All posts in Weddings

Keeping up with traditions.

Roses mean love, lilies mean virtue. Centuries ago brides carried pungent herbs and spices down the aisle meant to ward off evil spirits but today brides carry beautiful bouquets of flowers that coordinate with her wedding decor and season.

leisThought it might be fun to research some floral wedding traditions from around the world. Did you know that the tradition of wearing a white wedding gown began in France several hundred years ago? In French weddings even today the most important aspect of chosen florals is fragrance.

In Spain orange tree blossoms are the most popular flower for weddings, theses blooms are meant to bring the couple happiness and fulfillment because it is the only tree that bears fruit and has flowers at the same time! In Thailand the bride & groom have their hands linked together with a chain of florals wishing upon them a life full of luck and beauty.orange_blossom

Chains of florals are very common in many cultures, take the lei for instance. The lei symbolizes love & respect; created from fragrant, exotic blooms & colourful ribbons they are an integral part of Hawaiian celebrations.

Are you incorporating any traditions using flowers in your wedding? What about a throw away bouquet? Many brides today are bringing this tradition back. It is very common to ask your florist to design a small version of your bouquet to toss when the time comes so you can keep yours to enjoy.

What about tossing petals after you have said your I-Do’s? Or presenting each matriarch of the family with a single bloom during the ceremony? Even the simple act of distinguishing special guests with boutonnieres and corsages is a tradition! So even if you don’t want wear something borrowed or blue perhaps a floral tradition from days past or another culture would be a nice addition to your special day.

*Previously posted on Wedding Style Diva 2009

Food for thought…and decor.

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When it comes to florals for weddings these days boundaries are being pushed. Gone are the days of formulaic and safe pastel arrangements; basically the rules are there are no rules. So why not do something really unexpected and add an non-floral accent to your wedding design? Feathers, branches, rhinestones, wire are a few great examples but what about fruit?

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It’s a beautiful and natural addition to any floral arrangement…think apples, pears, lemons and limes..OH MY! The bottom line is have fun with the florals for your wedding. They are one of my most important elements of your day because they can create the biggest impact. So let your imagination soar and don’t forget to stop at the produce section for some inspiration!

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*originally posted on Wedding Style Diva

The Wedding Co. bridal show

This past weekend Events in Bloom participated in its first wedding show which took place at The Carlu. After previewing a handful of other bridal shows in the GTA I was feeling discouraged and that perhaps I would have to refocus my marketing elsewhere. Not long after this I came across The Wedding Co. web-site and loved what I saw. I quickly signed up for a pedestal booth and got to work on planning.p1020418

A pedestal is the smallest display that is offered and so I had to make good use of the space to maximize the effect of what I have to offer. My first decision was to veto pink. I took a chance and ordered 100 yellow and chartreuse green roses. I had a vision and nothing more so I was a tad stressed that it would all come together. When I stood back for the first time I was so happy and proud to see what I had envisioned come to life. After all the necessary prep work that goes along with getting ready for the show I was ready to see what the weekend would bring.

The show was elegant and extremely unique. The floor plan was more free form and my fellow exhibitors showcased beautiful products and services. It was like Martha Stewart weddings had come to life in all the rooms of The Carlu. I met some amazing contacts and potential clients some of whom I have already begun to plan their wedding floral needs with!

As my introduction into the world of wedding shows I have to say I couldn’t have asked for more and I look forward to participating again in 2011. Thanks to the Wedding Co. team for putting on such a great show, to Dave Mitchell for my fantastic postcard design & your support and to Kate for your immense help the entire weekend.

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Showers of elegance.

shower3I love events like this one. A nice budget with full creative license. I was approached by Fiona Haig of Boncouture Events to help her with a client who was having a garden party for her shower on a private estate in King City. Shades of white with a French country twist fit the bill and after finding out the seating situation I had this picture in my head that turned out exactly as planned.shower1

All black and white decor (even the food!) this was the epitome of classic elegance. A sit down luncheon at a long table under a white billowy tent in a beautiful garden. A dream shower with no detail left out. Complete with lush candelabra, a tea patio and Marie Antoinette cake it was an event I will not soon forget being a part of!

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Using florals to make the most of a theme.

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South Pacific centerpiece

Choosing a theme for an event whether it be personal, corporate or a wedding is a huge commitment. There are hundreds of possibilities and often times the task of bringing it all together can be daunting. Event decor is the easiest way to transform a standard rental space into the look for your event. Draping, linens, prop rentals, entertainment, food are all very important aspects to translate your idea but don’t discount the incorporation of creative floral designs.

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ice cream float centerpiece

Many floral designers myself included jump at the chance to push boundaries and think outside the box when it comes to floral centerpieces and accents for their clients. Think about where people spend the majority of their time when at the event, their table. They spend a large portion of the evening in an intimate circle so their experience of the centerpiece is what they usually remember so its very important to ensure it helps set the tone.

Our process is to begin with sketches or line drawings then when a general direction is chosen we move on to obtaining accessories and then making a sample. Its amazing how flowers can be transformed into something sculptural and in perfect keeping with a theme with a little innovation and imagination! So whether it be an evening Under the Sea or a 50s sock hop be sure to utilize the endless creativity of your floral expert!