Tuesday, July 24, 2018

10 Wedding Flower Arrangements That Are Out Of This World

Some girls start planning their wedding before they're even in high school, and others don't think much about it until they have an engagement ring on their finger. This is just one way to think about what kind of bride you are.

There's also the matter of how traditional of a bride you'd like to be and whether you want a huge princess dress or something with a more simple silhouette. As you put all the pieces of your wedding together, though, you can't forget about the flowers.

If you're looking for something fun and a little out of the ordinary, check out these awesome wedding flower arrangements ideas for bouquets, centerpieces, and more!

1. A Succulent Bouquet

Do you have a bunch of small succulents around the house? Is there one sitting on your office desk or do you enjoy buying succulents as gifts for others?

If so, you may as well get a succulent bouquet. This is quite the unexpected bridal arrangement, but that's part of what makes it such a showstopper. Not to mention, it's absolutely beautiful when done correctly.

Remember, succulents come in all shapes and colors. You can keep it various tones of greens if that's part of your wedding theme, or have fun with a few different succulent shades to make the whole bouquet pop.

2. A Simple Herbal Creation

Another interesting family of plants to use is herbs. This is a lovely choice if you love to cook or you're known to have a softer side. Herbs are delicate and feminine, but they also have a unique power to them in the kitchen and as healers.

Plus, they're an affordable flower arrangement to help you cut wedding costs without taking away from the beauty of the ceremony. Seriously consider this option if you want to do something different without breaking the bank.

3. A Bouquet with an Unusual Touch of Nature

As interesting as it is to choose herbs or succulents as the materials for your bouquet, think about using leafy greens, hops, or other touches of nature like seashells or butterflies.

Some of the same greens you put in a salad or grow in your garden can make a bouquet look full and abundant if you design it correctly. Hops are an interesting touch to add a pop of green and a bit of texture. They're an even better choice if your wedding party has a few craft beer lovers in the group.

On the other hand, if you're getting married on the beach or in a lush garden setting, choose something that matches this scene. A few seashells are sure to standout without getting messed up by the ocean breeze, and a butterfly or two in your bouquet fit a garden wedding perfectly.

4. A Fresh Wildflower Bouquet

Speaking of garden weddings, why not make your bouquet entirely out of wildflowers? Seriously - this could turn out to look much better than any set of roses or lilies.

Don't be afraid to do something different. Wildflowers can be arranged to fit one color theme or as a mixture of many colors in one. You can play with the thought of a small bouquet or go all-out with a large, lavish design.

5. Colorful Arrangements

Regardless if you carefully pick out each succulent or opt to have a bouquet of wildflowers that are in-season, the more color you have, the better. Even if all the plants are the same shade, add a colorful ribbon to hold it all in place.

On the other hand, it's better to choose a simple, neutral placeholder if you know your flowers are going to be all kinds of colors. This way, you have something bold and different to bring to the ceremony without creating anything that looks too busy.

6. Big, Bold Centerpieces

Once you get your bouquet out of the way, it's time to start thinking about your wedding centerpieces. You want to have some sort of consistency between what's in your hand and what is on everyone's table. But, that doesn't mean you have to be boring.

Say you have a minimalistic herbal arrangement for a bouquet. You can still have bold centerpieces with a touch of herbs included in them. If your bouquet is already a head-turner on its own, keep the theme going with colorful table arrangements placed in large vases.

There's no reason to hold back here. After all, your wedding day only happens once!

7. Simple and Chic Table Decorations

Keep in mind there is a way to keep things simple without being boring. In fact, holding back a bit on the table arrangements might be the perfect way to create a memorable wedding.

All you have to do is focus on creating a chic design that speaks for itself. Maybe this means making the centerpieces one single color or using smaller centerpiece holders to arrange them with.

8. Garden-Like Garlands

In addition to your bouquet and the centerpieces, you also have to decide if you want flower arrangements on display at the ceremony or decorating the afterparty.

One of the most beautiful choices to go with is the use of garlands. These can line the aisles of guest seats or hang from the ceilings of a wedding venue. They're also strong enough to wind around an altar or arrange along the entrance to your special gathering.

Garlands make you feel like you're in a fairytale. Whether you're planning an outdoor wedding or an indoor one, these will completely transform the entire space.

9. Crisp White Flower Details

Here's something to think about: an all-white wedding. While tradition says white is only for the bride, there's something about this color that looks stunning when it's all around.

From your bouquet and the centerpieces to the garlands and the boutonnieres, white may be your best bet. It's elegant, timeless, and, a little off the beaten path - everything a non-traditional bride would want her wedding to be!

10. Floral Hair Accessories of All Kinds

One more thing non-traditional brides are doing is wearing flower crowns or floral accents in their hair instead of a veil. This allows you to fully express your beauty instead of hiding it behind a piece of fabric that only weighs you down.

Plus, if you have a special pup attending the ceremony or lots of flower girls setting the stage for you to walk down the aisle, you can arrange unique flower accessories for them!

