Adding A Little 'Fall Color' to Your Bridal Bouquet

This time of year when most think 'Summer is over' but it's too early for all that blazing Autumn Color . . . hmmmmm what to do!!! Here is one of my favorite suggestions . . just add a touch!!! Like the leaves, the colors are just beginning to change so 'POP' in a wee bit to satisfy your Fall craving!!!

Flowers & Candlelight

Some things just naturally go together .... Peanut Butter & Chocolate, Pizza & Beer, Baseball & Hot Dogs and then we have another great union . . .
Flowers & Candlelight the PERFECT duo for any event!

Zara's Flowers

There are 'star gazers', 'people watchers' and those of us who just want to see the 'flowers'!!!

I was interested to see what Zara Phillips was going to carry on her special day! It turned out to be a European hand-tied bouquet that was created by a London based designer, Paul Thomas, and featured flawless White Calla Lilies, 'Silvery' Dusty Miller foliage and a 'kiss' of blue from Sea Holly also affectionately referred to as 'thistles' ... which by the way is the National Emblem of Scotland and I thought it it was thoughtful to have them included in the design! Zara's bridal attendants carried a mini-version of her bouquet.

The entire look is a very traditional Bridal White with soft blue filtering through . . and I feel it complimented Zara's dress and the entire Wedding Theme beautifully.

OH and I almost forgot these beauties!!!

Gorgeous white clouds of Hydrangeas, Roses and more of those wonderful Blue Sea Holly Thistles!!!

Finding the Right Bouquet

Just like the vegetables in a soup, flowers are all different and that is what makes them so interesting! Some of them are Bright & Bold, Soft & Delicate, Wild & Free and I could go on and on about describing them. I realize that trying to find the right flowers that will fit can sometimes be a daunting task for those who are planning a Wedding, Celebration or Special Event.
There are mountains of Specialty Books, Media, Websites, Blogs, Bridal Expos, etc. all devoted to the subject but how do you know what will work and what won't?
Yes, it's true that many flowers can be obtained 'any time' of the year but what you need to remember is that every flower has a season where they SHINE and are at their very best. When they are 'out of season' the quality may go down and the price will go up.
Also, Flowers behave differently after they are harvested and will be used in floral designs. Some are very hardy and can tolerate a European hand-tied design -- roses, calla lilies, freesias, alstromeria, etc. but then there are those like the great big mop head hydrangeas that will just turn into a limp hankie after a few hours when they are put into a hand-tied bouquet and have no water source.
Any flower can be designed into a bouquet and if done properly you will have picture perfect blooms all day that will be showcased for a lifetime in your photos, videos and memory bank!

Light up the Night!

The Holiday Weekend is a time for friends and family to gather and celebrate -- Picnics, Reunions, Weddings, Showers, etc. Here is an easy project you can make for your Summer Gatherings & Events that can bring the beach to you.

This glass jar was an inexpensive find at the local 'Christmas Tree Shop' but you can use any large 'pickle' jar . . my Grandmother had tons of them in her Summer Kitchen.

All you need for this project is your imagination and few items:
Sand, Sea Glass (or just some glass gems that you can purchase at your local craft stores, Shells collected from prior beach holidays, a votive holder and candle of your choice -- we used Citronella votive candles because these lanterns are used outdoors and they provide the ambiance and also keep away those pesky mosquitoes.

You are now set to assemble your lantern and enjoy them this weekend.

There are many other ways you can create this look for your home or upcoming events -- use your imagination and put your own spin on it.

If you decide to make lanterns of your own feel free to share them on Best Buds' Facebook Page -- I would love to see your creations too!!!

Congratulations Kate & William

Congratulations go out to Kate & William

Kate's Simple bouquet speaks volumes in the Language of Flowers

Lily of the Valley -- as legend has it Lily of the Valley had great affection for the nightingale that did not come back to the woods until they bloomed - thus Lily of the Valley means the return of happiness!

Hyacinth - so fragrant stands for 'Loveliness' and Kate could not have been a more lovely bride!

Sweet William - so sentimental to add to her bouquet - this tiny flower stands for 'Gallantry' and William was a Gallant Groom!

and, of course,

Myrtle - this fragrant herb the symbol of 'Fertility'

Well Done Kate!

Royal Wedding

I love Weddings!  Right now Kate Middleton & Prince William are in the spotlight everywhere.

At Best Buds we treat all of our couples like royalty and feel each of them deserves their own Royal Wedding!

More on Bridal Consultations -- Booking Specials & Pre-Consultations Forms

Things have been 'buzzin' at Best Buds this past month . . I have had the pleasure of meeting so many happy couples planning their Weddings and Special Events.  I love talking to people about flowers and helping them select what is right for them and especially in today's economy . . . what will give them the most value for their Wedding Flower Budget. 

 Everyone loves a deal and that is why I offered the Booking Special which ends on 3/31 where you can save $100 on your flower order of $500 or more if you retain my services at the end of our consultation.  This is in addition to the many 'other goodies' I offer to all my clients. 

One of the other items I find very helpful for my clients is the Pre-Consultation Form that I developed this year which they complete and email or fax back to me prior to our meeting.  It allows me to have a first hand view of their personal taste, style and vision as well as providing the necessary information regarding their ceremony location, venue site, etc.  My clients love this service and actually tell me it helps to organize them as well.  This form allows my clients and me to follow their outline as we cover each component of their Wedding and the time just flies when we are talking flowers!!! 

