For today's post, I have to send a shout-out to Maribel of Eight Tree Street, who is a member of my Wedding Vendor Guide, for letting me know about this great service. Have you ever wondered what you could do with your flowers after your wedding is over? In Washington DC, there's Petal Share, and nationally, there's Repeat Roses. These are programs where you can have your wedding flowers delivered to nursing homes, women's shelters, hospices and more. Maribel recently went with Heather Lawson, the founder of Petal Share in DC, and after delivering flowers to the Washington Nursing Home said, "you should see the love in the faces of the patients there and how grateful they were for the flowers". Many of the people Heather shares flowers with are low-income, and many have never had flowers delivered to them. I can also see this concept working with the gorgeous flowers that are used in styled shoots. Why not share the floral gorgeousness with others that would be overjoyed to receive them?

Pretty Pastel Wedding Centerpiece by Maribel of Eight Tree Street Floral Design | Tablescape Design by Events by Alex, LLC | Menu by Allison Hopperstad Photography | Photo by Ali Mclaughlin Photography

Spectacular Tall Pink and Purple Wedding Centerpiece by Maribel of Eight Tree Street Floral Design | Photo by Rachel Lowe Photography

Jennifer Grove is the founder of the Repeat Roses program which is national. As Jennifer says on her site, the product is kindness:

Weddings typically produce between 400-600 pounds of garbage. The Repeat Roses mission is to turn some of this waste into positive energy by creating unforgettable moments of kindness and paying it forward to those who will benefit from a spot of joy, including residents in nursing homes, hospice care and elderly housing facilities.

Repeat Roses works to match couples all over the country that want to partake in a journey based on giving. Engaged couples volunteer their time and energy to collect the reception flowers and then the cycle is repeated when they donate their reception flowers. They call it "passing the kindness baton".

PS: This is not a sponsored post - I just wanted to share this unique after-wedding idea with you.

I was recently asked by Amara Bridal Registry to be a part of their article 30+ spring wedding tips from the experts. They wanted to talk to the experts {wedding industry professionals and bloggers in the know} to get the best advice and tips for all of those planning a spring wedding. Today, I'm sharing with you my spring wedding tip that I was honored to have published . . .

"Create simple centerpieces for Spring by grouping
several small vases together with single blooms"

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You can place single blooms into individual vases that are similar in style, but vary in height. Grouping them in uneven numbers is always best too. With springtime, it's always fun to think in terms of simplicity and while you might be tempted to go for the big floral centerpiece, a simple centerpiece can make just as much of a statement. Plus, you might even like to send each of the couples at the reception tables home with their very own flower after the wedding {and the vase becomes a keepsake for them} :)

Image Credits:
single hydrangea sprig in a glass vase, dahlias in glass vases, purple blooms in a cluster of vases, fuchsia roses in small glass vases, single rose blooms in Moroccan tea cups

I'm so excited to have Maribel of Eight Tree Street joining my blog today with her predictions as she looks ahead into what will be the hot wedding flower trends for 2014. She is also sharing with us her favorite bouquets and flowers so get ready to ooooh and ahhhh over the gorgeous flowers.

Pink and White Ranunculus Wedding Bouquet | by Eight Tree Street | Photo by Teresa Wood Photography

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Wedding flower trends are constantly evolving into new and beautiful design ideas. Colors, flower varieties and designs for bouquets, arrangements, centerpieces and wedding decor will vary according to the wedding theme and colors . . . from simple and elegant, to eco-chic, to rustic and glamorous. Going into 2014 we see some similar variety in trends when compared to what we have seen this year. This will include tons of color along with blush, pinks, champagne and whites, accented by stylish touches. All of this will fit a more personalized, unique and one-of-a-kind look to complement each bride.

Here are a few of our favorite bouquets and flowers. You will also be able to see how the colors and themes create new trends which will continue into the new year . . .

