DIY Wholesale Florals

Something about how much of a sucker I am for beautiful flowers is making decisions regarding bouquets and centerpieces for this wedding pretty impossible.

Take for instance how much I love tulips. In fact, yesterday I received a beautiful bouquet of gorgeous yellow buds that this morning are wide awake and smiling at me. So simple but so insanely beautiful. Now tulips say spring like no ones business AND they come in coral, peach, and ivory. Why didn't I think of this before? Maybe because they are so delicate and I am afraid of them standing up against the heat... But just look how pretty!

So of course, because I got a new idea and it was a potential end to the NEVERENDING floral nightmare that is our wedding, I did some research. Fiftyflowers.com has some great deals on tulips and really they wouldn't require much maintenance, right? Just cut the suckers and stick em in the mason jars we already have and voila!

Er... maybe that's too simple. The wholesale-to-you flower website also offer these mixes of peach roses and orange lilies. I think these are so sweet but way too orange with that wacky vase. I could imagine these mixed with some succulents in a low box centerpiece though...

Fiftyflowers.com also offer every kind of peachy-coral-ivory flower imaginable. For example: viburnum, garden roses, peony-tulips (yes, those do exist!), and of course coral rose petals! Is this making you want to DIY some centerpieces as much as it is me? I could imagine if it weren't my wedding and I weren't a stress-case that this would be so much fun, but as awesome as it sounds now, just paying someone else to do it sounds pretty awesome too. I guess I'm still in never ending flower decision land for now...

Oh peach colored flowers, how I do enjoy you. Is this garden rose bouquet gorgeous or what? To see more scrumptious peach inspiration and some very cute J.Crew Juliet bridesmaid's dresses, clicky.

Enormously Hugemongous Succulents

Soooo... It's looking increasingly as if we shall be making wedding centerpieces ourselves. Hoorah. Spoke with the florists we have been dealing with today and they told us that the only way that we could afford centerpieces that would "warm up the space" appropriately was to use cut snapdragons and stock in 3 foot glass vases.

Achem... Not only does that sound cheap and tacky as heck, but it also sounds like the opposite of elegant and clean and also, why would I use a florist if all they are going to do is cut some grocery store filler flowers and shove them in a vase? So not what I asked for. Holy cow, I don't know how these people are still in business.

So anyhow, snapdragons aside, here's what we're thinking... Since we can't seem to get a florist who is willing to create a centerpiece for us, why not just use potted plants? I know it isn't sexy, and it isn't romantic but it will add something pretty to our reception, and if done right, also maybe a little drama. We aren't thinking of any old plants though. We're thinking (are you ready for this?) crazy, over the top, intense, most enormous you've ever seen succulents. Tah dah!

Remember when I said I was inspired by the Malibu Lumber Yard? I said... tah dah!!!

I mean, check these sweet pre-made centerpieces out. These babies are $45! That's not bad, right? Can you imagine if you took some of the uglier cacti out and replaced with some pretty roses, candles, snapdragons? OK, just kidding about the snapdragons...

Also found this great LA based succulent arrangement business called Living Arrangements that I will be contacting. No idea of their prices, but it appears they appreciate the beauty of recycling... that always seems to indicate decency, right? They also give each arrangement a cute name like Constance, Rue or Nina Simone. Rrrrrar.

Think we could create our own magical centerpieces with enormous succulents? Idk, but jic (that means just in case) I found this website that mail orders enorme Jumbo Sempervivium on the cheap and I also found a lot of 64 tiny 2 inch potted succulents for just $84 on the E to the Bay...

Am I freaking out over succulents?

Tonight's dreams shall tell for sure...

Soft Centerpieces

As wedding planning goes, I think I have fallen into the hell of the "you're running out of time and nothing is falling into place" zone. I was steamrolling along and everything was coming together until I got to the dreaded FLORIST. Why this should be the particular wedding thing that has stopped me, I could not say, but for some reason I seem incapable of meeting the right kind of professionals.

Exhibit A

The very nice blogger who was recently married (last May) in Palm Springs, has a fledgling succulent and florals business for which she has done exactly two weddings (one being her own), and who quoted me a price of $3600 including a $400 "travel fee" to create the flowers for our big day. When told this would just not possibly be in our budget she reduced the price to $1400 but in so doing not all of our bridal party would have bouquets, boutonnières, or corsages.... Really? (PS: I know you drive a Prius, you blog about it... why does it cost $400 to drive from LA to Palm Springs?) Out.

