Spring is on it's way and even though it's still chilly and windy in the northeast, nothing says springtime to me more than brightly colored fresh flowers. Whether you are looking to send flowers to USA or send flowers abroad, Interflora is a great shopping destination for flower gifts and wedding flowers.

The arrangements above are available for shipping to the US

Even though the two above arrangements are only availabe for shipping within the UK, I couldn't resist showing them. In particular, the 100 Hand-tied roses is just exquisite. Each long-stemmed red rose is arranged by hand to create the opulent display. To finish off the bouquet there is a sprinkling of sparkling diamanté pins. And, the arrangement on the right is just beautiful for either a wedding or bridal shower centerpiece.

guest blogging with Rook & Rose

Today I'm happy to have Erica of Rook & Rose {a Canadian luxury floral design boutique} joining me on the blog with some great key trends for 2011 including how to incorporate classic outdoor elements into your special event.

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Victoria BC, the humble home of Rook & Rose, is an adorable location for a variety of weddings. Its eclectic architecture, historical culture and scenic views accommodate every theme from sleek and modern to kitschy and cute. One common consistency among our unique brides is the love of the west coast and wanting to incorporate classic outdoor elements in their special event. That in mind, here are a few key trends for 2011 that truly encapsulate a Victoria wedding:

The Great Outdoors
Ceremony and reception arrangements don’t have to be limited to fresh cut flowers! Other beautiful and natural elements to consider are; branches, moss, rocks, sand and driftwood. Also, set aside the fear of dirt and opt for a potted plant as a centerpiece. This way, you can get a full and lush table display ... and at a much friendlier price. Lastly, dust off the lawn furniture and bring it inside too! Something out of place, but done just right, adds an unexpected sense of whimsy.

DIY Details
A bride shouldn’t underestimate her own creativity... especially since she has the best understanding of what she wants at her wedding. We’ve found that frames have become quite popular. They can act as elegant borders for menu items, table numbers and other helpful signs and labels. The best way to do it? Collect a number of vintage frames and paint them to match your chosen wedding colours. They can also be used for chalkboards which adds a personal touch and versatility (chalkboard paint is available at any craft store).

Unconfined Centerpieces
Who decided flowers needed to be trapped in a vase or container? Take those outdoor elements and display them loosely across a long table or cluster them in the center of a round table. Ask a florist about seasonal blooms that will last a day outside of water and incorporate them into your display. Small water tubes are also a great option . . . just be sure to hide them in your display.

Thank you Erica for sharing these great ideas with my readers today, as well as the gorgeous photos. Please be sure to visit Rook & Rose for even more inspiring photos.

Article Credit: Cara Mcleod, Rook and Rose's manager/PR Rep

Guest Blogging with Eli of Majestic Images

Ask any bride, and she will tell you that her flowers are one of the most important parts of the wedding. She has spent hours, days, or even years picking out exactly what kinds and colors of flowers should be in her bouquet, at the ceremony, and on the tables at the reception. But how do you know that the flowers you choose will look their best immortalized in your wedding photos? Eli Allen {founder of Majestic Images in Philadelphia} and his good friend, Carl Alan {from Carl Alan Floral Design in Philadelphia} have some rules of thumb:

Above Photo Courtesy of Carl Alan Floral Design

1. Make sure the flowers arrive at least an hour before the photographer. One of the worst situations I ever found myself in was when I arrived to take photos of the bridal party and there were no flowers!  We took some photos without the bouquets, but the bride and her attendants didn't know what to do with their hands.  They stood around awkwardly and you could tell in the photos that they weren't comfortable.  When the flowers finally did arrive, we wasted 30 minutes looking at them and then getting the girls lined up again.  On the day of the wedding, there's just no time for that.

2. Pull back on the right colors. Too many times, I've worked with brides that wanted a whole slew of really bright colors in their bouquets. While tempting, it creates a situation where the flowers totally dominate the shots and the bride's pretty face becomes the secondary focus. If you really like bright colors, incorporate them into your reception decor. Or choose one or two for the bouquet surrounded by other, more subtle flowers.

Above Photo Courtesy of Eli Allen, Majestic Images

3. If you're petite, skip the cascade. A cascading bouquet can be really beautiful with the right dress and the right bride. But if you're on the smaller side, resist the urge. Cascading flowers totally overwhelm short or thin brides, making them look even shorter and thinner. This sort of bouquet can also completely block the petite bride's dress.

Eli Allen, founder of Majestic Images in Philadelphia, has been a photographer for more than 30 years.

