A Step Outside the Box

Designed for the bride instead of a traditional bouquet. I just love it!

The Mother's of the Bride and Groom wore matching wristlets.

The flower girl carried this basket and wore white angel wings...you can see a bit of the feathers I added under the hydrangea.

Here is one of the centerpieces. Every table had a different centerpiece all variations of the same theme.
I love it when a bride just allows me to create and trusts me enough to step outside of the box. Weddings do not always have to be "matchy, matchy." As long as a basic colour theme or style is followed a wedding can have a cohesive look while bringing visual interest and dynamics to the event. Do not be afraid to mix it up a bit.
"The further from the path.....the prettier the flower."
~ Little Red Riding Hood ~

The Art of Holding Your Bridal Bouquet

I bet you didn't know there is an art to carrying your bridal bouquet. Well there is! I have had this pet peeve for a while now and am going to address it in this post. I look at a lot of wedding photos and it really disturbs me when I see a bride carrying her bouquet too high; usually she is carrying it under her chin somewhere and her elbows are tucked tightly into her sides like she's clutching something precious to her chest. While your wedding bouquet is precious it's not Frodo's ring!
Your wedding bouquet is an accessory like a nice pair of earrings, funky handbag or fabulous pair of shoes. It has been designed to compliment your wedding dress, your build, your colouring as well as fit into your wedding scheme. If you hold your bouquet too high it covers all the beautiful details and embellishments on the bodice of your dress. You know, those details you fretted about in the dress shop.....seed pearls or crystals, cap sleeves or strapless? What about that heirloom necklace your grandmother gave you to wear on your special day? What about that debate you had with your mother regarding showing your cleavage or not....you know..... the conversation you won to wear that plunging V neckline ? Forget about it because you won't see any of it if you hold your bouquet too high! Your poor groom when looking back at your wedding photos will sorely miss those cleavage shots that photographers so love to take! Sigh.Poor guy, I feel for him. Honest I do.
So, how do you hold your bouquet then? Hold your bouquet at your waist so that you elbows can touch the sides of your waist and then take your elbows out slightly so they are no longer touching your sides but have a nice curve in them. See above picture. Tilt the bouquet slightly forward so that the stems are pointing towards your stomach. The reason it is important to lift your elbows away from your sides is that it is flattering to your arms. It gives your arms tone.When your arms are mashed against your sides it makes them look large....even thin arms look larger when pressed tightly against your sides. Trust me it's true. Try it in the mirror. Tilting the bouquet slightly forward insures the bouquet can be seen by everyone including the photographer. A bouquet adds beauty,colour and gives lovely texture to photographs. Keep your bouquet with you for photographs; it is an important bridal accessory that you have put a lot of thought into. It is sad when you have put a lot of thought into your floral pieces for your wedding day and they are not represented well in your photographs. Not all photographers are details orientated. Ask your photographer to get some nice shots of your bridal party and close ups of their floral pieces, including your centerpieces, altar and cake flowers. You'll be happy you did. There are many details to think about when planning a wedding but thank goodness you now know how to hold your bouquet!

Floral Fashionista Fridays Presents: It's a Wrap! Part 2

You don't have to be a model to wear something that looks like it's fresh off the runway! This organza ruffle caplet handmade by Christine from modernromancepdx based out Portland is just the ticket to all the glamour needed on your wedding day!
Garden roses wrap is perfect for a breezy garden wedding.
This is my absolute favourite! This silk shoulder wrap perfect for almost any style of wedding dress; so affordable, and great for the bride with an individual sense of style. I love shrugs and caplets and am so happy to see they are making a comeback.Thanks to designers like Christine at modernromancepdx you can look like a million bucks without having to spend it!

