Indianapolis' Wedding Flowers

Budding News for Brides

2010-09-11T10:26:00.000-07:00

Brides need not worry about matchmaking when it comes to wedding flowers. From the bridal bouquets to the boutonnières, wedding flower trends include diversity of choice, boldness of color and distinctiveness of design, according to a leading expert.

Floral and interior designer Rebecca Cole is author of Flower Power, co-host of Discovery Channel's Surprise by Design and a regular contributor to the Today show. She describes leading trends.

“Wedding flowers follow fashion trends,” Cole said, “and today, individuality, rather than convention is in style. No longer do the bridesmaids' bouquets need to match the bridal bouquet, the boutonnières and centerpieces.” In some cases, each bridesmaid may have a different bouquet, according to Cole.

Click Here To Read More:

Capture Romantic Fantasies With Unique Wedding Ideas

2010-04-06T06:39:00.000-07:00

You've dreamed of this day ever since you were a little girl, your wedding day. You've imagined wearing a magnificent gown and being the glowing bride carrying a beautiful flower bouquet. You've dreamed of the music, the lighting, the bridesmaids dresses, and of course, walking down the aisle toward the groom, the man of your dreams. Your wedding day is a day of dreams coming true and celebrating your love for each other. It should be a dream day wedding that you remember forever. Why not make it truly memorable by going above and beyond with one of these unique wedding ideas inspired by nature?

White Dove Releases
Every wedding ceremony deserves a special and delightfully unique gesture that expresses the couple's adoration in a way that words cannot. Releasing white doves at the end of your wedding ceremony or as you leave for the honeymoon is a beautiful way to symbolize the purity of your love, adoration, and commitment to each other. It can be a surprise ending to the ceremony, a special moment of celebration during the reception, or a sweet way to commemorate your new beginning with each other as you leave for your honeymoon. Imagine the childlike excitement of your guests as they ooh and aah while watching the alluring creatures in flight. White dove releases are especially appropriate for outdoor or garden weddings. Just make sure you get the proper instructions from the vendor on how to best care for these elegant birds so your day will go off without a hitch, except you getting hitched, of course! Click here for "White Dove Release" resources in Indianapolis.

Horse Drawn Carriage Rides
What could be more princess-like than arriving at your ceremony in a horse drawn carriage? It’s the stuff little girls’ dreams are made of. We all remember watching Lady Diana arrive in a regal carriage as she arrived at Buckingham Palace to marry Prince Charles and become the beloved Princess Diana. Every bride wants to feel like a princess on her big day. By using a horse drawn carriage for you and your wedding party to arrive in or to carry you and your prince away to your honeymoon, you will only add to the romance of the day. So, if you are planning a Cinderella wedding with a beautiful, billowy ball gown, glowing candlelight and flower petals strewn everywhere, you will feel like royalty as you wave to your family and friends in your horse drawn carriage. Click here for "Horse Drawn Carriage Ride" resources in Indianapolis

Hot Air Balloon Rides
Looking for an uplifting way to arrive at or depart from your wedding? A hot air balloon ride is the way to go for an exhilarating beginning or ending to your wedding. Or, if you’re planning a small wedding, why not exchange vows and the wedding kiss in the hot air balloon? This idea is not for the faint of heart, but certainly for the young at heart. You can celebrate the most special day of your lives by having your ceremony where your heart is on cloud nine.
Click here for "Hot Air Balloon Ride" resources in Indianapolis

Wedding on the Beach
What wedding ceremony couldn’t be improved by an ocean sunset? Many couples are using this wedding theme for that romantic yet casual approach to matrimony. If you live near a beach, take advantage of the natural décor; if not, check out the wedding packages many beaches and islands are offering these days. There's nothing more romantic than declaring your love for each other as a brilliant orange sun sets into a deep blue ocean, hearing the waves lapping on the shore. If your wedding party or family is small, this is a great way to incorporate a vacation into your wedding. As a consideration, you’ll want to assess the cost-effectiveness of this type of wedding especially for your family and friends. You want your loved ones to enjoy your special day without being distracted by expenses and travel arrangements. If you don't live near a beach, a great alternative is to opt for a lakefront wedding. This can be much less expensive and just as romantic.
Click here for "Weddings On the Beach" resources.

