Wishing Well Florist Weddings

To Trend or not to Trend?

2012-02-09T07:15:00.000-08:00

"Don't follow a trend. Follow your heart."
Krist Novoselic
So, here we are already into the second month of 2012. I sure hope your year has been off to a positive and great start so far.

We have been quite busy here at The Wishing Well Florist preparing for the start of our year. It’s been fun and productive so far as we have met several brides to be and have had the pleasure of discussing their wedding floral needs. We indeed look forward to meeting many more, including you!

Question. Do you consider yourself a trend setter or trend follower?
There's no denying that trends capture our attention regardless of our desire to know what in the "now".

Trends are ongoing and move on with time. They seem to come in with every new year and fade off relatively quickly. This year is no different. It comes with the expected and highly anticipated new trends. Some new ideas, some old and some incorporate a little of both . And just like any typical aesthetic product, wedding flower trends are constantly evolving.

As a newly engaged bride or a bride that has been engaged for some time now, I know you are anxiously planning your wedding and look forward to seeing what’s new in 2012. Well, I am here to fill you in on all the latest scoop for this years flower trends!

As I recently worked with some brides and counterparts in the wedding industry I discovered that today's modern bride seeks her wedding to be a complete unique experience from the start of the ceremony to the end of the reception. And in order for a bride to accomplish that uniqueness, she seeks inspiration from a host of sources. Bridal magazines, bridal websites and blogs, bridal shows, ideas from family and friends. Everything wedding, you name it.

What I have typically found is that most brides do tend to stick to wedding trends as it pertains to colors, dresses and flowers.

If you have begun your research this year then I am sure you have already seen that there are indeed dozens of schemes and designs predicted for 2012 weddings. It's fun to see what's new and "in" but it can also be an overload of information.

Here is what I have come across as the top 2 predictions for this year:

1. This year wedding flowers are all about drama. The keywords are color, opulence, and sparkle.

2. Romantic and vintage is the flower wedding fashion influence for 2012.

So, you either go all out with dramatic color or stay low key with soft tones.

As it relates to bridal bouquets, here are some of the key flower trends for 2012:

The Playful Bouquet

Create a bouquet with a modern appeal that showcases a fun and playful ambiance which totally breaks free from tradition. Convey originality and spunk using a playful and bright color scheme. Use colors such as hot pink, navy blue, and magenta. In addition, consider choosing a brilliant color, such as yellow for example, with accent colors such as black or silver, in order to make the primary color stand out. You can also incorporate different accents for boutonnieres and bouquets, such as colorful beads and ribbon, in order to personalize the look and feel to the your personality.

The Romantic, Soft Bouquet

Use soft colored garden flowers, such as pastel roses and other dainty flowers. This bouquet is intended to offer a delicate fantasy look, and contribute to a soft ambiance.

The Green Bouque

Use organic form and colors that offer an airy, free-flowing look. Complimentary and contrasting foliage and branching is used, giving the overall look a simple, elegant appearance. Consider unconventional bouquet plants . Use feathers, fruits, ferns, grasses, and herbs.

The Passion Bouquet

Red is the color known to illustrate love, passion and romance, especially as it pertains to marriage and weddings. The red and white bouquet is not only a trend for 2012; it is also a timeless design that can be both traditional and contemporary. The popular method of using the red and white flowers is to use black accents for a trendy, modern yet sophisticated appearance.

Vintage Bouquets

Use feminine, soft colors such as cream, ivory, white, light pink, or lavender in big blooms like anemones, gardenias, hydrangeas or peonies. Adorn your wedding bouquet with things like pearls, lace or vintage, sparkly brooches on the stems.

All Natural Bouquets

Use natural earth tones, with one small splash of color. Perhaps a bouquet of white gardenias with one purple anemone thrown in the mix. Or, maybe a bouquet of peach peonies and white flowing feathers along the edges, with pearls trimming the bouquet stems.

New colors for 2012: Grouping together corals, peaches and oranges.

Also, bold, bright color is back in a big way, so take advantage of its ability to make a statement. Pinks, reds, greens, and blues continue their reign, but royal purple and deep lilac tones are also making a comeback.

New accessories for 2012: Gold accessories are predicted to be huge for 2012 weddings. Feathers are also in as used to add a whimsical look and unique character.

Think jewelery: Everything from brooches to pearls are being used to make bouquets beautiful, and they make a fabulous keepsake gifts for bridesmaids to use year-round. For the bridal bouquet, it's also a clever way incorporate a "something borrowed" family heirloom like grandma's antique hatpin.

Themes: Hot predictions this year are country garden/vintage wedding themes – delicate, gorgeous, classic.

Note for the guys: Boutonnieres are no longer an afterthought. Guys are taking advantage of their chance to make a statement with greenery, whether it's with big lush blooms, an arrangement of small delicate ones, or a sampling of interestingly shaped herbs.

