Who Pays For The Wedding Flowers

Next to the wedding dress, flowers are a big focal point of your wedding line! Who pays for the flowers at a wedding? Typically, the bride pays for the bride's attendants flowers. She or her family also pay for any flowers used at the ceremony and reception.

The groom according to tradition pays for the bride's bouquet, corsages for both mothers, and boutonnieres for the groomsmen. As a couple, you can decide if you want to pay for flowers the traditional way or if you have another plan up your sleeve!

What really matters is that the two of you sit down and decide who will pay for which flowers. Don't be afraid to set a limit on how much you can or will spend and then stick to it. Traditional or non, no matter as long as you both agree and then the bride gets to choose what type of flowers and the color of flowers she wants.

Wedding Serenade!

How about incorporating some sheets of music into your wedding decor? Start with your wedding flowers. A piece of sheet music rolled into a cone becomes the start of a boutonniere. Fill it with a variety of greenery, white berries, pepper berries, and two small ranunculous roses. Add a small bow and you have a very dapper looking boutonniere.

Take a beautiful creamy colored peony on a long stem. Frame it with green ribbon then ivory colored satin ribbon. Add an accent of small calla lilies. Surround the peony with paper flowers cut from sheet music. Top the paper flowers with pepper berries. Finish off with three wooden stem accents. Let your bridesmaids hold these.

Incorporate some music sheets into your wedding bouquet as well. You could use small cut out paper flowers or make a large cone made of sheet music and set your wedding bouquet in the cone.

Carry this theme over into your wedding table decor. Place two or three pieces of sheet music carelessly placed in the middle of your tables then topped with the centerpiece of your choice or a clear glass vase of flowers. Sprinkle a few rose petals either fresh or silk around the vase on top of the sheet music.

You have a wedding reception that will "sing" to your guests. Simple and elegant!

Spring Fling Wedding Wreath

What a fun way to decorate for a spring or a summer wedding! Wreath is made up of fun paper flowers and leaves. You can display on a door for your wedding or display on guest tables at your wedding reception.

This wedding decor is sure to get some nods of approval. Delightful design and light and airy! Perfect in pink and white with green leafy accents. Or how about one in all white? Simple in design and very elegant for your wedding.

It can double as a wedding decoration and also as a gift. After using these wreaths to decorate your guest tables at your wedding reception, give them to your bridesmaids or people who helped with your wedding. Available at The Wedding Contessa.

Think Turquoise!

Turquoise is this year's hottest color! You can find it in home decor, clothing, accessories and even weddings. It's a color that looks good on almost anyone because it has warm and cool tones to it.

Brides can incorporate it into their wedding line by dressing their bridesmaids in it. Groomsmen could wear it in the form of vests, ties, or bow ties. If you don't want to make that strong of a turquoise statement, then you could work it into the ribbon or flowers in your wedding bouquet and wedding flowers for your attendants.

It wouldn't be hard to put a simple splash of turquoise into your wedding decor as well. It has a calming peaceful feel to it. It may remind your guests of peaceful lakes or even blue skies.

Add it to a black and white wedding, pair it up with a light peach or bright fuchsia. Go bold or go more soft with this color. Whatever you are comfortable with. It sure to be beautiful!

~Planning Your Wedding~Part 6

We're at the end of the wedding planning series so here's a few more helpful tips to make your wedding day a huge success!

1 Month Ahead

• Mail your invitations~this seems like a long time ahead but it gives your guests plenty of time to arrange their schedules to attend the wedding events you are inviting them to and time to shop for a gift.

• Purchase accessories~such as cake knife, wedding garter, guest book (or some brides have their guests sign a large mat to go inside a picture frame which they will later put a photo of the bride and groom in),pen, etc...

• Go and get your marriage license together~one less thing to worry about if you do that now. As you know, you have to have this to tie the knot!
  

• Newspaper announcement~if you plan to put your wedding announcement in your local newspaper, start checking into deadlines for doing submitting yours.

• Go gift shopping~find a special gift for your finance and for your wedding attendants.

• Hair appointment~if you are doing your own hair, practice with your veil. If you want a professional to do it, then make your hair appointment now.

• Schedule work off~make sure and give your employer notice that you will need time off for your wedding and honeymoon.

• Furniture~shop second hand stores, classifieds, and garage sales if brand new isn't an option but you will need a few things for your new home.
  

2 Weeks Ahead

With just a couple of weeks to go, here are just a few simple things for you to check on.

• Checklist of reservations to finalize~ give the following people who are helping with your wedding a call and just firm up your wedding date and make sure everything is set. Florist, caterer, entertainment, photographer, and videographer. When you talk with the last two, you may want to meet with them and give them ideas of the photos you want them to take.