Butterfly Releases
Planning a wedding, whether it involves 50 or 500 people, can be a stressful time. You want your guests to remember your wedding as a day filled with happiness and enchantment. One unique effect can be achieved through a live butterfly release. As a beautiful and environmentally sound alternative to blowing bubbles, throwing rice or birdseed, or releasing balloons, a butterfly release will make your day memorable! Can you imagine the magnificence of dozens of colorful butterflies winging their way skyward as a grand finale to your wedding ceremony? The release of nature's prettiest creatures is a symbolic way to celebrate any number of occasions, including weddings, proms, parties, and quinceaneras. Butterflies have always been thought of as bringing good luck to people and everyone loves butterflies.
One way to involve your guests is to have a "butterfly attendant" hand out the envelopes in which the butterflies are temporarily kept. When the signal is given, each person opens their envelopes and the butterflies fly out to create a magnificent display. Some butterflies, especially monarchs, may alight on your guests. When released, they have a slow and graceful flight. They are actually "social butterflies"!

On a smaller scale, butterflies can be used as table centerpieces, enclosed in elegant see-through "cages" where they flutter about until time for their release. Guests are always enchanted by this distinctive and unusual display of beauty.

Butterflies are carefully raised by farmers who then package them in small Styrofoam coolers before shipping them overnight to your door. Since they are cold-blooded, they are resting and dormant while in the cooler. Exposure to warm temperatures will make them active and ready to fly. They must be released outdoors during daylight and during months where the temperatures are high enough for them to fly ~ above 60 degrees. Care of the butterflies is minimal; you just keep the container cool for a night by refreezing and replacing the cold pack that comes with each shipment. Very few butterflies expire before their release and usually one or more "extras" are included in your order. Most butterfly farmers hold permits to ship several species across state lines. The butterflies you release will be indigenous to your state and will probably live for a few weeks, finding each other after they are released, mating and helping to repopulate the species. A butterfly farmer will help you choose the butterflies that are right for your state, your budget, and your special occasion. Click here for "Butterfly Release" resources in Indianapolis

These are just a few unique wedding ideas and themes. However, these ideas are also appropriate for other special occasions such as wedding anniversaries, significant birthdays, a child’s first birthday, groundbreaking ceremonies, and funerals. They can add that special touch to make these and other life celebrations ones to remember forever.

Your wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime memory in the making. Make a unique and lasting impression by using the beauty of nature butterflies, doves, horses, the skies, and the ocean to achieve the wedding above and beyond your sweetest dreams.

Who Pays for What?

2010-04-01T04:29:00.000-07:00

There are no longer any hard and fast rules as to "Who Pays for What", but a general guideline follows as to the traditional breakdown.

Bride & Her Family's Expenses

Bridal consultant or secretarial services
Invitations, announcements, postage
Wedding dress and accessories
Floral or other decorations for ceremony and reception
Bridal bouquet, bridesmaids flowers, corsages, etc.
Photography - formal and candid videotape
Music for ceremony and reception
Transportation of bridal part to ceremony and to reception
All reception expenses
Bride's gifts to her attendants
Bride's gift to groom
Groom's wedding ring
Fee for services performed by sexton
A traffic officer, if necessary
Accommodations for bride's attendants, if required
Bridesmaids' luncheon, if one is given by the bride
Rental of awning for ceremony entrance and carpet for aisle
Transportation and lodging expenses for pastor or rabbi if from another area and if invited to officiate by the bride's family

Groom & His Family's Expenses

Bride's engagement and wedding rings
Groom's gift to his bride
Groom's gifts to his attendants
Boutonnieres for the groom's attendants
Ties and gloves for the groom's attendants, if not part of their clothing rental package
The bride's bouquet in areas where local custom requires it
The bride's going-away corsage
The minister's or rabbi's fee or donation Expenses of the honeymoon
All expenses of the rehearsal dinner, if one is held
Bachelor dinner, if he wishes to give one
Accommodations for the groom's attendants, if required
Corsages for immediate members of both families unless the bride has included them in her florist's order
Transportation and lodging expenses for groom's parents
Transportation and lodging expenses for pastor or rabbi if from another area and if invited to officiate by the groom's family