Exhibit B

The very professional and personable Joey from Artisan Events. Before meeting with this well-known Palm Springs florist I emailed him saying (direct quote) "We really do have a tiny floral budget, so if that is a problem I would rather know than fall in love with your work and then not be able to afford it" to which he responded "I am good with working with all ranges of budgets." That sounded great so the FMIL and I met up with him in his very yummy smelling and gorgeous studio to discuss details. He later wrote me back a proposal for $2600. When I told him that was just way too much for our very small wedding and could he work more within the budget we proposed he said back (direct quote) "We will not be able to work within that budget for all the components of your wedding." Seriously? That would be why I asked you if you could work with our budget before we met. I don't know about you guys, but that doesn't sound to me like someone who is good at working with all budgets. Out.

Exhibit C

The more down to Earth and friendly men at Cache Fiore that regaled us with stories of the million dollar Palm Springs wedding they had just finished working on and how generously the bride tipped. They were able to come closest to our budget but were still about $300 too high. When asked if there was anything possible to do to get to our actual budget and not just in its vicinity, we received a quite haughty phone message about how we were already being offered a $500 value on free delivery and wasn't that good enough it's not like they can just do this stuff for free... (Your studio is less than 1 mile from the Ace and I now know you just made a ridiculous amount of money this year already). Seriously? I'm not sure yet but possibly... Out.

So the question remains. What the hell are we going to do about wedding flowers? My amazing boss gave me the name and number of a florist here in LA but I just don't want to deal with the logistics of getting them to Palm Springs. Maybe that florist doesn't even have a Prius so how much would that delivery charge cost me? Sigh.

All I want is this:

Is that so much to ask? Does it seriously have to cost $1200-3600 for 8 centerpieces, 5 bouquets, 8 boutonnières and 6 corsages? Really?

Fashionista in Training

My little sissy is darn cute. No, seriously, you have never seen cuter. And what's more, she loves shopping! For dresses! Pink dresses! Now you know we we're related...

I'm certain she will be the most adorable flower girl of all time. She has yet to find the dress for the big day, but shopping, as we all know, is in itself an artform. See for yourself:

The only other time I have seen such sheer joy on little lady's face was upon meeting and hugging both Belle and Minnie Mouse at Disneyland (and you know kids are bonkers for Disney) at which time she visibly shook with happiness. It looked a whole lot like this photo below. Have you ever seen anyone more excited to be wearing tulle? Doubt it.

Then again, you haven't seen the pics of me in my wedding gown yet...

Sparse Succulent Tablescapes

OK, I really don't want to complain to you about the torture that is finding reputable and service-minded vendors for our wedding, but alas, it has come to that. I have been having issue with finding legit Palm Springs area florists that don't think they are working with Oprah's budget. What is that?

In this economy, you would think florists would understand that flowers are a complete luxury. Granted, they are a luxury that I am seeking whole-heartedly... I just wish the word "wedding" didn't automatically cause the bottom line of a cost proposal to quadruple. You know? I think I am going to start telling people I need decorations for my "church group" and see what the amounts look like in comparison.

We have two meetings this upcoming weekend with Palm Springs florists, so hopefully all goes well. Thus far, it is looking like the world just really wants J and me to have a sparse reception in a flowerless loft-style rectangle of concrete, cement and glass.

Not bad, but not exactly elegant...

Would a flower-less wedding be the end of the world? Obviously not, but if I'm honest, it feels kind of lousy... In reality, I know that a) it will all work out like it is meant to and b) the part that matters is the ceremony and the togertherness and I am not concerned about that in the least.

Plus, I have found these pics that are making me feel much better...

This couple has a way more industrial look going on at their reception site than we do, and look how stoked they are to be going in to party. I mean there's like scaffolding as decor and these people are ready to rock. This is great perspective for me. I know that no matter what the reception looks like, it is going to feel amazing to have everyone in one spot. I just want it to both look and feel amazing and to not go crazy in the meantime. Is that so much to ask?

Also, one of the pluses of serving dinner family style is that there is less need for over the top floral centerpieces. A lovely runner and some potted succulents and these folks (who were married in Joshua Tree) were good to go. Really simple and organic looking, just lovely.

