Manic Monday: DIY Do’ and Don’t’s

Manic Monday by Corine Brosseau

DIY projects are all the rage on Pinterest these days and they’ve become more of a trend than a way to save money on your wedding details. Despite all this, DIY can easily become stressful and it’s important to keep a few things in mind when taking on a project for your special day. Here are some of our do’s and don’t’s for wedding day DIY.

– DO inject your fiancé and your personalities into your DIY projects. Making your own wedding decor is an opportunity to really allow your unique love story to shine. You’ll end up with something truly one of a kind that everyone will always remember because of how well it reflected the two of you!

– DON’T bite off more than you can chew. Too many DIY projects can lead to more stress than they are worth – especially if you are still busy with work, kids, or other wedding prep. Make sure that anything you take on is do-able and not overambitious.

– DO check out bridal blogs and sites like Lover.ly or Pinterest for lots of DIY inspiration. I especially love the tutorials on Hey Gorgeous – they’re full of step by step images and really fun, unique ideas.

–DON’T forget to have a back up plan. If something doesn’t work out, it’s important to have a Plan B so you aren’t left with any missing details.

–DO know when to trust the professionals. If you know nothing about graphic design or stationary, you may want to leave designing your invites to someone with the experience necessary to create a gorgeous product. Sometimes it makes more sense to spend a bit more money and save yourself the stress of worrying if the end product will come out the way you want it to.

Did you DIY for your wedding or are you planning to do so? Share your favorite DIY projects or stories on our Facebook page!

Fashion Fever: Blooming Boutonnieres

Fashion Fever by Corine Brosseau

With Spring in the air and daffodils peeking out in everyone’s gardens, I just can’t help but have flowers on the brain!! However, these lovely blooms aren’t just for the bride. The perfect boutonnieres for the groom and his ushers can really tie together a lovely Spring or Summer wedding ensemble.

In the collage above, you’ll see some of our favorite boutonnière trends of late. A lot of the looks really do echo current wedding and bridal trends and can thus be the icing on the cake for your event.

As we all know, mint has been one of Spring’s hottest colors. Though at first you may think there’s no way to incorporate it into your guy’s look, using succulents in the boutonnière is really a great way to achieve this. Succulents are growing in popularity and have a masculine edge for the groom who doesn’t want to don a flower.

Daisies, peonies, and brightly colored roses are more feminine favorites for the warmer seasons. However, when paired with lavender, berries, or astilbe, they better serve the masculine aesthetic and make a great boutonnière option.

If your groom really doesn’t want a flower, try a mix of feathers or maybe even a paper bloom. To make the look even more personal, write him a letter and have it folded into his boutonnière. After the wedding, he can take it apart and read it. It’s a keepsake that looks awesome and lasts forever!!

What are your favorite boutonnière ideas for Spring and Summer?

Its All in the Details: Flowers Guide

Its All in the Details: By Alyssa Aiola

Not only are flowers one of the most important wedding details on your big day, they also can be one of the costliest. Floral arrangements automatically add beauty to the wedding party and make every wedding stand apart from one another. With thousands of flower types and endless color choices, it is important that you pick the proper arrangement that will suit your wedding best.   The first step in picking your flowers is to take into consideration what month your wedding will be held and what color palette you want to use. The month in which your wedding will be held is crucial since some flowers aren’t readily available all year round and you want them to be fully bloomed.  Since flower talk can be completely overwhelming and seem like another language, we have broken down a complete list of flower types by color and also by season to give you better insight.

Flowers For Each Month of the Year:

Winter Weddings: ( December, January, February) – Cymbidium Orchids, Ranunculus, Tulips, Gerbera Daisies, Calla Lilies, Kangaroo Paw, Gloriosa Lilies, Chrysanthemums, Roses.