• Honeymoon arrangements~ should be firmed up and ready to go.
  

One Week Ahead

• Pack for your honeymoon~this will help to keep you busy and you will be more likely to remember to pack everything you need then if you hurry to do this right before you go.

• Set up utilities for your new home~gas, phone, electricity, city (water and garbage) should all be on your list to contact.
  

• Arrange to have a manicure and a pedicure~you deserve to look and feel your best for your big day!

• Groom should arrange for a haircut~if he needs one that is.
  

• If you will need seating arrangements~ at any of your wedding events, plan it out now.

The Big Day~Your Wedding Day~

• Get some rest~the night before! I know this is easier said than done but make an effort to! Take a relaxing bath and de stress (if there is such a word)!

• Give yourself PLENTY OF TIME to get ready~none of this rushing around and sleeping through your alarm! Set everything out the night before so that you have it ready at your fingertips. That way, you won't forget anything and getting ready should go smoothly.

• Eat Breakfast~it doesn't have to be a big meal but something to tide you over until you have the chance to eat again.

• Make sure you have the marriage license and the rings~have these items ready the night before.

• Create a fix it kit~ a couple of days before you get married. Put band aids, needle and thread, safety pins, breath mints, make up, hose, aspirin, bobby pins, gum, comfort food like candy bars, etc...have a few things handy just in case!

Most of all enjoy this day! You have waited a long time for this to happen! Take every moment in so you can remember it often in the years to come. You've found your Prince Charming or someone like him, it is truly a day to celebrate! Should there be glitches on your wedding day, just take it in stride take a deep breath, be flexible and concentrate on the stars in your groom's eyes. That's what makes this day your day, unique, one of a kind, truly special!

Wedding: Bently Reserve

The Bently Reserve is a venue with a classic sense of beauty. Timeless architecture corresponds wonderfully with simple and elegant decor. But you can also dress it up for that exciting lounge feel. Either way, the Bently Reserve is a very special San Francisco Wedding Venue where exquisite events are held.

Here are some images from a recent Michael Daigian Design wedding at the Bently Reserve. The images are courtesy of wedding photography Geoff White.

~Planning Your Wedding~Part 5

Here we go with Part 5 of your wedding checklist. At this stage of the game, it is beginning to feel like you are really going to get married!

2 Months Ahead

• Decide who you want to help at your wedding, reception, breakfast, or dinner~contact the people that you would like to have help you. First make a list such as guest book, take gifts, serve refreshments, etc...then go ahead and ask them to put it on their calendar.

• Address announcements and invitations~ make it a bit of a party. Invite your in laws such as mom, sisters, and your hubby to be as well as your sisters and mom to help with this daunting task! Offer refreshments, put in a movie, have plenty of pens, stamps and get your addresses then forge ahead!

• Schedule your bridal portraits~you can hire a professional or you can get creative and have someone who is really good with their digital camera take your photo. Just depends on how much you want to spend and how fancy or informal you want your portraits to be. You may want to consider displaying your photos at your wedding reception. You could also set up a table at your reception with several photos framed, do some photos in black and white, and different sizes. You could also scrapbook some in a special wedding day album to display at your reception. (You might also want to give some bridal photos to your videographer to include in the wedding day video.)
  

• Check out your options for insurance~ such as health, auto, life, and renters.
  

~Planning Your Wedding~ Part 4

This is the fourth installment in my "Planning Your Wedding" blog series. I think it makes planning your wedding a little easier that way than just giving a long list of things to do for each month.



That way, I also get to comment and give more helpful tips for making your wedding day unique to you, more affordable, and less stressful!

3 Months Ahead

• Groom's ring~if you haven't already purchased it and picked it out, now would be a good time to do this. Also have any engraving done on the ring if you plan to do that.

• Register for your wedding gifts~ This makes gift giving a little easier for your guests because they know exactly what you need and would like.

• Time to find a place to live~ start looking for a place to live.

• Order your Wedding Cake~Shop around! There are so many great ideas online and then find a cake that you like and take that idea to the cake decorator. Cake decorators also have many ideas available for you if you're not sure the type of cake you want. You can also order frosted cakes with no decor and you could be adventurous and decorate your own. Add some silk or fresh flowers such as you chose for your wedding flowers. There are many fun cake toppers available so don't be afraid to do it yourself if you want to!

• Schedule appointments for dental and physical check ups~Because I was moving out of state when I got married, I had to have a quick dental check up and by the time I scheduled it, I had to go to the dentist while on my honeymoon. So not fun! Live and learn so plan ahead!