Bridesmaids & Honor Attendants' Expenses

Apparel and all accessories
Transportation to and from the location of the wedding
A contribution to a gift from all the bridesmaids to the bride
An individual gift to the couple
A shower and/or luncheon for the bride, if given

Best Men & Ushers' Expenses

Responsible for their own transportation and lodging

Out-of-Town Guests' Expenses

Rental of wedding attire
Transportation to and from the location of the wedding
A contribution to a gift from all the groom's attendants to the groom
An individual gift to the couple
A bachelor dinner, if given by the groom's attendants

2010 Wedding Trends For Reception Decor

2010-03-26T13:06:00.000-07:00

The 2010 wedding trends for reception decor emphasizes creativity and individuality. The Knot has a list of six hot trends for any wedding.

1) Props as centerpieces: Re-think the term, reception centerpiece and incorporate decorative accessories (like the kind that are used to spruce up a coffee table, kitchen shelf, or fireplace mantle) into your centerpieces. Sparkly spheres, brilliant mercury glass pieces, or even a retro scale topped with fruit and flowers like this one can become the focal point of the tables.

2) Black accents are back: Think little black lacquer flower vases, black pillows in the lounge area, black glassware. To keep it from looking too dark, choose a deep jewel tone like deep blue, purple, or even red. It’ll give a reception that timelessly chic, formal, time-for-cocktails-and-fun feel

3) Fabric-wrapped vases: Don’t let brides stress over dahlias versus delphiniums. Put the focus on vases by wrapping them in eye-catching fabrics to give them a textured look and feel. To keep the look clean (not messy), choose flowers in the same color like this all-white table here.

4) Great Gatsby Garden decor: Button up a backyard or garden wedding with silver mint julep vases; pretty white garden urns and pedestals, and plenty of little silver cocktail hour trays. Small flower arrangements on crisp cocktail tables will set the scene for an event Jay Gatsby would be proud of.

5) An eclectic mix of monochromatic vases: Like the mix and matched, wildflower, outdoor wedding aesthetic? Choose a monochromatic mix of vases in all different shapes and sizes for the tables filled with colorful flowers for a more streamlined pulled-together look.

6) White bouquets with attention-grabbing wraps: Let the bouquet wrap shine by choosing all-white flowers. Then personalize it by wrapping the stems with beads, sequins, pretty pins, shells, crocheted lace, or even twine are just a few ideas.

Traditional Wedding Rituals

2010-03-18T10:21:00.000-07:00

Did you ever wonder how some of the traditional rituals associated with weddings and marriage had their beginnings? Some are based on romantic myth; some on religion; some on a time when marriage by capture was the mode of the day; and some, of course, on rather odd superstitions. Delve far and deep enough into our past and you find some interesting - and sometimes strange - historical twists and turns on the road of matrimony.

Throwing the Bridal Bouquet and the Bride's Garter
On the bridal night in olden days guests would invade the bridal chamber, seize stockings and throw them backwards over their heads toward the bride and groom. The first female guest to hit the groom would be the next one to marry within a year, and the same applied for the first male to score with the bride's stocking. In retrospect, tossing the bouquet and the garter certainly seems a much more civilized idea!

Sharing the Wedding Cake
When the bride cuts the first slice of cake and offers it to her groom, she is carrying out an early Roman ritual. In Ancient Rome, couples plighted their troth by sharing food. Indeed, sharing food as a symbol of sharing one's life is practiced in many cultures.

Why Bridesmaids Are Dressed Alike
In more superstitious times, the bride and groom were surrounded by friends of similar ages dressed in similar attire, as a way of confusing evil demons. This way the demons could not find the real bride and groom and bring them bad luck. Today's bridesmaids dress alike, as do the groomsmen, as it's a way of confusing any who would wish the couple ill luck.

Wedding Bells and Honking Horns
Loud, honking horns escorting a newly married couple in a motorcade of friends and family may seem to be only high spirits and boisterous public congratulations. True, but its roots go deeper still. Older traditions were clanging bells and shooting guns, both methods of frightening away evil spirits.

Why Is It Called a Honeymoon?
An old Teutonic custom held that the bride and groom ran away together, found a secluded place and spent thirty days, "until the moon waned," drinking hydromel. Hydromel was a fermented drink made with honey.

