"Buttonhole", or "Boutonniere" Etiquette

The name boutonniere is french for buttonhole. Traditionally a single flower was pushed through the "button hole" on the lapel of the suit jacket. Flowers were worn quite frequently, not just for special occasions as they mostly are now.

I spend quite a bit of time in my off-season sitting at my computer writing contracts in between frequenting wedding websites and blogs, and every once in a while I see a photo with the boutonnieres pinned to the wrong side of the suit! Gasp! Would you know which side to attach these little buttonholes if you needed to pin them yourself? Did you know there even was a correct side to pin the boutonniere?

There is! It should be pinned on the left side. The same side the buttonhole and pocket are on, also closest to your heart and your wedding ring finger. Who doesn't love a great looking man donning a suit and a boutonniere? Those little clusters of herbs and berries or that single stem of calla lily tied together and finished off with ribbon or twine to match the rest of the bridal party.

Oh, in case you're wondering, corsages for the ladies should also be worn on the left. Happy pinning!

Consistency Matters

Throughout my years as a florist, I've seen many weddings. Some are really beautiful and well thought out, while others definitely lack a little something. As I normally provide just the flowers, and don't really get involved in your whole event design process, I don't have a say in other elements of your wedding. I will offer advice if asked, but otherwise I respect your choices and style and don't usually offer up advice unless it's asked for. However, if I may offer one bit of wisdom I've learned from all my wedding experience, it would be....consistency matters!

From your save the date cards to your reception venue, there should be a common thread, a style, a color...some element in common. Guests shouldn't arrive at your wedding and find contemporary purple orchids on the tables when everything leading up to this point has eluded to mason jars and a rustic event! Your style or theme should fit your venue. Wild or seasonal flowers are great for tent and barn weddings, while orchids and calla lilies are well suited for your country club, resort or museum wedding. Whatever you choose as your "something special", whether it's a certain flower, color, pattern, or style, carry it throughout the entire event. I can be incorporated in save-the-date cards or invitations to your venue, colors, flowers, escort cards, cake and favors. With a little thought, planning and consistency, your wedding will be one that stands out from the rest. Happy planning!

Cascade Bouquets...love them?

Trends go through cycles continuously. They are updated each time to fit today's styles. One thing I haven't really seen the return of yet is the cascade bouquet. Years ago, the cascade was the only style bouquet bride's carried. Perhaps it's because weddings are not as formal overall as they used to be? Perhaps it's because most people think of cascades as huge, heavy, hanging bouquets similar to the bouquet Princess Diana carried?

Traditional cascade bouquets are ideal for more formal weddings, however the gorgeous vintage bouquet above, as seen on Ruffled Blog , is ideal for an outdoor country wedding. The jasmine vine and mixed white flowers would compliment any setting or dress. The bouquet shown below, found on Martha Stewart Weddings, is a very simple, informal bouquet also suitable for outdoor weddings.

I love this clean, simple, smaller size cascade bouquet, also found on Martha Stewart Weddings.

This bouquet is a little more formal with the absence of greenery and more compact style.

Will we see more cascades soon? Personally, I hope so!

Craspedia...aka Billy Balls

Billy balls, billy bells, wooly balls, drumstick or craspedia... whichever name you prefer, these fun little round balls of sunshine can't help but bring a smile to your face!

Bouquets made entirely of craspedia! Wow!

This table set up from Elizabeth Designs is one of my favorites! I love the all white, or mostly white background, the dark contrast of the birch branches with the punch of color from the flowers. The craspedia flowers could be changed out for any color or variety. Imagine hot pink orchids...or blue delphinium!

Another craspedia bouquet with a greenery "collar". These also offer a great variety of texture when mixed with other flowers

These make great boutonnieres for those who aren't too keen on wearing flowers.

Black & White Photos

I personally love black and white photographs! With the right lighting balance of dark colors against some really light color, they can be timeless and stunning. Shown below are three photos from three different weddings I did all taken by Russ Hurlburt Photograghy

This wedding was the very first one I did when I began my business 5 years. The bride was waiting in her dressing room for the ceremony to begin. The colors in this photos lean a little more towards antique rather than true black and white. I love the lighting!

This one was taken at Mountain Meadows Lodge in Killington, also the first year I was in business.

I really like the way the sunlight is shining on this couple from behind. So pretty!

I recommend you ask for a few black and whites from your photographer!

Hair Adornment

Fresh or fake? Brides are always asking me for fresh flowers to adorn their hair on wedding day. Naturally, being in the flower business I'd love to sell you flowers, but more importantly, I want you to look your best on your wedding day!
Most brides have their hair styled hours before the ceremony even begins. There are very few flowers that will hold up without water for hours on end, especially in the heat of summer, without wilting. I say why risk it when there are so many other gorgeous, stylish options for you to choose from? Shown below are just a few different styles available. DIY's can fashion something easily themselves with a hair comb and some imagination!

I love fabric and feather combos such as this Isis Chic Satin pouf bloom from Seraphine.

Headbands such as this from Serenity Crystal are a great option for outdoor weddings.

A crystal hair pin as this one from Treasures570 would make a beautiful hair accent.

This birdcage veil available on Etsy from Powder Blue Bijoux is oh so chic!

For those of you who have your heart set on real flowers, orchids such as these dendrobiums are a great option.

Whatever your style, there is something out there just for you!

September 10, 2011

I first met Leah and Lorraine almost a year and a half ago when they made their initial trip from California to Vermont to begin wedding planning. Leah knew what she wanted from the get go, white, cream, pale pink and peach. She loves garden roses, hydrangea, ranunculus and hanging green amaranthus. Of course things were changed here and there, which is to be expected; ribbons or no ribbons....no ribbons, ceremony decor or no ceremony decor....yes please! The end result was gorgeous.
Leah's bouquet was made entirely of roses, stems wrapped with simple satin ribbon and adorned with a beautiful brooch, provided by the bride, along with a hummingbird pin that belonged to a grandparent. Brooches were provided for all the attendant bouquets, mother nosegays and even a pin for Lorraine's boutonniere.

Another view of the bouquet.

Yet another view.

The wedding weekend took place at the beautiful Juniper Hill Inn in Windsor Vermont.

Since is was a picture perfect day, their ceremony was held on the brick patio behind the Inn. Two iron urns filled with white hydrangea, roses and green amaranthus were the only decoration needed.

Closer shot of one of the urns.

Maid of honor and three bridesmaid bouquets packed for delivery. These were made with hydrangea, roses and ranunculus.

Each harvest table had 5 arrangements and gold colored mercury glass votive holders.

Arrangements were made in an assortment of pedestal containers, some vintage, some were new.

Another arrangement.

View across the tables.

Gold colored chargers and chairs were used to carry the gold throughout. Accents of tiffany blue were used in the menu cards and cocktail table linens.

Congratulations Leah and Lorraine! It was a pleasure. I wish you both all the happiness possible!