Spring Weddings: (March, April, May) – Lily of the Valley, Tulips, Mophead Hydrangea, Columbine, Peonies, Hyacinths, Cherry Blossom, Poppy, Rose, Violet, Lilac, Ranunculus, Freesia

Summer Weddings: (June, July, August) – Asiatic Lily, Cosmos, Gladioli, Larkspur, Black Eyed Susan, Delphiniums, Columbine, Pee Gee Hydrangea, Clematis, Cockscomb, Garden Roses, Sunflower, Zinnia, Viburnum, Rose, Daisy, Rudbeckia

Fall Weddings: (September, October, November) – Physalis, Bittersweet, Roses, Sunflower, Gerbera Daisy,  Amaryllis, Hydrangea, Sugar Maple, Scabiosa

•  *Many flowers are available all year round, but even with worldwide growers and fast shipping there are some flowers whose blooms are only seasonal. If you buy flowers in season, just like other perishables, they are better prices too. Some flowers that tend to always be available any time of the year are Roses, Anthuriums, Orchids, Tropical Flowers, Lilies, Gerberas Daisies.

Flowers By Color:

Red Wedding Flowers : Anthuriums, Freesias, Alstroemeria , Calla Lilies, Heliconia, Gerberas ,Tulips, Rose, Amaryllis.

Pink Wedding Flowers: Gerberas, Tulips, Rose, Amaryllis, Lisianthus, Nerine, Freesias, Alstroemeria, Calla Lilies, Stargazer Lilies, Cymbidium Orchid

White Wedding Flowers: Lily of the Valley, Tulips, Rose, Calla Lilies, Lilac, Lisianthus, Peonies, Hyacinths, Freesia, Stephanotis, Amaryllis, Stars of Bethlehem

Yellow Wedding Flowers: Gerberas, Tulips, Rose, Amaryllis, Freesias, Lilies, Calla Lilies, Daffodils, Sun Flowers, Marguerites, Coreopsis, Chrysanthemums

Blue Wedding Flowers: Anemones, Hydrangeas, Veronica, Nigella, Pansies, Iris, Freesias, Hyacinths, Statice, Sea Holly, Sweet Peas, Muscari, Tweedia

Purple Wedding Flowers: Lisianthus, Anemones, Freesias, Hydrangeas, Hyacinths, Statice, Veronica, Sweet Peas, Iris, Orchids, Stocks, Eggplant calla lily, Scabiosa, Pansies, Vanda Orchids, Tulips, Lilacs, Dahlias, Violets

Orange Wedding Flowers: Gerberas, Tulips, Roses, Freesias, Lilies, Mango Calla Lily, Birds of Paradise, Gloriosa Daisies, Chrysanthemums, Spider Protea, Physalis, Sun Flowers, Marguerites, Kniphofia, Dahlias

Let us know what flowers you picked for your wedding and tell us why!!

TOD’s Tip of the Day: Get Back to Nature

Flowers are from nature, no? Then why do so many brides and florists insist on wrapping the stems in ribbon, cutting off any green, etc.? I say embrace the most organic element in your wedding by using more wildflowers and less flowers imported on dry ice! Check out these gorgeous bouquets and floral arrangements from Amy Osaba and get inspired by her natural foliage. My prediction? Come spring 2011 wedding trends will be back to nature.

Amy Osaba

TOD says: Let your flowers look like they came from the earth!

A Stress Free Theme: Country Fresh

Manic Mondays by Lauren Cooper

“Not only do I have to pick a color palatte, I have to have a theme too?!”  Don’t worry, choosing a theme doesn’t have to be complicated or extravagant. The theme is meant to reflect a bit of your personality  into the mood of the day.  Some themes can even be fun and stress free like this country fresh theme.

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  Green Apple Photo

  Perfect for an outdoor wedding in spring or summer, a country fresh theme is simple, breezy and a little eccletic.  Pick cheerful colors such as yellow or robin’s egg blue …or be bold and add red!  Don’t worry about being “matchy matchy”, instead put together colors and patterns that are unique add to the charm. Try pairing these cute polka dot dishes with striped ones from Fishs Eddy . Think out of the box for table decor and fill vintage tin cans with flowers or use props instead of flowers like picture frames or paper fans.

• Country Fresh bouquets should be simple and sweet.  You could even pick your own wildflowers and tie with a satin ribbon to be budget friendly, when season permits.  Try a riot of different flowers like daisies, columbine and sunflowers wrapped together, or placed in a basket for you to carry.
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  cards by I Shoot Nouns on Etsy

  Sweet antique looking details will add whimsical charm, like fun cake toppers or chalkboard reception signs. These adorable notes are the perfect way to say “thanks”! This particular theme makes it easy to stay in budget and be eco friendly by reusing and recyling found items like this bathtub.

• Go for casual comfort food when planning around this theme.  Comfort food can be elegant, too, like a rosemary roasted chicken sandwhich with plump tomatoes and avocados from DuMont Restaurant.  At one of our recent weddings, bride Arlene Jackson chose Dinsoaur Bar-B-Que which served down home bbq at its best.

This theme is especially simple and stress free because of its light and casual nature. No matter what your theme is, you’ll stress less if you communicate your likes and dislikes to your planner.  We’ll be able to find those minutae that match your vision and take the pressure off so you can enjoy celebrating your new beginning!

Yacht Club Birthday Bash!

Here is a sneak peak of the photos from last week’s event: Anne’s Birthday Bash at the Cedarhurst Yacht Club in Long Island. The weather was perfect, the ocean was calm, and the night was spectacular! DJ Gatsby kept the crowd on their feet all night! Private Receptions did the decor, floral, and planning of this event, “soup to nuts” as we like to say. For the full gallery of photos join our new Facebook page! Once you become a fan you’ll be able to see all the photos from our events right after they happen!

Photographs by Charles Roussel

How To – Spring Blooms

How To by Jennifer Crone

It’s spring in New York and while we wish we could skip the April showers the weather is gorgeous! Spring is the time of growth and renewal and that means flowers too. With so many beautiful spring blooms, how do you choose which are right for your wedding? Here’s How To:

When choosing flowers consider the following elements:

• Smell – Flowers that are too pungent will overpower everything else when in abundance. You don’t want to give guests a headache or mask the smell of your food. Just as you would use unscented candles, flowers with little smell are better.
• Longevity – A flower that wilts quickly (i.e. a hibiscus) will just not do. You don’t want the flowers shriveling up by the time your toasts are done. Also many flowers shed when they begin to wilt.
• Toxicity – Some flowers are extremely toxic if ingested. Keep these flowers out of a wedding with children present.

Here are some popular spring blooms:

photo sources: http://www.gardenexpress.com, http://www.sugarcraft.com, http://www.squashedtoad.blogspot.com, Tor Hershman, Minx Boutique, Nature Loving, Whole Blossoms, It's Your Soap, Trond Steen, The Carlyle Arts Learning Center, http://www.gardenpictures.com, Ed O'Keefe, Patty Hankins, Fiber

What to do with all those beautiful blooms after the wedding and reception? Donate them! Go to Flower Power Foundation for more information.

Fashion in Bloom!

Stiles on Style- By Rachel Stiles

Florals are an enduring fashion trend that women gravitate to because of their beauty and sense of life and luckily designers have used them as inspiration for their new bridal collections the last few seasons. Some dresses mimic different types of flower silhouette, while others use the strategic placement of petal prints or embroidered blooms on the gowns themselves.

Destinations by Maggie Sottero

Wedding Gowns: Floral designs can make a dress look more romantic or can create a wonderful dramatic effect, depending on the aesthetic. Many different designers including Vera Wang, Monique Lhuillier, and Priscilla of Boston have integrated the concept of flowers into their creations. Oscar de la Renta also has designs that feature intricate embroidered buds reminiscent of baby’s breath on the gown. Rivini unveiled a show-stopping dress containing precious petals that consume the dress.

Accessories: Designers are not only incorporating floral inspiration in their dresses, but accessories as well. Headpieces are a stylish option that can be used in place of a veil and can have any type of flower placed on it for a more dramatic look. Also for a modernized look, you can put flower pins in your hair. Sara Gabriel has some beautiful options to add a finishing touch.

Bridesmaid Dresses: Priscilla of Boston has a wonderful collection of bridesmaid styles that incorporate flowers or floral designs. Many of the dresses are ethereal and romantic looking, which means that your sisters and friends will love them. Amsale, Alvina Valenta, Lela Rose, and Jim Hjelm Occasions also follow this trend.

Shoes: We all love shoes and they are especially important on your wedding day. If your dress is more traditional, but you are looking to add some spice to your look, there are many options. Christian Louboutin added a beautiful hibiscus flower on their Tahiti Style shoe. If you are looking for an elegant peep toe, I would suggest Valentino black pumps adorned with a rose.

How To-Themed Wedding: Alice in Wonderland

How To by Jennifer Crone

With the new movie making waves at the box office all things are Alice this spring, and we’re inspired. There are many ways Alice in Wonderland can come to fruition as a themed wedding: you can do black and red and incorporate the playing cards aspect for a dramatic evening affair, or bright vivid yellows, pinks, blues and greens for a pumped up floral theme. We’re inspired by the original book by Lewis Carroll, and the romance and fun of the tea party. A theme can be subtly incorporated or totally flushed out depending on your style and vision. Here’s my vision of an Alice in Wonderland themed wedding and How To:

sources clockwise from top left: (all sweets) Laurel Avenue Bakery, (all paper) The Whimsical Paperie, Little Angels Jewelry, Brian Hagiwara for Rachel Ray, Kate Sears for Rachel Ray, Disney Swarovski, Vera Wang gowns, Anthrologie lamp, Relic pocket watch, Sarah Drake photography, Getty Images, Digby & Iona ring, Martha Stewart Weddings, Disney necklace, Chattsworth Garden maze

The overall look and feel (theme) of your wedding starts with the very first piece of wedding accoutrement your guests receive: The invitation. For this throwback theme choose a vintage drawing from the original book like the white rabbit looking at his pocket watch. And be sure to tell your guests to wear tea attire! For the venue choose something fantastical and elegant like a garden or estate with a maze: You’ll have amazing photographs and your guests will definitely have fun!

Choose spring flowers in a mixture of colors and textures. No monotone bouquets for the wonderland bride. Incorporate flowers into tea cups for centerpieces: buy a bunch of mismatched vintage tea cups and give them to your florist to create an illusory masterpiece teetering with flowers or potted plants. For the rest of your decor mix and match fresh spring pastels with vintage elegance. Think antique wooden clocks hanging around the room with a fresh coat of robins egg blue and pin tuck yellow paint.  Dress your maids in pale blue and include Alice themed jewelry. Designers are very inspired by the classic this season; try one of Swarovski’s for Disney pieces. Give your groom a pocket watch as a wedding present so he won’t be late for any important dates!

In lieu of a traditional cake have a dessert bar with variety for guests to taste. The mushrooms pictured by Laurel Avenue Bakery are actually made from meringues. Incorporate notes and tags with lines from the book like “Eat Me” on your menu card and “Drink Me” attached to your wine glasses. Have fun with this theme; Alice would!

How To – Give Back

How To by Jennifer Crone

With so much joy and plenty of good spirits surrounding a wedding, many couples are choosing to pay it forward and add a humanitarian element to their wedding. This is a trend I can really get behind. Here’s How To:

photo: Moo

The most common way to give back is to donate to a charity in lieu of-or in addition to-guest favors. Two favorites of mine are the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and the American Cancer Society (ACS). In addition to being great charities, they’ll supply you with place cards for the table to inform your guests of your donation. The ACS will put the text of your choice on a place card, bookmark, tag, tent fold card, or scroll.

If you’re not sure which charity is for you head to Charity Navigator for an unbiased source that rates over 5,500 charities. If the charity of your choice doesn’t provide place cards, use your engagement photos to print them with a message to your guests on the reverse. At Moo you can print 100 for about $20 in many shapes. Choose a rectangle, add a whole punch and ribbon and your guests can take away a bookmark.

photo: Arbor Tree Foundation

I love the National Arbor Tree Foundation which will send a tree of your choosing for each guest to plant, refrigerate or keep indoors in addition to a scroll with your message on it.

If you already have a house full of cookware you can register online for a multitude of charitable gifts at Changing the Present – a great website where your guests can browse donations to give in your name in a variety of price ranges and charities.

Another option is to donate some of the amazing things from your wedding afterward. At The Glass Slipper Project you can donate bridesmaid dresses, jewelry, shoes, and accessories for underprivileged girls to wear to their prom.

You can also donate your flowers to a nursing home or hospital, or arrange for a food bank to pick up all that great leftover food from the reception.