Jewelry to Inspire

It is very rare that I see something that makes my heart skip a beat due to it's incredible beauty, but this custom made jewelry by Wearable by Design did just that. It is so incredibly stunning, creative and evocative.It goes beyond typical jewelry and becomes an art piece, a family heirloom to be passed down from generation to generation. This jewelry is designed by Jennifer Smith-Righter from Redwood City, California.She designs in silver and semi-precious gems often inspired by nature or mechanical objects.Quite often each individual component of a piece is made by hand to create the whole.She sometimes uses old world techniques like the lost wax process. To me these pieces are incredible pieces of art at an affordable price for custom jewelry. I absolutely love them and hope you do to. Please check out her shop.
First, let me say I am not a huge fan of costume jewelry and especially not on your wedding day.I really feel that a bride should invest in a piece that she is going to love,that she is going to wear and remember her wedding day and how beautiful she felt, that she will pass down to her sons and daughters and that they will pass on and so on. I realize not everyone can afford custom jewelry but even a pair of earrings or bracelet that is an heirloom can create the same effect.I really feel that it would be so special to have your groom, mother or father present you with something so lovely as a custom piece of jewelry for your wedding day to wear at your wedding.I think this tradition is lost and is replaced with gift certificates,toasters and cappuccino makers.
How lovely are these earrings for a bride? Completely customizable with different beads.
This necklace is called "Scarlett Ophelia" and it actually made me swoon.I seriously want to change my name to" Scarlett Ophelia"or at least start up an all girl band called this....but I digress! Is it not beautiful! I love it!

This piece has such a vintage feel to it.
The Oak Leaf necklace.Each leaf is individually made so no two are alike.
Are you swooning yet?

Save the bees!

How dainty and delicate; perfect for the not so flashy bride or bridesmaid.
Please reconsider your wedding jewelry.Rhinestones, pearls, silver or gold ....just choose a piece you love. You are worth it!
Please check out Jennifer's shop Wearable by Design. I couldn't post everything even though I wanted to....her mechanical designs are works of art too!

The Never, Never List for Choosing Bridesmaids

Every now and then a bride shares that she is having difficulties with one of her bridesmaids.This just breaks my heart. On a day that is going to be one of the most important days of your life it is really important to choose the right people to be your bridesmaids. In my opinion a bride has enough to think about without having to worry if one of her bridesmaids is going to act up,ruin the special day, or leave her in the lurch at the last moment.So with that in mind here is the Never, Never List:

• Never, Never choose a bridesmaid who has kissed one of you boyfriends and I'm not talking on the cheek. Even if it was in grade 10 and she was drunk on cheap wine! This friend is the "competitor". She will always compete with you over everything regardless of what it entails. A bridesmaid like this does not have your best interests at heart.

• Never, Never choose a bridesmaid who when you tell her you have just gotten engaged makes comments like these, "I can't believe you are getting married before me." "I can't believe you are marrying him.""I can't believe you are having your wedding there.""I can't believe you're going to wear that." or any such similar statement. This friend is the "under miner".A bridesmaid like this is jealous of you and will always try to find a way to subtly put you down.

• Never, Never choose a bridesmaid who does not have similar taste to you. This friend is the "complainer". She will complain about the dresses, the cost of the dress, the colour scheme and anything else she can find to complain about.

• Never,Never choose a bridesmaid who is an excessive flirt.This friend is the "flirt" and will flirt with every male within proximity because she feels weddings are a good place to find a date. She most likely means well, but will not be thinking about how she can best serve the bride. Instead, she'll be wondering if "Cousin Jim" is single and will follow him around the dance floor relentlessly until he notices her, or she finally realizes he's married. Where will she be when you need help with all those yards of bridal silk and the loo is calling!

• Never, Never choose a bridesmaid who can't handle her liquor. This friend is the "party girl" and while she'll be fun to have at your bachelorette party. It can really ruin an elegant affair to have one of your bridesmaids get sick on the dance floor or on those yards and yards of bridal silk I mentioned earlier.

• Never,Never choose a bridesmaid who has had an affair with a married man. I'm not even going to explain this one but you've been forewarned!

This is the Never, Never list and could easily be applied to choosing a groomsman just substitute the feminine words with the masculine. I realize this post may come across a little harsh and unforgiving but If I can save just one bride from regret, embarrassment or heartbreak on her wedding day my job has been done.

Decor Idea PomLove!

