One of the biggest trends in wedding flowers is unique corsage and boutonniere designs.  We've done some really cool designs, and have some great idea books in the shop, so if you're interested in trendy corsages and boutonnieres, ask us when you come in.

One of our recent designs is a twist on the traditional boutonniere.  Instead of flowers pinned to the lapel, a pocket square boutonniere features several small flowers and is worn in the pocket of the jacket, much like a pocket square handkerchief.  The pocket squares are made on a card, which is easily slipped into the breast pocket of the suit or tuxedo.  In some cases, the pocket will still be sewn shut.  The pocket can be opened by carefully using a pen knife, or you can ask the tux shop to make sure the pockets are cut open.

 

(note: we do not sell these in our shop, but they are available from the seller on eBay at http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZsomeweddingstuff).

This has to be one of the funniest cake toppers ever:

The bride holds the fan jersey (made of real cloth) under her arm while she drags him away from his game, his ticket still in his hand.  This topper is unique and has the logo of the team, water cooler, football, helmet, cloth jersey and shoes.

NFL Steelers Wedding Cake Topper!

(hat tip: The Burgh Blog)

Was the weather terrible on your wedding day?  If so, you could win a second honeymoon on Windjammer cruises, or a $500 L.L. Bean gift card, or a romantic dinner for two.  The Farmers' Almanac is holding a Worst Wedding Weather contest:

According to the old Italian proverb sposa bagnata, sposa fortunate, "a wet bride is a lucky bride." Yet even if wedding day rain truly does bring good fortune, most brides would rather do without that kind of luck. With the amount of planning and money most couples and their families invest to ensure the special day goes off without a hitch, inclement weather is always an unwelcome guest.

Luckily for our readers, the long range weather forecasts printed in each edition are claimed to be between 80 and 85 percent accurate by them. Often referred to as “a bride's best friend,” the Farmers' Almanac has been helping brides and grooms pick the best day for their big event for the better part of two centuries. But sometimes, no matter how much planning and predicting go into a wedding, Mother Nature still sends her regards in not-so-nice ways.

Of course, if your story involves a cruise, maybe the grand prize isn't so appealing.  For full details on how to enter, visit
Worst Wedding Weather Contest - Farmers' Almanac

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The definition of a mixed marriage in many cases refers to the mixing of dogs and cats in the same household:

LuAnn Verbosky, off-site adoption manager for the Animal Rescue League of Western Pennsylvania in East Liberty, says that many cat-vs.-dog conflicts with couples are solved by challenging misconceptions about canines and felines. Some people think all cats are aloof and reclusive, for instance, while many cats, in fact, are very affectionate. Other people might think all dogs are hyperactive and overwhelming, while many are calm and mellow.

Usually, mixed-pet households work out fine, says Verbosky, who often sees happy couples come back to rave about their adoption of a cat or dog, after one person was reluctant.

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review printed two very similar articles at http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/search/s_521987.html and http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/search/s_522082.html.

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review featured the Trash the Dress project, and local photographer Kim Reed was highlighted:

"I think the appeal of the wedding gown is that it's so out of the ordinary, and it's such a dichotomy to see this woman in a gorgeous gown that you're used to seeing in cathedrals," says Kim Reed, of Kimberly Reed photography in the North Side. "I think it's almost a little bit of the shock factor to it."

Full story at http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/search/s_521992.html.

YouTube is good for more than just water-skiing squirrells and teenagers embarassing themselves (but who can get enough of either, really).  More and more florists are using YouTube to show off their wedding work.  Some videos are better than others, but you're not hiring these folks for your wedding video anyway.  There are some amazing designs shown in these videos.  If you're lucky, some of these great florists are in your area.  We'll try to keep a running list here until it becomes overwhelming.

Here are a few to start with:

Avante Gardens of Anaheim, CA - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7ulaBIDOzI
Datura of Middletown, CT - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4sNfe0WgCs
Kebbie Hollingsworth - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioQBVdLZFPs
Stephanie's Flowerhaus - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56e5Aa4JcMo
Mitchell's of Orland Park, IL - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hr2t5De-Nbw
Everyday Flowers of Tustin, CA - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9MIfd6okG0

Here are some which show the creation of wedding and event flowers:

Everyday Flowers of Tustin, CA - http://youtube.com/watch?v=LMPTJfcs_ww
http://youtube.com/watch?v=3fFXB6EFN5Y

 

Besides the flowers (of course!), one of the most important parts of your wedding is your photographer.  Your photographer will capture your special moments and preserve your memories of your wedding day.

In recent years, there has been a strong trend away from set, formal portraits to more of a photojournalistic style, with casual portraits and more candid photos.  It's not a style every photographer can pull off, since it takes a lot of creative vision and an ability to work with you, the couple.

Wading through portfolio after portfolio can be time consuming and uncomfortable, since usually you can only see a lot of photographers at a wedding show.  To help you narrow your search, the Artistic Guild of the Wedding Photojournalist Association has compiled a state-by-state search of its members.  In addition to contact information, you can view the photographs which gained them entrance into the Guild.  Guild members are some of the best photographers out there, which means they're not the cheapest, and they book quickly.

Remember last week's featured bouquet--mango mini callas and Latin Beauty roses?  We received a great thank you from the bride:

Dear Polly,

I wanted to take a moment to thank you for the beautiful floral arrangements that the Bloomery provided.  The girls loved their bouquets, and mine was complimented all evening long.  They were exquisite.  The mango mini calla lilies were the perfect accent to my roses, and everything down to the time of delivery was perfect.  Thank you for your time and effort throughout the planning process, and for the fabulous work you do.  I will pass on nothing but wonderful recommendations.  Thank you for helping make my day beautiful!

L. C-D.

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. C-D, and thank you fo rmaking us a part of your special day.  You were a pleasure to work with, and your colors and location were both great choices.  Best wishes on your new life together!

Our featured bouquet this week is a sunset-inspired hand tied mix of four Mango mini calla lilies, 10 pale yellow roses, and 10 Latin Beauty (similar to Cherry Brandy) roses, with coral hypericum berries.  The stems were wrapped with an ivory satin ribbon and finished with pearl the length of the wrap.  Approximate price, $165-$180.

On a related note, this wedding was held at the Succop Conservancy, which is one of the few places you'll every go that's beautiful in any day in any weather condition.  The weather wasn't perfect, but the setting was.  We've been there dozens of times, in all kinds of weather, and it's simply gorgeous every time.  A perfect location for outdoor weddings, with indoor facilities available, too.

Pantone has released their color report for fall 2007.  In summary:

Complex and exotic describe the intriguingly unusual and inviting color palette for fall ’07. The traditional neutral shades expected for autumn have been replaced this season with rich, nuanced hues, offering more opportunity for creativity with interesting and unexpected color combinations.

The colors shown in the report are great for us, because so many flowers available during the fall match or complement the colors they have listed.  By adding in some accents with ribbons and bouquet jewels, we can bring a full palatte to your bouquet, creating a very memorable part of your big day.

Check out their full report at http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/Pantone.aspx?pg=20367&ca=4.