With this Ring...
Rings have been with us since time began, but how they became so intimately linked to engagement and marriage is another facet of man's social history. Before the minting of coins as currency, gold rings were circulated for that purpose. When a man gave his bride a gold ring, it signified that he trusted her with his property. During Elizabethan times, the gimmal, a set of interlocking rings, was quite popular. One ring of the set would be worn by the intended bride, another by the groom-to-be, and a third by a witness. All three rings would be united on the bride's finger at the marriage ceremony. Today the diamond solitaire, symbolic of wealth and undying love, is the popular choice for American engagements.

The Bride Wears Something Blue
Part of the old litany, "something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue," which prescribes the talismans a bride should wear on her wedding day, was quite specific about the color blue. Wearing a snippet of blue ribbon, or some other bit of blue about her gown, denotes purity, fidelity and love. It was also the color associated with the Virgin Mary.

Rice and Other Fertility Symbols
Showering rice upon the departing, newly married couple is a tradition that seems to have begun in Victorian times. Flowers were sometimes thrown, as well as shoes (satin slippers) in an older custom, but the throwing of rice -- long held as a symbol of fertility -- made its appearance about 1870. Confetti, little paper cutouts of horseshoes, hearts, and other motifs, also became popular to toss at the new couple. Both the rice and the confetti, however, presented some concerns. Though eaten by birds, rice wasn't a healthful item for them, and confetti presented difficulties in cleanup. Birdseed became the accepted substitution for rice, and fresh flower petals are often used. Blowing bubbles, instead of tossing tiny missiles, has become the modern send off for the bridal couple.

The Groom Must Not See His Bride
Tradition holds that the groom must not lay eyes on the bride the day of the ceremony until they meet at the altar. The superstition is that this can bring the couple bad luck, since they have glimpsed the future before it has happened.

Carrying the Bride Over the Threshold
When the groom carries the bride over the threshold, he is reenacting a very old tradition derived from many cultures, and one which can be traced to Roman times. This ritual was carried out to protect the bride from worrisome demons which might be lurking about the new home. If she were to trip entering the doorway, it would bring bad luck to the couple. This unhappy chance was avoided by carrying her through the doorway and over the threshold.

The Meaning Of Tulip And Why Tulip Should Be Your Wedding Flower

2010-03-03T05:52:00.000-08:00

Tulips should be considered for your wedding for both their visual appealing and deep meanings. Tulips, with its striking flower at the top, grab your eyes directly. Their flowers are never too big or too small, too strong at smell, just fit your taste.

Tulips have a variety of more than 100 species. With different colors, they represent different themes and meanings. Red tulips mean love and affection. Purple tulips represent royalty, dignity and devotion. Yellow tulips used to represent failure love, later they come to mean the friendship, sunshine and brightness. Tulips do not have a lot of negative meanings which is also why they are generally accepted.

Tulips flower last very long and as a kind of fresh cut flower; you may enjoy the full beauty of it. With tulips as your wedding flower, you may have a more joyful and sunny life!!

