How to use flowers throughout your wedding

Many times when brides think wedding flowers they think bouquets, corsages, boutonnieres, table centerpieces…but flowers can also be used for several other things.  Here are a few examples for you:

1. Use flowers to add a special flare to your wedding day purse
2. Create subtle beauty by incorporating flowers in your veil
3. Give the flower girls a gift they’ll remember forever by decorating the baskets that hold rose petals with a contrasting flower

1. Decorate the wedding ring box with flowers from your bouquet
2. The FTD® Enlightened Love™ Pomander is a sweet way to make your way down the aisle.
3. Embellish guest chairs with variegated ivy vines, and smilax garland takes any reception décor to a new level of sophistication.

The professional wedding designers at Massey’s House of Flowers are here to assist you.  We have ideas and tips that will certainly give your wedding that extra touch of style and grace.

Who gets a corsage at my wedding?

Last week we discussed wedding boutonnieres and who gets one.  This week we thought we’d tell you about wedding corsages.  We get asked that question as well…”Who should I give a wedding corsage to?”

Corsages are given to female guests of distinction. For example:

•  mothers of the bride and groom
• the grandmothers
• any other dear relatives, like a special aunt
• step-mother

You can give a wedding corsage to any special woman..they don’t have to be family.  If you have a special friend who isn’t in the wedding, but you would like to honor her anyway…give her a corsage.  This is your wedding, and you can give a corsage to anyone you want..the list above is simply the women who traditionally get a wedding corsage.  The professionals at Massey’s House of Flowers can help you choose who gets a corsage.

Who gets a boutonniere at my wedding?

We get asked this question often so thought that I’d post the answer here on our blog.  The first thing you need to know is that men get boutonnieres and women get corsages.  This is important to know while counting up how many boutonnieres you need and how many corsages you need.

Here is a list of the traditional group of men who get boutonnieres:

• groom
• groomsmen
• both fathers
• grandfathers
• ushers
• ring bearers
• and anyone reading, singing, or participating in the ceremony that is not paid to do so.

To help your groom stand out you may want to have his boutonniere uniquely different than the other men in the wedding.  For example, pick flowers that are in the bridal bouquet so his boutonniere coordinates with her flowers.   If you create all of the rest to look the same then you don’t have to label who gets what and it makes for less of a hassle when it comes time to pin them on.

Classic wedding bouquet ideas

Many times we get asked, “What type of bouquet should I have…what’s traditional?”  Just remember that wedding flowers are about the defining of your personal style.  However, if you want the traditional look, then we’re here to help.

Below are four classic bouquet ideas for you:

Hand-tied beauty
We loosely tie short-stemmed flowers with a ribbon.  Typically, brides looking to create a contemporary feel choose these types of bouquets.

Free style bouquet
Again, flowers are loosely tied, but  long stemmed flowers are used.

Teardrop bouquet
This style of bouquet is commonly used in church weddings.   The flowers are drawn down towards a center point making  an inverted teardrop shape.  (Ask me why this type of bouquet is perfect for full figured women but should be avoided by petite body types.)

Formal posy
We tightly pack flowers of your choice to create a rounded mass of beauty.  This style is quite often created using roses, but other flowers will do the trick as well.  These types of bouquets look amazing draped over a full wedding dress and are stunning for bridesmaids too…perhaps a smaller version of the bride’s bouquet is fitting?

A great place to start when choosing your wedding bouquet is in magazines and online photos.  Also, I’ve seen brides take pictures of bouquets they like at wedding shows…then they bring that photo to the florist of their choosing.  Not all wedding florists are created equal, so be sure to choose one that fits (and understands) your style and personality.

How to save money on wedding flowers

In this economy brides are always asking how they can save money on their wedding flowers.  Our response is simple;  choose flowers that are in season. Why?  Because they won’t need to be special ordered.  Once you start special ordering flowers your price goes up.  Does that mean that you have to settle for less than beautiful?  Not at all.

Below are examples of flowers that are in each season:

Spring – Your floral options include tulips, lilies, hyacinth, daffodil and dogwood.  Bright blues, pinks and yellows are very common in the spring.

Summer - Your flower options include daisies, gladiolus, snapdragon, zinnia and dahlias.  Since it will most likely be hot, choose flowers that can withstand the heat.

 

Fall – Your flower options include sunflowers, chrysanthemum, hydrangea, roses.  Take advantage of the vibrant colors of fall.

Winter - Your flower options include poinsettia, evergreen, roses, amaryllis and holly.  Using the holiday season as a guide is a nice touch.

Extra fun tip:  To make your wedding bouquet extra special, try including some flowers that were in your Mother’s or Grandmother’s bouquet.  For more advice on choosing flowers that will save you money, please give us a call at 310-325-8222.

Unique wedding bouquet ideas

Since your wedding is a once in a lifetime event you may want to consider walking down the aisle with a unique bouquet.  To be unique doesn’t mean it has to be outlandish or completely out of the ordinary.  You can be unique and ordinary all at the same time.   All it should have is that element of style and design that makes it 100% you and memorable.

Bridal bouquet ideas: You could add pearl headed pins, decorative satin ribbons, a charm that reminded you of your engagement day or something borrowed from your Mom’s wedding bouquet. It’s all in the design.

For more creative, unique ideas give us a call and schedule your free consultation.  310-325-8222

Top 5 questions to ask a wedding florist before hiring them

By now you’ve realized that weddings take a lot of planning…and choosing your wedding flowers is no exception.  With several florists to choose from, sifting through to the best is easier if you know the right questions to ask from the get go.

