Flourish - Wedding Flowers & Floral Design, Florist

Christmas wedding

Stacy and Mark's wedding took place on December 28th with the reception at the Capitol View Room, Hyatt Sacramento, Ca.

What I loved: They named their tables after the 12 Days of Christmas. With the table numbers being the cutest plates featuring a painting of each day. Plus- candles, candles everywhere!

Labels: Ca, Hyatt Sacramento, Sacramento florist, Sacramento wedding flowers

Real wedding Wednesday- Candace and Zac

I just received these photos from Jaclyn Photography of Candace and Zac's wedding. The wedding and reception took place in the Barrel Room at Wine and Roses in Lodi, Ca. Candace and Zac were a total joy to work with!

Labels: Jaclyn Photography, Lodi CA, Sacramento florist, Sacramento wedding flowers, Wine and Roses

Photo shoot flowers

Chris with Shepard Photography asked me to make him a bouquet for an urban bridal shoot he was doing. I happily made him this bouquet of phalaenopsis orchids, Black Star callas, fuchsia carnations and black tinted tree fern. Very fun!

Labels: Sacramento florist, Sacramento wedding flowers, Shepard Photography

Trendsetting wedding flowers- Martha Stewart

There can be no doubt to the major influence Martha Stewart's empire has over the wedding trends.

In the world of wedding flowers I can name so many trends that started in the pages of Stewart's "Weddings" magazine. Hand tied bouquets, detailed ribbon treatments, the use of garden flowers, the use of herbs, fruits and vegetable in decor, mono-variety bouquets (use of a single

flower en-masse) and vintage inspired decor are all trends began or gained popularity in a photo spread of the iconic magazine.

For me, the bouquet of the cover of the first issue of "Weddings" will always be most important of all the thousands of images that have been published in the magazine over the years. When brides first starting coming to me with this image I was amazed. The bouquet was lovely to be sure but, for several reasons, not practical for the rigors of the wedding day. The bouquet would be heavy, take forever to create and Ex-pen-sive.

A few fun facts about the featured bouquet:

*The bouquet was made with over 150 roses

*Each rose was individually wired to achieve the heart shape of the bouquet.

*This bouquet weighed approximately 20 pounds.

* The bouquet would take approximately 4 hours to create.

*The retail cost of this bouquet would be about $700.

And so began my love hate relationship with Martha Stewart's "Weddings". I love that the magazine encourages brides and grooms to personalize and pay attention to the details of their weddings. I hate that the ideas and decor featured are often not practical. But then, I love that the

magazine inspires couples to include unique elements in their day.

Nearly every wedding professional has a mixed reaction to Martha Stewart's "Weddings". But those same professionals will agree the magazine has revolutionized the way modern weddings are conducted.

For better or for worse do you, Shannon, promise to keep reading? I do...

Labels: Martha Stewart, Sacramento wedding flowers, Sacramento weddings

Trendsetting wedding flowers- Princess Diana

I thought it would be interesting to post a series of blogs about wedding flowers that have appeared in the media and set trends or changed the way flowers for events were designed.

Certainly one of the most iconic weddings that have taken place in recent memory was the marriage of Charles to Diana in 1981.

Diana carried an elaborate cascading bridal bouquet. The bouquet was designed to scale with Diana's wedding gown. The bouquet set the trend of large cascading flowers for the bride. That trend continued through the 80's and much of the 90's.

Fun Facts:

Diana's bouquet consisted of gardenias, orchids, stephanotis, freesia, lily of the valley, roses, ivy, tradescantia, myrtle and veronica

It is a tradition for a sprig of myrtle, from the bush grown from the original myrtle in Queen Victoria's wedding bouquet, to be included in a royal wedding bridal bouquet.

Three bouquets were made for Princess Diana. One for the practice the night before the wedding, the second was delivered to St. James' Palace, the third bouquet was taken to Buckingham Palace on the day of the wedding and used for the formal photographs.

After the wedding one of the bouquets was placed on the tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey.

The bouquet was 42 inches long and 15 inches wide and weighed approximately 6.5 lbs.

Labels: Sacramento florist, Sacramento wedding flowers

Merry Christmas!

Everyone at Flourish wishes you and yours a wonderful Christmas holiday filled with warmth and love.

These pictures are from our annual family photo session with Beth from True Love Photo.

Aren't the boys getting big?

Labels: family, Sacramento florist, Sacramento wedding flowers

Fun to toss

As a fun alternative to the traditional white woven basket filled with loose rose petals give your flower girl something new to carry and toss:

Scented Spring: Organza drawstring bag filled with lavender buds and crushed rosemary for her to scatter.

