An Event Show With Heart

Maybe you’ve heard us talk about the Party It Forward Event show and wondered… Just what IS that anyway?

Basically… its an event show with a heart.

To understand how the whole thing came about, let’s go back in time to about 3 years ago… to a discussion we two girls from Brides N Blooms, Wholesale & Designs were having about bridal shows in general. We both decided that as much as the big shows are fun, and you get to meet ALOT of potential clients, its really hard to make a connection to anyone who stops to chat. Too much noise and too many people make it really difficult to do that.

With all the high end items and necessary vendors needed when hosting a wedding or party, we wondered if there was a way to make it just a little easier on the pocketbook. If we could connect upcoming hosts of weddings, parties, etc with the items that they will certainly need for their events, and not  just  the vendors they’ll need, but the little things that cost money. Those things that until you start planning, you might not realize you need! Especially for the DIY girls that put everything together and are very hands on.

The last and most important component we wondered about is how to find a way that people can reuse, recycle and give upcoming event hosts and brides who are spending so much money a break. We thought the best way to do that was to get up and coming hosts together with past hosts of celebrations who have beautiful items that they no longer have a use for. The things they no longer need that could become a new host or brides treasure trove.

That is how we came up with our Party It Forward event show concept!!

Now, you may ask… how do we do accomplish that?

We invite girls who have already had their wedding or party and are trying to sell their event items, and we ask our past clients and their friends to sell any of their event items too. They get to make some money back and the new hosts are getting beautiful almost new items that they need for less money.

And just to make it more interesting, we like looking for the smaller or lesser known venues that  people may not know exist in and around the Tampa Bay Area to co host with us! It is just as fun for us to come upon a hidden treasure of a venue as it is for them to co-host what sometimes is their first bridal/event show! Last, but not least, we thought that no event show is complete without vendors. Since we wanted a boutique style show we decided to only allow one vendor of each category and we only ask vendors that we trust to do a good job, and are customer service friendly, to participate in our vendor area. We like to have the traditional vendors, but we also like to have some that are not so traditional as well!

A concept that helps both the brides and hosts of upcoming events and of past events save money. A show that introduces unique and service oriented vendors. A location that may be a hidden jewel in the Tampa Bay Area.

That is how we “Party It Forward“!

Pictures from our 2/23/14 Party It Forward Event – held at 1930 Grande Room, Ybor City. Photo’s provided by Classic Concepts Photo & Film & Brides N Blooms Wholesale & Designs

We hope you enjoyed the show…Now, go out and have yourself a sustainable, wholesale fresh flower day!

Flowers are big this year!

Flowers are making a real comeback for 2014 Weddings.

There’s been a slow move away from the garden/mason jar look to an elegant rustic look for the less formal wedding.  Lots of bottles, candles/candelabra’s and lace in the table designs while using a neutral and muted palette, like whites, ivories and metallic golds while adding  a bold color like red, tangerine or indigo blue. Lush, soft and romantic flowers like Peony, Garden Roses,  Hydrangeas, as well as succulents & ivy.  This style wedding also has included in it, elements of wine barrels, custom wine as a signature drink, vines, foliage, and looser garden style designs. The look is simple yet graceful.

The 1920’s Gatsby elegance is still very popular. Blush pink, cream, and gold with a pop of a single color such as bright or hot pink, dark apricot or plum.  All white weddings in this style are popular, with lots of lace, pearls and crystal accents. A new request in Vintage style has been RED, and lots of it!

Other popular requests this year are flowers in  pastel colors such as peach/coral, blush pink, butter yellow and purple /lavender color palettes.

Lastly, hair embellishments using fresh flowers are everywhere. Hair Crowns, halos, and flower accents are all on trend.

  

From the  ceremony to the wedding reception, flowers are going to be a huge part of  this year’s weddings.

Now go and have yourself an elegant, wholesale  fresh flower filled day!

 

 

Clever Valentines Day Factoids!