How to Make All Your Wedding Flower Arrangements Look Perfect

From the bouquet you hold to what you put in your hair to the place in which you walk down the aisle, every wedding detail matters. Make sure you choose the best wedding flower arrangements possible with the help of a professional.

There's no reason to do everything on your own when you have experienced wedding florists to help you design all the natural aspects of your wedding. For help bringing life to your special day with the perfect flowers, click here.

Monday, July 16, 2018

How to Preserve Your Wedding Bouquet After the Party's Over

Flowers are perfect takeaways for important moments, especially with weddings. These lovely bouquets can mean a lot, but these flowers can only last for so long. After the event, the bouquet will waste away as these flowers can last around a week or less.

So, what do you do if you intend to bring the bouquet with you after the wedding? We have a variety of ways that you can try out to preserve your wedding bouquet and make these lovely flowers a tangible memory.

Press and Frame

One of the ways you can preserve wedding and spring bouquet flowers is to have your wedding bouquets pressed and framed. You can do this yourself, or you can also hire a professional to have your bouquets preserved in this manner.

To do this, take as many flowers from your bouquet as you would like. Have those flowers spread out on a clean parchment paper. After which, lay the parchment paper with the flowers inside the pages of a heavy book (a phonebook or a textbook should suffice).

Once you have done that, place another parchment paper on top to keep the flowers free from ink. Then shut the book and put something heavy on top of it (like more books on top of it, or a vase). Leave it to dry for seven to 10 days.

Once it's done, you can have the pressed wedding flowers arranged and framed to your liking.
If in case you have a hard time doing this, you can hire a professional to help you out.

Air Dry

Air drying the flowers is another way to preserve your wedding bouquet. The first thing you do is tie up the stems together. After which, find a dry and temperate area where you can hang the bouquet upside down.

Make sure to let all the blooms air dry. After about a couple of weeks, your bouquet should be air dried completely, leaving you a preserved bouquet of flowers.

Freeze-Dry

This method is notably pricy and would require a professional to execute. The advantage of having the bouquet freeze-dried, however, is that the bouquet will closely retain its appearance during the wedding day.

The flowers are first sprayed with starch, then the bouquet is then placed in a freeze-dryer to remove the moisture. This process takes up to three months to complete.

Use Silica Gel

If air drying or freeze-drying is not an option that you fancy, try using silica gel. It's not actually a gel but a kind of porous sand capable of absorbing moisture and water. This aids in drying up flowers in one to seven days.

To do this, create a base layer using the silica gel in a container that's pressurized and airtight. This is where you are going to lay the blooms into. Once those are in place, gently pour in more silica gel while making sure that the flower's shape doesn't get affected.

Once you have filled up the container, seal it with a lid. By the time the week finishes the flowers should be ready by then. Carefully take off the flowers and use a compound with a strong hold, like a hairspray or a fixative spray.

You can get Silica Gel from craft stores for less than $10, making this an affordable method for preserving flowers. What's more, silica gel preserves the color of the flowers nicely. This method is perfect for use with flowers like peonies, roses, or orchids.

Preserve with Epoxy Resin

You can also preserve your wedding bouquet by using epoxy resin, immortalizing them into decorative shapes. The most usual one is making globe paperweights with them, making them beautiful and memorable pieces.

First, get a globe-shaped mold from your local craft store. Fill the mold halfway with resin and arrange the flowers with utter care as you desire in the fluid. Once you have done that, fill it up to the brim and leave it to dry.

Once dry, take off the mold and you'll have a wonderful decoration that keeps your wedding bouquet at its shining best.

Dip in Wax

Preserving flowers using wax is more of a temporary measure, but this extends the life of the flowers for up to six months or so. To do this process, you will require paraffin wax and a pan (a saucepan would do). Work the wax in some boiling water and keep at it until it's smooth and even. After which, turn the stove to low heat so the mixture cools down but remains warm.

The next thing you do is to take your best blooms (avoid any of the stained or wilted) and gently dip them into the wax solution. Then immediately pull them out, and hang them upside down to dry.

Hire a Professional to Help Preserve Your Wedding Bouquet

With all the options shown in saving wedding flowers, some of these have a DIY touch to them. But if it seems that you may not have the time or skill to do so, there is always the option to hire a professional to help you preserve them.

So, in this case, ask your florist if they offer in-house preservation services or if they can recommend a vendor offering such. When you have found one where you can have your wedding bouquet preserved, make the reservation at a minimum of a month in advance to ensure they have enough space.

You will need to have the bouquet delivered in a cool container to help the flowers retain their freshness. There may be times when the company may also provide a box or cooler for you to use.

Have the Bouquet Painted

This last option may come as a surprise as it doesn't exactly involve preserving the bouquet physically. Instead, this option is towards preserving the memory in a painting before the flowers wilt away. Commission a local artist to paint your bouquet and it can become part of your home as a lovely art piece.

When It Comes to Flowers, Come to Us!

