Friday, April 15, 2011
Style Me Pretty Feature
A wedding we decorated is featured in Style Me Pretty! Please take a look at http://www.stylemepretty.com/2011/04/14/philadelphia-wedding-by-our-labor-of-love-chill-weddings/
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
THE TEST OF GUESTS
Ah, the guest list. Probably to be the most debated aspect of your entire affair. From the wrangling of your parents to include the “very dear friends” who they haven't seen since 1983 (and which they aren't paying for!) right down to the thoughtful guests who include their children on the response card - as if it were an oversight that they weren't invited. It wasn't. So, take a deep breath and...
Do treat all (invited!) guests with courtesy
Don't buckle to BAD GUEST BEHAVIOR
First, let's consider the “more the merrier” family who are attempting to commandeer your wedding (and remember it's YOUR wedding!) by rudely including their “adorable” children. Weddings are an expense to which the adults were graciously invited, not their children. Send the offenders a nice note informing them that your wedding is a child free zone and for their convenience include babysitting information.
The overzealous parents who feel the need to invite every person they've ever met is a little more problematic. Sometimes it is a thin line to tread in navigating a new family - and there are plenty of future years to step on toes! Hopefully mentioning the expense of extra guests will get the wanted response of accepting a smaller invitation list – or even better a check! But if you are met with blank stares and there are people that you feel obligated to include, there's always the option of sending out an announcement. But don't expect a gift, as people not invited to the wedding are in no way required to give one.
So after a bit of angst you've finally figured out the guest list and the invitations have been sent – hopefully with the correct postage. Be sure to check this at the post office. Now the exciting time of receiving responses begins. When I was getting married I got such delight in receiving our little response envelopes. I would rush to check the mail every day! It was so exciting to be able to know who to look forward to seeing on our special day.
But know that there will always be those few guests, or not so few, who find it a great imposition to check that preferred entr̩e box and pop that already addressed and stamped envelope into a mailbox. Yes, you will be making countless phone calls to see whether MIA guests are attending or not. And this does need to be checked. Because the inconsiderate non-responder is the most likely one to show up at your event Рwith a date. You don't want the embarrassment of a last minute seating issue.
Once you have your final guest list it's onto the dinner seating dilemma. One bride even produced a whole chart where each guest could be moved around little tables until the perfect seating arrangement was determined. But try not to fret about this too much. Aside from the two uncles who haven't spoken in fifteen years and are both members of the NRA, your guests should be able to remain pleasant for the duration of one meal. Hopefully they will then be up from their seats and happily cutting the rug for the remainder of the evening!
I do think it's a good idea to put significant others together when possible, which can get tricky if only one of a couple is in the wedding party. In that case, perhaps instead of a Head Table you and the Groom could sit at a Sweet Heart table while the bridal party is mixed amongst the other guests. But ultimately, regardless of who sits where, don't loose site of what a great gift it is to have family and friends all together, all at once to help celebrate one of the most important days of your life.
Do treat all (invited!) guests with courtesy
Don't buckle to BAD GUEST BEHAVIOR
First, let's consider the “more the merrier” family who are attempting to commandeer your wedding (and remember it's YOUR wedding!) by rudely including their “adorable” children. Weddings are an expense to which the adults were graciously invited, not their children. Send the offenders a nice note informing them that your wedding is a child free zone and for their convenience include babysitting information.
The overzealous parents who feel the need to invite every person they've ever met is a little more problematic. Sometimes it is a thin line to tread in navigating a new family - and there are plenty of future years to step on toes! Hopefully mentioning the expense of extra guests will get the wanted response of accepting a smaller invitation list – or even better a check! But if you are met with blank stares and there are people that you feel obligated to include, there's always the option of sending out an announcement. But don't expect a gift, as people not invited to the wedding are in no way required to give one.
So after a bit of angst you've finally figured out the guest list and the invitations have been sent – hopefully with the correct postage. Be sure to check this at the post office. Now the exciting time of receiving responses begins. When I was getting married I got such delight in receiving our little response envelopes. I would rush to check the mail every day! It was so exciting to be able to know who to look forward to seeing on our special day.
