Eco-Chic Flowers {Green Wedding Guide}

Since I'm the "California Eco-Friendly Bride" I think it's high time I start giving some tips about making your wedding eco-chic. Let's start with flowers, because who doesn't like flowers? Fortunately, there are some very easy ways to make your wedding flowers beautiful and earth friendly! Any bride or groom looking to add some Eco elements to their wedding, specifically when it comes to flowers, probably knows just how terrible the flower industry can be to the environment. The pesticides, the greenhouse gases involved in express shipping fresh flowers half way around the globe, not to mention really poor working conditions for many of the people who work in the fields. I was shocked to learn that the average wedding emits 12-14 tons of CO2 - that's more than a person emits in a full year!

So here are some ideas to kick start your eco-friendly floral planning! Now, I am definitely no expert, but I have done my fair share of research for my own wedding, so I'll share what I've learned with you :)

If you live in an area where someone provides the opportunity to rent plants, this is a great way to bring in some colorful citrus trees or cherry blossoms or whatever fits your theme. Kate Middleton did it after all!

   left: The Enchanted Home; right: Bridal Guide, photo by Meg Smith Photography

I really looked into doing this, as I thought some miniature lemon and mandarin trees would look gorgeous in my venue, but I can't find anyone who rents these trees in the Bay Area. {sad face}

You can also use smaller potted plants that you or your guests can keep after the wedding to decorate your house or garden. And if you do lots of mini potted plants, those can double as wedding favors!

My Sunny Wedding, photo by Erik Ekroth Photography

Or air plants! Air plants are some of the easiest plants, since they don't need soil and require little to no water to stay alive. I've seen some pretty awesome air plant bouquets and favors. I always think that a couple who uses air plants must be pretty badass. Maybe it's those wild, spiky fronds.

   left: Koru Wedding Style, photo by Mi Belle Photography; right: JL Designs, photo by Gabriel Ryan

Succulents are a big deal right now (in case you've been living in a hole and haven't noticed, silly). It feels like every wedding you look at has some succulents in them. They have great character, but better yet, they will survive your wedding day without soil and become a fun plant-able reminder of your wedding day later on!

Ruffled Blog, photo by Erica Ann Photography

Another fun and quirky option is to do paper flower bouquets made from recycled paper! I just love those paper flowers on the mini cake.

   left: Hatch Creative Studio, photo by Dave Robbins Photography; right: Wedding Chicks, photo by Hilton Pittman Photography

Lastly, you can go with the organic, local, seasonal flower option by using a sustainable florist. This really gives you the greatest variety of flower choices and allows you to choose specific colors and flower types. Although you may not end up with as enormous of a variety of flowers as you would if you went with hot house/imported flowers, there are more than enough options to make your vision come true.

Brides, photo by Mathew Kiang

This is the option we went with, and I was able to find an incredible florist in Berkeley called Gorgeous and Green who specializes in local, sustainable flowers (and has the cutest shop on the planet!). After meeting with her it was clear that she really is trying to change the industry, which we love. She uses ribbons made from recycled material, visits every farm she sources her flowers from so she knows their farming practices firsthand, and gives preference to local, seasonal growers. Kyle and I met with her a couple of weeks ago and were overwhelmed by the variety of flowers she recommended. I mean, is there a flower or color I can't have?! I don't think so.

In the Bay Area we're lucky to have a number of options when it comes to sustainable florists. I know that isn't an option everywhere, so you may want to consider potted plants and succulents. Wedding blogs are just overflowing with gorgeous photos of these floral inspirations, so eat your heart out eco-brides!

And even if you have your heart set on a certain flower in your bouquet, maybe there are other areas you can incorporate an eco-friendly flower option. Don't fret, it doesn't have to be all or nothing!

Are you planning on using eco-friendly floral arrangements in your wedding? Are there any great companies you've worked with who focus on sustainable farming practices? Give them a shout out so other brides can know about your great find!

For The Love of Floral Theory

This post is very long overdue, I'm talking, a year or two overdue, but here we are. Our 1 year anniversary is coming up quick (this weekend to be exact), so I have felt the need to look through some of the photos yet again, and that is where I found these two gems.

It is very hard to explain the type of bride that I was, but I'll try. I was obsessed with everything and had a very hard time curating and making decisions. I slowly put together a fabulous team of vendors to help me carry out my vision. One of those was a new friend of mine that I met via Twitter. (I can't say this is the first person or only one.....Twitter is awesome) Yasmin of Floral Theory was my gal. And oh do I feel sorry for her! I was one of those crazy people that changes their mind and their plans every other day, and she was just so amazing during the whole process, nudging me along without making me feel nudged, until finally I landed in the ballpark of what I wanted.

I remember being on the phone with her and finally realizing that if I leave it all to her, she is going to make it amazing. What did I know about flowers? She is a much better judge of what is going on in the floral world. And that is where I realized there is so much more to it than what bouquets and flowers you like, there is oh so much more! Over the past year I have learned so much more about the industry as a whole, and honestly I would have done everything a lot different, ie. leave it up to the professionals to understand and execute my vision without micro-managing.

At one point I am pretty sure I released control and let her run with it (at least I think I did that....she might have a different side of the story! hehe)

Fast forward to the wedding day. I can't even begin to explain my feelings that day, it as a huge jumble of one thing after the other. The one thing I remember about that day was the moment I stepped foot onto Holman Ranch. I wasn't obsessed with the "details" because it was cool and it was the thing to do. Nope, I was obsessed because pretty things and fabulous details and that creative outlet that I had been able to take full advantage of for the past year plus was surrounding me and enveloping me. This was my vision, my life for basically a year and here it was. I didn't care about trends, I cared about the fact that this was me, and this was our wedding. I craft things, I build things, and here it was, right here in front of me.

