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Have You Been Wondering…?

I bet some of you have been wondering… “Where have our 2 Brides N Blooms girls been??”

If you haven’t, well, we 2 girls will not be offended.  We hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday, as we did!  And now we’re gearing up for the winter season, with holiday parties and winter weddings!

So, where have we been and what have we been doing? …  We’ve been right here, making lots of wedding flowers and designs!! Here’s a look back at some of our favorites:

A lush and green outdoor setting. This wedding was held at a lovely country setting called Laurel Woods in Dade City, FL. Our bride chose deep burgundy red and greenery for her designs and it all looked beautiful.

Ivy & Seeded Eucalyptus greenery with Red Roses, Hypericum Berry and Fiddle Fern

Ivy & Seeded Eucalyptus greenery with Red Roses, Hypericum Berry and Fiddle Fern

Trailing Centerpiece

Trailing Centerpiece

Outdoor Tent in Burgundy and White with Greenery

Outdoor Tent in Burgundy and White with Greenery

This elegant event was held at the stately Avila Country Club in North Tampa. An outdoor feel for an indoor space, this bride wanted a natural, yet rich looking event. We 2 girls think it went perfectly as planned.

White Lily & Rose, with Red Orchid Cascade Brides Bouquet

White Lily & Rose, with Red Orchid Cascade Brides Bouquet

Maid & Matron of Honor rose bouquets

Maid & Matron of Honor rose bouquets

Arch & Aisle Decor with Greenery,Curly Willow & Flowers

Arch & Aisle Decor with Greenery,Curly Willow & Flowers

Avila's lovely reception space

Avila’s lovely reception space

Escort & Gift Table Design

Escort & Gift Table Design

The Groom’s family also had beautiful centerpieces for their wedding rehearsal dinner the night before!

Stargazer Lily & Lily Grass Bowl

Stargazer Lily & Lily Grass Bowl

It would not be fall in florida without a beautiful Beach Wedding! This event was coordinated by Beachangel Weddings and we were so happy to work together with them! Beautiful bright colors for a warm wedding day.

Teardrop Bridal Bouquet with Stargazer Lily, Mini Callas, Orchids & Roses

Colorful Teardrop Bridal Bouquet with Stargazer Lily, Mini Callas, Orchids & Roses

Escort Table Vase

Escort Table Vase

Tulle & Flower Arch

Tulle & Flower Arch

This Garden & Greenery style wedding was a special one for we 2 girls. We have known this bride since she was a little girl and it was our honor and pleasure to be able to share her special day with her family, as well as make her wedding floral dreams come true!

Lush Greenery Bouquet

Lush Greenery Bouquet

Ceremony Arrangements

Ceremony Arrangement

Escort Table Design

Escort Table Design

Bouquet Style Tall Cylinder Style

Bouquet Style Tall Cylinder Style

Garden Style Bubble Bowl

Garden Style Bubble Bowl

Mixed Flower & Candle Centerpiece

Mixed Flower & Candle Centerpiece

 

“Like” us on Facebook and check out our Pinterest pages for our 2015 designs and events.

Visit our website at Brides N Blooms Designs to see all our floral choices and designs.

 

Now go out and have yourself a fabulous and fun Wholesale Flower-Filled Day!

 

Whatever Will Be Will Be

One of our morning routines is to catch up on the news, social media, and maybe look for something different than just headlines. (Admittedly, sometimes looking for an idea to spark a blog post!) Sure enough, this article came across the screen and after reading it, the first thought was….Wow.  It isn’t wedding related at all, it’s actually ‘life’ related, it goes directly to how people behave when planning for an event and some of the things we two girls have noticed about Brides & their families during that time.

 

Here is the link… Americans over 65 shared their greatest regret in life — and the most common one may surprise you

Now, when it comes down to where we two girls are in age, experiences and life goals, one of us girls is older than the other…though 7 years difference may not seem like much in the overall scheme of things, at the ages we currently are, its huge in terms of where you want to be and where you are in your life’s journey, what you and your family deem worthy of worry and what you think of as no big deal anymore. Obviously, there are certain variables in worry levels as everyone’s personality is different. Some of us are born to worry (aka, chicken little DNA imprint), some of us choose to worry (because there are those that thrive on drama) and some of us have reached the point where we realize that life’s job is to kick you around enough so that you learn to value every minute, (good, bad or ugly) and embrace “whatever will be will be’.

As we watch brides and their families prepare for their big day, we see more often than not, Brides, Moms, & Party hosts, stressing themselves out by worrying about every tiny little thing, putting SO much pressure on themselves and everyone around them. To make matters worse, depending on the family dynamic, everyone gets swept up into the mania of trying to control everything, and over thinking every little choice/detail.

The truth is… no wedding or big planned event, just like life, goes without a hiccup. Some have more than others…decidedly so… but all the worry, control mongering and stressing out cannot and will not change the outcome.  Letting go of all that pre-day worry, and having some faith and trust in everyone’s capabilities who are a part of your big event, will make the whole process far less stressful.