But know that there will always be those few guests, or not so few, who find it a great imposition to check that preferred entr̩e box and pop that already addressed and stamped envelope into a mailbox. Yes, you will be making countless phone calls to see whether MIA guests are attending or not. And this does need to be checked. Because the inconsiderate non-responder is the most likely one to show up at your event Рwith a date. You don't want the embarrassment of a last minute seating issue.
Once you have your final guest list it's onto the dinner seating dilemma. One bride even produced a whole chart where each guest could be moved around little tables until the perfect seating arrangement was determined. But try not to fret about this too much. Aside from the two uncles who haven't spoken in fifteen years and are both members of the NRA, your guests should be able to remain pleasant for the duration of one meal. Hopefully they will then be up from their seats and happily cutting the rug for the remainder of the evening!
I do think it's a good idea to put significant others together when possible, which can get tricky if only one of a couple is in the wedding party. In that case, perhaps instead of a Head Table you and the Groom could sit at a Sweet Heart table while the bridal party is mixed amongst the other guests. But ultimately, regardless of who sits where, don't loose site of what a great gift it is to have family and friends all together, all at once to help celebrate one of the most important days of your life.
Friday, February 25, 2011
BACK IN BLACK
Black is my favorite non-color. And like White it can be dressed up (there is that little thing called a Black Tie Event!) or dressed down nicely. In times past no one would think of wearing Black to a wedding as it was seen as a sign of mourning – maybe for some that is still true! Nevertheless, a bride recently wrote me asking for ideas of how to incorporate Black into her wedding decoration.
If your bridesmaids are wearing Black, which is very common these days, there are a couple of approaches. Other than dead flowers (which we do not like!) there aren't any truly Black flowers. Although, there are flowers with Black parts. Anemones come to mind first. They have a Black center with surrounding petals that come in White, Blush, Red, Magenta or Blue. Ornithogalum Arabicum also have Black centers, but with clusters of White petaled flowers on each stem. There are Black centers on some Sunflowers. But, consider that the combination of Sunflowers and Black can make for a very Autumnal or Halloweeny feel, which is fine if that is the look you are going for. There are also deep Burgundy Mini Calla Lilies and Uluhe Fern Shoots that can read as Black too.
If you don't want Black within the flowers of the bouquets they can be tied off with pieces of fabric from the Bridesmaids' dresses or sheer or opaque Black ribbon. Another idea for tying off the bouquets could be to have a band of ribbon of a different color and then wrap a thin band of Black ribbon (either opaque or perhaps an ornate Filigree design) on top of it. Also, instead of using the usual White Pearl pins, putting Black Pearl pins either on Black ribbon or a different color ribbon can be very pretty. An alternative for the Black pins would be Black Rhinestones attached to the enclosure or nestled amongst the flowers.
Beyond the personal flowers Black can have a place at your guest tables with specialty linens, chairs, chair cushions or chair covers. The vessels used for the centerpieces could be Black or have accents of Black. Using Black river rocks can lend the centerpieces a more modern or Asian feel. Surrounding candle holders are another option for introducing Black to the tables. Also, tying Black ribbons around each guest's napkin or having Black within the table numbers (on either the frames or the graphics) are other nice touches.
Of course Black can (and should - to carry the theme) be introduced on the save the date cards, invitations and place cards in the text or graphics. The cake is another fun place to see Black. Having tasteful Black bands of a delicate Filigree pattern on White icing looks spectacular! If you want to be very graphic and bold, pairing Black with bright colors like Turquoise, Orange or Hot Pink can be a great visual statement - and these intense colors will virtually pop in front of a Black Bridesmaid's dress! But I do love the classic neutral palette of all White and Ivory with accents of Black. Adding some Blushes or even Light Pinks into the mix is quite lovely. Yes, Black is a great addition to the modern wedding. It's as clear as...!