We’ve prepared 5 questions for you to ask wedding florists which will help weed out the clutter:

1. What can I do with my budget?  A creative florist can create a beautiful arrangement on any budget.
2. Do you have a portfolio?  This is an important question simply for inspirational purposes, as well as to see the professional elements in their design.
3. What flowers are in season during my wedding?  Choosing flowers that are in season will help your budget.  Flowers in season are easier to come by, which makes them less expensive.
4. Do you have a signature style?  Some wedding florists have a certain style they prefer to work with.  Make sure  their style works with your vision.
5. Have you ever worked at my venue?  When a florist knows the “lay of the land” per say, they’re more likely to give you decorating tips that pertain specifically to the room’s decor and grandeur.

The most important thing to remember is to make sure you’re working with a professional.  Their displays should be professional, they should be dressed professionally and they should address you professionally.  How they treat you on the first visit is your first sign as to how they’ll carry out your wishes.  Get it wrong and it could be a disaster.

For more examples and special offers “FAN” us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Masseys.Lomita .

New Year, Just Take A Peek!

It’s a new year with hot new trends, and guess what?  We’ve got you covered!

In keeping our valued reputation ( reader’s choice in Wedding Wire, and The Knot magazine),

we at Massey’s have brought you a peek of what’s popular this year.  Take a look:

Light, earthy tones, like cream and beige, adding small bits of brighter colors for contrast.

Don’t forget the cake; note the tiny lavender coloured flowers, on the light side of contrast.

40 years of business brings the know-how to give you absolute style; can you see it?

Its a year for neutral tones, and the ”conservative elegance”  those shades bring.

Whatever style or theme you are set on, no matter the size, we can always accommodate you!  It’s one of the benefits of being family-owned.  We’ll take your project personally and give you more than you ask for!

Quik link-take me to my flowers: Dazzle ME!

A New Wedding Style for Bridal Bouquet?

The Royal Wedding is over and now I have to think has Kate started a new wedding style for bridal bouquets?

The  last big Royal  Wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diane had a impact on wedding styles.  Princess Diane’s style was really  ”BIG”  including her dress.  Her large cascading bouquet was reminiscence of large shower bouquets used in the 1930′s.  Princess Diana’s royal wedding bouquet was a long cascade that  included myrtle, gardenia, Earl Mountbatten roses, white orchids, stephanotis and veronica.  Brides to be were picking out dress with large sleeves, full aline skirts and long trains and the cascade was back in style!

The first “American Royal Wedding”  I can remember was Tricia Nixon’s (daughter of President Nixon)  wedding in the Rose Garden back in the early 1970′s.  What I remember most was that my Mother, Lupe Massey, who had already been in the floral  industry for years, remarking about how small her bouquet was.  Tricia had a  nosegay of roses and lily of the valley  It was the beginning of a new era for bridal flowers.  Formal Weddings were back in style and nosegay bouquets was the choice of   brides to be!

Tricia Nixon

The Royal Wedding is over and now I have to think has Kate started a new wedding style for bridal bouquets?  Kate’s bouquet was a small teardrop bouquet of lily of the valley, sweet william,  hyacinth, myrtle and ivy.  Already, the phone has been ringing at Massey’s House of Flowers with brides requesting cascade or teardrop bouquets.     The Royals have done it again, teardrop bouquets are now in Style!

Wedding Dates Beware, NO Flower Holidays!

Last night Massey’s House of Flowers had a booth at the wedding show held by WSEA (Wedding and Special Events Association) hosted by the Torrance Cultural Arts Center and while I was at the booth,  more than one bride asked about flowers that would be available, seasonable and affordable for their wedding.  Of course, I had to ask for the date of the wedding and the some of the answers I got were  Mother’s Day Weekend, New Year Eve and a few other major FLOWER HOLIDAYS.

Flowers at WSEA Bridal Show

What’s a “Flower Holiday”?  Any holiday or season that would increase the cost of flowers.  The obvious are Valentine’s Day and Christmas.  But the least obvious are Mother’s Day and New Years Eve.  During a flower holiday, the cost of flowers can go up 2 to 5 times the average cost because of high demand.  Other days that are not flower holidays but a bride may have difficulty finding a florist are long holiday weekends.  These weekends book up fast as they are usually popular days because the bride and grooms family can come from out-of-town and not worry about having to  be back to work on Monday, giving them time to recuperate after a long weekend of partying!

Below is a guide to help pick your wedding date.

STAY AWAY DATES

January – The week after New Years Day.  Flowers prices are still high and the selection and quality is sometimes limited.

February – The week before and after Valentine’s Day, and of course Valentine’s Day too!  If you are dreaming of a Valentine’s Day wedding and are on a tight budget stay away from red and pink flowers.  Opt for white flowers and bring in red or pink with table linen, vases or accessories.

March – No Flower Holidays

April – No Flower Holidays.  Easter is not a major Flower Holiday.

May  - The week before and after Mother’s Day.  If you are planning on a Memorial Day Weekend wedding, book your vendors early!

June – No Flower Holidays

July – If you are planning a 4th of July Weekend wedding, book your vendors early!

August – No Flower Holidays.  It’s a hot month be sure to use a flower shop that has adequate refrigeration!

September – No Flower Holidays.  If you are planning a Labor Day Weekend, book your vendors early!

October – No Flower Holidays.  Happy Halloween!

November – No  Major Flower Holidays.   If you are planning a Thanksgiving Week wedding, book early!

December – Christmas and New Years.  Two weeks into December prices of flowers start to go up in price.  If you’re dreaming of a Christmas Wonderland wedding, remember that most churches are already decorated for the holiday, so there are some savings there.

By planning ahead and checking your calendar you can save a lot of money.