Weddings are wonderful, as is with every moment in your life. The bouquet is one piece that you can take with you to remember the wonderful moment of love at its highest peak. As these methods have shown you how to preserve your wedding bouquet, you now have a means to keep the memory with you.

And when it comes to flowers for the important moments in your life, you can come to us to help you get you the perfect bouquet for the occasion. Contact us today and we'll help in getting the right bouquet for you.

Wednesday, July 11, 2018

The Symbolism Behind Giving Flowers at a Funeral

Giving flowers at a funeral is symbolic in a number of ways. Not only does it express sympathy from the giver, a specific type of flower holds any number of meanings.

Flowers have always been used as a representation for feelings: innocence, rebirth, love, and friendship, to name a few.

Has someone you loved and cared for passed away? Are you not sure what to say or do?
That's understandable. You don't have to show up to the funeral empty-handed, though. A carefully-chosen floral arrangement says all the things that are hard to say in this difficult time.

Want to say farewell with a beautiful bouquet? Read on for more information on different flowers and what they represent.

Planning on Giving Flowers at a Funeral?

Why do we give flowers to the dead? The same reason we give flowers to the living. No matter who your flower arrangement is for - a relative of the deceased, or the deceased themselves - flowers have long been the tangible imagery of love and compassion. Funerals are no exception.

Since the 40s and 50s, flowers have been a funeral staple. The first Flower Ladies, the pallbearers opposite, would carry up to six different bouquets from the funeral to the cemetery, where they then decorated the gravesite.

Flowers are given at receptions for many reasons:
  • An appreciation for the natural beauty of flowers
  • To express love, sympathy, and grief
  • To uphold traditions
  • They provide a peaceful atmosphere
  • Their spiritual significance
After choosing which flower you want to present and why, consider the deeper meanings hidden within the colors of each, as well. Let this guide you to whatever feels most meaningful to you.
If you want to handle this delicate situation with care and consideration, these flowers say it all.

Lilies

Especially of the white variety. White: you know it as light, innocent, good, and perfect, like snow. It represents purity, newness, and rejuvenation. White lilies are direct representations of these feelings. They instill a sense of calmness, grace, and kindness to any scene.

Because of this, white lilies are common appearances at funerals. They aren't loud, but instead offer a soft touch. They are delicate, and that's exactly what we need in sensitive times.

Chrysanthemums

These flowers offer a ton of variety in the way of color and size. They range from light pinks and deep reds to cool blues and crisp whites. Some have puffier appearances, while others are thinner and daintier.

The same diversity goes for their meanings. Chrysanthemums can represent anything from cheerfulness and support, to friendship and love. Depending on your relationship to the deceased, you may carefully choose one that delivers a message.

White Gladiolus

Gladioli are large stalks of beautiful, lily-like flowers that come in a wide range of colors and sizes. White, in particular, is a trend when it comes to expressing consideration in tender times. White is clean, pure, and representative of innocence.

These flowers are perennial, meaning they're long-lasting and available year-round. They symbolize integrity and strength. Paired with a delicate white hue, a gladiolus can be strong and sympathetic all in one.

Because of their size, these flowers can also be used as decorations wherever the funeral is taking place.

Roses

Traditional and effective.

A rose's oil boosts psychological wellbeing for the receiver. Like chrysanthemums, roses have a variety of color meanings:
  • Red - the primary symbol of love, in and outside of a funeral
  • White - like white lilies, white roses also represent innocence, a fresh slate
  • Yellow - represents friendship. Depending on your relationship to the deceased, yellow is a thoughtful color to present to relatives
  • Dark Pink - a darker hue is a representation of gratitude
Whether you are placing flowers on a casket or giving them to a friend or relative, the options are there.

Carnations

You've definitely seen these guys before. They tend to make appearances in many receptions, events, and life-changing moments.

Carnations are symbolic flowers that have been used for centuries. They last, they're lively, and they come in an assortment of colors. Keep the same ideas in mind when choosing the hue of your carnations as you do with other flowers.

These are great on their own or as additions to a larger bouquet.

Blue Iris

Much like everything else we've covered, irises have their own meanings, and when paired with different colors, the meanings deepen.

If you want to forgo white or blend it with a complementary flower, a blue iris represents hope and faith. This could be interpreted as hope for emotional recovery, and faith that everyone will honor the memory of the passed forever.

We're Sorry for Your Loss

All of us go through life with an attachment to death. However inevitable or expected it may be, it's never easy. Knowing how to act in the aftermath of a passing is never an obvious path.

If you're not sure how to offer condolences, a thoughtfully-chosen flower arrangement does the job. Without words, flowers express all the emotions that are hard to convey in the event of a funeral.
Giving flowers at a funeral is an acceptable way to show your love and consideration. It's easy to do and says so much at the same time.

We're sorry for your loss, and we know you're going through a hard time. Luckily, flowers have healing powers. They boost our happiness; they reduce our stresses and anxieties; they remind us about the beauty of existing, however fleeting it may be.

Contact us to figure out the best bouquet for your tender situation.