If your bridesmaids are wearing Black, which is very common these days, there are a couple of approaches. Other than dead flowers (which we do not like!) there aren't any truly Black flowers. Although, there are flowers with Black parts. Anemones come to mind first. They have a Black center with surrounding petals that come in White, Blush, Red, Magenta or Blue. Ornithogalum Arabicum also have Black centers, but with clusters of White petaled flowers on each stem. There are Black centers on some Sunflowers. But, consider that the combination of Sunflowers and Black can make for a very Autumnal or Halloweeny feel, which is fine if that is the look you are going for. There are also deep Burgundy Mini Calla Lilies and Uluhe Fern Shoots that can read as Black too.
If you don't want Black within the flowers of the bouquets they can be tied off with pieces of fabric from the Bridesmaids' dresses or sheer or opaque Black ribbon. Another idea for tying off the bouquets could be to have a band of ribbon of a different color and then wrap a thin band of Black ribbon (either opaque or perhaps an ornate Filigree design) on top of it. Also, instead of using the usual White Pearl pins, putting Black Pearl pins either on Black ribbon or a different color ribbon can be very pretty. An alternative for the Black pins would be Black Rhinestones attached to the enclosure or nestled amongst the flowers.
Beyond the personal flowers Black can have a place at your guest tables with specialty linens, chairs, chair cushions or chair covers. The vessels used for the centerpieces could be Black or have accents of Black. Using Black river rocks can lend the centerpieces a more modern or Asian feel. Surrounding candle holders are another option for introducing Black to the tables. Also, tying Black ribbons around each guest's napkin or having Black within the table numbers (on either the frames or the graphics) are other nice touches.
Of course Black can (and should - to carry the theme) be introduced on the save the date cards, invitations and place cards in the text or graphics. The cake is another fun place to see Black. Having tasteful Black bands of a delicate Filigree pattern on White icing looks spectacular! If you want to be very graphic and bold, pairing Black with bright colors like Turquoise, Orange or Hot Pink can be a great visual statement - and these intense colors will virtually pop in front of a Black Bridesmaid's dress! But I do love the classic neutral palette of all White and Ivory with accents of Black. Adding some Blushes or even Light Pinks into the mix is quite lovely. Yes, Black is a great addition to the modern wedding. It's as clear as...!
Saturday, November 6, 2010
South Street Bridge Opening!
The South Street Bridge is finally re-opening today! There's a party at the 23rd Street (at South Street) triangle, right outside our door! Come visit us and save 10% off any gift item in the shop.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
HAPPY HALLOWEEN
There are many potentially scary things that can happen with weddings. There are the stories of downpours and bee infestations. There are tent mishaps, dress mishaps, decidedly inappropriate toast mishaps. And of course we've all heard about the horror of Bridezillas. Some of us have even crossed paths with them and have lived to tell.
Then there are simply the brides with frightful taste, like one bride I met who wanted a “diamond shaped” bouquet in pink, red, yellow, blue and who knows what else. This was the same bride who was much more concerned about her brother's boutonnière than the groom's..?!
Another spooky occurrence I encountered was when a bride purchased her own votive candles for her wedding – that were scented! When I opened the first case of them I thought my hair had blown off, for the smell was so overwhelming. Always use unscented candles for events. Let the fragrances of the flowers and aromas of the food be enjoyed and not overpowered by a fabricated smell.
Potentially horrifying things can happen with weddings at other times of the year too. One very hot day - hence not the best condition for placing anything precariously on a butter cream iced cake - we were to add a few flower accents around a figurine the bride had bought to top her cake. The figurine was of a Bride and Groom in a seated position to be placed on the edge of the top tier with their legs hanging over the side. It was heavy, not intended for cake decoration and with nothing to stick into the cake to secure it. Needless to say, as soon as the caterer placed the figurine on the cake it tumbled down the entire side creating quite a gash.
Surprisingly, the caterer then tried to place it on the other side and, of course, now there were two sides of the cake completely wrecked! Apparently already having a bad day, he stomped off to attend to other issues in the kitchen. We waited for him to return to fix the icing before we placed the accent flowers, but he didn't. With just moments left before the guests were to enter the room, we quickly decorated the cake liberally with flowers. I must say, it did turn out boo-tiful! Happy Halloween!
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
ABCs
It seems everyone has ABCs for everything. So, I thought I'd throw my hat into the ring as well. My initials stand for: A for Aesthetic, B for Beauty and C for Creativity.
A for Aesthetic. The aesthetic of your event should begin with your save the date cards and continue right down to the last of the favors. There should be a sense of continuity in all aspects of your decorating, which makes it feel like one celebration - not five! This means from the get go deciding issues like; Will your event have a more modern feel or a more romantic feel? Is there a theme? What is the color palette? These questions often can be decided by what best compliments the site, or sites, you have chosen. Then again, sometimes it's fun to juxtapose different styles. And doing that can work quite well - if carried out throughout your event!
B for Beauty. Of course everything should be beautiful! Which is why only the freshest flowers should be used, linens should be spotless and your venues should be well-maintained. All these things go back to trusting in your vendors and knowing they will do their jobs competently. Another thing to consider is to not put too many elements in the mix. With so many possible options available sometimes it's difficult to narrow things down. While one idea is beautiful in one application it might not be in another. And as they say, too much is TOO MUCH! Go ahead and have opulent arrangements and sumptuous linens. But keep the additional elements and tchachkas to a low roar, as they can take away from the overall visual impact. This is where your florist can help you to edit so that everything works together attractively.
C is for Creativity. I always strive to be creative, even with the smallest of elements for an event. There's always some twist you can do to add interest. Perhaps a few jewels nestled in a pretty bouquet to add an extra little sparkle. Or maybe the addition of a flower on each place setting or a ribbon tied around each napkin - in your signature color, of course. Again your theme, be it an actual theme or just a color or a sensibility, will spur on ideas. One bride had a monogram of her and the groom's initials as their theme. Their monogram was tastefully used throughout their event - on their invitations, cake, special lighting on the dance floor and so on. In keeping with their theme we created a banner with the initial of their last name in flowers to hang in the entrance stairwell. Flanking that were wire letter forms with flowers attached of their first initials - letter perfect!
A for Aesthetic. The aesthetic of your event should begin with your save the date cards and continue right down to the last of the favors. There should be a sense of continuity in all aspects of your decorating, which makes it feel like one celebration - not five! This means from the get go deciding issues like; Will your event have a more modern feel or a more romantic feel? Is there a theme? What is the color palette? These questions often can be decided by what best compliments the site, or sites, you have chosen. Then again, sometimes it's fun to juxtapose different styles. And doing that can work quite well - if carried out throughout your event!
B for Beauty. Of course everything should be beautiful! Which is why only the freshest flowers should be used, linens should be spotless and your venues should be well-maintained. All these things go back to trusting in your vendors and knowing they will do their jobs competently. Another thing to consider is to not put too many elements in the mix. With so many possible options available sometimes it's difficult to narrow things down. While one idea is beautiful in one application it might not be in another. And as they say, too much is TOO MUCH! Go ahead and have opulent arrangements and sumptuous linens. But keep the additional elements and tchachkas to a low roar, as they can take away from the overall visual impact. This is where your florist can help you to edit so that everything works together attractively.
C is for Creativity. I always strive to be creative, even with the smallest of elements for an event. There's always some twist you can do to add interest. Perhaps a few jewels nestled in a pretty bouquet to add an extra little sparkle. Or maybe the addition of a flower on each place setting or a ribbon tied around each napkin - in your signature color, of course. Again your theme, be it an actual theme or just a color or a sensibility, will spur on ideas. One bride had a monogram of her and the groom's initials as their theme. Their monogram was tastefully used throughout their event - on their invitations, cake, special lighting on the dance floor and so on. In keeping with their theme we created a banner with the initial of their last name in flowers to hang in the entrance stairwell. Flanking that were wire letter forms with flowers attached of their first initials - letter perfect!
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Down Town Club Event
Come to an open house at The Down Town Club (6th and Chestnut Streets in Philadelphia) this evening from 6pm - 8pm and see a couple of my flower creations! There will be Hors D'Oeuvres, Drinks and Live Music too. See you there!
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