~Fall Flowers~

Choose unexpected varieties of flowers that are readily available, add berries, then set them all against a dramatic backdrop of jet-black, which helps softer hues come alive. Here, compotes and towering tapers highlight blushing clusters of peonies and amaryllis, along with gloriosa lilies and andromeda.

To balance the pale pinks and peaches of these utterly feminine dinner-plate dahlias, roses, ranunculus, and andromeda, she used the dark fruit, and a plum ribbon gives the feathery clutch a sophisticated edge.

For arresting displays, think like a locavore and use area produce as ingredients. Pair vivid persimmons with dusky berries for a look that's easy on the eyes as well as your budget

The vessels play as important a role as the flowers like these charcoal vases and amber-glass jars. Show them off by spacing them apart along a mantel, then filling each with only a few blooms, like the calla lilies, roses, ranunculus, and tree peonies here. If your venue has white walls, sub in a few black blossoms for the same effect. Consider using chocolate cosmos, black dahlias, and black calla lilies.

The New Rules: Weddings

Gone is the era of the cookie-cutter wedding; you can celebrate your own way. Forget the “have tos” and “shoulds” about nuptials. There are no hard-and-fast rules. Except one: Be a gracious bride and groom while letting your true style shine. 

1. You don't HAVE to wear white!

2. you can ask ANYONE to be in your party: Your mom may have had to line up friends to pair off with your dad’s groomsmen, but you two needn’t be so matchy-matchy. Have anyone you want stand up with you both -- a man of honor, groomsmaids -- and don’t worry about having an equal number of hims and hers. They can walk up the aisle solo or in groups of three. They don't have to wear the same thing either. Devise a palette of up to three hues, hand your ’maids swatches or paint chips, and let them choose their own outfits. If they stick to the colors, even prints are fair game.

3. you CAN send out Hand-written invitations! We love letterpress, adore embossing, and fall hard for flat printing. But if those aren’t your type or the traditional wording of an invitation doesn’t feel like you, write something that does; it’s bound to be one of a kind. Use your invitees’ names to make it personal, and be sure to include all the pertinent details. Thick card stock and lined, oversize envelopes that let the pages slip out unfolded set a formal tone.

To elevate the concept further, hire a calligrapher 

4. You can HAVE ANY STONE IN ANY SETTING! Diamonds are some girls’ best friends, but other brides prefer garnets, pearls, or sapphires. As long as it came with a proposal, any stone can function as an engagement ring (ditto for the setting). You don't need to limit yourself to just one; note the stacked bands below, which could act as engagement or wedding rings or both. You don’t even need to follow the fourth-finger, left-hand custom; in Europe, many people wear a wedding band on the right hand. Any ring, given and worn with love, is a fitting symbol of something with no beginning or end. 

5.  your flowers and favors can do double duty: Less really is more when you combine two elements. Ceremony flowers can reappear at your reception, for example, and gorgeous escort cards will work as favors, too. Here, Axis Promotions paperweightshelp guests find their tables by magnifying the type on the seating cards underneath. Offer them as thank-yous that will dress up any desk after the party’s over. 

6.  you can serve WHATEVER you want for dessert!!!! If your sweet tooth is satisfied by the cake, offer something savory, like cheese, after dinner. To set up an appealing array, order a mix of mild and strong flavors, different textures, and cheeses made with goat, cow, and sheep milk. Add name tags so guests know what they’re diving into, then pair them with breads, stone fruits, and nuts, and display on pedestals of varying heights. Finally, introduce an element that will surprise everyone, such as a honeycomb.

Billy Balls Bonanza

Craspedia, also known as Billy Balls, are a truely unique addition to any flower arrangement. Create a statement with these bright yellow flowers!

Craspedia are known for their cheery yellow and round flowerheads. Display them alone, or combine with other items for a whimisical centerpiece. The flower heads range from a quarter to an inch in diameter.Craspedia are related to daisies and are native to Australia and New Zealand. Read more about them on Wikipedia.  

White and Green and classy all over!

White and green, is a wedding trend that has been going on for QUITE some time, This lovely color combination is perfect for both destination weddings and intimate celebrations close to home. The refreshing nature of these neutral tones will impress your guests from the moment they witness it. These pictures are all copyrighted and products of northside flower imports. This was an event we did for charity last weekend! Using mostly white and mini green hydrangeas, green trick dianthus,  cymbidium, and dendrobium orchids, as well as open cute white callas! 

fringe? yea. it's in.

I was talking to my brother last night and of course, Fringe came up, not sure how...or why but it did, and so the inspiration for today blog came to fruition.

FRINGE!

Who's sitting where? Let them know with jubilant tented triangles strung clothesline-style across a paper-covered canvas. Create them by gluing little lengths of eyelashlike tissue and Mylar onto diamond-shaped card stock. Then fold each one in half, add names, and hang.

Exchange vows under streamer-strewn branches: Just use a rotary cutter to slice up stacks of tissue paper, glue them to found branches, and hang them from the ceiling with hooks and clear twine. Choose muted shades for an elegant ambiance. 

Plexiglas stirrers add punch to signature drinks when they're decked out with petite pennants and pom-poms reminiscent of fireworks. To make, glue bits of Mylar or tissue paper to skewers. 

To gussy up guests' plates, tie sheer linen napkins in loose knots, then tuck tissue paper blooms inside. Present each one next to a name card that's framed by a shining border.

Let guests peel off with candied fruit rinds in flavors like lemon, tangerine, and pink grapefruit, or send them home with coconut-coated cookies. To package the goods, use Confetti System's pyramid boxes(confettisystem.com), or make your own: Just adorn boxes with strips of snipped paper, or enlist fringe scissors to add a frill to the edge of cupcake liners. 

Woodcrafter.com wood boxes BX4916 (woodcrafter.com). Raffit Ribbons raffia (raffit.com). Bayley's Boxes small white pyramid boxes (bayleysboxes.com).

Please pass the ... flutter? Bring texture to the table by hanging peach and persimmon tassels, plus glimmering strips of metallic Mylar, from branches anchored in slender white vases.

FRINGE TULIPS!!!