The funny thing is, most brides and event hosts, by the day of, are so done with worry, so done with stressing over the details, that they actually get to that place of inner calm and think, “let me experience every moment of today, because it will be gone in an instant”.

Now, wouldn’t it be grand to live your life, all the time, with that kind of calm and peace?

Now…. go out and have yourself a worry-free, calm & peaceful, letting go of control, wholesale flower-filled day!

May The Force Be Included

Today is Labor Day and it is a great American holiday to commemorate…

However, this past Friday’s ‘holiday’ held a special place for the geek in we two girls.. it was Star Wars Friday! So, we figured we should celebrate the Star Wars fan bride with a a few cool ways to bring a little bit of Jedi love into your wedding day. Obviously, there is always the choice of having your hair done up in Leia Bun style, or having a Star Wars-themed cake, but in case you’re  looking for some different ideas, here are few ways you can incorporate the force into your big day:

Star Wars wedding cake toppers! What a perfect top to a traditional wedding cake… it doesn’t scream Star Wars, just gently lets your inner geek come through.

Star Wars Fabric Garter Belts…we found a few of these on Etsy.  The ad sums it up perfectly “An intimate surprise for your special day”

Star Wars Fabric Jewel Wedding Bridal Garter Set Prom Double Heart Charm

R2D2 string lights! How cool would those be hanging on some silk plants or around a buffet table!!

http://www.target.com/p/star-wars-10ct-r2-d2-string-lights/-/A-17305694?ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=17305694&ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001&AFID=google_pla_df&CPNG=pla_seasonal+shopping&adgroup=sc_seasonal&LID=20pgs&KID=7fcd4d89-7d50-3ca9-2235-000068b2fcf7&kpid=17305694&gclid=CjwKEAjwpaqvBRCxzIGoxs6v2TkSJADel-MIMZNxRj_wBKvWQJbtNBM8kuL255eKb9c_9tJ-f0FTnBoCuQHw_wcB

And our personal favorite:

A whole selection of Star Wars Wedding bands and rings:                                                                                              http://www.custommade.com/gallery/custom-geeky-rings/star-warsa1beaa/fltrMzUw/

Custom Made R2d2 Wedding Bands

We love it when our brides think outside the box and incorporate their geeky loves into their big day. It adds a little bit of fun and a little bit of cheekiness to an otherwise auspicious occasion.

Now go out and have yourself a flower filled, may the force be with you day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bridal Gowns Redux

This blog is one we posted awhile back and thought it is a GREAT one to share again! The original article was in dailyfinance.com. 

You’ve been dreaming of this day for years: Your boyfriend finally popped the question, and you’ve set a wedding date.

Now starts the hunt for a bridal gown that will make you feel like the most beautiful girl in the world but won’t have you crying down the aisle because you’ve spent a small fortune on something you’ll (hopefully) only wear once. Don’t fret: We’ve explored the costs of buying a dress at bridal salons, retail chains, sample sales and online resale resources — and offered tips for landing a solid deal from each option.

Bridal Salons

Nothing will beat the service and pampering you’ll get at a bridal salon. And for many women, the experience of shopping at a store dedicated to their big day is a rite of passage — but at what cost?

On average, brides spent about $1,100 for a wedding dress last year, and an overwhelming number of them –58% — purchased their gown at a local bridal salon, according to The Real Weddings Study by The Knot, the wedding planning resource.

Dresses purchased at bridal salons will tend to be more expensive, Rachel Leonard, fashion director for BRIDES magazine, told WalletPop, “[because] they’ll be made to order.” It’s where you’ll end up with a dress that will fit you well with more exacting alterations because that’s the store’s specialty, she adds.

What’s more, Leonard offers, “They’ll make it more of a special experience, and you’ll be waited on.”

At a bridal salon, you’ll have a plethora of dress choices from a variety of designers, Amy Eisinger, associate editor of WeddingChannel.com, (affiliate of The Know) told WalletPop. This means dresses will run the gamut from formal, traditional and ornate poofy frocks to classic and modern looks.

If you’re looking for that pampered salon treatment but still want to land a deal, consider this:

Bridal salons range from the moderate to the upscale. To find a lower-priced dress, look for salons that include gowns in their collection that come from vendors that specialize in more affordable fare, such asAllure and Watters & Watters, Leonard suggests. These suppliers, she says, “make good, classic wedding dresses ..and you’ll get a lot of bang for your buck.”

Dresses from these manufacturers will generally range in price from about $500 to $1,700, Leonard says, although there will be a wide selection at the lower end of that range at the moderately priced salons. You’ll get an even better deal if you buy one that’s on sale.

You’ll also pay less for a dress with a simple silhouette without a lot of embellishments, internal structure, or yards and yards of taffeta or organza, Eisinger says.

Another big way to save? “Avoid custom alterations, or keep them to a minimum,” Eisinger suggests. For instance, stay away from altering the neckline or changing a dress from short to long sleeves. Instead, try to find a dress that already incorporates these details.

If you must have alterations made, compare the cost of altering your dress at the bridal salon with the cost of using an outside tailor, who might be less expensive.