OK . . . that's it for this post.  You still have time to book Best Buds before 3/31.  My goal is to provide you with quality products, personal service and affordable prices -- these are 'bargains' that I offer everyday!

Spring Has Sprung!!!

It's Finally HERE!!!! SPRING HAS SPRUNG!!!

OK, I will try to control my excitement -- but I really have a bad case of Spring Fever. Seriously, this past week of warm weather has caused me to see myself 'coming and going'!!

I have a list that is as wide as the Grand Canyon of everything I WANT to do!

Now that does not mean there are enough hours in the day to do them but I sure try to push the envelope!

Those of you who know me or have been a client of mine are sure to attest to the fact that I am an avid gardener.

Seed Catalogs to me are better than reading any Best Seller!!!

I think my Dad planted the 'seed' of gardening in me when I was a little girl following him like a 'puppy' in our backyard, begging to 'let me help' put the seeds in the ground!

He had a special way to plant everything -- for instance, bean seeds

Ahhh, ' The Lesson of the Bean!'

That is a whole other posting!!!

But if you have not noticed, the bulbs are popping everywhere, the trees are blooming and the perfume of Spring is everywhere!

With Spring -- comes Romance -- that's right -- Love is in the Air!!!

Just watch the birds, the bunnies and the bees!!!

They are all doing the Love Dance!!!

I was intrigued by a pair of Doves at my Bird Feeder -- what a show they were putting on!

Strutting their stuff all around the feeder and birdbath -- too funny!

The Nests are going up like wildfire in our woods (no economic slow down here!)-- the birds are picking apart my porch displays just to get a 'rare' Best Buds' trinket to feather their nests!

So don't let the birds get ahead of you -- dress up that front door of yours with one of my Signature Wreaths

That's right, Best Buds is more than Weddings and Special Events!

My wreaths are ONE OF A KIND!!!

And not only the birds will be cursious about your new wreath, your friends and neighbors will all want to know 'where did you get that beauty?''

Afraid that the birds will try to fly away with your new addition -- don't fret, Best Buds' Wreaths look GREAT anywhere in your home!!!

I will customize your wreath to suit your tastes and colors -- yes, they have to be ordered but believe me they are worth the small wait you will have as I custom create them for YOU!!!

So, remember -- get outdoors

Smell the Flowers!

Watch Mother Nature perform her Magic

And 'Spring' the Good Earth Back to Life!

Celebrate With Flowers

&

Thanks for Following My Blog!!!!

Ask Best Buds!

Well Valentine's Day is over -- we are shoveled out here in PA and getting ready for another drop of snow from the heaven's above! I want to wish my sister, Monica, a great big Happy Birthday today as well!!! She missed being a Valentines' baby by a few minutes!!! Sorry Monica!!!! You still have the LOVE!!!!

This is the time of year for Bridal Shows and having done them in the past I remember the two day marathons of talking talking and more talking!!! I loved it!!!!! I got to meet all these great people and was able to chat about their 'dreams' for the perfect day!!! I came home hoarse but happy.

Best Buds did not sign up to participate as a vendor at the Bridal Shows this year - ahhhh :-(

I decided to take another approach to talk to all of you who have questions -- I started this Blog and put Best Buds Specialty Florists on Facebook (not to be confused with Best of Buds who is also on there) to be able to talk with you about your Wedding, Event, Home Decor, Flower, etc. questions -- all for free. Now I won't be able to give you price quotes and all that 'juicy' stuff without having you come in for a Bridal Consultation -- they too are FREE.

Why the questions? Well sometimes you are looking at flowers and you are not sure if they will hold up, look right -- what works what doesn't - what is affordable -- what is not -- what is in season and all that good stuff. That is where 'Ask Best Buds' comes in. Just another way to help you have what you want. You won't have to stand in line to talk to a floral designer, you won't have to call a local Flower Shop or sit through a consultation 'when you only have a question' - you can sign up to be a follower on this blog, or visit Best Buds on Facebook - become a Fan and get ready to ask your questions because now you have access to a Floral Designer who will be happy to give you an honest answer - no strings attached. If I don't know the answer I will tell you!

I don't know about you but I'm excited to hear from all of you and if you don't have a question that is OK too -- I still would love to hear from you -- share your thoughts, your pictures, your dreams, or just tell us how we are doing and what we can do to be better!

Think Spring -- it's just around the corner!

Snow Storm Creations

Today we are having a Blizzard in PA and I am able to view Mother Nature's Beauty from my Garden Design Studio Window. The snow has been falling like soft feathers since last evening! I currently am working on a new portfolio for designs from 2009 and I came across this delicate Bridal Bouquet and I immediately thought of 'Snow Angels'!!! This very feminine design was created with Ivory Vendella Roses, Pale Bianca Candy Roses and White Mini-Calla Lilies which look very much like the tips of Angel Wings!!!! When I saw this photo I wanted to share it to give you some inspiration on this Snowy Day. If you are not having snow where you live -- then close your eyes and maybe you will feel the tickle of snowflakes on your face.
Well, I must get back to work now. I hope all of you will have a chance today to go outside and make your own Snow Angel! Enjoy and remember to Celebrate with Flowers!