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How to Make a Boutonniere for a Wedding or a Prom

March 4, 2010 By admin 3 Comments


To make a boutonniere for a wedding or prom, choose a flower, remove the greenery, wrap the flower with floral tape, add a filler flower and add any other personal touches. Make sure a boutonniere is as clean and flat as possible with help from a florist in this free video on wedding flowers and floral arrangements. Expert: Christine Holanda Contact: www.lilyofthevalleyfloral.com Bio: Christine Holanda is a florist and the owner of Lily of the Valley Floral Design & Gift Shop in La Quinta, Calif. Filmmaker: Gina Miller-Britton

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Create Your Own Wedding Flowers

February 25, 2010 By admin 4 Comments


www.queenannsflorist.com – 2.5 Minute clip from Queen Ann’s Florist “Create Your Own Wedding Flowers” that teaches how to create wedding flowers, boutonniere (this clip), bridal bouquet, bridesmaid bouquets, nosegay, corsages (rose corsage, orchid corsage) and so on. Visit http for more information.

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Wedding Tuxedo Jackets And Boutonnieres

January 18, 2010 By admin 1 Comment

When it comes to wedding planning, there can often be such a tremendous focus on the bride and her special day that the groom can sometimes feel a little left out. While it cannot be denied that the bride certainly will see to many of the wedding details, there are some details that the groom can take over to ensure there is a little bit of his personality in the wedding as well. Because flowers are such a personal part of the wedding, the boutonniere is a wonderful way for today’s groom to express himself. Traditional boutonnieres are a thing of the past for today’s groom, and here we will show you how to use the most contemporary trends in wedding planning using wholesale cut flowers and wholesale spray roses.

The traditional wedding flower is the rose of course, and even the most contemporary brides are still using this classic flower. This is excellent news for the groom, as the number of flower options for boutonnieres is almost limitless, giving you a variety of combinations of wholesale cut flowers or wholesale spray roses. In fact, some grooms have even found a way to design their own boutonniere around the wedding theme without even using the same flowers as his bride. This gives the bridal party a unique look to symbolize the joining of two unique personalities that blend so beautifully.

When you are choosing the design of your boutonniere, you will want to keep the durability of the flower in mind. These flowers will be worn on jackets that will be worn and walked around in all day. Wholesale cut flowers or wholesale spray roses are flowers that have stood the test of time in weddings gone by, and are well known to last every hug on a wedding day. When you are designing your boutonniere, you want to stay away from flowers that may wilt in heat, or that require water after a few hours.

If you are want to go with a groom’s look that is in line with the most contemporary wedding trends today, you may consider adding a little glam to your boutonniere. Wholesale cut flowers are simply stunning with a little crystal stem wrap, and wholesale spray roses are livened up instantly with a crystal bud amongst the petals. This look today is a signature way for any groom to make his own statement. Using durable blooms such as wholesale cut flowers and wholesale spray roses will be a wonderful way to add a little glitz to your wedding look.

If you are choosing wholesale spray roses, or wholesale cut flowers that are different from the flowers your bride is choosing, you can choose a flower color that will match hers to blend the bridal party together. Choose your tux color to contrast the colors of the wholesale spray roses or wholesale cut flowers you will be choosing. A lighter colored flower looks nicer against a darker tuxedo, and likewise the darker colors such as red will contrast beautifully with a white tuxedo. There are many ways you can incorporate our own personality into this one detail of your wedding.

Have any wedding questions? Get all the answers you need now at Rachael West Designs.

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Questions About Boutonnieres And Corsages

January 17, 2010 By admin 1 Comment

Or can you wear it at other proms too?
Oh okay cool!
And also, if I’m wearing a yellow dress, what color should my corsage and his boutonniere be?1. Is my date available?

If it is, check to see if a deposit is necessary to hold the date. Also ask if there is any consultation fee. Inquire as to whether you can receive a price proposal before deposit its placed.

2. Do you have actual photographs or samples of your past work?

It’s important to see the work of the actual florist not air brushed photos from a FTD book. There is no better way to see if their style complements your tastes and verify just how skilled they are.

3. Is there a delivery or set-up fee?

Watch out this can be a substantial extra charge. Most florists will charge a delivery and set-up fee especially if you have either complex flower arrangements or a site that is a long distance from their shop. If the charge is high, consider finding a florist closer to the site or cut back on the complicated decorations.

