Thursday, February 27, 2014

Spring Flower Bouquets

I purposely left out pictures of bouquets in my last post, because bridal bouquets need a post of their own! Here are bouquets composed of wonderful spring flowers.

These tulips in Radiant Orchid are perfect for the warm spring season

Tulips also come in white; Classic and romantic

Perfect arrangement of sorbet tones

Lilac grows wild, and because of that, they give a wonderful fullness to the bouquet without using too much

A tight bouquet of roses and peonies

Less roses and peonies, but they have been opened for a natural garden feeling

Lady slippers are unique in shape, adding to its beauty.

An entire bouquet of viburnum: just gorgeous

Hello Nataki!

I am back! I am not sure how many people are actually excited by this, but I am excited to get back to writing blog posts filled with information for the new brides out there!

I will be focusing on the spring season for a couple of posts, with ideas, tips and tons of pictures.  So check daily for a post, and if you want something specific, or have a question,  just leave a comment below.

It's good to be back.

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

April Showers, SPRING FLOWERS!

Although it seems like a far-fetched idea, Spring is right around the corner! With a new season comes a new wave of flowers ready to bloom. A way to keep flowers costs down is to use flowers that are in season. This limits the exportation of flowers which raises your decor price easily. It is good to remember that some flowers stay in bloom longer than others, stretching into a second season of flowers. Here are some of the favorites for the spring season:




Available in multiple colors, this flower is perfect for a day-time wedding.
Late March

Some think that viburnum is an accent for bouquets and arrangements, but the beauty of viburnum can hold its own in a bouquet, accented with green leaves and flowers.
Mid-April

The flower associated with romance, roses have a long blooming period.
Early-May

My favorite flower, a peony, is available in shades of pink, white, purple and more. They can be used as tight buds or open and full (even fuller than in the photo!)
Mid-May

Asiatic Lily's are commonly used in white or orange.
Mid-June

                                                             

Thursday, February 13, 2014

10 Valentines Gift Ideas

Here are 10 ideas for him and her on that special day.

1. Michael Kors watch with rose gold.

2. All black male Michael Kors watch.

3. Buy an MP3 and fill with your loved ones favorite tunes.

4. Monogrammed robes for his and her. 

5. Passes for an adventure outing. A helicopter ride around the city, kayaking or a guided tour and picnic. 

6. Nothing says Valentines day like Chloe perfume.

7. A bath set is perfect for a friend or loved one.

8. Luxury candles set the mood and fill the room with enchanting scents.

9. A DVD set of her favorite show or a collection of her favorite Rom-Coms to watch during those nights at home.

10. The presents continue to come with the wine of the month club!

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Romantic Valentines Day Ideas: A Day of Relaxation

VALENTINES DAY IDEAS

A Day of Relaxation

Ditch dinner and a movie, and spend the day in the city with your loved one. Make Saturday your Valentines Day. No one said you must celebrate on Friday. You can each choose something to do and enjoy it together. Rent a hotel room in the city to enjoy the day of relaxation to the fullest. The London NYC in Midtown West is a luxurious escape in the middle of the city, with signature touches recognized with David Collins hotels. Make a dinner reservation at one of Gordon Ramsay's restaurant in the hotel, including his restaurant Maze. But during the day, enjoy what NYC has to offer. Sleep in and order room service for brunch. Enjoy a couples massage at the spa at the Mandarin Oriental located in Columbus Circle. After you are well relaxed, enjoy tea service at Bosie: a pot of tea  or two glasses of champagne with treats, both savory and sweet. Enjoy a carriage ride through Central Park (yes, during the day), and enjoy being chauffeured around. Enjoy a show at Lincoln Center, or catch a popular Broadway show you have always wanted to see. With a day like this, the only thing you have to do is enjoy each others company. 





Monday, February 10, 2014

Romantic Valentines Day Ideas: A Night In

VALENTINES DAY IDEAS

Four days until Valentines Day and the urge to plan the perfect night/day is held by many couples. Dinner out can lose its spark, but I will present some ideas the next few days to inspire different couples new ways to spend Valentines Day.