Spring Wedding Ideas

2010-02-15T10:44:00.001-08:00

Spring is a time of rebirth and renewal – a perfect time for the new adventure that a marriage brings. Yet in the race for most popular time of year to get married, spring is a distant third place behind summer and autumn. This is good news if you're planning a spring wedding, as more top-notch vendors will be available, and you may be able to get discounted rates, especially on sites and travel. If you're considering a spring wedding, start off by thinking about your favorite parts of the season. Is it crocuses poking up through snow? Perhaps you'll want to have a wedding early in the season, and offer the respite of floral abundance and warmth when guests come in from the cold. If it's the emerging sunshine, choose bright colors and May weather.
Here are some ideas to get you started on planning your spring wedding:
When to Have a Spring Wedding:
If you're getting married in a church, talk to them about their Easter decorations. You may be able to save money by using theirs. Vendors and sites may be more available in the spring than in the summer, but remember prom; you may need to book limousines and tuxedos extra early.
Spring Wedding Dresses:
Most wedding dresses seem made for a spring wedding. Wedding magazines are full of large skirts that may be too warm for the summer, and sleeveless tops that may be too cold for winter. Look for a versatile dress that can be paired with a wrap if you're chilly, yet is still light and airy. Many more brides these days are opting for a hint of color in their wedding dresses – be it a baby blue sash, an allover hint of pink, or light colorful embroidery. These touches will look perfect at a spring wedding.
Attire for the Wedding Party:
When dressing for a spring wedding, keep in mind that the weather can be dodgy. You may have 70 degrees and sunshine, or you may end up with a damp, chilly day. Choose dresses with sleeves on them, give your bridesmaids wraps to wear as their bridesmaid gift, or go for a vintage look with cardigan sweaters. Spring weddings are full of the classic (and sometimes dreaded) pastel bridesmaid dress. Make things easier on your bridesmaids by allowing them to choose the color or cut of their dress, and you'll hear far fewer complaints. Or go in a different direction with turquoise or lime green dresses, accompanied by pink bouquets. For a daytime wedding, men look dapper in tan suits, a colored shirts and coordinating ties. Because of April showers, avoid putting your wedding party in satin shoes, and consider buying them matching large umbrellas, just in case. Don't worry if it rains; there's something so romantic about a bride and groom under a big black umbrella, shining and smiling in love.
Spring Wedding Menu Ideas:
Celebrate spring in your menu with fresh young vegetables such as baby carrots, baby asparagus (or regular asparagus), new potatoes, sugar snap peas, and haricots verts. Gently evoke Easter with a chocolate cake with coconut icing. You could also opt for carrot cake with a cream cheese icing. Strawberries, rhubarb, and apricots are delicious at this time of year, and mangos and pomegranates may work as well. Try phyllo dough cups with mousse or custard topped with strawberries.
Decorations:
The preppy pink and green color combination couldn't be more spring-like, and is perfect for a beautiful, fresh spring wedding. Accent your tables with polka-dot or gingham fabrics and ribbons, and use alternating pink and green chair colors. For a more elegant look, combine celadon green with white, using silver as an accent color. If you're having an outdoor wedding and a fair amount of children, a may pole does double duty as entertainment and elegant decoration. Instead of rice, consider asking your guests to throw rose petals, or release butterflies.
Spring Wedding Flowers:
Flowers in season include roses, tulips, hyacinth, lilies and Gerber daisies. Multi-colored calla lilies are very popular and look beautiful in a spring arrangement. Combine a dozen with lemon leaf or maiden hair, or create a simple hand tied nosegay. For centerpieces, subtly evoke the Easter season by using white baskets filled with oasis floral form and an abundance of spring flowers. An inexpensive centerpiece for a garden wedding is a terracotta pot with a spring-moss or ivy covered Styrofoam ball affixed to it. Add small candles around it and/or some rose petals.Consider tying your bouquet with polka-dot or striped ribbon in a bright or pastel color, adding a bit of unexpected pattern and freshness.

Choosing Your Wedding Flowers

2009-12-21T14:09:00.000-08:00

What is a wedding without flowers? Well, although one can get married with no flowers, it just doesn’t have that same traditional and romantic feel of a wedding adorned with beautiful wedding flowers. So I guess one can say, flowers are a very essential part of any wedding but not everyone getting married has the same budget to spend on flowers.
When choosing your wedding ceremony flowers, every couple must agree to a flower budget. Once you have your budget in mind then it is time to consult with your florist. A good florist will help you get the most out of your money and help you select the perfect flowers that will both accent your wedding beautifully but also keep you within your budget.
Convey to your florist what your wedding theme or colors are. That will help them in selecting flowers for your wedding that will look terrific yet keep you within your designated budget. If you are having a simple wedding, stick with less elaborate corsages. If you are having a solid color theme, stay away from too many colors in your wedding floral decorations.
A good florist will be able to walk you through your flower selections with ease and be considerate of your budget while making sure the quality you expect out of your wedding flowers is maintained. You can trust that George Thomas Florist will do everything within their powers to make sure your wedding flowers will look just as elegant as the bride.

Flowers for Your Wedding

2009-12-19T05:57:00.000-08:00

When it comes to flowers, Weddings are one of the largest events. More flowers are used on a single wedding day than any other day of the year. Weddings are big occasions for everyone involved; from the bride all the way down to the caterer – and the flowers are no exception. The flowers are an important part of the wedding. Without the flowers a wedding would be a very drab affair. The flowers add decoration to the wedding location, but they also give the wedding energy and life.