4. Do you offer any silk or dried flower arrangements?

This may be important to you if you want to save your bouquet or want an unusual look for a table centerpiece. Sometimes these two options may be less expensive than fresh flowers, especially for some exotics like orchids. A table centerpiece idea: dried rose topiaries double as an elegant keepsake.

5. How many weddings do you do in a day?

The biggest problem with some florists is that they become over-extended trying to do too many weddings in one day. A florist can probably do two or three events a day if the events are held at different times or the florist has plenty of help. If the florist schedule looks crowded for your wedding date, they may arrive late or deliver the wrong flowers. Be sure to look for someone focused on your wedding not just your checkbook.

6. Are you familiar with my ceremony and reception site locations?

If not, will you visit it with me? It may be a good idea to introduce your florist to the ceremony or reception site if they have never seen it. Ask if there is any charge for this on-site visit.

7. What rental items do you have? How are they priced?

Some things you many want to rent include a candelabrum, aisle standards or urns. The best florists don’t over charge on rentals. One way to find out is to compare prices with a local rental store. A common markup for florists is about 10% for their time to coordinate this detail. If you would prefer to rent the items yourself because you can get a better price, be sure you have the time to pick up and return the items.

8. Can I attend one of your weddings during set-up for a look at your designs?

Here is another way to determine how professional and talented your florist is. You will need to visit during set-up and leave before the wedding party arrives. Try not to interrupt the florists or their staff while they work (save your questions for later.) Look for timeliness, freshness of the flowers, and how well the florist and staff work together.

9. What time will you be at my ceremony and reception sites to set up my wedding?

Confirm this time constantly throughout your planning. Many florists set up weddings a couple of hours in advance. If this is the case with your wedding, make sure the temperature at your site will not be too hot for the flowers.

10. Will you merely drop off my flowers or stay through the ceremony?

The degree of service here differs dramatically from florist to florist. Some just drop off the flowers for the ceremony and leave, while others will stay to pin on corsages, make sure nothing is missing etc. There will be an extra fee of generally $50-75 for this service; however this could be a worthwhile investment.

11. What happens if the flowers I pick are not available for my wedding?

How will you determine what flowers to substitute?

Have any wedding questions? Get all the answers you need now at Rachael West Designs.

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Wedding Money-Savers

January 5, 2010 By admin 1 Comment

he wedding industry is one of the most successful industries in America. A typical, average wedding can cost anywhere from 10,000 to 30,000 dollars. Especially in today’s economy, this can be an extreme stress on a family’s funds. There are many ways to save money on the big day, and here are a few ideas!

1. The Cake

Have a loved one make it. Especially if there is a grandmother or aunt or friend who makes delicious desserts, this can prove perfect for a simple, inexpensive (if not free!) option. Also, throw out the net for local cake-makers. There may be a family friend, or person in your church, or something of the like who makes cakes on the side and would be available to make an inexpensive (or discounted), beautifully done cake. There are many options for decorating your cake yourself, simply and inexpensively. One idea is to use lace in the color of your choice along the base of the cake, to add a delicate, detailed touch. Also, the addition of simple leaves and small flower buds can add color and texture, without much cost. One last option is to have a very simple, two layer cake (so as to fulfill the tradition of saving the top layer for the first anniversary celebration), and top it with a cake topper. While this original idea is somewhat old-fashioned, a fabulous place to look for contemporary cake toppers with a lot of pizzazz is weddingstar.com, the website of a great bridal magazine. There is a link specifically for their cake toppers, which are unique and fun, and cater to any couple’s personalities!

2. Other Desserts

Another unique dessert option, which isn’t necessarily for everyone, is to have a potluck-style dessert table. Call up aunts, grandmothers, family friends who are excellent bakers, etc. and ask them each cook their “famous” dessert/cake, and dress it up on a fancy dish to be placed on a table in the reception area. More than likely, it will be an exciting, flattering opportunity for them to contribute to your special day. The dessert table can be a nice, decent sized table that can be decorated and placed in the location of your choice in the reception area. If you’d like a more uniform look, you may even have matching dishes ahead of time to host each different dessert. A fun accompanying idea is to have each lady walk in, in a scheduled “Cake Walk”, complete with music, as they place each of their desserts on the table. This idea is definitely for a more intimate, casual wedding.

