Orchids at Troon

This sexy wedding took place at the Troon Country Club in Scottsdale, AZ. I designed with all cymbidium and dendrobium orchids. I loved what this bride envisioned and was very excited to not only work with her, but to be able to work with nothing but orchids was very fun. The bride's original bouquet was to have been all phaelenopsis orchids, but unfortunately her wedding date was a bit to early in the year for them this time around. Therefore, we substituted with all cymbidiums and I think it was very classy and complimentary to all her other floral creations. Everything flowed so perfectly. Melissa was a beautiful bride and her venue was very chic. The flowers not only made this wedding gorgeous, it gave it the style that the bride was looking for. This was one of my favorite events thus far.... The photos are also very beautiful. Photos taken by Jane Zarzynski. Her photos are sure to make any bride happy. Check out her site at http://www.janjordanphoto.com/

Pre-Show special

HUGE SAVINGS!

I will be a vendor at the AZ Bridal Fashion Debut at the Phoenix Convention Center on Saturday & Sunday, January 10th & 11th, 2009. At the show I will have some package deals as well as a pre-book special for all my brides. I will offer this special to anyone who attends the show. However, I will be offering a pre "Show Special" early to all who read this.

Book your wedding with me by December 13th and you will receive the following:

Free throw bouquet

Free groom boutonniere

$50 off delivery & set up fee

15% discount off grand total

Hurry and call me today before your wedding date is no longer available. 480-234-3935

This PREBOOK special expires Dec. 13th, 2008

Leftovers?

Turkey Cobb Sandwich
Put your Thanksgiving leftovers to good use with this delicious recipe for a turkey Cobb sandwich from the November 2008 issue of Martha Stewart Living.

Ingredients:
Makes 1.
3 slices applewood-smoked bacon
1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) unsalted butter, softened, plus more for roll or bun
1 brioche roll or hamburger bun, split
1/4 ripe avocado
1 teaspoon crumbled blue cheese, such as Roquefort
2 thin slices tomato
1 medium egg
4 thin slices cooked turkey

Directions:
Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain, and wipe skillet clean.
Butter cut sides of roll or bun. Heat skillet over medium-high heat. Place roll or bun, buttered side down, in skillet, and cook until golden brown, 1 to 3 minutes.
Mash avocado and blue cheese in a small bowl. Spread mixture on bottom half of roll or bun. Top with tomato and bacon.
Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add egg, and cook, until white is set, about 1 1/2 minutes. Gently flip egg, and cook until yolk is runny in center but slightly set around edge, about 30 seconds. Remove from pan. Add turkey to pan, and heat through.
Place turkey and egg on top of tomato. Top with remaining half of roll or bun, and serve immediately. Yum!

Truly Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving! Today I will not be in charge of the turkey, the green bean casserole, or the pies. Today I am in charge of the table centerpiece. I am inspired by the above photo of a swag style piece. It includes green orchids, orange gerbera daisies, a variety of berries and an even wider variety of greens. The candleholders are cored out apples with a tea light placed in the center, as well as some mixed nuts sprinkled around like petals. What a glorious centerpiece that will be beautiful on the table or your buffet line. Today I am thankful for the beauty that will be on our table and sitting around it too.

Super CALA fragile LILY expialidocious

I LOVE this bouquet. Simple, elegant, timeless, happy, romantic, affordable, lovely, gorgeous, classic, white and my favorite flowers to work with. I love to make this size for the bridesmaids, a slightly larger one for the bride, and of course make the boutonnieres all calla lilies with a single loop of lily grass to accent and match the bouquets. If you like this too, call me and I'll make one for ya!

Downtown Wedding

Thinking of a place to have your wedding that is urban, upscale, and modern? Try going downtown. Here are some ideas for your downtown affair.

This beautiful ceremony was held at the Japanese Friendship Gardens, located at 1125 N. 3rd Ave. in downtown Phoenix, AZ. The aisles were tied off by copper organza sheers, and we added bunches of curly willow with a single Casablanca lily bloom every other row. The ceremony was surrounded by sereen and tranquil gardens, Koi ponds, and Japanese statues. The beauty in the park was more than we could have added ourselves, so we kept things very simple here. http://phoenix.gov/PARKS/jfg.html

The reception was held at Stoudemires Restaurant, located in downtown Phoenix, at 3 South 2nd St. http://www.stoudemiresdowntown.com/ The tops of these gorgeous centerpieces contain all white hydrangeas, roses, stocks, and alstomerias. Copper ribbon accent was adorned to lip of vases to add a touch of color. The base of the 24" tall cylinder vases, encased horsetail stems, curly lucky bamboo rods, and crystal clear glass cubes nestled at the bottom. We transformed this local sportsbar into a wedding venue with modern upscale class, making it feel more like a swanky New York loft.

FALLing in love...