So! Its Valentine’s Day. I’ve been researching a few things about Valentines day and I came across a few surprising factoids!  (not that much of anything about love surprises me anymore.. but some of these facts made me chuckle nonetheless)

1.  Many think proposing on Valentine’s Day is cliche.  Apparently there are about 40% of the female population that thinks this is so. Well, in my opinion, if you’re thinking ‘how cliche” while being asked, then maybe you don’t deserve the guy who’s asking you. I would say who cares what the date is! If the man of my dreams asks me to marry him on Valentines day, then I’d be daft to think anything but YES!!  (Maybe the girls who think its cliche just haven’t been asked yet or if they were they’re quietly wishing their guy had thought of it)

Proposing Marriage

 

2. About 62% of men expect not only that they will have sex on that night, but it will be amazingly better than usual.   (Really??) Well guys.. keep your britches on.. because approximately 50% of women think not. And just because you give us gifts of wine, roses & chocolate doesn’t mean we’re gonna change our minds. Deal with it!

 

3. Men typically outspend women on Valentines day.   Well, now I feel guilty for just getting my special guy a card, some chocolate and funny boxer shorts with hearts on it. Do I need to go and buy an expensive watch too? Or an xbox maybe? You know, personally… I feel a little gyped on Valentine’s day. My birthday is only a few days later, so my frantic hubby has to come up with two special gifts all in the same week. I think it’s gotten a little old for him because now he just asks me “what do you want?”. (Quite the way to put me on the spot! Lately my answer has been anything diamond and please take me to Italy)

 

4. Men are needier creatures than women. Somehow I don’t think this comes as a shock to any of us in long term relationships, but yes, it seems that 45% of men are likelier to stay in a bad or loveless relationship.  Rather than letting go and looking for something better, they’ll hold onto whatever they have  so as not to be alone. That’s really sad. As a matter of fact, that is so sad, I think maybe the next time I meet an unhappy man in a bad relationship, I just might have to give him some fresh flowers… just to cheer him up.

 

5. More than half of the U.S. population celebrates Valentine’s. Day.  It’s a real money maker. Total holiday spending is expected in the 15 billion range. I say, save a little money and wait. Candy is so much cheaper the next day, Jewelry will be on sale, Flowers will be less money. If you’re having a sad, lonely or not quite up to expectations Valentine’s day, don’t despair; The day after go out and buy yourself a bunch of half-priced chocolate filled, heart shaped boxes of candy, some bling and fresh flowers and have yourself a spectacular February 15th.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now go out and have yourself a wholesale fresh flower filled, Valentine’s Day!.

Pick Something Memorable!

We’re always looking for ways to create an ‘out of the box’ idea. Making a statement or something memorably different.

Here are 5 wedding ideas that we think are fun, memorable and certainly out of the box!

1.  A wedding invite with song requests:  Instead of you wracking your brain to give your DJ a list of songs that you hope your guests won’t hate, give your guests the opportunity to participate and give a song selection of their own! Everyone can get their own little tune in there, from the kids to the grandparents!

Wedding Guest Song Selections

2. Team bride or team groom badges: This is a fun way to help your guests get to know each other! Give them “bride” or “groom” badges as they enter. Guests can wear the badge so that they can easily tell if someone is an acquaintance of the bride or groom – it’s an automatic icebreaker, and makes for a great conversation starter too!

Team Bride & Team Groom Badges

3. Wedding photos with messages to loved ones: Have a relative who can’t make it? Create unique signage for your wedding photos so you can send them a special, heartfelt message from your special day. Even if they couldn’t attend, they’ll feel like they were still a special part of your day, and they’ll have a meaningful keepsake that will last forever.

Greetings to guests that couldn't make it to your wedding

4. Karaoke with your guests: Lots of people like to show off their hidden talents and lots of people who shouldn’t sing, do… that’s the fun of karaoke! You never know what is coming next. Have your DJ intersperse the dance music with some karaoke numbers. Encourage your guests to get up and sing… and dance along!

Wedding Party Karaoke

5. Pamplets making fun of your own wedding: Instead of the ordinary wedding programs that list everyone’s name and the order of the service, add some humor to your handouts. Have one with a funny description of the event’s proceedings, or a word search game with a small pencil to go along with it.

So... You're Going To Sit Through A Wedding.....

Whatever you choose to do, be it unusual or traditional, making your event one to remember not just for you, but for your guests, is one of the joys of hosting a big event, and seeing your guests look of surprise or delight is an added bonus!

Now go out and have a fun filled, completely different and memorable, wholesale  flower-filled day!