Many times the wedding flowers are made up from the favorite blooms of the bride-to-be along with other flowers for the color of the bloom, which will fit in with the dress colors chosen by the bride-to-be. The flowers and the colors of the wedding theme will go hand in hand. It has been said that many look at the wedding flower arrangements online, but most never buy their wedding flower arrangement from the web.

Many brides-to-be don’t really have a clue as to the type of arrangement or how they want their bouquet arranged, so they must look at pictures. Because weddings take so much time to plan, and in almost all parts of the planning the bride-to-be must be present, so it stands to reason the bride-to-be does not have a lot of free time when the wedding is in the planning stages.

In order for them to have some ideas regarding the wedding arrangements, the bride needs to look at pictures. Her options there would be to visit the florist and look at the pictures they have in books, or they can look on the web. The web can be accessed at all hours of the day or night. Many smaller florists close by 5 or 6pm and don’t open again until 9 or 10am the following day. The bride-to-be will find it easier to find time to look on the web. She will be able to look at the pictures several times before making her final decision. She can then print out the pictures to take to the local florist or to give to her wedding planner.

If she lives in the Indianapolis, IN area, the florist on the web she is looking at could also be the local florist (George Thomas Florist) she chooses for her wedding arrangements. Indianapolis Wedding Flowers has an extensive web site, which includes wedding arrangement as well as a location close by in Indianapolis.

Planning a Christmas Wedding

2009-12-01T06:57:00.000-08:00

It's the most wonderful time of the year, your family is gathered around you, and the church is already decorated. Why not have a Christmas wedding? Here are ideas and tips to have a fantastic Christmas wedding with all the trimmings.
Wedding Colors:
Red and green are natural colors for a Christmas wedding – It is likely that your church or reception site will already be decorated in red and green for other events and holiday parties. Other possibilities, which will work with existing decorations, include:
silver and white
silver and light blue
burgundy, forest green, and gold gold and cream
Christmas Wedding Invitations:
You'll want to reflect the season and your theme, but you won't want it to look like a holiday card. The solution? Forgo a folded card, opting for the traditional thick white card, with a border and engraved or thermo-graphed text. You can highlight the Christmas wedding theme in the border with white snowflakes, an elegant holly trim, or a drawing of a poinsettia. Since people make plans for the holidays early, and often have many parties and events to attend at this time of year, you'll want to send your invitations a little bit early – about 12 weeks before the event. You might also consider "save the date" cards in addition to the invitations, which will ensure that those most important to you will be able to attend.
Wedding Cake:
Having each tier look like an individually wrapped package is a popular look that is perfect for a Christmas wedding. You might also do a take on a buche noel or yule log, with a tiered chocolate cake that has holly – either real or made of gum paste –cascading down the side. Use marzipan, an almond paste used in many holiday desserts, as a filling.
Bridesmaids Attire for a Christmas Wedding:
Our favorite bridesmaid look for a Christmas wedding is long dresses with shrugs or capelets and a big faux-fur muff. But you can dress them in your wedding colors, give them long wraps or sparkly accessories, all of which will help evoke your theme.
And the Bride Wore:
A Christmas wedding dress needn't be that different from any other kind. Wear the one that flatters you most, and top it off with a long red velvet cape. Or embrace the trend of color in wedding dresses by adding a beautiful red silk sash to the waist of your gown. You could also seek a dress with lots of sparkly beads and sequins to evoke the snowiness of the season. And of course, a faux-fur wrap and muff are always fun.
Flowers and Décor:
Since flowers can be more expensive at this time of year, think creatively. A mirrored platter with pillar candles and sprigs of holly is both elegant and romantic. Buy ornaments in bulk on-line, and create centerpieces of bowls or vases of ornaments. For a simple but elegant look, put pots of poinsettia with a ribbon trim in the center of each table. Fake snow used to be tacky, but there are now very good products available. Set candles or small flower arrangements in the middle of snow. And for our favorite touch, use fake snow instead of an aisle runner. Or, you can always hire a snow-making machine to really make your Christmas wedding a winter wonderland.

Bug Off! Keeping Bugs Away at Your Outdoor Wedding

2009-07-01T04:00:00.000-07:00

Ahh, the sights and sounds of an outdoor wedding: the beauty of nature all around, the sound of birds chirping, the lovely sight of flowers blooming, and the swarming mosquitoes headed straight for you! While almost all aspects of having an outdoor wedding are pleasant, being attacked by annoying insects is not - for you or your guests! Take the following precautions to make sure everyone comes away unbitten.