Fall is here girls, and bouquets like the ones above are perfect to bring in the fall colors. With flowers such as calla lilies, circus multicolored orange roses, classy red roses, safari sunsets, Gerbera daisies, and a hint of lily grass for some foliage; your wedding flowers are sure to look great and last throughout the day. The bride was very happy with the outcome and I was thrilled with how brightly these particular flowers photographed. These were all handtied bouquets with the stems wrapped in the same midnight blue color ribbon as the BM dresses. The center bouquet is the maid of honor's, which I made slightly larger and then added a few crystals to it. Click photo for larger image

Ever After Cocktail

Happily Ever After Cocktail

INGREDIENTS
1 ounce peach schnapps (30ml)
1 ounce cranberry juice (30ml)
1 ounce ginger ale (30ml)

DIRECTIONS
Pour all ingredients into an old-fashioned glass, stir and serve

Photography by Kristie

Do you still need a photographer for your wedding day? If so, you must check out this phenomenal photographer, "Photography by Krisite". http://www.photographybykristie.com/

They take wonderful photos and capture so much in each photo. I just spent a good hour on their site checking out all of their work. One word, AWESOME! They don't just do weddings either, check out the engagement, trash the dress, and tasteful boudoir images too.

Pushing up the daisies

Are these not adorable? Perfect for the garden wedding favor or even as a bridal shower favor. These 2x2x2 boxes are not only cute, they are also filled with white chocolate amorini hearts. Yum! To order these must haves, go to http://www.myweddingfavors.com/gerber-daisy-favor-boxes.html

These are truly a find, for less than $3 each.

Say "I DO" to your bridesmaids

Cha Cha Bella has these great finds for your bridesmaids. You have to check this site out as it is amazing!!! Are you looking for the perfect jewelry/gifts for your girls? Then look no further, you found it here. Check out http://www.chachabella.com/ and you will thank me for it. They offer their friendship rings in a variety of colors and styles and the price is great too for these works for art. They also have beautiful wine glasses for your wedding toast. You have to check this one out ladies. Let me know what you think?

Floral Monograms

Check out these cuties!! Can you imagine seeing these floral monograms at the guest book table or even on the cake table or both. The photo provided to the left is done with faux paper flowers, but wouldn't it be even more glamourous with fresh sweetheart roses? The great thing about this is we can make them as petite or as large as you desire for your space. Call me for the fresh flowers, otherwise you can go to the following website to purchase the faux ones:

https://www.getmarried.com/shop/products/Flower_Monograms-805-11.html

Garden of Preston

Leave it to Preston Bailey to make such a wonderful centerpiece in the center of a table, a "tabletop garden". How cool would this be as your guest book table centerpiece? We could modify it to any flowers and colors, maybe incorporate some moss and river rock even. Very organic, earthy, yet classy and very beautiful. I would love to do this for you... Call me and we'll talk.

Photos from PrestonBailey.blogspot.com

Por Favor

I came accross a wonderful website today that I thought I would share with you all. http://www.papermart.com/ It has some wonderfully inexpensive favor boxes, tins, and much more. If you are still wondering what you can do as a favor for your wedding guests, then do yourself a favor and check this site out for some wonderful ideas.

ALOE lujah

I love succulents! I love them for my patio, I love them for my kitchen windowsill, but how about a little succulent & orchid combo seen here for a wedding centerpiece. Wouldn't this be a wonderful earthy & long lasting centerpiece, especially here in warm & sunny Arizona? I would love to see this on a chocolate satin tablecloth. Or for a big splash of color on a bright magenta tablecloth. WOW! For you non flower & plant people out their, succulents are water retaining plants. They store large amounts of water in their leaves & stems. The storage of water often gives succulent plants a more swollen or fleshy appearance than other plants. Perfect for our desert climate.

Calling all brides....

Brides love the Bridal Fashion Debut. This awesome bridal expo is going to be held in just a few more months. Ladies, time to mark your calendars for Saturday January 10th and Sunday January 11th. Come see all that there is to offer at the Phx Convention Center. My booth will be located right accross from the David's Bridal booth and not too far from the Azteca Wedding Plaza. What a perfect way to come out and meet me, see some of my personal work, ask questions, register for free give aways, and enjoy all that the Bridal Fashion Debut has to offer. I am very excited as this will be my very first time participating in a bridal fair. Don't miss it. For more info go to: http://www.bridalfashiondebut.com/

Summer Weddings: Top Tips for Summer Flowers

I took this from theknot.com as it was a great article about summer flowers....... However, the photo to the left is my summer wedding work. It was a tropical themed wedding done poolside at the Scottsdale Resort & Conference Center. My bride also had a steel drum band and a lei for the minister. It was great! Here is some great advice for summer weddings.

We talked to top florists to get tips on how to keep your summer wedding flowers fresh.