Guest Blogger with Kim McMullen of Something Spectacular Custom Floral Design and Something Floral

Today I'm happy to welcome Kim of Something Spectacular Custom Floral Design and Something Floral to the blog. She'll be sharing with you a little history on the carnations along with why they are a not only a beautiful option for your wedding, but they are budget-friendly too. If you've seen the new issue of Bride's, you probably saw the article that showcases an event Colin Cowie put together where he used carnations as the main floral element. I'm begining to think that 2010 might be the year that this lovely flower is given a more prominent feature in weddings.

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The carnation, with a history dating back over 2,000 years, is one of the world's oldest cultivated flower varieties. Immediately recognizable for its ruffled appearance and clove-like scent that is said to be motivating and uplifting, the carnation is appreciated for it's heartiness and extended blooming period.

The carnation's botanical name is Dianthus caryophyllus, which when translated, means "flower of love" or "flower of the gods" depending upon the source. There are many meanings for carnations, but the most widely accepted are fascination, distinction, and love.

There are approximately 300 species in the Dianthus genus. Stems with a single large bloom are called standard carnations. Spray carnations, also called minis, bear several smaller blooms on each stem. Carnations are native to the Eastern Hemisphere, and they are found naturally in the Mediterranean region.

Most commonly seen in pinks, reds, and whites, carnations are also available in yellow, peach, purple, lavender, green, and bi-color varieties. They can also be dyed or tinted to match any color scheme. Because of their beautiful texture, pleasant scent, heartiness, and affordability, carnations are among the most popular cut flowers requested and used for corsages and boutonnieres.

Carnations can really stretch a bride's budget. The blooms of standard carnations are relatively large so fewer flowers are needed in each design. The flower heads can cover a large amount of space when used in modern pave designs, and their unique texture adds visual interest. Carnations are very durable and long-lasting, and we especially like to use them massed together to create uniquely-shaped designs items.  We frequently use carnations for pomanders and kissing balls, floral initials, and flower girl scepters.

While carnations have lost some popularity as wedding and special event flowers over the past 10 years, the key to keeping carnation designs modern and in-fashion is to select one or more of the newer color varieties, such as vibrant purples and lavenders, developed in recent years or use them as the one and only botanical variety in mass designs. Carnations can mix beautifully with other larger-bloomed garden flowers, but they look dated when paired with baby's breath (gypsophila) or other tiny bloomed, "filler" flowers.

Advantages of using carnations in wedding/special event flowers:
• Low cost for relatively large size blooms
• Longevity. Carnations will last nearly twice as long as nearly any cut flower, typically ranging from 6-14 days depending on variety.
• Fairly tolerant of heat so they work well for summer or warm climate weddings/events
• Available from florists year-round
• Hearty, durable flower that can be used in a variety of designs
• Can be dyed or tinted to any color
• Their unique texture add extra dimension to bouquets and other floral designs

Interesting facts about the carnation:
• The birth flower for January
• A scarlet carnation was designated as the state flower of Ohio in 1904
• It is the national flower of Spain and the provincial flower of the Balearic Islands
• Its history dates back to ancient Greek and Roman times when the flower was used in art and décor
• Carnations were known as "Jove's Flower" in ancient Rome as a tribute to one of their beloved gods
• Carnations were one of the flowers used in Greek ceremonial crowns, and some scholars believe the name "carnation" comes from "coronation" or "corone" (flower garlands)
• The founder of Mother's Day, Anna Jarvis, used carnations at the first Mother's Day celebration because they were her mother's favorite flower
• In the early part of the 20^th century, carnations became the official flower of Mother's Day.
• In many parts of the world, carnations are more popular than any other variety of flowers, including roses

Kim McMullen is the founder, owner, and lead designer of Something Floral and Something Spectacular Custom Floral Design, both based in the metro Detroit area. Formally educated in fine/visual art, floral design, interior design, and communications, she is best known as "The Picky Bride’s Florist™" and "The Premier Silk Floral Designer™". Specializing in weddings and special events, Kim creates floral artistry in both fresh and silk/artificial mediums, for clients around the world. Her award-winning designs have been published in several issues of Florists' Review (an international magazine for floral designers), Woman's World magazine, and The Bridal Bouquet Book. For local or out-of-area special event floral design services, visit www.SomethingFloral.com and www.SomethingSpectacular.com

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Thank you Kim for joining my readers today to share how carnations can be a beautiful wedding flower while keeping costs down.

Today's eye candy is all about the flowers. I'm showcasing some of the amazing bouquet shots I've come across recently, I love them all and they're each so unique! I'll be taking a break from my weekly This and That post today so I can hopefully get more caught up with work before the holidays, as I'm hoping to take a few days off from work to spend them with family and just relax in front of the fire. Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.

above two photos from Studio 222 Photography {the wedding can be seen here}

above photo from Luster Studios {the wedding can be seen here}

above photo from Chenin of Boutwell Studio {the wedding can be seen here}