Go Green Vase

The ladies over at Lolliblog spotlighted these lovely tulips sold in bags. These would make a lovely gift for any time of year or could serve as a nice wedding decor accent.

You could use these on your wedding tables or give a smaller version to wedding guests as a wedding favor. Simple elegance would describe these paper vases. In a time when everyone is green conscious, you could do a lot with these paper bagged tulips.

For example buy a square of the fake green moss then set one (or more of these bags on top of it). Tie an elegant contrasting ribbon around the bag.

If you are looking for a special gift to give those who help with your wedding day, consider giving them flowers such as these. They can plant the flowers and remember your kindness and your wedding day long after it is over.

A Summer Wedding

Here is a summer wedding that I designed the flowers for back in January. Robin, the bride gave me her suggestions and then she let me use my creative license to design her wedding flowers.

When designing her bouquet, we considered her dress which was cream colored and the beading on it. She sent me pictures of her wedding gown so I could design a wedding bouquet that would compliment and be in harmony with her dress.

The wedding was scheduled to be held outdoors in a beautiful garden area she and her groom had chosen. So I took this into account as well. Because I work with silk flowers, I carefully chose flowers that would look as if she picked them from the garden. Realistic looking silk flowers are a must! I surrounded the bouquet with heather greenery. It gave the bouquet a lacy, picked from the garden kind of look. Crystal type beads were also worked into Robin's bouquet to match beading on her dress.

Robin makes a beautiful bride! Happy wedding!!!!

Roses Have Meaning

Roses are a popular choice of many brides. Did you know each color of rose has a different meaning? If you want your wedding bouquet (bouquets courtesy of
The Wedding Contessa) to send a message, here are some of the meanings according to color:

Coral/Orange represents desire and enthusiasm which seems to radiate from this bold color.

Dark Pink: is a symbol of gratitude as it stands for thank you.
Light Pink: if you give someone a light pink rose it means admiration.
Pale: a rose of this color stands for friendship.
Peach: says let's get together.
Pink: means many things including love, happiness, grace and gentility.
Pink & White: this combination or rose colors means that "I will always love you".
Red: like the orange rose it also stands for desire, respect, courage, and as you can guess red(because it is such a standard color of roses given for Valentine's Day!)
White: gives the impression of reverence, humility, charm, innocence, and silence.
Red & Yellow: says congratulations!
Yellow: means joy, gladness,welcome back, and friendship.

It would be interesting to research this topic a little and find out how these rose colors achieved their meanings. Go ahead and combine whatever colors you like for your wedding because it is doubtful your guests will try to play detective and figure out what you are trying to say with your wedding bouquet!

Most brides choose their bridal bouquet colors to match the rest of the colors they have chosen for their wedding events and because they like the flowers they have chosen. Other flowers have meanings as well but for now it is enough to know that the many beautiful variety of rose colors speak a language all their own!

I love the trendy fabric flowers so popular now on clothing! Not only is it popular and very attractive in couture, but you can use them for your wedding flowers. Why not have bridesmaids wear a fabric flower on their dress. Mothers of the bride and groom could also wear a fabric corsage. You can purchase them or make them yourself to match your wedding colors. What a fun thing to give your wedding attendants and they can be used after the wedding as a brooch!

Pin or glue it on a purse. Add one to a picture frame. There are all kinds of uses for cute fabric flowers!

~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.
  

Lavender and Cream Wedding

Recently I designed wedding flowers for a lavender and cream wedding. The accents were champagne and gold. The bride wanted the focus of her bouquet to be ivory and cream roses with a touch of lavender and a variety of purple flowers in and around the bouquet. Lily of the valley, sweet pea, and hydrangea were flowers chosen to accent the roses.

Champagne colored fabric and gold ribbon form the wrap for the handle of the wedding bouquet and a modern bow completes the back of the bouquet. A touch of champagne colored fabric was used in the corsages, boutonnieres, and flower girl baskets. Heather was added around the roses giving the bouquet a wispy look as if the flowers were gathered from a garden.

The flower girl baskets have a handle fashioned with the accent fabric and gold ribbon as well as flowers hand sewn from accenting fabric. The corsages have a touch of hand sewn flowers as well.

Great colors for spring or summer weddings and this makes an elegant wedding floral statement! Nice thing about the design is that it will be a keepsake long after the bride and groom say, “I do”!

Choose a Bouquet That Will Last For More Than One Day!

When choosing a wedding bouquet, why not consider buying a faux or a silk flower bouquet. The artificial flowers of today are beautiful and very realistic looking. Here are some great reasons for choosing silk over fresh:

• You'll have a wedding keepsake that will last indefinitely!

• You can purchase your bridal bouquet long before your wedding day. That way you can plan your wedding decor and colors around it. You can also use it for your bridal portrait. It is one less thing to stress about the day of your wedding!

• You don't have to worry about keeping it fresh. It will look perfect all day long for your photos, wedding, and your wedding reception.

At The Wedding Contessa shop at Etsy you will find beautiful wedding bouquets handmade with special care. Blooms are carefully chosen making sure they look realistic and are made of the highest quality. An artist's touch is added by adding creative acessories in the bouquet like bridal tulle with the look of dew drops, scrumptious ribbons, toile, twigs, dried berries, fruit etc... I love custom work so if you have a certain look and colors in mind for your wedding day, contact me at theweddingcontessa@gmail.com and I will create it for you!

Simple, Easy, and Elegant Table Wedding Decor

If you are a "do it yourselfer", you can easily make a beautiful table centerpiece for guest tables, the guest book table, or a table where you display your wedding and bridal photos.

Garden Art

Don't forget to look in your garden for flowers that are in season. Or you can gather a nice variety of flowers from your local florist or garden nursery. Look around your home for a container that will give you the look you want. Add a faux berry wreath, put real cabbage roses, sunflowers, etc...whatever flower you want inside the container to get this simple but elegant look. Create an interesting display by putting the same color containers but non matching on the guest tables and create a garden art look for your wedding.

Antique Look

Got an old tarnished pitcher sitting around? (Go treasure hunting at your local secondhand store.) Get this look simply by gathering greenery from front yard bushes. Add three beautiful rosebuds. Tie a creamy or colored ribbon around the handle and let the ribbon fall carelessly from the handle of the pitcher. Add a wedding photo(s) to sit to the side of it and you have eye candy for your guests!

Glass with Colored Water

Use a drinking glass or other glass container of your choice. Then color the water with food coloring to match the color of your wedding colors. Set your glass container on a white plate. Stick one blooming rose in the water just before guests arrive and put a twig wreath (which you can make before hand from twigs in the yard or purchase) around the flower. Though very simple it makes a nice floral display!

There you have three simple, easy, and elegant floral centerpiece ideas! Happy Creating!