Choose hearty flowers
Opt for flowers that will stay fresh throughout the entire day. Look for ones with a waxy texture to ensure staying power. Hawaiian blooms, such as orchids, are a great option (check out cymbidium and dendrobium orchids). Ginger halcyons, birds-of-paradise, tiger lilies, and even roses will champion high temperatures too. Buying local flowers is another way to go; blooms that are in season in your area will more likely survive a long day in a bouquet. Check with your florist to see which ones will work for your venue.

Maintain your blooms
When it comes to wedding flowers, the higher the temperature, the more upkeep they'll require. Have them delivered the day of the wedding and make sure there's a refrigerator on-site to store them before the ceremony starts. Also, be mindful of your flowers during photography sessions. When your photographer isn't snapping away, have a friend or bridesmaid hold your bouquet in a shady spot, or place it in a vase of cool water. If your blooms will be exposed to the summer heat for an extended amount of time, keep a spray water bottle on hand and give your flowers a light misting every hour or so. Summer brides -- beware of oversized bouquets. A smaller, hand-tied bouquet will hold up in the heat better than a full, cascading one.

Opt for bright and bold colors
For the color of your flowers, check out which flowers will be in bloom around your ceremony and reception site, and consider bold versions of those hues. For an outdoor or semiformal wedding, think violet, hot fuchsia, mango, magenta, and green. Wine colors and deeper shades are appropriate for formal weddings, like dark red roses or deep purple lilies. When it comes to casual weddings, sunflowers are a great option since you only need a few to create a vibrant pop of color.

Choose the right centerpieces
You have plenty of summer centerpiece arrangements to choose from. If you're having a formal ballroom wedding, go for tall vases overflowing with a mix of bold and deep-hued flowers accented with feathers or gems. To create a modern vibe, display monochromatic green, orange, or even yellow blooms in clear Lucite containers. For an outdoor wedding, consider wooden containers filled with colorful, locally grown flowers. During the cocktail hour, daisies in simple Mason jars will perk up the space. Or look into potted centerpieces so guests can take them home as favors.

Fleuroscope

Today is my birthday, so what better way to celebrate than to share with you the floral horoscope for August. Click the link below to read yours:

http://www.teleflorist.com/FLOWERBLOG/post/Flower-horoscopes-for-August.aspx


I'm a leo or a Sunflower according to Teleflora here is mine:
Leo: July 23- Aug. 22 / Flower: Sunflower

There's something you've been talking about doing for several months, maybe even years. Now is the time for action. If you need help, ask and you will receive. Meanwhile, be sure to savor the rest of summer: outdoor concerts, picking flowers from your garden, a day at the beach.

Silk vs. Fresh flowers

Gone are the days when silk flowers were only for home decor. Now in the new millinium of floral design, silk flowers are made to look as real as possible. Many brides are now asking, can I do silk vs. fresh? I say, YES! Especially, here in Arizona, when weddings are not a common event in the middle of the summer. However, I suggest using the highest quality silk flowers possible. This way they look real and photograph more naturally. Most importantly your wedding guests will be asking, "Are those real?" The great thing about silk is that they will look great and last throughout the entire wedding, even in 115 degree weather. Matter of fact, they will last forever. Which saves you money getting your bouqet freeze dried and preserved. Now that I gave you the pros on silk, let me give you the cons. Silk does not mean cheap. Most high quality silks can run $5-$20 per stem, which is just as costly or in some cases, even more so than fresh flowers. The other con is that there is no scent, and they are made of plastic/silk/wire/etc... There is no right or wrong type of flower that you choose. Do what is best for your situation. I have even done some weddings that had fresh flowers for the bouquets and boutonnieres, yet opted to do silk flowers for the centerpieces. It worked out wonderfully!

Pictured above: Silk bouquet of white lilies, purple hyacinth, hydrangeas, and fillers. Photo provided by: Ever After Floral Creations

Pictured above top: Silk stem of candied cherry blossoms is tall clear vase. Photo provided by: Event Essentials & Ever After Floral

Centerpiece help

Centerpieces are the most important thing at the table! Ladies, please don't skimp when it comes to your centerpieces. They are the focal point, where the eye is drawn when your guests walk into that expensive room you just rented for the night. You must put most of your emphasis into them. My big tip is to be sure and find out what your venue provides. If they provide glass tiles, mirrors, candles, vases, or table runners......then use them. Let your floral designer know what you will be able to get from the venue and they can be sure and take advantage of those items and use them on your tables, or even on the cake table, or wherever you might need some flair. Us designers can get pretty creative with that too.

When choosing your centerpieces:
1) Choose flowers that compliment the bridal/bridesmaid bouquets.
2) Know how many tables you will be needing so that you can give your florist the correct count.
3) Have a budget in place so that you know what your limit per centerpiece will be.
4) Know what size the area the centerpiece will be placed.
5) Never be afraid to ask your florist for some of her own ideas!!!!

Above photo: All white flowers, stargazers, dendrobium orchids, stocks, curly willow tips in Mikasa vases. Photo provided by: Ever After Floral Creations