Delphinium and Nigella Flowers - Blue hydrangea bouquet | by Eight Tree Street | photo by P Square Studios {with Dazzling blue as Pantone's 2014, Maribel is getting tons of requests for blue flowers}

Number 1: Romantic Looks and Delicate Colors

If you are looking for a vintage heirloom look with a sweet romantic flair . . . add garden roses, ranunculus and peonies to your wedding flowers. Peonies in blush pinks, white and reds make gorgeous bouquets and add a fabulous addition to your wedding centerpieces. They make a statement by themselves or when grouped with other wedding flowers. To supplement these fabulous blooms, consider adding in lisianthus, stock, scabiosa flowers (available in purple, burgundy, white and pink) and sweet peas. They will create a bouquet that is delicate and delightfully scented. Spray roses are always available and you can get them in a variety of colors throughout the year. They offer a great complement to shabby chic wedding decor.

Blush Wedding Bouquet with Ranunculus, Garden Roses and Peonies | by Eight Tree Street | photo by Sam Stroud Photo

Number 2: Bold, Beautiful and Modern

Touches of color can be achieved with hints of ranunculus, poppy flowers, dahlias, freesias and anemones.
 • Ranunculus come in a variety of pinks, purples, orange and white.
 • Add anemones to the mix for a bloom that is cheerful and complements a sophisticated design with clean lines and an urban look.
 • Dahlias, perfect for summer and fall weddings, come in delicious pinks, oranges and purples. Burgundy Dahlias are perfect for the fall season, and the much sought-after Cafe au Lait Dahlia is the most perfect and inspiring bloom for a blush bouquet.
 • Freesias were a hit in 2013 and we hope they continue in 2014, as they not only bring a delicate scent as an accent flower, but they also add a splash of color to your wedding day with purple, bright yellow, red, hot pink and white.

Roses and Anemone Wedding Bouquet with brooch | photo by Procopio Photography

Hot Pink Wedding Bouquet with Dahlias, Larkspur, Zinnias, Craspedia and Godetia | by Eight Tree Street | photo by MeShenee Photography

Number 3: Eco Chic and Organic Looks

A wonderful variety of plants and flowers can be added to create a wedding bouquet that boasts a fresh look and an eco-friendly design. Include succulents, air plants, proteas, berries, scabiosa pods, clemantis and helleborus for a design that is both exciting and truly unique. In the fall, you can add celosia (cockcomb) in gem colors for additional texture to your bouquets.

Yellow and White Freesia Wedding Bouquet | by Eight Tree Street | photo by Teresa Wood Photography

Number 4: Exciting new color ideas

The color predictions for 2014 include a variety of blues in all shades. Numerous flowers including delphinium, agapanthus and nigella flowers add fabulous blue accents to wedding flowers. It's a look that fits with a country chic, rustic and vineyard wedding design. Anemones also come in a decadent blue purple which is the perfect complement for a winter wedding or a bohemian chic design.

Anemone Boutonniere | photo by Procopio Photography

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EightTreeStreet is a home-based Indie floral design studio located in the Washington DC Metropolitan Area. They offer floral design for events, home decor and weddings. They can custom design all florals to tell a story, celebrate life and inspire. In their studio, you'll find unique designs for all occasions including sculptural wreaths perfect for home décor and weddings, decorative wedding florals, silk flower bouquets, brooch bouquets, handmade bridal accessories, fresh flower bouquets, centerpieces and floral arrangements, and other floral decor.

Happy Monday! I'm thrilled to have Chelsea of Ad Finem Flores joining me on the blog today as we kick off another week of great wedding inspiration. Chelsea is here to share with us her top 5 unique tips on how to select your wedding flowers. I now turn the blog over to her . . .

1. Consider what style of bouquets and centerpieces you want

For a bridal bouquet, there are three main types of bouquets. Consider which bouquet style fits your personality and your vision for the day. The first type of bouquet, a garden, or hand-tied bouquet, is exactly what it sounds like – a bouquet that looks like it was just plucked from a cottage garden. These bouquets often give off a bohemian or rustic feel and are ideal for outdoor weddings, weddings on a budget or weddings with a do-it-yourself feel. 

The second type of bouquet is called a cascade bouquet. These types of bouquets seem to tumble from a bride’s hand. These bouquets tend to be seen in outdoor weddings, more ornate weddings and weddings with a strong focus on flowers. They often go well with a pastel color theme, lace and more traditional feeling weddings.  