Romantic classic
Perfect for cheese and chocolate f


Portable fireplace
Chocolate truffles, easy to make



A Night In

February is the month of love, and with the chill still in the NYC air a night in can be a perfect choice for this Valentines Day. Staying indoors allows for you and your special someone to enjoy each others company without the interruption of a waiter or the chatter of others. An intimate dinner at home is the perfect romantic moment. Continue the night by making chocolate truffles together and enjoy them with a glass of champagne. Or skip the dinner and go straight to dessert! Share some chocolate fondue with delicious treats. Set the mood with music, light the fireplace or cozy up and watch watch a romantic movie. If you have an outdoor space move the night outdoors with lots of blankets and an outdoor fire pit. 

Sunday, February 9, 2014

10 Ways to Save on Your Wedding



  1. Keep the guest list small - This is a way to keep costs down. Instead of inviting your parent's friend who you have only met once, keep the guest list to those who are close to you.
  2. Consider non-peak dates and times - Saturday and Sunday evenings are peak dates and times for weddings You will be competing with other prides for vendors and venues. Choosing other days may also get you lower prices from your vendor because you are the only wedding that day.
  3. Choosing your venue - Be creative with your venue choices. Locations outside of reception halls or venue halls can offer better deals. A Botanical garden, a friends gorgeous backyard or a Zoo may offer more affordable options.
  4. Keep it together - Keeping a ceremony and reception in one venue is efficient and allows for easy travelling for guests.
  5. Ceremony music - Look at local performing art schools with the possibility of hiring students to perform at the wedding. A string quartet or a piano player consisting of these talented students allows you to cut costs on the DJ and only use him for the reception.
  6. Reception and cake - There are different choices that are equally wonderful for your reception. Have a lunch reception; limit your sit-down dinner to three courses; provide different stations of food favorites; have a dessert-only reception later at night. A cake can be more waste than a bride and groom anticipated. Choosing alternatives like a dessert bar or cupcakes will provide the same deliciousness that the guests will enjoy.
  7. Decor choices - Flowers can be very expensive. To keep costs down, use flowers that are in-season for your wedding date. Use an abundance of candles instead of huge flower arrangements. Large Candelabras are a great elegant alternative to flowers.
  8. Make it special - Have specialty drinks available for guests instead of an open bar. Creative names for the drinks that are personal to the bride and groom make the drink even more special.....and fun!
  9. Photo and Video - The photographer and videographer capture the special moments throughout the day/night, but they do not have to stay the whole time. After the cutting of the cake, the dances and a bit of dancing, these vendors can leave. As the guests continue to dance, the images begin to become repetitive.
  10. Hire a Wedding Coordinator!!! - Some think this is just an extra expense, but a wedding coordinator is a valuable  asset to your wedding planning process. With their vendor contacts, the coordinator is able to negotiate and get you the best price. They also help you stay on time, avoiding overtime charges from your vendors.

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Valentine's day is approaching and the search for the perfect engagement ring is on the mind of some future grooms. I always say that every bride and groom are different and the engagement ring is a reflection of that. A tip to the groom: trust your instinct! Searching for the perfect ring can be overwhelming, but you know your future bride better than anyone else. There are so many ring choices available that each bride has the perfect ring out there for them! Here are some different rings that show a range of cuts, settings and styles.

Zales - 14K White gold with a round stone surrounded with smaller stones

Blue Nile- Three stone platinum setting with the opportunity to customize

Kay Jewelers- 14K Princess-cut with a white gold band

Tacori - Emerald-cut available with a white gold or platinum band. Both traditional and unique.

Tiffany & Co.- Round Brilliant with Tapered Baguettes

Tiffany & Co.- Schlumberger Rope Ring

Sunday, February 2, 2014

Decor Ideas: Flower Walls

Flower walls are a creative decor choice that provide the perfect background for any picture. The wall may be made of paper flowers or real ones, equally beautiful, and equally unique, a wall of flowers can either be posh or ethereal, perfectly complimenting the feel of your special day. Paper flowers are less expensive than real flowers, but a great option that paper flowers have over real flowers is the opportunity to use colored lighting to transform the wall and focus on its beauty.

Don't only use the wall for one part of the day! Get the most out of the wall and re-purpose the wall for your reception as well as your ceremony. Place it against a wall  as the background for guests to take pictures before or place it behind the Sweetheart table highlighting the married couple. Here are some looks to give you some ideas of incorporating a flower wall into your day: