Across the Pond

Guess who....? We have a very special couple coming to the site soon:)

Sweet Simplicity: Using Vintage Collections in Your Wedding Decor

Looking over some wedding blogs we stumbled across something sweet and new.  Not sure if the sweetness has anything to do with the fact that there are fancy french toast kabobs, which look to die for! The table scape as a whole is quite quaint and very easy on the eye.  Looking close, we see that the design of this look is more focused on small details.  Here at the flower shop, we strive to create the same look.  Smaller, more intimate arrangements are a lot of the times described as "simple" by many brides.  However, they may be smaller and more delicate in appearance, but in actuality, they have a great amount of thought put into them.  Great attention to detail is not something that any designer can accomplish.  These photographs really showcase the skill being demonstrated.  Choosing the main flowers and the accent or fillers is also another task that is extremely important.  Knowing your textures and choice of proper color schemes is key.  These arrangements, as well as the props included, really compliment the entire look of the shoot.  We love the details! And hopefully now with a little background, you can notice and appreciate the small things for all that they are.   

Notice the teal glass julep cup to the side of the plate.  Having different pieces creates a sense of interest in your reception decor.  It sets off a more custom feel and creates more of a dramatic appearance.  Think of it similar to fashion, pairing a leopard mini with some great red pumps, it is a very trendy style and quite appealing.  Sometimes a contrast in color gives a great finishing look.  Our flower shop is stocked with collections of vintage glass and many more unique fair findings.  If your a DIY bride, you can even rummage your local garage sales or antique street fairs. 

The above mirror is also a vintage find.  These are popular for home decor for placement of jewelry, fragrances, or cosmetics.  Now, more recently, we are seeing them pop up in wedding decor with the use of florals.  Collections of romantic goods and fresh flower blossoms look very bridal on these intricately carved golden framed mirrors.

Milk glass is another growing trend in wedding decor.  We see a milk glass plate in the above photo.

Broaches were placed on all of the favors, bringing a bit more glam to the overall look.  

CIRCUS! CIRCUS!

Tomorrow, the highly anticipated movie, Water for Elephants, will open nation-wide.  Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon's film is sure to inspire.  The whole vintage circus or carnival theme has already been seen to grow in popularity in recent years, but the opening and wide spread advertisement of this film will surely spark newly engaged couples imaginations.  Even as a small child, I remember the circus being something of romance, mystery, and sparkle.  Why not create this same ambiance for your special day?  They say that the circus is "The Greatest Show on Earth", so I'm hoping that brides and grooms in the near future will strive for that same idea.

As seen in the above photo, the couple really embraces the whole circus theme.  They even incorporate the use of a tent and feathered horse!  Really a true spin on the traditional photo op.

The latest buzz on many bridal blogs and even some wedding magazines have been the use of colorful and cheery flags or even sometimes paper lanterns hanging from tree to tree.  Also, we have seen a lot more intimate choices in floral design. We see below the use of simple daisies and hearty dahlias gathered in an almost heirloom-like glass  vase.  This can give your reception decor a laid back and casual feel.

The growing prominence of tattoos and the widespread acceptance of body art has also seen emphasis in bridal style.  We used to see brides cover up or hide any tattoos in sight, now we see both brides and grooms showing them off.  This adds to the design element and adds a more quirky and personable touch to the overall look.  We are really loving this sense of spirit.  As seen below, more body art is put on display in a vintage circus photo.

Providing costumes for pictures your guests can take will create a fun time and even a keepsake of your special day.  Also, using this dress up idea for engagement pictures or an incorporation to your invite adds a very personal touch.

In outdoor ceremonies and receptions, the use of paper balls, or hanging paper flowers has been extremely popular and can be inexpensive if you seek out do-it-yourself options.  Another one of our personal favorites are these old umbrellas, which were hung upside down.  Floral decor can be added to this look by placing light-weight vines trickling over the edges.

With the popularity of cupcakes and candy or dessert bars, we see this stand as a very nice touch to any dessert table.

Also, the use of mustaches as a silly joke for picture taking amongst your guests is a fun idea and good ice breaker for those attending who may be unfamiliar with one another.  We see these in favors for gag gifts both above and below.

Touching back to circus themed treats, these are my favorite of all the ideas.  Everyone loves popcorn and carmel corn, why not throw some on the classic candied apple.  Add these yummy treats to your dessert table or even wrap them individually for the tastiest place settings your guests have had the pleasure of devouring!

I am in LOVE with these illustrations as invitations to a funky very playful circus themed wedding!

To see more inspirational photos click the below link, and we hope your show is the greatest one on earth!
http://greenweddingshoes.com/real-wedding-lauren-joes-vintage-carnival-wedding/

Best,
Chelsie & Jackie

Meagan & Adam Corrigan

One of our dear photographer friends, Meagan Lucy, from Christopher Kight, has gotten married! 

The charming australian (groom Adam Corrigan) and his bride looked all smiles for their reception, here in the capitol city.  They chose to embrace the colors in the carpets by going with deep hues of red, burnt orange, and golden yellows. Odd tidbits of fresh blackberries, blood red oranges, and even husks from large palm branches were incorperated into the sceme of things on request of the Bride (who has such fun taste!) Little cutie tangelos were placed around the table arrangements for color,

or even a little snack for their guests (also a plus for their natural bright fragrance).

Peering out the windows of the sixteenth floor, you could have seen all of Sacramento

sparkling in the night.  Uplighting gave off a nice ambient light, while the visitors from down under, the Bride's friends and family, as well as the Groom's gang of bulky mixed martial arts chums mingled late night.  Overall, this event was a lovely mix of people and the event style was right along side!

Bouquets to Art 2011

Bouquets to Art 

at the De Young Museum inside of Golden Gate Park

SF, CA.

Every spring in San Francisco the de young museum of fine art puts together 

a week long celebration of around 150 floral exhibits to interpret pieces 

from the museum's permanent collection.  These exhibits are put together by floral designers 

and artists from all over the California region.  We are hoping to take part in the design 

process next year.  All in all, the show was spectacular and the pieces were very interesting.  

The museum was beautiful in itself and the plant life inside of Golden Gate Park 

was even more breath taking.  A hike or bike ride through that park is on our future wish list!

If you have never gone to check out this museum or would like to see any of the exhibits I

would highly recommend it.  

We found the most beautiful places before we even made 

it into the actual museum!

Recovered pieces of a charred baptist church 

were from the civil rights movement 

and strung from the ceiling.  

Giant palm branches, carnations, and calla lilies were suspended 

from the geometric frames in the grand entrance of the museum.

The petals of these roses were bent back to create a dramatic 

ruffled look.

Notice the painting behind this floral arrangement and its 

noticeable similarities.

Other guests come in numbers to ponder at the designer's works.

One of my personal favorites:)

Peeking outside of the windows looking out on a drizzly day 

in Golden Gate Park.

Our new favorite color combinations! Kangaroo paw, antiqued hydrangeas, and 

an eye popping assortment of orchids really caught the eyes of passing guests.

These colors were so deep and romantic.  

They really captured the sultry gaze upon the woman's face,

patiently waiting for a visitor to join her at her table.

Loving the black and orange combination!

One of our favorite designer's out of Carmel designed this piece.

These were growing all over the entire area, they were

very interesting to look at.

Finally, after the show, we finished off our day trip with a light 

dinner at Betelnut on Union Street.  I highly recommend

the Jasmine rice and green beans! Delicious.

And if it's nice weather, please do yourself a favor and sit on the patio,

the people watching is fabulous.

-Jackie & Chelsie