I had the pleasure of recently meeting up with the Sierra and Juliet from Poppies & Posies at an industry event and wanted to share their wonderful design aesthetic with you guys. They have a beautiful vintage/organic feeling to their designs and I was lucky enough to get a quick interview from them. This is how it went:

What makes Poppies & Posies unique?

We're a small boutique company, so we really pride ourselves on personal attention. We never book more than one wedding or event per day/weekend to ensure that we are both a part of the entire process from creating the design to set up.

What services do you provide?

We provide floral and event design for weddings, benefits/galas, corporate events/stores, and private clients. We like to think of ourselves as designers of environments. Although most of our work is floral design, we also design full tablescapes and events so that there is a cohesiveness.

What can you advice brides and couples to be aware of or avoid when looking for a florist?
There is a big difference in quality of flowers depending on where you go. You may pay a bit more to have high quality flowers, but it will really show in the bouquets and arrangements.

Which flowers do you like working with?

We are always trying to think outside of the box when we're creating design concepts for our clients. We love using big impact flowers such as peonies and dahlias paired with more delicate florals like sweet pea and lily of the valley. There is always an unexpected element in our floral designs such as acorns, berries, fiddle heads, thistle, or citrus. We like to have fun with it!

Do you have a favorite wedding?

We both walk away from almost every wedding we do feeling like that is what we'd want for our own weddings, but our favorite would probably be from this past December. We donated bouquets for a wedding where the bride and groom couldn't afford to get married. Seeing how happy the flowers made everyone and how grateful they were was really rewarding. They also gave us complete creative freedom, so that was super fun!

What are the latest trends in floral design?
Right now there is a big trend to do florals that have an organic, garden-esque look to them. Which is great for us because that is what we love doing the most!

Any cool projects you girls are working on?
We're working on a floral and event design concept for a jewish/indian wedding this fall. The couple wants to pay homage to each of their cultural backgrounds, but in a subtle way that will also express their individual styles. We're stringing marigolds to create a chuppah-esque structure and we're using decadent copper tiles as a foundation for each centerpiece. The bridal bouquet is going to be the feature floral element for the wedding. We're pairing green succulents with deep aubergine hued dahlias and crespida... amazing!

Poppies & Posies floral and event design is available for consultations in the New York metro area.

To see more of Sierra & Juliet's fabulous work visit their website at www.poppiesandposiesevents.com or follow their up to date blog at www.poppiesandposiesevents.blogspot.com

Enjoy!

Tonia Todman Roses and Blumin are thrilled to announce the launch of their new range, Tonia Todman Roses & Herbs styled by Blumin. A high-tea garden-party, hosted by Tonia and Blumin, was held in the gorgeous Kyneton, Victoria, to celebrate this selection of English garden roses and herbs. Tonia Todman Roses provides a wide range of pesticide free garden roses including many English David Austin roses, Australian roses and French varieties from Delbard and Guillot. Many are traditional and some so old their origins go back centuries to Europe and China. Blumin is passionate about the introduction of authentic locally grown, fresh and fragrant flowers & herbs. Their product is sourced from Blumin’s garden and other local gardens in the neighbouring Macedon Ranges & Spa Country Region. Sandy, the owner of Blumin, under the guidance of renowned florist Helen Lindsay and linked with Tonia Todman, ensures that Blumin offers flower and herb bouquets which have limited pesticide exposure ensuring the end product is truly aromatic and fresh. The Tonia Todman & Blumin event proudly supported the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Tonia Todman Roses & Herbs are available from www.toniatodmanroses.com and www.blumin.com.au

Photo courtesy of Mingary Pictures and Words


Photo courtesy of Peter Morley Photographs


Photo courtesy of Photos by Marnie


Photos courtesy of Mingary Pictures and Words

I've been crushing on peach dahlias lately...



photo credits: bouquet by saipua and photo by James Ryang , elizabeth messina, elizabeth messina, elizabeth messina, studio choo

Flowers are unique to every occasion but special mention must be made for weddings. You can not imagine a wedding without floral decorations. The tradition of using flowers during wedding goes very far. He started from the ancient times when herbs and spices were used to keep evil spirits at a distance.

But before you decide on the floral arrangement of your marriage, you need to remember some important points.

They are:

a) You must be very particular that the flowers match the theme of marriage. It is also preferable that you use the seasonal and regional flowers for decoration purpose.

b) Always take the help of a floral designer. This is because the floral designer would organize the flowers and lights and clothes to keep the theme in mind.

c) When you make bouquets to decorate the pillars then type the bouquet of flowers. To do this take the help of a florist.

d) When you talk to your florist about the floral decoration in the wedding, always keep personal choices of the bride and groom in mind. But always listen to the suggestion of the florist. After all, they have the expertise and talent.

Having decided the floral decoration according to the theme of marriage, you must decide what the places that need the floral decoration! Your list must include

1) The door of the place where the marriage preferably an arch of flowers should be made

2) The pillars of the hall, which should be strings

3) The desks and chairs should also be decorated with petals

4) The kneeling bench where you can keep rose petals

5) The aisle can be decorated with garlands of flowers or

6) The table of marriage, the cake table or buffet table with flower petals.

It is preferable that you use fresh flowers to decorate wedding, because you get both the beauty and fragrance. But those who prefer artificial flowers they can go to decorate with silk flowers. These come with new colors and their stems can be bent in many ways to make a good decoration. A good floral decorations should have a mixture of both artificial and natural flowers. If you want to have a prominent place in the artificial decoration, choose the heart door decoration. It is made with silk flowers and paper cut into heart shapes.