Timing - There are certain times of day that are more "buggy" than others - particularly at dusk. Try to schedule your day around it if it’s impossible to avoid all insect - laden times of day. You don’t want your guests (or you!) to be slapping off mosquitoes while you say "I do." And since it’s likely that at your reception, guests will be dancing-the-night-away (and with the help of a little champagne) they won’t notice the swarming bugs as much.

Citronella - Stock up on torches and candles containing citronella. Citronella is a natural oil that deters insects and is widely available. Place the torches and candles around your reception area to ward off flying pests. This will help keep bug number down inside your tent.

Repellent - If you’re worried that insects will be a particularly pesty problem at your wedding, equip your guests with a travel sized bottle of bug repellent. You can hand them out at your ceremony or include them in your out-of-town guest welcome baskets. Other insect repellent products on the market include: small packets of repellent wipes as well as patches. Do your homework and find out what will work best for you.

For the Kids - Many mainstream bug repellents are not safe for children to use. If there will be children at your wedding, make sure to purchase kid-friendly bug repellent for your littlest guests. Their parents will be very grateful.

Cover Up - In addition to bug repellents; encourage your guests to wear and/or bring along clothing to cover bare skin if possible. They’ll come away with fewer bug bites and have a much happier time at your celebration.

Natural Alternatives - If chemically-based insect repellents aren’t your thing, there are many natural oils that discourage those little buggers from attacking; like Eucalyptus and Lemongrass.

There you have it! Easy precautions that your guests will very much appreciate. Enjoy your wedding without the buzz from the mosquitoes, but instead from a cocktail or two!

Beautiful Blooms

2009-06-14T05:17:00.000-07:00

Flowers will be a big part of your wedding. Bouquets, boutonnieres, centerpieces, corsages, posies and flower girl baskets are just a few of the many options available to you.
Melissa Miller, of George Thomas Florist in Indianapolis, will ensure that your blooms are lush, elegant and above all, beautiful.
Working with clients to create a unique concept for their entire event, Melissa guarantees that your event will have a distinct look and feel, whether it is a small intimate affair or a large ballroom reception.
And when it comes time to toss your bouquet, you may want to save yours (contact floral preservationists Freeze Frame) and toss a "fake" one instead.
View the Beautiful Blooms Gallery here.

Picking Your Cast of Characters: Supporting VIPs

2009-06-01T04:00:00.000-07:00

Your bridal party would not be complete without these special supporting characters.

Ring bearer
This adorable {preferably non-fidgety} boy or girl, aged four to eight, walks down the aisle carrying a small decorative pillow with fake wedding bands tied to the middle.

Flower girl/child
Wee ones aged three through eight who walk down the aisle before the bride, scattering flower petals from a basket {or carrying a pomander}. Little ladies are the norm, but cute little boys can fill this role, too. Most flower children sit with their parents after completing their stroll.

Mother of the bride
The bride's mom may serve as guest list moderator, traditional reception hostess, fashion critic, and cheerleader. Other possible duties include researching family and ethnic traditions, attending the shower and rehearsal dinner, and dancing the night away at the reception. The nature of the bride's mother's role is entirely up to the bride.

Father of the bride
In traditional wedding circles, this guy fronts most of the cash -- that's no small feat. In addition, brides' dads have picked up additional to-dos along the way. Dad's chores might include airport duty, coordinating maps/directions to the wedding site, scouting potential locations, doling out tips to wedding day staff, and a variety of toasting and hosting tasks.

Mother of the groom
The groom's mom can assume any of the bride's mom's responsibilities, if she's up for it. Dole out to-dos diplomatically to prevent conflicts. She attends the shower, and is escorted down the aisle during the prelude. Her shining moment? The mother/son dance.

Father of the groom
He used to get away with fading into the woodwork, but nowadays he's suited up for action. In terms of cost contribution, the groom's dad traditionally pays for a few major items, notably the rehearsal dinner. He might also fulfill numerous dancing, toasting, and "manly" obligations {i.e., escort elderly women, move tables, address problematic service}. It's nice, too, if he checks in with the bride's dad occasionally to offer moral support.

