Weddings and Baby's Breath 2.0

I recently jumped on the Pinterest bus {thanks to Courtenay!} and one of my first boards turned out to be a winter wedding inspiration. Which then took the jump to this:


 I was just having a conversation with Courtenay about using baby's breath in centerpieces. I am totally in love with this. I feel like it's a fluffy cloud that I want to curl up on. While I was going with a winter theme the more I searched the more versatile it became. BTW - I totally posted about using baby's breath in 2008.  Hello ahead of the curve. hehe.

Vintage:

Modern-ish:

Romantic:

{There's something so right about baby's breath and candle light.}

Whimsical:

Ceremony:

Bouquets:

{This is still my favorite}

But please, let's not go here:

Just like carnations, I think baby's breath is one of those flowers that you should use in large quantities, on their own. Let's keep it in the twenty-first century, k?

{{And if you jump to my pinterest board be patient, I'm just getting started!}}

Sneak Peak of Cincinnati Wedding Magazine's Featured Bouquet by Courtenay Lambert Florals

Uber-fabulous, Courtenay Lambert Florals, is being featured in the upcoming issue of Cincinnati Wedding Magazine. Courtenay gifted me the bouquet {she's sweet like that} and I thought I would snap a few shots to give you all a super secret look at what's going to be in the magazine before anyone else gets to see! Gorgeous, no?

This is totally my next door neighbors detached garage. I was trying to channel my inner Kortnee Kate and mix the ornate bouquet with a rustic background. Clearly there's a reason I'm not a professional photographer...

Ack! I love the richness of the flower colors!

While I was at the Bridal Studio Courtenay wrapped up some garden roses to send home with me. Benefit #184 of being a wedding planner. I was never a huge flower person before but now I truly appreciate their beauty. 

{Favorite picture alert. I could stare at this all day long. Oh that color! 

Especially with all the rain we've been getting here in Cincy!} 

Courtenay Lambert Florals - bringin' back Emerald Green...

Rick and I have been blessed to work with some of the greatest people in the area. Cincinnati may not be a huge city but we have some of the most talented vendors around. One of those peeps is Courtenay Lambert Florals, if you read this blog regularly then you probably noticed that we work with Courtenay a lot {she even has her own link there on the right} and you've seen just how talented she is.

Yesterday I was at her shop working on an upcoming event and we went into her work room. There, in her cooler, I saw the most beautiful bouquet and when she pulled it out of the cooler I literally gasped in delight when I saw the stem. Now, it's standard practice to wrap the stems, but there was something about how she wrapped this one that I just loved. Being the doll that she is, Court told me to take the bouquet home to enjoy and I told her 'no! you have to take some shots of that stem!'. Long story long, I ended up taking it home before she could take any pictures and as soon as I got home I braved the cold to try and get some decent shots for her.

And here we are, my shots taken on a cold freezing evening in my backyard. Seriously, I don't know how photographers do it. My hands were ice within 10 minutes! It was awful!

Isn't it gorgeous?! And remember, it's over a week old! It's a mix of Baronesse garden roses and pink Majolika spray roses. Don't they look like peonies?! Another cool thing Court does is actually sell those broaches. They run around $45.00 and up depending on the designer. I just love a one-stop shop!

OK but the real reason I wanted to show you this is because of the stunning stem wrap {I think I just made that the official name for it...}. I love the layered ribbon and the style of the 'bow'. And the emerald green color? To-Die-For. Seriously, look at how it pops off the flowers. Love Love Love.

Court says she is "single handedly bringing emerald green back". I'm totally on board!!

TC brides - how about a little emerald green on your bouquet this year?? :) 

Petals!

One question I get fairly often is how many flowers to use on an aisle. While I'm a big fan of the 'carpet-petals' here's some information in case you prefer the real thing. Information is from the rockin' site fifty flowers.

• Recommended delivery date is 1 to 2 days before your event. If your event is Saturday suggested delivery date is Thursday or Friday.
• Rose Petals are available year round.
• You will receive 13 bags when you order 6,000 Rose Petals, and 26 bags when you order 12,000 Rose Petals.
• Each bag of Rose Petals contains no less than 8 cups and no more than 12 cups, holding 460 petals or 0.44 pounds.
• One bag of Petals will completely cover an area 20 inches by 9 inches.
• 6,000 Rose Petals is a minimum of 104 cups. 12,000 Rose Petals is a minimum of 208 cups.
• Fresh Rose Petals are packed in individual plastic bags for protection during shipping. This also makes it easy to decorate your reception site, fill up a flower girl basket or sprinkle across a table. The bags are even easy to bring along on your honeymoon!
  Since flowers are a product of Mother Nature and due to variation in monitor resolutions, the exact color tones of this flower may vary to some degree.
• Package contents and prices are based on availability and are subject to change due to weather and market conditions.

Oh T.P. - how I love thee....

If you follow the TC blog at all you will know how much of a fan of Kristin over at the Treasured Petal I am. I only check about 3 blogs on a regular basis and TP is one of them. These images are from her latest post and I just had to share. Pop over to her blog to see the full post.

Sweetheart table - love the dahlias!

I love a purple pintuck linen! Serious impact.

OK - if this is possible at your wedding do it! How fabulous is the crystal curtain?

Just because your outdoors doesn't mean you can't have a gobo. In fact, guests don't expect any special lighting at an outdoor wedding - triple points for surprising them!

Thanks for always bringing beautiful and inspiring work, Kristin. 

Blossoms & Bon Bons oh my!

