In dreams we all walk down this aisle! Just remember that it is really about the man waiting for you at the other end!

How did the carnation get such a terrible reputation as a flower? Maybe all those grocery store bunches gave them a bad rap (especially the green and blue ones that are clearly dyed unnaturally) But let’s give them another chance!!! From now on, let’s use their scientific name- Dianthus

See how a simple Dianthus bunch can be made into a simple and creative bouquet? Change the color, add some bling, wrap with a gorgeous ribbon and….. a more subtle, traditional feel with a tad of bling and sparkle! ( I would TOTALLY load this up with a TON more bling, but you get the idea!)

(more…)

After our wedding, what can we do with all the flowers from the ceremony and reception? I can’t bear the thought of just throwing them out!

“This is a great question!!! It really is an easy one How about making other people as happy as you were on your wedding day! There are so many people who would benefit from the good feeling that unexpected flowers bring – nursing homes, woman’s shelters, churches, etc. You can deliver them yourself, ask your coordinator to deliver them (most of us have a favorite place to drop them off) or call your local Girl Scouts or Boy Scout of America. They’ll be more than happy to pick them up to use for one of their community service projects.  This can easily be arranged six months to a year in advance! It is so simple to make someone’s day!”

Love this inspiration board featured on Style me Pretty.  Wishing you all a fantastic weekend!

1. Find the front.

   Most bouquets have a “front.” If you find a brooch, bow, or other decoration on the stem, or if your bouquet has any cascading elements, this will be easy to determine. If your bouquet is the basic  hand-tied type, you’ll need to rotate it until you find the part that looks best. The “best” side will be the most full and symmetrical, like this:

   
   Keep this part facing out, particularly during the ceremony and for formal photographs. If you don’t, your bouquet may look like this:

It’s just not as nice.

2. Grasp (or cradle) it gracefully.

1. For a nosegay or cascading handheld bouquet (most bouquets)…

   Use one hand to gently grasp the bouquet at the base of the blossoms near the top of the stems. Never, ever with white knuckles like this:

   
   …and certainly not like this ridiculousness (I don’t care how long or short the stems are!):

   
   …and save these interlocked fingers for prayer and hand-holding:

   
   
   

For a single rose…

The best way to carry a single rose is probably to simply hold the stem in your fingertips a few inches from the blossom. Think that looks weird? You’re right. Don’t make your bridesmaids carry a single rose.

For a single calla lily…

The sleek nature of the calla lily lends itself to being cradled along the arm, the way Miss America would carry a bouquet.

3. Keep it low.

Not this low:

And, unless instructed by the photographer, your bouquet should never be held at your neck…

…or chest…

Instead, think of keeping your thumb near your belly button – your forearms will hit your pelvis, like this:

Remember that a bouquet is a very feminine accessory. Doing this is or letting your bouquet hit your knees is only okay if you’re trying to pose for a sassy photo:

Many women will choose to be escorted down the aisle. I’ll save the speech on how to properly take a gentleman’s arm for another post, but for now, let’s review how to handle a bouquet and an escort.

It’s not like this. This says you’re clueless about what to do with your new bride accessory:

It’s not like this, unless you’re partial to square dancing:

Instead, hold your bouquet with your forearm at your pelvis and take your escort’s arm like this:

REMEMBER: in most cases,you will be walking on the left side of your escort (they walk on the right- this makes you close to your escort’s heart!!) Hold the bouquet accordingly.