Friday, February 25, 2011

What to do about centerpieces?!

 It is often hard for a bride to want to spend a lot of money on centerpieces and I can see why!  Ten centerpieces at anywhere from $30 on up!  That adds up quick!  However - it is important to remember that centerpieces absolutely set a tone, a mood and theme for your wedding.  Think about it, the majority of the time spent at a wedding reception or dinner is spent at a table   Also, consider the number of tables.  Ten tables with tiny votive candles and a gerbera daisy floating in a vase does nothing for a room.  There is no statement or personality.  The room looks empty.  By spending a bit on your tables you will be able to put your unique stamp on the venue and make the reception uniquely yours.   
A couple of things to remember:
Although they are centerpieces and you want them to be noticed, you don't want them to be in the way.   I have been to more than one wedding where the centerpieces were set ON THE FLOOR because the guests couldn't see each other across the table.  Remember to keep the centerpiece low enough for your guests to see over or tall and thin enough to see around. 
Candles!  I have a love hate feeling about candles.  They certainly can add to the ambiance, if they are done right.  Incorporate votive candles with larger arrangements - or use candles that are large enough to hold their own.  Personally, I don't care for candles only for centerpieces.  They are too generic and kind of a cop out!
Be sure to ask your venue about their policy on candles. 
Scented candles should not be used at dinner tables.  Scented candles compete with the aroma of the food being served and can make the food unappetizing. 
Remember also, you will ALWAYS have guests that are pyromaniacs .  Trust me - at least one guest will either play with the wax or burn things.   Spilled wax stains table cloths and fire...well, enough said. 

Here are a few...well a lot of ideas.


Simplicity and elegance!



The 'lowly' carnation.  Actually, I love carnations.  Carnations are a great way to add a pop of color for not a lot of money.  When you bunch the carns together they look  frilly and ruffly.  





Branches!  For spring weddings blooming branches make beautiful centerpieces.  Prunus and cherry blossoms scream SPRING!  These branches are clean and simple.  Blossoms of peony add softness and color.  


Topiaries are beautiful and can be casual and fun or very elegant.


Classic mixed arrangements.  Beautiful and timeless! 




I love the idea of lanterns and birdcages.  Check out the Martha Stewart birdcage below - now picture a lovely spray of flower in or on these lanterns.



Very unique and contemporary.  This centerpiece makes a statement!


Check out the wood box.  Not your traditional container, but still pretty!








I love this centerpiece.  Cut cost by rounding up cake stands from your friends and family.




OK!  Here are the big boys!  Tall, big, expensive centerpieces.  Calla lilies always look clean, contemporary and elegant.


Beautiful and classic!


 I like the idea of this centerpiece.  Branches are a great way to add height and lines.  Here they have added orchid blooms to the branches for a pop of color.   



Stunning !







Friday, January 14, 2011

What's HOT? Cool BLUE!

k;l
Aggies
Corn Flower or Bachelor Button
One of the hottest colors in the weddings for this season is BLUE.  I love blue, (hence the name Bleu Bird Design).  Blue comes in many shades which creates so many moods and feelings.  Soft blue and white is clean and crisp.  Tiffany blue and orange is playful.  Blue and pink screams SPRING!  Blue and brown is refined and cozy. 




Tweedia
 If you are planning a wedding with blues you are in luck!  Many, many flowers come in some shade of blue.  Some of my favorite are hydrangea, tweedia, corn flower, and aggapanthus. 

Hydrangea













One of my spring brides has chosen teal blue, cream and light coral for her wedding colors.  Her mother noted that the teal is an "unnatural" color.  She was worried about her option as fresh flowers are concerned.  Teal blues are hard if not impossible to find naturally in flowers.  However, with some of the latest trends teals, as well as other hard to find colors, can be incorporated in bouquets, corsages and boutonnieres.  One of the latest trends I love is jewels.  When tastefully and artistically incorporated jewels can add just the right sparkle and color to your bridal bouquet.  Feathers are another big trend.  I like feathers because they add another texture and interesting lines to floral design -but be careful!  Too many feathers can look tacky!  Don't forget ribbons and buttons for bouquet wrapping and corsage details.  Another option for my bride is floral spray.  Floral spray can enhance and change the color of fresh flowers.  I seldom use floral spray.  I much prefer the natural colors - however - sometimes if used with restraint, floral spray can give you the color you are looking for. 
A few ideas I will discuss with my bride are...  First, don't think you have to use all your colors in your bouquet.  For a timeless look an all cream bouquet can't be beat.  All cream flowers with a beautiful teal satin ribbon would be lovely.  Teal jewels could be added for a bit of color and sparkle.  For the groom, a cream bout with a satin teal wrap on the stems would be simple and elegant.  You can't go wrong with all cream!


A more casual and fun option is coral gerbera daisies and roses with a variety of cream flowers.  You can keep the wedding parties attire in the blues/teals and use the creams and corals for the floral accents.


The option I would choose would be cream flowers with tweedia accents.  Tweedia can have just enough green in it to pass for a light teal.  I think this bouquet is clean and fun and beautiful. 


Solid color en mass can make a big impression.  These bouquets in soft coral would be elegant and fun at the same time.  Elegant because of the roses.  Fun because of the color. 



My first meeting with this bride will be next week.  It is always fun to meet with newly engaged girls!  They are so happy and have a million ideas!  We will see where this one goes!  I'll keep you posted. 
If you have any questions or would like to schedule a meeting for a consultation or bid, please contact me at bleubirddesign@gmail.com

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Big Day

Today is the big day!  Please visit http://www.mygiveawaytoday.com/ and enter to win a $40 gift certificate to http://www.jenniferwilcox.etsy.com/ - my Bleu Bird Design Etsy Shop! 
Also, because Etsy is a handmade and vintage site, some of the jewelry you have seen on this blog or at a show can not be sold on Etsy.  Therefore, I will put those items such as thethe items below on this blog for sale.  I am still trying to work out logistics with payment - I will use PayPal, but need to figure out how to make it user friendly!  Please be patient because I have some AWESOME costume jewelry!

 

In the mean time, enter to win and GOOD LUCK!

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Change of Plans

My Give Away Today has changed my date!  Please vsit http://www.mygiveawaytoday.com/ on the 29th of September - that is next Wednesday!  You can enter to win a $40 gift certificate to my Etsy shop.  Also, the entire shop will be 20% off from the 29th - October 3rd!  I am adding new styles almost daily, so keep checking http://www.jenniferwilcox.etsy.com/ for the latest!

Monday, September 20, 2010

Sunday, September 19, 2010

My Give Away Today



  Exciting news.  Bleu Bird Design will be the featured vendor on My Give Away Today on the 30th of September.  For those of you who aren't familiar with My Give Away Today, here is the scoop!
Five days a week Give Away Today features at least one vendor of fabulous products or services.  By following a few simple directions you can be entered to win a prize from the days featured vendor.  On September 30th, Bleu Bird Design/jenniferwilcox.etsy.com will be giving away $40 of jewelry to the My Give Away Today winner.  All you have to do is sign up as a Facebook fan of Bleu Bird Design Corp.  It's that easy!  The winner will be selected by My Give Away Today.
For more info on My Give Away Today, visit them at http://www.mygiveawaytody.com/
or click on their button on the right.

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