Hey Cincy brides! I love how local vendors provide lots of opportunities for brides {or brides-to-be!} to get to meet them outside of typical wedding shows. The Bridal Studio is always on the cutting edge of this and this week is no except they have not 1 but 2 fabulous events going on. I mentioned Brideface's Open House earlier this week and below is some details about a great event happening tomorrow - Blossoms & Bon Bons with one of my favorite florists, Courtenay Lambert!

So if you don't have any plans tomorrow evening shoot on down to the Bridal Studio and take part in some chocolates and flowers - seriously with events like this who needs a man?

{JK Ricky, I need you!} :)

Boys and The Bouts...

So I definitley prefer the look of a pocket square over the traditional boutonnierers but if we're going to flower route I adore modern designs with cleanly wrapped stems that maintain a masculine look while still being all about beauty. Remember you don't have to have a single rose! The possibilities are endless. All I ask is that you keep in mind that these little buds are going to get a lot of action - lots of hugging which means they've got to be tough! Nothing looks worse than a wilted flower pinned on your new hubby in all your reception photos. Just Sayin'...


I love the color and texture of these bouts. Stunning!

Whose Wedding is it Anyway?

So I'm home waiting for the plumber to show up (damn 100+ yr houses!) and I decided to catch up on my DVRed episodes of Whose Wedding is it Anyway. I  actually used to watch the show before TC came to be but honestly, I can barely get through an episode now. 

Does anyone else watch this and think WTH? If I'm paying you $5k + you better come up with something better than this:

Nothing wrong with it per say but it doesn't make you gasp in delight. And I'm sure I'm offending someone out there (please accept my humble apology) but I mean, really?! You would have been better off putting that extra money into the tablescapes! All I can see are clouds of white with big blue bows. Oh and a plant somewhere in the middle there.

Since I am always so quick to share my opinion let me share this, I am also not a fan of 'scattered' petals. The table above everything going to make it a fab setting; beautiful linens, napkin treatments, chargers and pretty table numbers. But tell me, what the heck are the centerpieces? I can't even find them! Then throw in those petals and my eyes are so confused they hurt! This is a case of much too much going on. If I were the planner/coordinator I would have gently suggested narrowing our focus. Of course I would do whatever you wanted but...

So, can rose petals work? Absolutely, check out the images below in which the petals enhance the setting and don't detract from the focus. Notice, none have petals scattered all about - they are all contained and used en masse. 

Anyway, that's just my opinion. It's not like I'm on national television or anything.....

Liz and Diggs take 3...

I know your probably sick of Liz and Diggs' wedding but Tracy's second shooter, Sherri of Harrington Photography posted these fabulous detail shots. Since she did a phenomenal job I thought it was only fair to showcase her work! I love having not one but two amazing photogs! Thanks Sherri for posting!

In case you forgot, the stunning floral designs are by Courtenay Lambert!

Real Wedding - Cermony Decor

I am a firm believer that ceremony decor should be minimal. This is when the focus should be on you and your husband-to-be (as well as your family and religious beliefs) and the love you all share. I don't think you need a lot decor to make it shine.

However, at a recent wedding we attended (yes attended, not worked!!! wahoo!) I found the ceremony decor was so simple and beautiful. Hydrangeas are one of my favorite flowers - they make a huge impact when used in bulk so I was thrilled to see someone use them. I even like the pew bows and that my fellow readers, doesn't happen often ;)

Stunning

I stumbled on these photos while searching the web. Its a bio from The Knot and I think it really incorporates a lot of the trends in weddings today. I try to find pictures and ideas to inspire my brides and anyone else out there who's reading! Hopefully something below inspires you :)

OK I digress...back to these stunning details from my new favorite bio.

Peonies, roses and hydrangea mix - Classic and modern at the same time.

Ceremony Decor:

Keep it nice and simple. Line the aisle and then create a focal point. I also love the simplicity of lining the aisle with thick lines of rose petals. Filling the entire aisle with the petals makes a huge impact as well. Just make sure your purchase enough petals to make a it full!

You can find shepherd hooks like these at stores like Michaels..hit them at the end of the summer, the will be under $5 each!

Very unique backdrop. It would also be beautiful with flower letters like this one from Courtenay Lambert

Reception Decor:

O.M.G These centerpieces are gorgeous!! I love the variety of the mix of round and rectangle tables (props to HP). When looking at these photos pay attention to the small details on each table.
HP - this could be a good option for you..I would look for clear candle holders vs. the wrought iron. But imagine those in the Cincinnati Club!!

I have a secret - I am oddly obsessed with napkins. Nothing makes my skin crawl like fanned napkins inside a cup. I'm sorry if I offend anyone with that statement. But there are so many other ways to actually use the napkin to add a visual element to your table! I have never seen the set up above but I love the graphic image it creates. I may add it to my repertoire of napkin folds :)

I am loving the strings of crystals - this is a pretty easy way to add another layer to your CPs. It can transform a simple CP to something special - imagine the (cost effective) arrangement below with the addition of a couple crystal drops.

For you, ML :)

A beautiful and unique sweet heart table

I swear I had this idea years ago!! I have been trying to get someone to listen! Maybe now that I have a visual to put with the idea someone will...how fabulous - leaving a thank you note in your guests cars via the valet. I promise 99% of the general public have never seen this before and it will leave a lasting impression on every single one of them! A close second is to leave a note hanging on the outside of your hotel guests' rooms for them to discover upon their return from you unforgettably chic wedding :)


OK there were lots of details/ideas in there...which were your favorites?!? I want to hear from you! (please and thank you!).