Also and in addition to... my amazing bridesmaid Aimee volunteered to make us some gorgeous luminaries that will both beautifully dress up our reception site and add a personal touch. I think the site will look very different at night, and the candlelight will be very romantic and soft. So no need to panic, right?

OK, whew... I just needed to talk myself out of that one. I think I'm OK again. I'll let you know after the weekend...

Blog Love

From 100layercake, more hanky invitations that are beyond amazing. I don't think I have time to deal with these at this point but oh how my heart yearns to.

And from GreenWeddingShoes this gorgeous farm wedding is so swoon-worthy you should really take a look. I love her bouquet, and his tan vest with grey suit is a definite idea to steal. I also particularly liked this adorable "events" sheet for guests.

Aren't pretty things wonderful?

Good Invitations Hunting

Some days I think, "this thing is totally under control, we are smooth sailing til the big day." Then, there are days like today when I wake up and think "oh crap, there are only a few months to go and two of those months are holiday months and after Christmas everything on the to-do-list is going to be a tidal wave STOP PROCRASTINATING and get to work now!!!!

So, I got to work. One of the things that I have been hemming an hawing about that needs to be decided asap is the invites. We are going to mail them in January and I just know that if I don't have a strategic plan, it could end up a stressful situation.

We do have some "back-up plan" invites but I am not in love with them and they require some graphic design skills from me and some printing skills from elsewhere. So, I am starting a quest to find decently priced, expressive invitations that require no work. Let's see what we find...

The search begins at WeddingPaperDivas where I found these four favorites:





They are all very different, but I think it's clear I like flowers, right? I am kind of in love with these last two. Except I don't know if the orange is too bold on the last one, since it isn't technically one of our wedding colors. But it's still my solid favorite. What do you think?

I'm pretty happy with those but I am going to keep looking. Stay posted!

Banquet Centerpieces & Runners

Behold. The cause of my sleepless nights: our very bland and concrete reception event space.



Here is a view of the olive wood chair and canvas covered banquet table set-up. Imagine two of these end to end "banquet style" in about 5 rows surrounded by concrete floors and navy blue curtain separators. Now welcome, you have entered into my decorationally challenged personal hell. My head is swimming with way. too. many. ideas.



What to do? How to transform this mess into something that is:



1) Romantic
2) Relaxed but elegant
3) Deserty without being cactusy
4) Personal and sentimental
5) Cohesive in style


Oh internet, you are my friend! Here is what I have spied while perusing the "long banquet table decor" tab of the interwebs. From centerpieces to runners to table numbers to chargers, I am trying to piece together something unified.


I know this is not a banquet style set-up but it is pretty much perfect in my book (except maybe the candles on a cake stand, that's just weird). This is my ultimate aim, only paired down. The green baby hydrangea with pink peonies and the ivory candles not only fall into our color palette but their arrangement is so simple and effortless looking, I am truly loving this. Ok, off to a great start but still not the right type of tables!




Hello, candles!!! This is truly beautiful and simple. So far, the sum of my decoration purchases have been candle holders; LOTS and LOTS of candle holders. Anyone know a good, inexpensive wholesale candle broker?



Next, this is taking into account the "greater picture" if you will. I like all of the hangy balls, and I really like the different colored muted table runners. I am having a really hard time deciding on our runners. Part of me wants a nice soft green patterned fabric that will look nice over the canvas and part of me is thinking something with more texture like a soft green linen (or a subtle burlap?) will look more elegant and less backyard bbq.



One of my other concerns is that our food will be served family style on big platters, taking up most of the tables. Does that mean I should aim for smaller centerpieces? Or should I still decorate as I normally would and just assume they will remove the centerpieces if there isn't enough room for food?

Confused! Let's see what other people did with their runners...

These are all patterned and they look pretty nice. Our friend's Katie and Steve had the most amazing damask table runners at their wedding, they looked so chic.

These floral patterns below definitely hit on the casual side.

On to the solids. Burlap or linen... Linen is so nice with a long colorful stripe, yea? I looove the very last look, but maybe it's the contrast of linen on wood. Hmmm.... Ok, I think I definitely prefer the solids but I am still going to have to search for just the right material.

Whew! One reason that I blog is to air all of the ideas running around in my head, and this definitely got them out! I have a much better idea of what I am planning to use for table runners now and I know I want candles, candles, candles. Still working on the florals and how to incorporate palms into the mix... Stay tuned!