So, it's true I'm not a big fan of paper decorations. Streamers, paper bells and doves just don't make me happy....too 70's. But then I came across these poms from PomLove and I said, "Wow! Modern,Chic, somewhat DIY....." my brain exploded with the creative possibilities, "....Must tell the world! " I gasped to myself.
I think these would be fabulous hanging from a reception venue ceiling in bridal theme colours or from trees in a garden wedding. I love the shades of green above... lovely for a spring wedding in green and white! The lead time on ordering these is three weeks so order early.They are shipped from Oregon flat and you make them into the poms yourself.They are precut with instructions and hanging filament. If you are a DIY bride this will make it so much easier.
Look at all the colours and more coming soon!

I now have me some serious PomLove !!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter
from
Bella Fiore !

Floral Fashionista Fridays Presents: It's a Wrap! Part 1

This week on Floral Fashionista Fridays we are featuring the work of Elena fromTickled Pink Knits. She is a fabulous artisan based out of New York and we think her "Victoriana Scarflette" is divine!
It is still cold here in Victoria, B.C. and our poor spring bride's are suffering with the cold and rain. What better way to stay warm than to wrap your decolletage in this fabulous scarflette made form luxurious knit wool and bamboo!

It comes in 20 custom colours!

The Rococo Shawl comes in 18 custom colours and would be great for the bride or her bridesmaids.Don't they look snuggly and warm?
Chocolate brown a perennial favourite.
Bold tangerine.We love it!
Elena at Tickled Pink Knits favourite materials to work with are merino wool,alpaca wool,cotton and cashmere. We think these would make wonderful bridesmaids gifts to tie in with the colour of their dresses and your wedding decor. They also add a wonderful textural element to wedding photographs.
Last but not least, we wanted to share with you part of Elena's creative philosophy because it is so similar to our own and is part of why we love her so!

"Do what you love and be confident that you will find an appreciative audience. Be original, be bold. Work hard. Stay positive. Provide unwaveringly excellent service to your current and potential customers. Support the work of others."

Drop in next Friday when we present Part 2 of It's a Wrap! Please view our earlier posts and enter our MOTHER'S DAY GIVE AWAY CONTEST 2009 featured here on our blog.
It's a Wrap!

Invitation Inspiration

Ooh La La put on that red lipstick and paint your nails because today's post celebrates vintage, glam and retro, art deco inspired wedding invitations. Sit back and enjoy!
When I come across something so unique and unusual in the wedding world like these inspired wedding invitations from Enfin, La Voila! my heart leaps with joy!
I love the retro, art deco feel of these invitations and the use of colour is delightful! I think these would be fabulous in a vintage,glam style of wedding with birdcage veils,hair fascinators and the like.
Marijke the Graphic Designer behind these inspired invitations is based out of Belgium but ships internationally and works with many international clients. I have the feeling she could design any wedding invitation you desire. She also has fabulous and quirky gift cards. Be sure to check out her shop....so many inspired designs! Here are just a few!

Don't you think this peony invitation would go fabulous with the peony clutch we featured in our Floral Fashionista Friday last week?

The above two are so fresh and spring like!
I see mix matched china, candlelight, a romantic garden venue and an intimate reception with your closest family and friends. Shabby chique. Could this be you?
It goes without saying....We Love Purple!!

Thank-you, Enfin, La Voila!

Spring Weddings 2009

Here are a few floral details I did for a recent wedding in March. I love the fresh, romantic colours of chartreuse and pink.This wedding was all about orchids! I can't wait to see the real photos when the couple gets back from their honeymoon. Enjoy!
I have a feeling this bouquet is going to be one of my favourites this season. It is so romantic and feminine.
The Bride's Maids carried these bouquets in cream and chartreuse.
The Fathers and Grandfathers wore these simple and elegant boutonnieres . The Groom lost his Grandfather the day before the wedding. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family.
The Flower Girls were very young so I suggested they carry their special teddies down the aisle.Not before we dressed them up!

I just fell in love with the creamy texture and pink throat of these orchids. My studio was full of the heavenly scent of orchids.What florist could ask for anything more ! Stay tuned for our Mother's Day Giveaway Contest posted this week. See older posts.

