Our table top with Bliss Events. You can see here how we used tiles instead of a table runner and our trademark stacked vases with color blocking. All orchids used wire grown locally in San Diego County and designed with minimal water use. Special thanks to Shannon at Studio Carre for the images. Enjoy!
photo by Dennis Mock
As you wind through your journey of wedding planning, wearing several different hats along the way (planner, designer, psychologist…), you would be in the minority if you didn’t feel like you could use some help.
Below you’ll find Sharon’s top 5 Tips to all brides
1) You don’t have to win every battle to, ultimately, win the war.
Remember to give the groom, mom and maybe even his mom “a win”, at least one. Your husband to be does not want to feel like one of the guests, he wants to feel as though this party has something to do with him. Take an item that doesn’t matter that much to you, perhaps the meat option on the menu or the type of alcohol that will be served, and let him choose it without your influence. This will make him feel that his opinion is important to you, now and in the future, and he will be more invested in the big day to come.
Remember to give that “win” to mom too, this will allow you to have freedom of choice when selecting the articles which are actually important to you.
2) Be consistent.
I don’t know how many times I’ve expressed this rule. There will be about five versions of this wedding which will look and feel absolutely fabulous to you, pick one and see it through, consistency is everything.
3) Don’t fight your venue.
Choose a venue which embodies the feel of your wedding. Choosing your venue first will give you your date, but also the theme of your wedding. Don’t fight the look of your venue, it will never be quite right and cost you far too much money. If at all possible, pick a venue which can hold your ceremony and reception. This will alleviate headaches for you, your guests and take an average of 75 cars off the road for 20 minutes.
4) Pre-interview your potential vendors.
Your time is valuable and you shouldn’t spend any of it with vendors who don’t already fit your criteria. Call or email potential vendors in advance, not to make an appointment, but to discuss availability, price and style as well as to get a feel for their personality. If they, at least initially, fit the bill then you set up an appointment. Within three vendors per category, you really should be able to make an educated decision if you do your homework. We, as other vendors do as well, take the opportunity to use our website as an online catalogue. Don’t be afraid to ask what a design on the website costs, the more informed you come to your meetings the more satisfied you will be when you come out knowing you made educated decisions.
5) Choose YOUR vendor.
Just because your sister, who’s style is nothing like yours, got married a few years ago, doesn’t mean you have to pick up her list of vendors and hire all of them. Pick vendors who already produce the look and feel of what you’re shopping for. Don’t ask a comedic actor to play “the killer” (unless it’s Johnny Depp because that man’s just brilliant). Pick a vendor who won’t have to stretch in order to produce what you’re looking for.
Best of luck and enjoy the ride!
Sharon
Last August we had the opportunity to work with the most amazing mother daughter duo. Each planned surprises for the other for the sole reason of making the day special for one another. Their bond was unbelievably strong and they cared so much for one another, this was one of many reasons they were such a pleasure to work with.
Special thanks to Studio Z for the amazing photographs!
Jewel encrusted flowers and handle
Jewel toned flowers
Fabric, flower and crystal adorned arch with family heirlooms
Crystal filled glass vases holding floral mounds
I had such a great time on air with Chef Timothy Ralphs from Estancia. Thank you so much to him and the property for letting me talk about what we do on air!!
Here’s the video:
We’re so excited to have Sharon on the air again! She and our creations have been “live” before but each and every time is just as exciting. This Valentine’s Day she’ll be on San Diego 6 during the 9 o’clock hour with Chef Timothy Ralphs of Estancia to discuss some fun and green Valentine’s Day options. Hope you can tune in!
What is it about Valentine’s Day that makes flowers just so expensive? Is it the growers, the wholesalers or the retailers? Well, usually all three get a little more money for their product than they usually would. Why is this and when did it begin?
It’s important to note that the United States currently purchases over half of the world’s red roses, Valentine’s Day or not. Well, it was only a matter of time till the growers took note of this.
In the early 90’s, growers began to raise prices on red roses during the holiday. This, in turn, caused the same percentage of profit that the wholesalers and retailers take to equate to a larger sum. Once shoppers started to move away from red roses, growers and wholesalers began to raise prices on other flowers.
Soon the price of pink roses was raised, followed by tulips in these colors. Today the cost of anything red, white or pink has gone up significantly. Furthermore, roses are often cut too soon or too late in order to yield the highest profit possible during this prime time.
Some florists, us included, don’t take any more of a profit during this time however the increased wholesale costs are still a factor in the overall price of the finished product.
What can the consumer do? Rethink the red and white.
Think plum and green, or yellow and orange. Why not go with the best of the season beautiful for what it is, not what we’ve decided it symbolizes.
The smartest way to shop? Find a floral professional who’s style you love and let them hand pick the best items on the market. Simply tell them you want the arrangement to be “designer’s choice” allowing them the freedom to create a fresh combination just for you.
Just remember: think local, think seasonal, think different.
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I’m often asked if we send out individual orders. My answer is always the same, yes as long as we have notice. The same goes for Valentine’s Day. So if you’re looking for something different this holiday, think OE and remember to place your order early so that we can customize a look just for you and yours. Also, to follow our three part series on Valentine’s Day tips and ideas, simply fan us on facebook
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Organic-Elements/144541936467?ref=ts
With much love, Team OE
We received an email today notifying us that we had won another award! Wedding Wire has announced that we will be receiving a 2010 Bride’s Choice Award! This honor is awarded to their top 5% vendors throughout the nation based on past client reviews. Thank you so very much to all of our past clients for their generous support, we love you all!!!
Last night we had the pleasure of producing florals for the NACE meeting. We thought it would be appropriate to stick with the theme of photography since it was at the Museum of Photographic Arts. Guest were greeted by moss and leaf cameras, “gerbs on film” and some spider mum sashes.
Thank you so much to Rachel at Bliss Events, Melissa at MoPA, everyone at Abbey Catering, Sandy James, CQ Mixers, ePods and the Kenneth Day Team.
Enjoy!
Framed moss cameras with working LEDs on our structure
“Gerbs on Film”, gerber daisies on metal rolls of film
Green spider mum sash
Pinned leaf camera with working LED
Something old decorating something new? It’s fantastic to add a little personality to your bouquet’s handle. Like the dress matches your style, so should your bouquet. From Swarovski crystals to vintage buttons and everywhere in between, it’s important for all accessories to match the woman of the hour. Here are some examples of various ways to finish off that custom accessory.
Pink on pink taffeta french twist with pearl studding
Ivory on champagne french twist in satin, pearl studding
Burgundy on coral french twist, button studding
Chocolate underlay and damask overlay corset wrap, live succulent buttons
White overlay, black underlay corset wrap with black studs
Pink underlay, green overlay corset wrap wtih vintage buttons
Pink dupioni wrap with central ribbon and custom wax seal
Gray damask wrap with quarter button shoelace bind
Client’s antique broach attached
Gray damask with central ribbon and vintage button accent