The third and most common type of bouquet is called a round bouquet. These bouquets fit well with almost every style of wedding, perhaps a reason for their popularity. These bouquets can often showcase round and star shaped flowers as well as special ribbons along the stems of the bouquet.

2. Pick a main flower

Some women knew the style, color and arrangement of their wedding flowers from the time they heard their first fairy tale as a girl. For others, flowers at a wedding seem like more of a last thought than anything necessary for a wedding. However, before you make any final decisions on wedding flowers, consider which flowers are your favorites, which ones you have a small crush on, and which ones embody beauty to you. Try on a main flower for a couple days; imagine your wedding with that flower in it. If it still flirts with you after a few days, you have your main flower to feature in your wedding.

3. Pick two or three other flowers

Once you have your main flower, consider what other flowers you might like in your wedding bouquet. Sometimes the most unusual combinations of flowers make the most beautiful bouquets and flower arrangements. Consider the shape of your main flower as well and consider finding two or three other flowers that have completely different shapes from your main flower. For example, if you have tiger lilies as your main flower, consider tulips and peonies as your secondary flowers. Your florist will be able to work with a star-shaped flower, a round flower and a more cone-like flower. Your bouquet will have variety and texture with these three flowers and will be gorgeous.

4. Roses required?

Not necessarily. However, florists often use roses as a beautiful compliment to your main flower for many reasons. Roses are always in season and easy to buy. Roses come in an almost infinite variety of colors and shapes. Roses have a very romantic, very straightforward message. There are some very beautiful types of roses that break the cliché of the traditional red rose. Before you sign off roses for some other variety of flower . . . carnations {the symbol of death in many cultures} . . . hydrangeas {possibly the most fragile and easily damaged flower} . . . consider spray roses, garden roses and cabbage roses as options for your wedding flowers.

5. Consider the symbolism of your flowers

One of the greatest things about flowers is the rich symbolism associated with each flower and color of flower. When these symbols are put together, your bouquet can contain a romantic and hopeful story. For example, cornflowers, a beautiful blue flower often used for boutonnieres was once considered a way for men to determine if there was a woman at a wedding who loved them. If their flower did not wilt throughout the wedding, that meant there was a woman at the wedding who was in love with the man. If the flower wilted, then there was no woman at the wedding who was in love with the man. Having a bouquet that has a story in it adds another layer of meaning to your wedding day. Ask your florist to include symbolic flowers in your wedding for specific purposes.

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Ad finem flores is a small scale wedding florist company owned by Chelsea Dibble. They are located in the Denver metro area and cater to weddings in Colorado and southern Wyoming. Any and every budget is accommodated. Chelsea writes . . . "Ad finem flores is extremely unique in the collaboration we have with each of our brides. Every bride's vision for her flowers is painstakingly executed. We want to know your vision for your wedding—the colors, the styles, the small details and the intimate stories of your friends and family. We are passionate about the symbolism of flowers, the second meanings of colors and the ways that flowers can emphasize the important details of you and your groom’s wedding day. Once you become an Ad finem flores bride, you and your groom manage a planning webpage with Ad finem flores. This way, we know exactly what styles of flowers and flower arrangements you are envisioning for your big day. You will have a visual plan of your wedding flowers that you can add to, comment on and orchestrate for your wedding day. Ad finem flores’s work stands out from others because we obsess over how to see the vision of the bride and deliver exactly what she wants for her wedding day."

I was so intrigued when I saw the most unique wedding bouquet on pinterest this week {shown below}. I immediately re-pinned it and went to read more about it and then of course I wanted to get the definition of a "Concentric Wedding Bouquet". According to wikipedia, this type of bouquet is known as the "Biedermeier-style bouquet, with concentric rings of flower types and colours" {see sketch below}.

The concentric bouquet shown above was created by weaving together metal wires in an umbrella shape with a small plate on the top. The structure was then wrapped in paper thread before violets, Pilea, and Typha leaves were glued to the form. [Floral Design is by Sergey Malyuchenko with Photography by Katya Yeliseyeva]

Photo Sources: 1, 2 {created by Renee vanRems}, 3, 4, 5