And then there’s that old rule: “If you stick the word ‘wedding’ on anything, the price tends to go up,” Eisinger says. If you do tap a regular tailor, get quotes from several different tailors before making your decision and make sure they have experience and are adept at altering bridal gowns.

National Bridal Chains

National bridal chains, such as David’s Bridal and Alfred Angelo, offer a huge selection of dresses in all different sizes and styles at mostly affordable prices. In general, these bridal chains sell their own brand of dresses, save for some exclusive and licensed collections.

According to Leonard, the dresses these stores sell are typically made from a less expensive fabric than what you’ll find at a bridal salon.

“But there’s no question that buying off the rack will save you a lot,” Eisinger says.

At Alfred Angelo, for instance, dresses range from $199 to $3,000, with most hovering in the $599 price range, says the chain’s spokeswoman, Amanda Sheronas. “The gowns that we create fit every woman’s price point and budget,” Sheronas adds.

At David’s Bridal, dresses are priced from about $299 to $1,400, but you can find sale dresses for as low as $100. If you’ve got your heart set on a dress from a big-name designer, the retailer now sells White, an exclusive line from none other than Vera Wang, with dresses priced from $600 to $1,400. The line was created to give more brides a chance to wear “the designer gown of their dreams at an attainable price point,” according to a David’s Bridal press statement.

Jelena Katkova illustration

Jelena Katkova -Getty Images

Retail Stores Say “I Do” to Bridal

More and more non-bridal retailers, particularly specialty apparel chains, are getting into the wedding dress business — and their collections are typically less expensive than what’s sold at a bridal salon.

If you’re willing to step outside the bridal box, check out the wedding dresses at Ann Taylor, White House Black Market, J. Crew and Urban Outfitters’ new Anthropologie spin-off division, BHLDN (Beholden) to see if they strike your fancy.

Just know that you likely won’t find the pomp-and-circumstance-type gown that’s available in a bridal boutique. For the most part, these retailers are offering simpler silhouettes that generally won’t be as formal, Eisinger says. If you’re having a more casual affair, be sure to check out these retailers’ stock of non-bridal white dresses that can double as a wedding dress, Eisinger says, which is another great way to save.

And it’s the affordability factor that just might win you over. For example, wedding dresses at White House Black Market range from about $348 to $698. Dresses at Ann Taylor go for as low as $300 for a simple, tulle, strapless number to $896 for an all-over lace gown; many of Ann Taylor’s dresses hover in the $395 to $499 range.

At J. Crew and Beholden, the dresses tend to be pricier. Still, you can find a $300 dress at J. Crew, but you’ll also see ones that go for as much as $3,500.

There’s one big compromise to consider when shopping at these lower-priced retailers: Dresses at these stores are mostly online exclusives, which means you can’t try them on. (A few of these retailers carry bridal dresses in a handful of their stores.) So before you buy, be sure to check retailers’ return policies.

One slightly unusual source you might to consider is Costco, which entered the bridal business this year with its Signature collection of dresses from designer Kirstie Kelly. And while you can land a deal, you won’t necessarily land a steal: Costco’s dresses, which are being sold in a handful of stores, range from about $600 to as high as $1,400.

Sample Sales

Bridal salons — as well as off-price department store Filene’s Basement, with its Running of the Brides event — hold sample sales a few times a year, where brides-to-be can score dresses for discounts of as much as 80% off the original price.

These sales can be like frenzied sporting events, as shoppers compete to snatch up a limited supply of bargain dresses.

Just know this: “You should be prepared to pay in cash and buy the dress that day,” Eisinger says. Also, the dress will likely be soiled and need to be washed, so plan on factoring in that cost, she says.

 

Second-Hand Dresses

If you really want to save big on your wedding dress and don’t mind wearing something used, you have s a host of options.

For one, there are sites devoted to selling pre-owned wedding dresses, such as Encorebridal.com, OnceWed.com, and PreOwnedWeddingDresses.com, which recently featured a new Oleg Cassini dress for $250, 72% off the original price.

While the assortment and sizes at second-hand resellers will be limited, Eisinger says, “this is where you can find dresses that are very inexpensive. In some cases, the brides have worn the dress only once, or maybe they never wore the dress.” Just remember, you most likely won’t have the option of returning the dress, so be prepared for the transaction to be a final sale.

You should also check out consignment stores and thrift shops for wedding dresses. Goodwill, for one, holds an annual bridal showcase, where used, designer wedding gowns can be snatched up for as little as $99. Check to see if the Goodwill in your area is planning such as an event.

And if you want to save on your dress but also want to give back, check out Brides Against Breast Cancer’s Nationwide Tour of Gowns. Most gowns in the collecting range from $99 to $799, and the tour features both new and donated wedding dresses, including some high-end designer dresses. Sales benefit Making Memories, a foundation devoted to brightening the lives of women whose cancer is terminal.

Now that you can breathe easy about finding a gorgeous wedding dress for less, all you have to worry about is…everything else!

Now go out and have yourself a dressy, wholesale flower filled day!