3. The Flowers

For the bouquets, if you don’t have a close friend or acquaintance that does flowers on the side, it can be very financially beneficial to put a bouquet together yourself, or with the help of your bridesmaids. Or, if going to a flower shop to request a bouquet, research the flowers ahead of time, to see which ones tend to be more expensive, and put together a list of flowers that are the shapes and colors you’d like. Also, consider having flowers only in the wedding party – the bouquets, and boutonnieres. Overall ceremony and reception decoration costs can be greatly cut down by using cost-effective alternatives, as flowers can be one of the most expensive components to the décor. Look into fabrics, mirrors, stones, branches, lanterns, candle stands, etc. instead of flower centerpieces.

4. Personalization

The cost of things such as wedding invitations and wedding favors can really add up. A little tip for these is to have a unified personalization, such as an initialed stamp, to put to use in every possible way. With something like a stamp, even the napkins can be personalized individually, rather than having to pay the price for fancy printed napkins. Wedding favors can be as simple as a picture, a CD of favorite songs, a self-decorated ornament, a container of bubbles or bells, etc. There are many ways to make wedding favors personal, and next to nothing in cost. Don’t fret about the little things; don’t spend too much on something that might be cute, but not very useful to your guests.

Be creative in your brainstorming for unique ideas to save on your wedding. Take a moment to ignore the normal expectations of a wedding, and come up with your own thoughts on what this day should be. There are many ideas out there to save money, and it’s never out of the question to come up with more and more of your own! Decide what’s most important – what you don’t want to skimp on – and creatively cut corners to make those things happen.

Have any wedding questions? Get all the answers you need now at Rachael West Designs.

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Handsome Boutonnieres For the Groom

December 23, 2009 By admin 1 Comment

The men in a wedding tend to be overlooked a bit. All of the focus is on the bride, especially when it comes to the wedding ensemble. The groom and his attendants may not have as many options as the bride, but they can still add a dash of style to their suits with a handsome boutonniere.

There are almost as many choices for boutonnieres as there options for the bride’s bouquet. In general, the boutonnieres worn by the men in the wedding party should coordinate with the rest of the flowers (sorry guys, I guess it is still all about the bride!). A nice way to tie in the lapel flowers with the bouquets and other floral displays is to choose one of the same blooms featured in the bride’s flowers to use as the boutonniere.

Since the boutonnieres will be worn on the men’s jackets, you will want to pick flowers that have some durability. Very fragile flowers will be crushed as the groom hugs his family and friends. Your florist can steer you towards those blooms that will last throughout the wedding day. Also be wary of any flowers that are likely to wilt when they are out of water for many hours, or those that are highly fragranced, which can be irritating if the groom or his groomsmen are prone to allergies.

Usually, the boutonniere consists of a single flower, but you can also combine a few small elements to make a unique ornament. For instance, for an autumn wedding, you can wire an acorn into a spray of orange berries for a charming seasonal accent. A winter groom would look dashing sporting a small spray of pine with a few red berries and a single white flower. Just be sure to keep the boutonnieres from getting too large, or the men will refuse to wear them!

Sparkle is one of the hottest trends at weddings these days, and you see that carried into the boutonnieres. A simple rose can be dressed up with a string of tiny Swarovksi crystals wrapped around the stem. Or a few crystals can be wired into the center of an open flower. This is often a popular idea for the groom, and then the groomsmen will wear the same type of boutonniere without the crystal accents.

White is the most classic color for wedding boutonnieres, and it looks wonderfully crisp against a dark suit or tuxedo. Red is another excellent color idea. The more feminine colors such as pink or lilac may be a bit less appealing to your groom, so be sure to seek his opinion before ordering a flower for him in one of those colors. If you are planning to carry a bouquet of all pink roses, and your fiancé would not be caught dead wearing a pink flower on his lapel, you can always order the boutonnieres in the same type of flower, but in a more acceptable color to him, such as white.

It the traditional etiquette of wedding flowers, the bride’s family pays for all of the flowers, except for the bride’s bouquet, which is sometimes a gift from the groom. These days, things are a bit looser, especially as more couples finance their own weddings. It would be nice for the bride to give the groom his boutonniere, and then the groom can give the groomsmen their boutonnieres as a gift. (This is not to be confused with the main groomsmen gift, which should be something of lasting value, like silver cufflinks.)

