On her blog (http://www.flourishdesigns.com/blog/), local florist Shannon Cosgrove-Rivas shares a fun idea: For each of your bridesmaids, pin a rhinestone letter charm, representing the first initial of each woman’s name, to the fabric-wrapped stem of her bouquet. “Such a cute little detail and so thoughtful,” she writes. According to Cosgrove-Rivas, you can buy the charms online at www.personalizationmall.com  for $10.50 apiece (plus shipping). But I’ve also seen them at Face & Body Emporium in East Sacramento for just $3. They’re actually doggy collar charms!

Posted by Marybeth Bizjak on Wednesday, March 24, 2010 in Sacramento Wedding Blog Flowers | Permalink | Comments (1)

Is there one item you're having a hard time acquiring, such as vases, a ring bearer pillow, or a birdcage to hold cards? Consider Oriental Trading Company - Wedding. You can find a variety of sizes and shapes in candleholders and vases--some sold by the dozen, others sold in sets of three or four, and some sold individually. Price points are reasonable, with some cute round bud vases (pictured here) retailing for $9.99 for a set of three. With single flowers places in each, these could serve as an alternative to centerpieces if you're looking to cut costs.  

Another item I like: the white birdcage card holder, selling for $17.99. For my sister's wedding last July, my mom and I found an antique birdcage at 57th Street Antique Mall--it was gorgeous green, truly romantic--but from a practical perspective, not great. It is tall, it was difficult to fit in a car, and the slots weren't quite the right size for cards. So, this one is a fine alternative at 18 bucks.

If you're considering more items from Oriental Trading Company, I recommend you request a catalog in the mail. It's free, and much easier on the eyes and easier to navigate than their heinous website. (OK they have decent product photos, but honestly.)

Posted By Haley Myers on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 in Sacramento Wedding Blog Flowers Planning | Permalink | Comments (0)

While researching our forthcoming issue, we heard that monocolor flower arrangements are a popular trend, including bridal bouquets of all one flower. This simple look always comes across sophisticated. Local florist Ambience Floral does a lovely job with monocolor arrangements -- just feast your eyes on these beauties at left (photo courtesy of Jacqueline Photography)! These fun, fresh bouquets feature ravel roses, gerbera daisies, and peonies. Check out this link for more bridal bouquets on Ambeince's website.

Posted By Haley Myers on Thursday, November 12, 2009 in Flowers | Permalink | Comments (1)

Most brides set about choosing wedding flowers based on their color scheme. That's fine, but don't get your heart set on a particular flower before checking with a florist to see if it's in season during your wedding time. Sometimes you can get out-of-season flowers on special order, but the color you want may not be available, and this is usually quite expensive. Sometimes it's also simply not possible. One current trend that may make choosing flowers simpler -- including bridal and bridesmaid bouquets, corsages, centerpieces, and other decor -- is using just one kind of flower in one color throughout.  

Posted By Haley Myers on Monday, August 31, 2009 in Flowers | Permalink | Comments (2)

Studio Choo and Small Stump are the names of two girls' floral ventures. The florists live and work in Pacifica, and I came across their stuff courtesy of Oh Joy blog, which I reference often. While I don't completely understand the two business names (as they appear to be sharing a website and both working for the same cause), I encourage you to look at their photo diary. This blog showcases the young florists' imagination, whimsy, eye for unique color pairings and creative energy. (Scroll through the pages a bit to make sure you see their arrangements.) This dynamic duo is going places.

Posted By Haley Myers on Friday, July 17, 2009 in Flowers | Permalink | Comments (0)