Luxe for Less in Seven Easy Steps

In this economy many brides want to save money on their wedding flowers and decor but still want their event to look beautiful and elegant. Here are seven easy ways to have a
" Luxe for Less" wedding:

1. Choose a Theme and Work it Baby! Why? Even the simplest of themes gives your wedding a cohesive look. I am not talking full out " Western" with cowboy hats and cowboy boot centerpieces....although we do love you Calgarians! I am talking as simple as "Old Hollywood" think black and white with pops of red or "Vintage Romance" think pale pinks, lavender, cream, lace, and china teacups.How about "Modern Eco Chick" think chartreuse green, twigs,organic food, local wine and soy candles. You can pretty much glam up a theme without spending a lot of money. Why? The overall effect of the theme catches the eye and ties everything together more than the individual details
2. Monochromatic Colour Scheme! Why? Again, a monochromatic colour scheme can offer a cohesive look. It doesn't matter what your budget may be, a monochromatic colour scheme pulls a room together and always manages to look elegant. Again, individual elements are noticed less. No one will notice that your centerpieces are made from green spider mums instead of green orchids. Which brings us to number three on our list...
3. Be Flexible! Why? You will be amazed what a good floral designer can do with white carnations instead of white peonies.It's true carnations are making a comeback! If the magazine picture with the bouquet of your dreams has been sitting in your wedding scrapbook for a year and you have finally taken it in to your floral designer only to find the cost of the bouquet is half your whole floral budget. Do not despair! A good floral designer can mimic the look for less and it will still look beautiful. Trust me, you're gonna love it!
4. Candles! Why? Such a simple and inexpensive way to bring ambiance to a room. There are so many ways to display candles the options are limitless. For example, on mirrors,in mason jars, in hurricanes with sand, in hurricanes with rose petals, in hurricanes with beach glass, hanging from chandeliers.....I really could go on and on here but you get the idea. We recommend soy candles, beeswax and vegetable wax over paraffin candles so much better for you and the environment. Check out our soy candles in our Spa Line in our online shop.
5. Fruits and Veges! Why? Using fruits and vegetables in centerpieces is an inexpensive way to add interest and texture to an arrangement. They also take up space and add colour. They are easy to come by at your local market.Think a brass fluted compote or bowl filled with dark purple grapes dripping over the edge and a few well placed bright orange orchids....instant " Moroccan Theme" ! How about limes in a tall fluted vase with brightly coloured gerbera sprouting out of the top ...instant "Fresh and Funky Theme" ! Again, the possibilities are endless and the best thing is you can eat the produce after your wedding!
6. Signature Cocktails! Why? Again bringing cohesion to your wedding. Say you have chosen a monochromatic apple green "Fresh and Funky" theme, using green apples in your centerpieces. How cool and luxe would it be to have servers waiting to greet your guests with appletinis! By providing your guests with only two other alcoholic choices of beer and wine you could potentially save up to 50% on your bar bill!! Clever hey? Sneaky, but clever and Oh so chique!
   
7. DIY Favours! Why? Nothing says "I love and appreciate you" like homemade. With all the craft stores and dollar stores around these days that carry beautiful ribbons,bags,boxes and jars. Think fresh baked cookies in little boxes tied with ribbon, or jars of jam with personalized labels,home made bottles of wine with vintage style labels....the possibilities are endless and you can spend as much or as little as you like!

There you go. I hope this post gets you thinking outside the box with ways you can get Luxe for Less for your very own wedding. And if anyone needs plums this summer for their wedding favours give me a call! Stay tuned for a Mother's Day Give Away Contest this week. See our earlier posts.

Floral Fashionista Fridays

So, I have decided to designate my Fridays to all that is beautiful and artful within the fashion world. I am a firm believer in supporting the world's artists. What is the world without art!
That said, this week I am featuring the beautiful work of Red Ruby Rose
Based out of Bristol, U.K. Rowena creates beautiful clutches lined with dupioni silk. Designed with different colours and fabrics. I am particularly in love with the floral motif clutches.....must have!
These would make lovely bridal accessories or bride's maids gifts. So reasonably priced even with shipping from the U.K. Hope you love them too! Check out the post before to see more of her clutches and make sure to check out her shop! Also, stay tuned for a Mother's Day Give Away Contest that we will be featuring in our blog this week.You could win the peony clutch featured above for your mom or yourself! Oh yeah!

Floral Fashionista Fridays Continued...

This one is perfect for a bride with an ivory dress.
Dupioni Silk Lining
Chocolate and Turquoise Theme

Asian Fusion Perhaps?
West Coast Wonderful!
Don't you just love these clutches by Red Ruby Rose! Wouldn't they make great bridesmaids gifts! I'm loving Floral Fashionista Fridays!

The Art of Choosing Your Wedding Florist

Every now and then I receive an email or telephone call where a bride asks, "How much do you charge for one dozen red roses?"
I suppose this is one way for the bride to determine how expensive, or not a certain florist may be but it in no way takes into consideration the "art"of creating floral designs for a wedding.Usually, the bride does not only want a dozen red roses. She wants a dozen red roses with red berries,white feathers and crystal picks with folded leaves and a white satin wrap with a crystal buckle! Do you understand what I am getting at? Simply pricing one dozen red roses does not give an accurate representation of the cost.
Planning the flowers for a wedding involves: a complimentary consultation with the bride in person or through a series of emails,follow up consultations, many emails and phone calls, creating the floral designs, keeping track of all the bride's changes and requests, pricing the designs, preliminary quotes,secondary quotes and sometimes more, creating a contract, liaison with other wedding vendors working on the special day so that everything flows smoothly, compiling the types of flowers used and how many, ordering the flowers, conditioning the flowers, creating many individual works of art, delivering these works of art to a beautiful bridal party and wedding venues in a timely fashion! Please imagine the hours and hours of time involved in this creative process.So, simply pricing a dozen red roses does not "embrace the art."

These in my opinion are the best ways to choose your wedding florist:

• TRUST: Do you trust that the florist understands your vision? Do you trust that the florist can create and implement your vision? Does your florist listen to you? Give you ideas to work with and off? Do you like the florist? Can you see yourself able to work and communicate with the florist easily? Is the florist organized? Does the florist's reputation speak for itself?

• ART: Is the florist creative? Can the florist design in many different styles? Have you viewed the florist's actual portfolio? Do you like the florist's work? Do you feel confident that the florist can design in your style? Does the florist's art speak for itself?

• Budget: Last but not least budget. Be honest about your budget with your florist. Have a floral budget set before seeing your florist and a bottom line. For example: "I do not want to spend more than $2000.00 including taxes and deliveries."This gives the florist an accurate budget to work with and advise you on. Be realistic. If your budget is $500.00 and you have ten people in your bridal party, desire 20 centerpieces and your favourite flowers are orchids you may have to adjust your vision to accommodate your budget.Be flexible with your floral choices and open to suggestions.A good florist can work to any budget within perimeters. That being said, some good florists have budget minimums because they only accept one wedding on any given date . Read Testimonials ....Happy Brides speak for themselves!

So, as you can see choosing a good florist takes some consideration. I encourage all brides to "embrace the art" of their special day!

Embracing the Art

Well, here I am in the 21st century and who knew I would have a blog? Who knew I would end up being a floral designer and having the honor of sharing in my clients most beautiful and precious moments from births to deaths and all that falls between? I am truly blessed.
Recently, a client emailed me the most wonderful compliment. She wrote, "Love of Beauty is Taste. The Creation of Beauty is Art."~Ralph Waldo Emerson~ and you most definitely are an artist Sarina!"
It's funny, I never considered myself an artist. I thought painters, sculptors, and musicians were artists. I was taken aback, ".... Thank-you.... but really, me an artist, no way!"
She assured me that, "Every time I order flowers from Bella Fiore my breath is taken away. I have to step back to admire the beauty, the play of color and texture. You always convey in flowers just what I am trying to say so perfectly. THIS IS ART ! So get over it.YOU ARE AN ARTIST!"
"Gosh, well, O.K. since you put it that way."
I've been thinking about those series of emails for a while ..... and have since decided to "EMBRACE THE ART" and this blog is all about me doing that...so here goes!