2011 Arkansas Florist Assoc. Convention

Held in Hot Springs each August, this is the first time I've been able to attend.

Here are a few photos from the weekend....Enjoy!

Some of the competition entries for the sympathy category.

and a few from the wedding category.

Vendor booths

Rose varieties

My favorite part: designs from a few of the presentations.

Not Your Typical Bridal Blog: Offbeat Bride

To keep up with wedding trends, I often surf wedding blogs, generally being overwhelmed by information, ideas, photos, ideas, colors, ideas, and so on.   I can only imagine how a bride feels!  Sign up for one thing and you're quickly drowning in wedding STUFF!  It's enough to make you dread wedding planning.

Recently, however, I came across this site: OFFBEAT BRIDE.  I like it because it gives some great ideas for ways to personalize your wedding.  I mean really personalize it.  We're not just talking about color choices or whether you should have chair covers or just bows here, but non-white dresses; themed weddings; and really unique touches to make your wedding about you!  

From their site...

Image from OffBeatBride.com

If Offbeat Bride's ethos had to be boiled down, it would be this:

• We aim to provide positive encouragement to couples who are trying to retain their identities through the drama and pressure of wedding planning.
• We believe that no two weddings need to look the same, because no two couples are alike.
• We believe that your wedding isn't a contest — there's nothing to prove except for that you love your partner.
• We love really awesome photography.
• We want to prove that online wedding planning communities don't have to be snarky, bitchy places where women decree each other tacky.
• We support couples all along the nontraditional spectrum — from beautiful hardcore freaks & geeks all the way to what we affectionately call "Offbeat Lite." Your wedding should be a reflection of YOU, not other people's expectations or tastes — that includes us!

NOTE: some adult language used


Check out the site...then call me when you're ready for some offbeat flowers.

Enjoy!

Spring Wedding & Design Show

Earlier this month I attended the Spring Wedding & Design Show hosted by Mears Floral Products in Springfiled MO.

The show was tons of fun--it's always a joy to hang out with other people who are interested (i.e. passionate) about the same things interest me!

Some of the great ideas I picked up....

How perfect is this for a flower girl?  It could be used any time of year just by changing the flower.  And it gives your flower girl a wonderful keepsake.  The flowers pictured here are silk, making a great keepsake, but we could easily create a similar look with fresh blooms.

Also a great twist on the traditional Easter basket...

With proms fast approaching, we learned some great techniques for creating custom bracelets (again, a great keepsake) and hairpieces.  Flowers of your choice can be added to these decorative wire bases.  Some of the detail is difficult to see in the photo, but trust me--these are very intricate designs!  This was probably my favorite segment of the show.  I can't wait to try some of these designs for the upcoming proms around here!

Are you planning on DIY florals for an upcoming event?  Here's an easy but unusual vase...and we can supply all the materials needed.  Materials included a silk poppy blossom, decorative wire, a small square vase and colored stick 'confetti.'









We also saw some of the options for using decorative wire in wedding bouquets.  Perfect for a modern/contemporary bride.  And the wire is available in a wide range of colors.  This wire can also be used in vase arrangements, corsages, and pretty much any floral design you can imagine.  Wonderful new product! (It's actually be around for a few years, but is gaining popularity by the day.)

See something you like?  Have questions about any of the designs or items mentioned?  If so, comment away!

Finding Your Colors

If you're having trouble picking a color scheme, here's a good series about using nature to help....

Wedding Wire: Finding Your Wedding Colors: Blue
Wedding Wire: Finding Your Wedding Colors: Purple
Wedding Wire: Finding Your Wedding Colors: Red & Purple