Brightest of Summers: Galvanized metal bucket decorated with colorful trailing ribbon filled with wildflower petals of blue delphinium blossoms, orange zinnia petals, yellow sunflower petals and purple hydrangea florets for her to herald the bride.

Fall Fun: Gathering basket decorated with moss and acorns and filled with colorful maple and oak leaves for her to sprinkle down the path.

Winsome Winter: Crushed velvet cone filled with small, white tissue paper snowflakes to lazily drift down the aisle.

Image by Andrea's Images

Labels: Andrea's Images, Sacramento florist, Sacramento wedding flowers

Real wedding Wednesday!

These lovely images are from a wedding we did this past summer. Thanks to the talented photographer, Allison Stahl for sending us the eye candy!

Labels: Allison Stahl, Sacramento florist, Sacramento wedding flowers, Sacramento weddings

The most disappointing bridal bouquet, ever

I was never a religious watcher of the HBO show "Sex and the City". But I did pop in every once in while to see what Carrie and her gals were up to and wearing. I really enjoyed the fashions on the show. Sometimes it was with a loud "Oh no she didn't!".

When I saw the movie I was so

excited to see what Carrie's bridal bouquet would look like. Boy, was I so disappointed! Her dress was incredible, her veil was incredible (bird on her head is still out to the judges) her bouquet was NOT! A bridal bouquet should compliment and elevate the bridal ensemble. Much like a beautiful piece of jewelry.

Carrie's bouquet was sloppy, amateurish, half dead (note the petals on the ground) and ho-hum. The only thing good about her bouquet was it exploded quite nicely when Carrie used it to beat up Mr. Big.

What bouquet would I have designed? Maybe something like this (on the right):

Image by: Justine Belson

Labels: Sacramento florist, Sacramento wedding flowers, Sacramento weddings

In Order of Importance

Choosing where to spend your floral budget can be a difficult decision. You want your dollars to go to good use and have the most impact.

Personal flowers: Anything anyones holds, carries or wears. These flowers will the most photographed and remembered on your wedding day. Spend the money to get exactly the look and design you want for your wedding. This category should be the one place you do not skimp.

Centerpieces: Your guests will spend most of their time at their tables. Choose your centerpieces to have the most impact. Be creative, have a sense of humor and have fun with your centerpieces. Give your guests something to talk about.

Cake flowers: The cake is the center of the reception. The first thing your guests will do after finding their table is go take a look at the cake. If you are opposed to fresh flowers on the cake (I know, sometimes people are) flowers around the base of the cake is a lovely alternative.

Ceremony flowers: The focus of the ceremony should be the marriage. Of course it is wonderful to have an abundance of flowers but if your budget does not allow for flowers everywhere you look, focus on the ceremony area. I design all the ceremony flowers to be re-used in some fashion at the reception for added decor.

Guest book table: It is nice to welcome your guests with an arrangement at the guest book table.

Head table: Most of my couples opt to use the bridal party bouquets as the head table decor. To add something extra to the re-purposed bouquets try pillar candles in large hurricane glass.

Place card table, food tables, and other areas: It is nice to have a beautiful floral arrangement in these areas but going simple or foregoing flowers in these spots altogether works as well too.

Images by: Rachelle Photography

Labels: Sacramento florist, Sacramento wedding flowers

Wilted Blooms Be gone!

Make sure your flowers will last through the hottest days.

Keep in mind you will start taking pictures two to three hours before your trip down the aisle. After the ceremony there is another hour of photo taking. Like the bride, wedding flowers need to look perky and fresh throughout the rigors of the day. Ask your florist what flowers perform best and resist wilting, petal drop and browning.

Listening to the advice of a professional floral designer will save you the disappointment of a droopy bouquet on your big day.

Image by Wendy Hithe Photography

Labels: Sacramento wedding flowers, Sacramento weddings

My Inspirations- Flowers for Four Weddings

When I first started designing in flowers in the early 90's I found a lot of inspiration from floral designers in England. I loved their loose and natural style. Their designs were filled with and featured old fashioned flowers that spoke to me.

One of the books that inspired me when I first started designing was written by the florist in charge of the flowers from the movie "Four Weddings and a Funeral". If you have not seen this movie, put it on your list now! It is a wonderful romantic comedy and the flowers in the movie are amazing. This book has one chapter focused on each wedding from the movie. It is filled with really wonderful close up pictures with some how-to as well.

Labels: Inspirations, Sacramento florist, Sacramento wedding flowers

Amazing cake!

I just came across these pics of the cake from one of my weddings. This was from the wedding of Anu and Mithu. I loved the elephant cake stand.