The boutonniere is a small detail in the grand scheme of a wedding, to be sure. However, the boutonniere is one of the few bits of flair that the groom will get to wear, so it is important. Choose a lapel accent for him that is stylish and classic, and your groom will look even more handsome on your wedding day.

Have any wedding questions? Get all the answers you need now at Rachael West Designs.

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Uses For Boutonniere Pins, Lapel Pins

November 16, 2009 By admin 1 Comment

A boutonniere is a floral decoration worn by men, typically a single flower or bud. Traditionally, a boutonniere was worn pushed through the lapel buttonhole (on the left, the same side as a pocket handkerchief) and the stem is held in place with a stem loop at the back of the lapel. The boutonniere pin, however, is a decorative holder for the boutonniere that is made of either brass or silver. While worn frequently in the past, boutonnieres are now usually reserved for special occasions for which formal wear is standard, such as at proms, graduations, homecomings, funerals, and weddings.

The wedding tradition of the groom wearing a boutonniere originates in medieval times when a knight wore his lady’s special colors (through flowers) as a statement of his love. Boutonniere pins offer the perfect accent to any flower the bride decides to carry in her bouquet. These treasured wedding items make it easy for the groom, the father of the groom and all the ushers to pin on the lapel of their tux.

Proms are also a special occasion where formal wear is required. All the ladies will be wearing their best gowns or dresses and the guys spiffed up in their tuxes or suits. The boutonniere pin can be used to dress up your formal wear and provide a nice holder to coordinate with the corsage of the lady. You can also have your pin engraved to create a wonderful memory of your high school prom.

Also graduation season is fast approaching. Do you have a son, grandson or nephew that will be graduating? Do you have or know someone that will be Valedictorian, Salutatorian, Class President or speaking at graduation? Make them stand out by pinning on a boutonniere pin on the lapel of his formal wear with flowers in the high schools colors. Create a fond memory by having it engraved with his name, initials and date.

Here are instructions to pinning on a boutonniere:

* Before pinning it on, make sure that any greenery, such as leaves or ferns, are in the back, and the flower is in the front.
* Pin the boutonniere on the mans left side (that means go to your right).
* Place the boutonniere so that the flower is on or just below the broadest part of the lapel.
* Put the pin so the head is under the lapel, and push the point through, over the boutonniere, and back under the lapel on the other side.
* Make sure that it stays, and you’re all set!

So whichever occasion you will be needing a boutonniere for make sure you have a boutonniere pin. Not only will they provide a decorative accent for the pretty flower it houses but they also make for a special keepsake when the event is all over.

Have any wedding questions? Get all the answers you need now at Rachael West Designs.

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The Boutonniere

November 5, 2009 By admin 1 Comment

A boutonniere (also known as a buttonhole) is the male equivalent of the corsage worn by a woman. The boutonniere is usually a selection of one or two small flowers on their own or with a bit of fern, greenery or baby’s breath. It is worn mostly for formal occasions such as a wedding or prom.

The boutonniere is always pinned to the left lapel of the suit or tuxedo. The groom, best man, groomsmen (ushers), fathers of the bride and the groom wear boutonnieres.

If the bride has someone else escorting her down the aisle, he should also wear a boutonniere. If a woman escorts the bride she should wear a corsage.

The groom’s boutonniere can stand out from the rest of the boutonnieres, by selecting a different color for him. If you prefer the groom and his attendants to wear the same color flower, request that the groom’s be made with a double flower.

A boutonnières will take on endless well intentioned abuse on a wedding day. The delicate stephanotis and miniature cream rose button holes will look spectacular at first but it will quickly wilt after the countless hugs from your guests. You should select a hardy flower that will not droop easily.

A great alternative to the fresh flower boutonnières is to go for silk or dried flowers such as lavender in spring, or berries for a winter wedding. Instead of wrapping the flower in floral tape, consider using ribbon or an elegant piece of fabric.

Boutonnière flowers are usually selected from the flowers in the bride’s bouquet. The colors of the boutonniere should match the general color theme of the wedding. Traditionally the bride’s family orders the boutonnieres and has them ready for the groomsmen.

Tip:

If the groom or any of his attendants have severe allergies to flowers consider using a silk boutonniere.

Have any wedding questions? Get all the answers you need now at Rachael West Designs.

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