So, there you have it. The 2012 wedding flower trends. If you come across anything else or have a neat, unique idea of your own, please send it my way as I would love to hear from you!

Remember, a trend is a trend. Stay focused and true to yourself and do not let a trend drive your decision for you wedding flowers or colors. Just because it is not "in" at the moment does not mean it is outdated.
Make it your own trend and own it!

Wishing you well until next time,

Joelle

Tis' the season for Mistletoe!

2011-12-20T18:53:00.000-08:00

"I'll just be hanging round the mistletoe, hoping to be kissed."
Mia from the movie Love Actually

Have you ever wondered what it means to" kiss under the mistletoe?"
Where did this concept and tradition even come from?

As we know it today, if we are caught standing under a mistletoe we have to surrender a kiss to anyone who requests it. Some people even go as far as carrying around their own sprig of mistletoe, holding it over the head of the person they would like to kiss. Ahh, wishful thinking.

In ancient times, mistletoe was believed to be a holy plant by Celtic Druid who were considered Priests in societies of Western Europe, Britain and Ireland.
They claimed the mistletoe was holy because it rooted closer to heaven than any other plant. It's evergreen leaves symbolized the promise of spring's return.

According to an article on fun flower facts, mistletoe was a symbol of peace in the Scandinavian mythology. These traditions and beliefs were adapted by the English and French, giving us the holiday custom of kissing under mistletoe bunches. Hanging mistletoe is a Christmas tradition in North America, while in Europe; it is more commonly associated with hung mistletoe above the doors on New Year’s Eve.

So what actually is mistletoe?
Mistletoe grows as a parasite on trees. As a small seedling, it roots into the bark and wood of a tree and makes a connection with the growing ring of the host. And although mistletoe makes its own food, it steals water and nutrients from its host tree.
Mistletoe in fact, is generally associated with winter holidays, yet this parasitic plant grows year-round. It’s distinctive green leaves, stems, and white berries -(each with a sticky seed inside)– are easily recognizable. Pretty interesting plant.

As far as the mistletoe myths go:
The Celtic Druids believed that mistletoe could heal diseases and protect people from witchcraft.
They would ceremoniously cut mistletoe from trees and not allow it to touch the ground.
They then separated it into small pieces and hung them above doors of people to protect them from evil spirits.
The custom of kissing under Mistletoe actually comes from England.
The Victorians revived the traditions and mistletoe was once again hung over doors, this time to solicit a kiss as a sign of love and good luck. Kisses were limited however in the Victorian tradition, as one berry had to be plucked off the plant for each kiss. When the berries were gone, there were to be NO more kisses!

Now here is an interesting fact:
The name mistletoe comes from two Anglo Saxon words 'Mistel' (which means dung) and 'tan' (which means) twig or stick! So you could translate Mistletoe as 'poo on a stick'!!!
Not exactly romantic is it? Just sayin'.

So, as you approach the Christmas season be on the lookout for hanging mistletoe as it can be a fun tradition.
And most importantly, remember it's symbolism of love, peace and goodwill.

May you have a wonderful and blessed Christmas holiday.

Wishing you well until next time.

Joelle

Winter Weddings

2011-11-11T16:52:00.000-08:00

"This very moment is a seed from which the flowers of tomorrow's happiness grows" Margaret Lindsey

Winter is a sensational time of the year to get married!
Winter weddings have become increasingly popular due to a host of reasons.
Reasons such as venue availability compared to the summer, spring or fall months, lower costs or discounts on venues, cooler temperatures that allow the wedding party and guests to feel more comfortable in their attire, less chance of rain, and good lighting for photography and filming.
And last but definitely not least---what we love to call, flower staying power which simply means since flowers stay longer in the colder weather, your floral arrangements will maintain their form throughout your special day. Now literally, how cool is that?

Your choice of flowers for your winter wedding depends on what type of look and tone you are wanting to create. Do you want to go for a winter wonderland tone with slivers and whites to create an elegant look? Or would you prefer to celebrate the season with reds and greens?

Here are a some suggestions on a few popular winter colors and flowers to help you create your spectacular winter wedding:

Red--for a brighter look in your bouquet go with red roses, holly and pine-tree greenery
Burgundy--when paired with red the colors look luscious
White or Ivory--when paired with burgundy you will create a more modern look
A touch of natural silver- go with the silver-dollar eucalyptus and baby blue eucalyptus paired with white flowers such as roses, lilies and stephanotis.
A subtle hint of gold
Blue

As far as your reception goes, you can choose to have white or red poinsettia's for your centerpieces and you can also decorate with mini or life size Christmas trees.
There are endless possibilities on how creative you can get with your flowers for your winter wedding. Remember to think outside the box when considering your flowers. Don't be intimidated to mix colors and incorporate unique flowers and greens if available.

We would love to help you!
If you or someone you know is planning a wedding this winter, please contact us and allow our expertise to assist you with all your floral needs.
We enjoy nothing more than bringing your vision to life with flowers.