Size Does Matter

2009-05-14T05:07:00.000-07:00

When choosing your bridal bouquet make sure that the design and style of the blooms fits the style of your dress, wedding and is sized to fit you. Bouquets can get really heavy and you don’t want to be weighed down on one side, nor do you want to have to use both hands at all time – where would you hold the champagne glass?
Talk to your florist about the colors of your wedding palette and the style of your wedding dress. A full ballgown can be paired with a round bouquet or cascade shaped, while if you’re wearing a slimmer gown you may want to order a posy or nosegay. And the same rule applies for the space. An ornate ballroom would match well with a fuller bouquet, while a modern, simple bouquet would be perfect in a loft space.
The bouquet pictured above was designed by George Thomas Florist located in Indianapolis, IN and servicing brides in the Indianapolis, IN metro area. George Thomas Florist designs are so romantic. If you don't live near Indianapolis I highly recommend checking out their site for beautiful inspiration.

Bouquet Jewelry

2009-04-13T13:01:00.000-07:00

Bouquet jewelry has become the hot new bridal accessory for your bridal bouquets this season. This new fashion trend allows brides to personalize their bouquet in an entirely new way!

Bridal bouquet jewels vary in size, shape and price. For a touch of glamor, a few crystals placed throughout the bouquet will add the perfect sparkle.

For an elegant look, choose from varying shades of pearl. For a touch of tradition, add a crystal monogram using you and your husband’s initials.

For sentimental purposes, you add the initials of a lost loved one. This is a simple way to include their memory in your walk down the aisle.

To add a hint of fun to your bouquet, many companies offer a selection of jewels in the shape of animals, hearts, flowers, bows, and beach related items.

The jewelry is often inserted into the center of each flower using a wired post, but may also be attached to the stem and accompanying ribbon.

Bridal bouquet jewelry is not limited to only the bride's bouquet, but may also be used to add a little something extra to bridesmaid's flowers, boutonnieres, table centerpieces, bridal party hair styles, and even the wedding cake!

Bouquet jewelry is a relatively inexpensive way to create a unique and personalized touch to your special day. They can also be used long after your wedding in other floral arrangements and special occasion centerpieces!

What's Your Something Blue?

2009-03-12T09:53:00.000-07:00

Something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue - that’s the old wedding adage, right? If you’re unsure about what your "something blue" is going to be - take a few hints from the following list. Surely it’ll spark a few ideas for you.

Blue Undies - A fun choice for many brides is to invest in a pair of blue panties. Try them on under your dress before your wedding to make sure they don’t show through!

Hanky Panky - Many brides carry a blue handkerchief or have a white handkerchief embroidered with blue thread.

Embroider it Blue - Speaking of embroidery, you can also have the inside of your dress embroidered with your new initials or some other inspiring message.

Blue Bag - Opt for a blue clutch or purse to take along with you to the reception.

Jewelry - There are many beautiful blue stones including: sapphires, lapis, aquamarine, turquoise, chalcedony, and tanzanite to name a few.

Sash - A blue sash will look stunning with your gown just as long as the style of your dress accommodates.

Wedding Gown - If blue is your color, consider purchasing a blue - hued dress for your wedding day. Even just a slight tint of blue will do.

Blue (Suede?) Shoes - Suede or not, blue shoes are all the rage.

Blue Bouquet - There are many beautiful blue flower choices including: Hyacinth, Delphiniums, Statice and Sea Holly.

Veil - A blue veil? Yep, they’re out there. If you’re more of the traditional type, you’ll find white veils with blue edging as well.

Blue Tattoo - A temporary tattoo, of course, (or a real one if you desire.) This is fun way to incorporate blue into your day. Who knows, you may even inspire your husband to get one too!

Simple and Elegant - What Does This Mean To You

2009-02-12T07:39:00.000-08:00

"Simple and elegant" is a catch phrase often used by Brides to describe their desired look and feel for their Wedding.

But what does it mean?

We have discovered that it means many different things to many different people. It is a widely subjective phrase, and in our opionion it is OVERUSED! If this is one of your phrases then expand on the idea. Approach your vendors with other, select words that can describe what you envision.

Think of words that can fine-tune your visual....words that can better (and more precisely) describe texture, colour, feeling, mood, contrast, theme etc....and if all else fails, start a collection of pictures.