• Plan your honeymoon~Make travel, passport, and hotel arrangements. If you plan now, you can enjoy a wonderful honeymoon. It doesn't have to put you in debt! You can plan a very nice getaway for just the two of you, somewhere close and then when you are making a little more money, you can take a big trip somewhere!

• Make arrangements for out of town guests accommodations.
  

~Planning Your Wedding~Part 3

4 Months Ahead

• Wedding Line Attire~Start selecting bridesmaid dresses and accessories. Figure out everyone's sizes and what you will need to outfit your bridesmaids, flower girls, mom's etc... It would also be a good idea to decide what the men in the line will wear as well. Go ahead and rent their attire and make sure you have their tuxes or suits rented for the date that you will need them.

• Find the florist you want to use~ for your wedding bouquet and your wedding flowers. Decide whether you will use silk, fresh or a combination of the two for your wedding flowers. (If you choose silk, you can have your wedding bouquet designed now then once you have your bridal portraits taken, you can use your bouquet in the photos.)

• During this month have your wedding dress altered if needed~ You will need your dress for upcoming photos and peace of mind is certainly worth having throughout your wedding planning process! So now is the time to take care of your dress if you need to. Don't wait to the last minute to have this done. The less you have to do as your big day approaches, the better!

• Time to order your invitations and thank you cards~ When it comes to thanking your guests, it is very important that you take the time to send them a handwritten thank you! If they take the time to buy you a gift, and they take the time to join you for your wedding or reception, they deserve a handwritten thank you from you and your groom! Just a time saving tip: when you address the wedding invitations also address a thank you card for each guest. File it away until after you open your gifts. All you have to do is write a short and sweet thank you , how you will use the item and it's ready to send.

• Video of your wedding day~if you want a videographer to capture your wedding day on video hire one now. If you have a talented family member who is really good at doing this, strike a deal with them you'll take them to dinner or free babysitting for a year (just kidding) something in exchange for their talents and services as they tell the story of your wedding through video!
  

• Transportation arrangements~if you or guests will need transportation to and from your wedding, dinner, or reception, take care of those arrangements now.

• Shop for your trousseau~It's time to start taking stock of what you have and what you will need to set up your new home.
  

Wedding of Jennifer 6th November 2009

Today was the Wedding of Jennifer, she came in wanting Carnations & left with Freesia, Mimosa & white Iris. A better choice if you ask me!

Corsage of white Freesia & Eucalyptus.

Jennifer had three Bouquets, one for herself, one for her adult Bridesmaid & the third for her Child Bridesmaid but they were all the same but they just got smaller!

The Bouquets were made up of White Iris, Mimosa, White Freesia & Eucalyptus. They smelt wonderful!

All three Bouquets lined up & ready to go!

Wedding of Karen & Andy 19th September 2009

Today was the Wedding of Karen & Andy. Karen is my friend, Aidens Mum so it was a real pleasure to be asked to do her Wedding flowers.
The Wedding was being held at The Priest House Hotel in Castle Donnington, I had heard about this Venue but hadn't ever been.

The Groom, Andy & his Best Man wore Buttonholes of Ivory Spray Roses with white Heather. The stems were then covered with cappuccino coloured ribbon to match their waistcoats.

Guest Buttonhole of a cream 'Vendella' Rose & variegated Ivy leaves.

Karen's Mum wore a pink Orchid Corsage.

Another guest Corsage of pink Bouvadia & Heather.

Karen's Bouquet was an Over the Arm style Bouquet of Ivory Calla Lilies with trailing Bear Grass which had pearls attached to it.

Karen's Bridesmaid carried a Hand-tied Bouquet of Ivory Calla Lilies with Bear Grass & Pearls to match Karen's Bouquet.

The table had a Cube Vase with pebbles in the bottom & Ivory Calla Lilies twisted inside the Vase with Bear Grass also - a very modern look.

The Priest House Hotel, you wouldn't even know it was there. Just sat on the river waiting to host your Wedding!

Karen & Andy with their Best Man

Karen & Andy with Karen's boys, Sean & Aiden.

Wedding of Penelope 7th August 2009

Today was the Wedding of Penelope, she was wearing a lilac dress so wanted the flowers to compliment it. We chose cream, lilac & purple, I think the colours work really well together.

The Groom's Buttonhole was a 'Vendella' Rose with purple Lisianthus.

Penelope's Bouquet was Hand-tied using purple Lisianthus, Veronica, 'Pacific Blue' & 'Vendella' Roses finished with lilac ribbon.

The Bridesmaid's carried Hand-tieds of lilac Freesia finished with lilac ribbon to match.