Wishing you well until next time.

Joelle

Flowers and Feelings

2011-11-06T05:14:00.000-08:00

"Happiness is to hold flowers in both hands." -Japanese Proverbs

Have you ever thought about how flowers make you feel?

Is there a certain type of flower that puts a smile on your face or just melts your heart. Maybe your favorite flower is a rose and in the color of red it makes you feel one way but if the rose were pink, you would feel another way.

I personally think it's quite amazing how flowers make us feel and how they can tap deep into our innermost feelings and emotions.

One theory as to why flowers makes us feel they way we do has to do with color. Color has been shown to have an significant impact on ones mood.
I recently enjoyed reading an article on Flower Therapy and how we can convey any feeling with color. Executive Leatrice Eiseman of the Pantone color institute stated that "our response to color is intensely emotional, and flowers can be a catalyst for feelings that stimulate more than just our senses of sight and smell." She goes on to say that "color can help us find the balance we feel from our surroundings, and flowers are the ideal way to harness the power of color to enrich our lives."
I don't know about you but I do agree with what she said. For me, I simply love flowers that are rich and deep in color. The more bang in the color of a flower the more intensity I feel in my emotions. I am also fond of the color yellow in a rose or in the sunflower as it represents a sense of happiness, joy and the feel of a bright sunny day.
So, when it comes to your wedding flowers, the colors you choose should be thought out with your feelings in mind.
Typically a bride will incorporate the color theme of her wedding in choosing her wedding flowers. She may also choose a color or colors that she is fond of and maybe even consider the favorite color of her groom. Flowers can tell a story of a person or a couple and can create a beautiful work of imagery into someones life if chosen from your emotional side.
Some flowers can convey feelings of happiness, some can reflect purity and others can symbolize promises of undying love and commitment between the couple. There is a feeling for everyone.

As most of us already know flowers play a vital part in a wedding. They are and have always been an expected item of the wedding and reception. You may have remembered a wedding that you attended where the flowers were so stunning that they may have been one of the most memorable highlights of the wedding for you. Flowers can definitely have that affect on us regardless if you are a fan of them or not.

Flowers show and bring emotion's to life and choosing the right wedding flowers to display your particular emotion is possible to do but can be difficult. The reason being is another theory which is based on flowers being associated with some aspects of human feelings.
As you begin the process of selecting the flowers for your wedding you will quickly notice that there are a variety of flowers to chose from. So, how do you choose the ones that represent you, your feelings and emotions?
I would recommend making a list of your favorite flowers and incorporating the colors that represent both you and your future spouse's feelings. Also, think outside the box and be open to flowers that are more traditional wedding flowers like roses or carnations. You may not be a fan of either but if you select roses or carnations in a color that speaks your feelings then you will be quite surprised and pleased how they will come to life for your wedding and tell the story of you and your groom or bride to be.

To help you get started in your flower selection process here's a quick guide to colors and how they affect your mood and feelings:

Blue brings calmness and serenity.

Pink is associated with love and romance.

Green symbolizes nature and the natural world, life, well-being, fertility- feelings of good fortune, health and tranquility.

Red evokes strong emotions due to it's bright and warm color. It's typically associated with love, warmth and comfort. It symbolizes action, courage, confidence and vitality. Red is also considered a strong- angry color that creates intense feelings, even excitement.

Orange symbolizes vitality and endurance.

Yellow represents joy, happiness, wisdom and intellectual energy.

Blue represents youth, spirituality, truth and peace.

Purple represents magic, mystery and royalty.

Indigo symbolizes intuition, meditation, and deep contemplation.

White represents purity and cleanliness.

Hope this helps you out some and remember, please feel free to contact us to assist you with all your wedding floral needs.

By the way, I would love to hear your story of how you made your wedding come to life with flowers! I look forward to hearing from you.

Wishing you well and happy flower planning!

Joelle

Welcome

2011-10-28T14:45:00.000-07:00

Hi to all!

I would like to welcome you to the Wishing Well's Wedding blog.

My name is Joelle and I have recently joined the Wishing Well team to begin coordinating their Wedding division. I'm excited to be a part of this already talented team and look forward to working with you in your Wedding floral planning.

I choose to come on board for 2 specific reasons:

One is because of my love and enjoyment in working with people in a manner which assists them in making their personal vision of their special day come to a reality.

The other is because I am personally planning my own wedding and I can relate to the state of mind that a bride is in at the moment.

I can relate to your feelings of happiness and your excitement of a soon to be married woman, but more than anything, I can also relate to your STRESS, ANXIETY, FRUSTRATIONS, and attitude of just wanting to "call it all off" and elope!

I am on your page my friend and invite you to read our Blog for everything about weddings including ideas, tips, thoughts, survival guides, news, events, specials and anything else we can think of.

Enjoy and Happy Wedding Planning!

And remember to visit us on line at www.wishingwellflorist.com...

Joelle