Wedding flowers by Scarlet Petal Florist Chicago, IL

Top Ten Things to Know Before Your Floral Consultation

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday and happy new year!

As we head into 2012, I know many of you might feel the pressure of securing all of your vendors for your big day. It's true, florists like us are booked up to a year in advance. If you haven't already, pick up the phone and start scheduling your consultations.

To make the most of your time during your floral consultation, do your homework beforehand. Here's what to know before coming in:

1. Reception Venue: Make sure to have this booked first, then bring in your contract, possible floorplan, and any other special requirements, like special vendor insurance coverage, before visiting your florist. The more we know about your space, the better we can assist with your design elements.
2. Color Palette: While I know many of you struggle with this, it's best to have a few colors in mind before sitting down with your florist. From there, we can coach you on whether or not it will work with your flower selection and reception venue.
3. Bridal Party Members: Make sure to have picked your bridesmaids and groomsmen. Also think about others who you would like to honor with flowers. Traditionally, mothers, fathers,  grandparents, flower girls, ring bearers, readers, and ushers receive these.
4. Ceremony Location: Some churches and temples have restrictions on decorations. Ask if they have a list of requirements that you can provide to your florist.
   
5. Favorite Flowers: If you have a list of flowers you would like to see incorporated into your arrangements, bring it along. Please remember, many flowers are seasonal or novelty varieties, preventing even the most resourceful florist to procure them.
   
6. Number of Guests Invited: This is helpful to know when proposing the number of table centerpieces. It also helps us work within your budget parameters.
   
7. Floral Budget: The average cost of wedding flowers is 10% of the entire cost of your wedding (less your dress and rings). This is a good rule of thumb to follow when figuring out how much you will need to spend.
   
8. Personal Style: Flowers today represent your personal style. Take some time to flip through magazines, websites, and blogs and print out or email these to your florist before your consultation. This will help them guide you during your floral selection. If you have found your dress or bridesmaid dresses, bring pictures or fabric swatches along with you.
   
9. Lighting Requirements: Often times certain reception sites lack luster in their decor. It may appear to be a blank canvas, with little to be inspired by the architecture of the space. Here is where lighting can make a huge difference in the overall decor. Whether it's candlelight or beyond, it would be worth asking your venue if they have any restrictions before incorporating it into your space.
   
10. Linen Options: Ask your venue what types of linen come with your package. If working with a caterer, find out what is included in your contract. Linen color and texture can make a huge impact on your entire table display.
    

Anthropologie's gone bridal!

If I were to get married all over again, I would DEFINITELY shop for my bridesmaid's dresses and accessories at BHLDN (beholden), Anthropologie's new wedding brand. Maybe they felt the heat from competitors like J. Crew... Whatever the reason is, they take the cake in my eyes! Speaking of cake, in May the site will add cake plates, wedding decor, place cards, and other accessories to complete your wedding decor.

Here are a few images I stole off their website for a sneak peek. Take a look and tell me what you think!

Cafe Brauer Wedding: Caralyn and Rick

I absolutely loved working with Caralyn and Rick! It was truly a family affair from the day we sat down to chat about their special day. Caralyn's family flew in from New York and she and Rick flew in from California. Regardless of the distance between them, they were as close as any family could be. Sometimes it's difficult to plan a wedding with too many "cooks in the kitchen," but this family had a such positive and supportive energy from the start.

Caralyn and Rick come from Jewish and Greek backgrounds, which were both celebrated on their special day. We snapped a photo of the chuppah used on the south loggia. They wanted it simply decorated with a few flowers used throughout the wedding. It was a smart decision given the gorgeous surroundings of the Chicago skyline.

I love that about Cafe Brauer. The loggias offer gorgeous views and the Great Hall offers stunning cathedral ceilings. We strung over 150 votives to twinkle from the ceiling as the evening grew darker. It was stunning!

Caralyn and Rick wanted to keep the centerpieces low to avoid blocking the view of guests. Since candlelight was a theme we carried out throughout the evening, we decided to incorporate them in the centerpiece by floating a trio in the center cylinders. A lush gathering of green, blue, and purple hydrangea surrounded the trio featuring special blooms like succulents, calla lilies, roses, cymbidium orchids, and vanda orchids. The rich color palette was gorgeous in the venue. 