Labels: Sacramento florist, Sacramento wedding flowers, Wedding Cake

My Inspirations- The Language of Flowers

This is such a lovely little book. It contains such pretty pictures flower flowers and their meanings.

Everyone knows a red rose means love. But did you know Lilacs mean first emotions of love or sunflowers mean haughtiness?

This book was a re- release of a book originally published in 1885. It is small and sweet in size. The illustrations were done by the famous Kate Greenaway who was known for her children's picture books.

Why it inspires me: I love the romantic idea of giving meanings to flowers.

Labels: Sacramento florist, Sacramento wedding flowers

and you are....

Have your floral designer label all the boutonnieres and corsages with the first name and designation of each recipient.

Assign a helper (someone who knows the members of your family) to distribute the boutonnieres and corsages. Your florist will not know Uncle Harry and Grandma Josie. but your helper will know these VIPs and can point the florist in the right direction.

A little for-thought will help eliminate confusion when the personal flowers for your wedding are delivered.

Image by Justine Belson

Labels: Justine Belson Photography, Sacramento florist, Sacramento wedding flowers

Bouquet to toss

Tossing the bridal bouquet to the un-married women at your reception is a tradition many brides and grooms still observe.

First about the tradition from Lora Ward of A Day to Remember:

Tossing the Bouquet - Similar to the custom of tossing the garter, this tradition began centuries ago. Brides traditionally carried a bouquet of aromatic bunches of garlic, or fruit blossoms, herbs or grains - these scents were thought to drive the evil spirits away and they symbolized prosperity. However, in those "olden days" the wedding guests tried to get a fragment of the bride's clothing as a symbol of good fortune, sometimes tearing the wedding dress apart before the bride even left the celebration (good grief!). Out of self-defense, the bride would toss some personal item and generally would throw her bridal bouquet. This custom evolved where the bride would then toss the bouquet to the single ladies in belief that the lucky recipient would be the next to marry.

Many brides and grooms have done away with this tradition believing it to be antiquated. Here are some other ideas for flower fun with out the "old maid" connotations:

The Honor Bouquet: The MC or DJ will call out all married couples out on the dance floor. The couples will be released based on length of time they have been married until the bride and groom are left dancing with the longest married couple. That couple would then be presented with the bouquet.

The Special Couple: Invite the couple you whos marriage you hope to emulate out on the dance floor. Present the bouquet to them with a short speech about how they are role models for your own marriage.

The Free-for-all: Have your floral designer make a toss bouquet that will break apart when tossed into many miniature bouquets. When you throw the bouquet to your girlfriends everyone will get a piece.

The Fortunate one: Variation on the break apart bouquet. Attach fortunes to the mini bouquets such as "You will marry for love" or "You will live a long life filled with happiness". It is also really fun to include some inside jokes specific to the friends you know will catch the flowers.

PLEASE DO NOT TOSS YOUR REAL BRIDAL BOUQUET! I never type in all caps because it is like yelling at you. But this is important! Do not toss your actual bridal bouquet. There are many reasons this is not a good idea. It is expensive, It can be preserved, You can save the ribbons and or jewels as a keepsake- but if those reasons are not good enough- your real bridal bouquet will be surprisingly heavy. So throwing it at people can be a liability. Funny but true!

Images by: Sarah Maren Photography and Artistic Imagery

Labels: A Day To Remember Sacramento, Artistic Imagery Sacramento, Sacramento wedding flowers, Sarah Maren Photography, Toss Bouquet

Making your flowers "Pop" in pictures

Never choose dark flowers for your bridesmaids if they are wearing dark colored dresses or light colored flowers for your bridesmaids if they are wearing light colored dresses. You do not want your pretty flowers to blend away.

Keep this rule in mind when choosing your bridal bouquet too. If you are wearing a shade of white make sure your bouquet has some color (this can be achieved with greenery) so it does not appear to be a white blob in your wedding photos.

Image by True Love Photo

Labels: Sacramento florist, Sacramento wedding flowers, Sacramento weddings

Inspiration- Madderlake

Before I started my first business there were several floral design books that, in retrospect, set me on the path to what I consider "my floral design style". I thought it would be fun to showcase the books I found so inspiring.

Madderlake was a ground breaking flower shop in New York in the 80's and early 90's. The two main floral designers, Tom Pritchard and Billy Jarecki authored three books during the height of their success with their business.

Travel back in time with me to 1989. At the time I had been working in a very traditional flower shop. Flowers were designed in a contrived and manipulated manner. Baskets, bows and cellophane were used in flower arrangements to the point of making the actual flowers an afterthought. I loved working with flowers and I could hear their little voices calling out to me. I envisioned designs where the flowers were cherished and featured

in a way that spoke to the receiver.

