesia with white feather accents.  The purple hydrangea was a Dutch import, but totally worth the price!

The bride requested a hair piece.  We tried gardenias, but they were browning too quickly in the heat so I used the mini-cymbidiums and feathers to match the groom's boutonniere.  I also used Swarovski crystal pearls to add a little bling to the hair piece.  

It was a very beautiful wedding, and the happy couple was very pleased with how it all turned out!  

Six Degrees of Separation

Head over to Kunde Family Estate Winery and check out the scenes of the film Bottle Shock.  While you are there, bring a picnic lunch and sit in the expansive courtyard of the winery before heading in to taste the wine.  You can also make arrangements to do the Mountain Top Tasting that leaves every hour between 11:30am and 2:30pm for $30 per person.  They also offer horse back riding tours through Triple Creek Horse Outfit.

This is also a great venue for events.  There are several different options to choose from including the Dunfillian Ruins,  the Wine Aging Caves and The Mountain Top.  Guest count can be anywhere from 30-250 people depending on the site you choose.  Kunde has their own event staff who will work hard to give you your dream event.

There is limited to no electricity in most of the sites and you will have to arrange for transportation from the parking lot to the location you choose.

For a Hollywood feel or if you are into barbecues, check out the Boot Hill site where Bottle Shock was filmed.

The wine is decent and priced well.  As with many of the wineries, beer and Kunde wines are the only alcoholic beverages allowed.

A French Chateau in California

Heading back up the Sonoma valley towards Healdsburg and Calistoga, you find several large vineyards and castle-like tasting rooms. One of which is Chateau St. Jean.  Located at the base of Sugerloaf Ridge, the setting is picturesque and the mediterranean style gardens are stunning.  It definitely took my breath away.  The Chateau was built in the 1920s as a summer home for Ernest and Maude Goff who made their fortune in iron mining and lumber.  Its now home to the vineyards tasting rooms and event venue.

They have several labeled varieties of grape vines that you can walk through including the gardens.  So many amazing photo opportunities at this venue!

The venue can hold up to 150 guests, any additional guests require permission and add a $25/guest charge.  Rental for the site is from $1500 (Mon-Thurs/ 20 guests) to $12,000 (ceremony and reception/ 150 guests).  The site requires an event planner from a preferred list that you can request with the wedding packet.  There are four venue options:  The Chateaus dining room (24 guests), The Chateau Patio (36 guests), the Visitor Center (100 guests), and the Chateau Front Lawn (400+guests).  Events can be held until 10:30pm, but there is a amplification cut off time of 10pm.

I must admit, I wasn't a big fan of their wine, however they did have some nice whites which is important to any bride...if you spill it won't show up on the dress!

Chateau St. Jean is a breathtaking venue with lots of amazing photo opportunities.  Definitely check it out!

A taste of Tuscany

If you like a Tuscan setting, you will love Viansa Winery.  Located closer to the San Francisco side of Sonoma, its set on top of a hill over looking the valley.

Viansa can hold anywhere from 2-125 guests and has several location options.  Luscious Tuscan courtyards are scattered throughout the site and a beautiful lawn with a bocce ball court is a great location for a summer time reception.  The candle lit wine-cellar is also available for ceremonies and receptions and opens up onto the lower courtyard.

I was very impressed by the choices on the menu and it was one of the only venues I visited in Sonoma that allows an open bar.  In the wedding packet, they also offer add-ons such as: espresso bars, a photo booth, s'more bars, kids entertainment bags, and their market place will give you discounts on wedding favors. Renting the venue runs from $3000 on weekdays to $10,000 on Saturdays and you get a discount on their wine.  I enjoyed their 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon from the Sonoma Valley

They offer a full event staff so there is no need to hire an outside wedding planner, unless you wanted to hire me, of course!

It was a beautiful venue and they offer so many ways to really make your event personal to you.  Check out their Facebook page for more pictures on the different weddings they have had including a Brazilian wedding.

Chris and Narineh Ferderer

My first big gig on my own was the wedding of two of my closest friends, Narineh and Chris. Because I love them so much, I offered to do the coordination AND the flowers for the wedding.  This was no little task especially with the bride’s varying tastes and styles.  We finally agreed on a whimsical garden theme with birds.  Lots of birds.

Her main color was a sage green with an accent color of “all”.  I turned that into bright pinks, purples and green and used roses, hydrangeas, snap dragons and freesias, stock, and jasmine.

The ceremony site had three pomander balls, two urns, a giant swag and aisle markers.  The pomanders were designed by my friend and co-student, Kim.  We used purple carnations and green button mums.

The aisle markers were a lot of fun to make.  I took styrofoam balls and cut a hole in each of them.  I then place a water tube in the hole and covered the ball with moss and bouillon wire.  In the water tubes, I placed hydrangeas, spray roses and jasmine and placed a butterfly on each of them.  Add ribbon and a very cute wreath stand (with birds of course) and voila!  A unique, whimsical aisle runner!

The reception featured three different styles of center pieces.  The first, was a tall cylinder wrapped in jasmine placed inside a twig birds nest I created with a vine ribbon.  Inside the cylinder was a floating candle and the whole thing was placed on a square mirror.

The second style was a white pitcher with hydrangeas and roses and other stuff.  This was also set in a birds nest and placed on a square mirror.

The third style was a small vase with a hydrangea head placed inside.  I then added roses, jasmine, and hydrangeas and placed that in a nest on a square mirror.

For the sweetheart table, I created a love nest with the vine ribbon, jasmine and small floral arrangements placed around the table.  

For the bride’s bouquet, I put together a loose hand tied and wrapped it in the vine ribbon to create a nest.  Placed inside the nest was a tiny bird.  This was such a big hit with the bride that when she got up to the alter, the first thing she said to her husband was, “There’s a bird in my bouquet!”.

The boutonniere’s were white calla’s with green china berries and green button mums.  For the groom’s boutonniere, I used green bouillon wire to frame the calla lilly.

Now, for the coordination side of things.  

The wedding was held at Wedgewood Banquet Center in San Mateo.  I really enjoyed working with the staff of Wedgewood.  They were very friendly and cooperative and the center itself was very reasonably priced.  

The ceremony was in the morning and we couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day.  It was warm, with a light breeze and I heard many of the guests comment on the beauty of the view.

It was a very simple ceremony and went well other than the officiant forgetting the exchanging of the rings.  Not to worry, during the pictures we did a retake and got the ring ceremony out of the way.

The reception was a lot of fun. The food was delicious and the cupcakes by Cynically Delicious were absolutely sinful.

It was a fabulous celebration of the love between my two friends and I am so grateful that I got to be apart of it.

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Ferderer!