Here's a storyboard of a few shots we captured to paint a picture of their special day. I promise to post more as the professional shots become available!

Chicago Style Unveiled

We recently found ourselves featured on a fabulous new wedding site called Chicago Style Unveiled. It’s a new wedding site to Chicago, but is already established in San Francisco, Portland, and Los Angeles.  

I found myself perusing the ‘real weddings’ photos taken right here in Chicago by some of the best photographers in the city. It’s a small selection now, but given the site’s recent launch I would imagine it growing exponentially over the course of time. 

Here's a clip from our featured wedding:

Click here to view all of Amy and Gary’s big day at The James Hotel.

One noteworthy mention, this site does a really good job of differentiating itself to others by focusing on conservation. Their ‘Eco-Chic’ page lists 101 ways to ‘go green’ on your wedding day!  They also encourage other brides to write in on ways they have helped the cause.  

Keep this one on the radar and check back often for updates.

www.twitter.com/styleunveiled

Beyond the Basics: Aisle Runners

When our brides come in to chat about their ceremony décor, most request a traditional white aisle runner. Historically, white aisle runners date back to the days where guests were forced to travel through muddy, unpaved streets to attend a loved one’s wedding.  Once inside the church, paths of muddy footprints were tracked across the floor. The last thing a bride in a white gown would want to do is walk down a muddied pathway, hence the white aisle runner. Groomsmen and the like would draw down the runner just before the bride was led down the aisle.

Well, times have changed and so should your runner! I welcome you to become inspired by the collection of photos below. We created a gorgeous runner for a wedding we just did recently at the Chicago History Museum. I have also pulled a few from other various sites on the web (click on the photo for more information).

Remember, the sky is the limit!

Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chicago History Museum Wedding, Scarlet Petal

Flower Effects

I was reading my newsletter today distributed by Florabundance, a fabulous wholesale market out of California. They informed me of how different flowers effect things like our mood, nervous systems, allergies and even stress. I was so intrigued by their insight that I wanted to share it with all of you. I plan to relax tonight next to a soft bunch of Bells of Ireland. :) 

Happy reading!

Florabundance.com

Enhance alertness with Sunflowers: yellow light waves stimulate the brain, making people alert, clearheaded and decisive. Also, because people generally associate yellow with the sun's rays and daylight, yellow is said to help people feel more optimistic.

Relax with Bells of Ireland: green affects the nervous system, allowing people to breathe slowly and deeply, slowing the production of stress hormones and helpng the heart to relax.

Get a good night's sleep with Delphinium: blue triggers the production of melatonin, a brain chemical that helps with relaxation and sleep. Blue also stimulates the thyroid gland to release thyroxin, a hormone that regulates metabolic rate.

Boost confidence with Irises: the color indigo stimulates the brain's pineal gland, which is the regulator of sleep patterns. Indigo also helps to free the mind of worries, fears and inhibitions.

Prevent allergies with orange Daisies: orange strengthens the immune system and the lungs, which can ward off spring allergies. Orange also has a strong beneficial effect on the digestive system and can stimulate the sexual organs.

Relieve stress with Lilacs: violet has a cooling effect, aleviating "hot" conditions like heat rash and sunburn, and suppressing hunger and balancing metabolism. It also stimulates the pituitary gland, the part of the brain that releases tension-fighting beta-endorphins.

Memory Table

I always love when our brides personalize their wedding receptions with photo displays. It's like opening up a treasure chest full of beautiful memories.

Some of your guests will have long roots with you and your future spouse while others might not be as familiar with your background. One of the best ways to remind your long time friends and family members of memorable moments and to share some favorite past experiences with new friends, coworkers, and acquaintances is to have a memory table.

Memory tables are an assortment of favorite photographs of the bride and groom showing images from childhood, cherished memories with best friends, moments that made the special couple falling in love, or photos of loved ones who passed away that you would like to honor and have their memory be part of the special day.  They can be uniquely displayed on decorative trees or in elegant frames surrounded by votive candles.

Whatever you choose, remember to be creative, thoughtful, and to honor your family and friendship history.