After making the floral arrangement for the wedding you will find how ordinary people can turn into absolutely beautiful place.

Choosing your flowers is one of the most exciting parts of wedding planning. But we encourage brides do not look too far in advance. There is a list of things to consider that we offer to remember before you sit down with a florist. To begin, we dug the details of what you need to know about your wedding day.

Find a Florist

Before you go out and start the meeting and welcomed with flowers, what kind of person that you work with. Do you want someone who will take the buds from the stalk and take control? Or you're looking for someone who wants to guide you every step of the process? A combination of both? You must also have a good idea of trends in the design (and if they match yours) - insist on a portfolio to see before you commit. Talk to friends and relatives who got married recently and find out who they used. Check out ads in The Knot Wedding resources of a great florist in your area. If you find someone you do not know or have not heard, please consult the company with the Better Business Bureau where you can find out if anyone has had problems with them in the past.

Think about your budget

It is a non-even. Figure eight percent of the total cost of the wedding is flowers - bouquets and buttonholes at the ceremony, cocktail reception and décor. At the beginning of your first meeting, ask directly: What great things you can do with $__________? (Do not get sucked in $ 5000 worth of flowers, then let your florist know that your bottom line is $ 2000.) And remember: There are many things to consider, so do not be surprised if you'll spend more. Thus, we suggest a block in a 10 percent. Need to change some numbers? Figure your budget wedding.

Establish a vision

Have a general idea about your taste. Are you a true minimalist? Or are you looking to make an uber-romantic Gatsby style wedding? Create a file of magazine tear-outs - not just wedding photos. Lifestyle plans, colors and fashion will help to give your florist a clear idea of your love and love the poor. And do not forget to friendly fire "of marriages. You may have returned to the centers, but hated the bouquets. It's time to put in place (at your florist, of course, and not your friend). Check out our gallery of bridal bouquet to the inspiration.

Think Of Your Site Specifics

This is a biggie. Think about your reception site as a blank canvas on which the florist will create his masterpiece. Is there the screen bright red, it must take into account? Is it a botanical garden that will not need a lot of flowers accent? Or are you starting with a clean, empty attic, which needs a lot of work? Bring a photo (a press kit or pamphlet) in case it has never worked before marriage, and ask to visit the site to get an idea of its size and style.

Create a Colorful Concept

Do not even think about visiting a florist, not knowing what your bridesmaids, Groomsmen, and the moms are wearing. There is no point, literally - you can not pick a flower if you do not know what colors work. On the other hand, you will not know what your flowers in the flower, without knowing who you want. First tackle the dress, then choose your ideal color palette and a list of your favorite flowers, and then see if your florist can accomplish both.

Do The Work Of Flowers

At this point you should have already chosen your dress, because that will dictate the type of bouquet you should carry. If you could not think, florists base many decisions on the wedding dress - the way it is decorated, whether white or cream, if it is classical or contemporary, and so on. Most of the florists of the dress to believe that the centerpiece of the day, which will give it a good idea of where you go with the style of wedding.

Map Out Your Wedding Style

Your style is different from your vision. Are you wearing a very dramatic, long bouquet of flowers or a tight POSY flowers instead? Do the same thinking to other people in the marriage: Should mother wear a blouse or a bouquet? If one of the bridesmaids or a single stem tussy Mussy? Style will also affect the price accordingly, and the choice of flowers to be or not working in the type of package you are considering.
A tussy what? Brush your bouquet jargon.

Size it Up

Do not listen to your toilet - size does matter! How many people do you plan to have the marriage? This number will determine the number of tables and, therefore, many centers as you need. How many participants have to equip you with flowers: Groomsmen, bridesmaids, flower girls? This will dramatically impact the price. On the other hand, if you are requiring fewer centers average, May you be able to get the orchids flown in from China that you swore you could not live without.

Get Everything In Writing

All the work you do to get this far means nothing if you do not have it all in writing. So make sure your florist prepare a contract specifying that the flowers you have, how many packages you need, price, and what time you can expect its arrival the day of marriage. Do not understand the things you do not quite so. This way you'll have recourse if your florist does not come through for you.

The flowers are symbols of love and life, and bring a sense of elegance and transcendence to a wedding ceremony and reception. Of course, you can be creative and express your unique sense of style with your wedding flowers. The ideas are as varied and numerous as the wives - or you can match your bridal party accent colors with a unifying color, or create a splash by adding color to another all black and white wedding to mention only two.

Here are some other ideas to start your creative thinking and help you plan a wedding, you and your guests will remember fondly the chance for years to come:

• COLOR

Use it, play with it, be creative! Consider using different shades of the same hue - from light pink, for example - as an elegant way to add color to your wedding day. Otherwise, go with color for a dramatic monochromatic effect - try cream or white.

• VERDURE

Beautiful green as leaves and ferns can add depth and elegance at your disposal, and possibly save money on flowers. Florists have access to many varieties of greenery and the creative possibilities are endless. Of variegated ivy delicate fern green, glossy leaves, you can create almost any mood you incorporating beautiful greenery. It is also useful for creating a domino effect at the end of pews chandeliers, flowers, etc..

• ACCESSORIES

Add a unique touch to your wedding flower decoration with accessories. For example, ask your florist incorporate ribbons, strings of (fake) pearls, feathers or an element of sparkle to your settings. This way you can express your own sense of style and make use of colors and effects that are not available with a few flowers and greenery.

• CANDLES

Superb creative centers to chandeliers, table candles add soft lighting and romantic wedding flowers. You can make a statement with a large pillar candles or tealights tiny ... the possibilities are endless!