"Flowers Rediscovered" (1985) was so amazing to me. It opened my eyes to a whole other way to design flowers.Pritchard and Jarecki talked about designing flowers naturally. Letting the flowers tell you how they wanted to be designed. looking to nature for clues and inspiration.

When my business partner and I opened Blooming Art in 1994

"Madderlake's Trade Secrets" (1994) was the inspiration for our shop. Pritchard and Jarecki talked about using containers that would showcase the blooms they held. Trade Secrets is full of lovely images of flowers in glass beakers, antique bottles, test tubes and distressed tin pails. While that sort of designing may seem almost pedestrian by today's standards it was revolutionary in the early 90's. I opened Blooming Art stocked with clean lined clear glass vessels (hard to find in 1994), an eclectic collection of antique vases and buckets of cut flowers that inspired exuberant and artistic arrangements.

In the late 80's and early 90's Tom Pritchard and Billy Jarecki were rock stars of the American floral design world. They introduced new ideas and inspired a revolution and burned out quickly. I have no idea where they are now and if they are still creating with flowers (let me know if you know!). Tom Pritchard and Billy Jarecki opened my eyes and inspired me on so many levels.

I highly recommend all of the Madderlake books. They are as relevant and inspiring today as the day they were published.

Labels: Madderlake, Sacramento florist, Sacramento wedding flowers, Tom Pritchard and Billy Jarecki

Flowers are good for you- Edwin and Robbie

A while back I ran a "Flowers are good for you" contest. In honor of a medical study that found having flowers around you lowers stress and improves health. I asked my blog readers to nominate someone they felt deserved a "pick-me-up" to receive an arrangement.

This is the e-mail I received from a wonderful daughter about her parents:

"I would like you to consider my parents for your flower giveaway.

My parents just celebrated their 29th wedding anniversary this

past July. Through their 29 years of marriage they have

been through a lot. This past year has been one of their most difficult years.

After working for the same company for 27 years, my father found out his job was being eliminated. His only option was to drive to Stockton and work a shift Sunday overnight to Monday and another shift Wednesday overnight to Thursday. My mother has been so strong through my fathers lay off and job transfer but she still worries about him all the time. The two of them have been through so much this year, yet they have managed to still be there for each other. My fiancee and I are getting married next year and look up to them and their marriage. I think that a floral "pick-me-up" would show them that their are people out their that see how hard this year has been. I am so proud of what they have overcome this year and want them to know they can make it."

This recession has been so hard on so many people. I wish all the best for Edwin and Robbie in the upcoming year.

Labels: Sacramento florist, Sacramento wedding flowers

For the love of chocolate

More than half my weddings in the past two years have incorporated the some tone of chocolate brown in their wedding color palette. Yummy!

Images by (starting from the top): Kight photographers, True Love Photo, Melanie Mages, Justine Belson

Labels: Chocolate brown wedding, Sacramento wedding flowers, Sacramento weddings

Marianne and Ryan at Berghold Vineyard, Lodi

I just received these amazing images from True Love Photo of Marianne and Ryan's wedding. Stunning, Right?

Marianne wrote me the most wonderful thank you note. "...people who said you were the best were so right. When I walked into your office for the consultation I was a nervous wreck (I really had no vision). But when I left your office I felt relieved and confident that my flowers were going to be beautiful! At that point my vision started. Your professionalism and organization was top notch! I probably would have gone crazy without you. :)"

I had so much fun working on their wedding. What an gorgeous couple and an amazing event!

Labels: Berghold Vineyard, Ca, fall wedding flowers, Lodi CA, Sacramento florist, Sacramento wedding flowers

Wedding Flowers A to Z- Designing words

Before you meet with a floral designer take some time to think about the design, or look, of your wedding flowers. Do you like wild and romantic or simple and traditional flowers? Make a list of descriptive words and what they mean to you. Share your list with prospective floral designers. It will really help them see your vision.

Here is a list to get you started:

Naturally Wild- Loose and textural, floral designs using seasonally available flowers.

Romantically Inclined- Floral designs using old fashioned, blowzy and ruffled blooms.

Fashionably Funky- Bright, graphic and interesting blooms designed with non-floral elements (wire, colored glass beads).

Tasteful and Traditional- simply designed flowers in light and blended color palettes.

Labels: Sacramento florist, Sacramento wedding flowers

Centerpieces- different can be beautiful

I think it lends interest and fun to a reception room when you have a variety of centerpieces. Often times we will design half the tables with a tall arrangement and the other half with a low arrangement. Another idea is to use the same tall vase in a different way.

When designing your reception centerpieces you will want to make sure the different centerpieces relate well to each other.

The centerpieces on the right and left were from the same wedding. The vase was used in two different ways to achieve an interesting look. This can also be a way to save money. By having only half your tables with full arrangements you can save quite a bit of scratch.

Another way to add some interest is by designing half your centerpieces full and lush and on top of a tall vase and the other half a more simple version and in a low vase. The two centerpieces below were from the same wedding. The bride wanted a "Wow" effect but was able to save some money by scaling back on some of her tables.

Labels: centerpieces, Sacramento florist, Sacramento wedding flowers

Flowers are good for you- Macy

A while back I ran a "Flowers are good for you" contest. In honor of a medical study that found having flowers around you lowers stress and improves health. I asked my blog readers to nominate someone they felt deserved a "pick-me-up" to receive an arrangement.

Gerica, one of my past brides, wrote me this letter:

"My little 2 year old daughter, Macy, has endured more in her short life than my husband or I combined. Last summer we started noticing that she was having a lot of balance problems and difficulty walking. She had been steady on her feet for months then all of the sudden things changed. By the time she was 18 months old her knees were grossly swollen and she could barely stand let alone run around like other toddlers her age. After 2 months of labs, doctor visits and worry she was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA).

We have spent the last year of our lives trying (most times unsuccessfully) to get this disease under control. Within 6 months of her diagnoses most of the major joints in her body (ankles, knees, wrists, elbows, etc) were all flared up and she was in severe pain. She has had 3 minor surgeries and is currently taking 5 different arthritis medications to finally have some relief.

She may only be two and a half but she inspires me every day. Her entire life has been spent in pain, in/out of doctor's offices and at times unable to participate in the "normal" life of a toddler. But she is so resilient and does not let it slow her down. I can only hope to have the determination

and perseverance that she has! We have "surprised" her with little things over the last year so that she has her special moments... pedicures with mommy, daddy bringing home balloons, new stuffed animals.... Little things. I LOVE to see the smile on her face and see her light up and for a moment just be a "normal" happy kid!

I wanted to "nominate" Macy for your giveaway because she loves flowers and gardening with my husband. When we are driving around town she will point out all the different color flowers to me. Her favorites are the "beautiful purple flowers" at the gas station."

To read more about Macy and her condition take a look at the article The Sacramento Bee recently published about Macy and her family, here.

Macy is the 2010 walk honoree of the Sacramento Arthritis Walk on May 1, 2010 at William Land Park. To make a donation please go to Macy's page, here.

The pictures are of the arrangement I delivered to Macy. What a sweet little girl. I know she has a beautiful and bright future ahead of her. One that is hopefully pain free.

Labels: Sacramento florist

Flowers or Fashion?

These designs were part of the decor at a recent wedding industry function. I just had so much fun making these cuties.

Yes, those are real shoes covered in flowers!

Labels: Sacramento wedding flowers

The color of savings

If you are trying to save money on your floral budget choose colors for your wedding florals that are available in the most flower varieties.

Pink, Yellow and white are the most common colors for flowers. Blue and purple are the least common colors for flowers. By choosing readily available flower colors you will insure you have the most selection to choose from and at the best price.

Labels: pink wedding flowers, Sacramento wedding flowers, white wedding flowers, yellow wedding flowers

Real wedding Wednesday!

Who: Jennifer and Josh

What: Wedding in non-traditional fall colors.

When: October 17, 2009

Where: The Bridges, San Ramon

What I loved: The colors! The wide range of colors Jennifer used came together so well to make a eye catching display.

Bonus: Here is a snippet from the Thank You card Jennifer sent me after the wedding:

"...Thank you again for the beautiful flowers you did for our wedding! The flowers really made the room. I appreciate you working with me over the past months in order to get exactly what I was looking for. All of the flowers exceeded my expectations! Everything was just perfect. We got so many compliments..." -Jennifer and Josh

Extra Extra Bonus: Take a peek at the slide show their a-maz-ing photographer, Sarah Maren, put together, Here. Because the pictures I take are never as good as the ones the divine Ms. Sarah takes here is a better look at the bouquet:

Congratulations Jennifer and Josh!!

Labels: Sacramento wedding flowers, Sarah Maren Photography

A post a day keeps the doctor away!

Last December I promised one blog post everyday. I thought it would be fun to repeat the exercise this year.

For a limited time there will be a fresh spoonful of Flourish-y goodness every single day. So don't fill up on those other blogs.

Labels: Sacramento florist, Sacramento wedding flowers