This is the moment when I knew that I made the right decisions, that I hired people that truly understood me and carried out my vision. When Yasmin gave me my bouquet, it was literally the prettiest thing I had ever seen. She created something that has my inspiration all over it, but took it to a whole new level, that I couldn't have dreamed up on my own!

I decided to do something a little different for the gals! I had SO many paper flowers, and combining them with a bit of cotton was the perfect way to give my girls something rustic and awesome.

Overall, I was so insanely happy with the florals from my wedding and the job she did. Since our wedding day I have been lucky enough to chat more and more with Yasmin and together we have created some awesome stuff using my crafty skills and her amazing talent for florals. I am so happy for the friendship that we have created and thrilled that we have the chance to work together in the future!

All that being said, I'm pretty sure it is evident that if anyone needs a florist, Floral Theory is your go-to gal!

Succulent Centerpieces & A New Engagement

Side-note before I get started on today's post... over the weekend my brother, Christopher PROPOSED to his girlfriend, Rachel!!!! They have been happily together nearly 6 years and are now engaged! I couldn't be more happy for the two of them. Let the countdown begin for my wedding and theirs! Cheers to the future Mr. & Mrs. Asimos! :)

At this point in my planning I am feeling much more relaxed. I have checked off many things on my list. On April 7th I will be meeting with my wedding coordinator and visiting a florist. Since flowers are not high on my list of budget 'must-haves' I'm interested in seeing what my money can get me.

I'm envisioning something simple, classy, and elegant. Oh, and succulents are a must. Here is some of my inspiration.

Check out these tiny white daisies below along with the tea wedding favors. (It says 'love is brewing' ... So cute!) I also wouldn't mind incorporating some baby's breath.

My friend Jessica shared with me a great idea that she used for her wedding. Reuse the flowers that are used in your ceremony and have them transfered over to your reception during cocktail hour. That way you get two for the price of one! She also advised that not every table needs a floral centerpiece. Instead every other table could have a candle centerpiece or something different.

Do you have any advice on where I could save money on flowers? I definitely want my flowers to be pretty but I don't want to spend an arm and a leg. Ideas welcome! Comment away! :)

Tea Party Bridal Shower

There are so many fabulous details in this tea party-themed bridal shower. Seriously, so many fabulous little details! The concept is a vintage yet modern theme for the girls to celebrate in true bridal fashion with her closest friends  before her big day. From vintage table settings to pearls mixed with some fabulous florals spread about. And the menu, filled with tea blends, yummy treats and of course, scones, makes for the perfect menu for a tea party!

Floral Inspiration : The Centerpieces

I realize this is my 3rd post about flowers, but stick with me...flowers are a huge part of my inspiration! Last time I posted about my first floral appointment and bridesmaids' bouquet. Last weekend, we had our 2nd floral appointment- this time, to talk centerpieces. {The Inspiration} : A “Garden Party” affair that is both classy and elegant, but also somewhat informal.

one, two, three, four, five, six, seven

I love these photos for inspiration, but in reality, flowers are expensive, and, let's be honest- they die. But- pictures last forever so I wanted to create something that was beautiful with the feel of these whimsical garden photos, minus the price. I worked with our wonderful florist (New Jersey brides- if you are in need of a florist, please contact me...she is amazing). Here is what we came up with.

I am thrilled with the results! It has the same feel as my original inspiration and goes perfectly with the bouquets and overall vibe of the wedding, all while staying in our budget. Our florist also completely gets my vision and inspiration. Her assistant even pointed out how this just proves that you don't need a big budget to create beautiful decor.

A Whole Lotta Color

The original inspiration of this post came from the concept of color blocking. It isn't something that we have fully seen transition to weddings just yet, but it is all over the fashion industry and well, it is only a matter of time!

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What started as a post in color blocking simply turned into a whole lotta color and some of the fabulous things you can do with it. I swear, I used to be all about white, cream and ivory when it came to weddings (yes, I know those are essentially all the same color) but I feel like I have become infused with color after a long dry spell.

Source: Flowers, Card

You want to know why I didn't want a whole lot of color in my wedding? I was seriously afraid of it. Seriously and truly afraid. When you have the options of color, ummm you have like a ga-jillion options! How do you choose? How do you pick colors that match with other colors? I know this sounds kind of dumb, but it really what went through my head.

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I stuck to what I knew, white was what I knew, and I had muted tones everywhere. I kind of wish I spruced things up a lot more, but at least I had some fabulous florals to brighten things up. If any of you brides are feeling how I felt, don't let it stop you from creating something fabulous. Because as pretty as white is, color is much more fun.

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If any of you agree with me on being scared colorless (I just made that up...and I really like it!) then please do let me know and I can help you with some colorful details that fit your style and plans. I wouldn't want you to miss out on some colorful additions because you felt like I did.

{Spring is in the Air} Backyard Wedding Inspiration

In just a few months (weeks rather) my sister will be tying the knot herself. That's right, her and I will celebrate anniversaries a week away from each other :)

Source: Glitter Pops, Flowers

They are having a pretty short engagement, and we are going down a bit of a different route for her wedding than we did for mine. But, I am pretty darn excited about the whole thing. So today I wanted to share just a tinge of the inspiration we have gathered for this lovely backyard affair. There will be about 40 guests in attendance and I have some super fun ideas up my sleeve that I can't wait to start working on. Since I will be DIYing the bejesus out of my parent's backyard, we have to make sure to fill the whole space and cross our fingers hard for no rain! (But I will confess, if it does rain, I'm so excited to do the ceremony in front of the fireplace. So romantic)

Source: Peach, Throw

Source: Cake, Balloons

Source: Flowers, Pool, Dessert Bar

I'm excited for the next few months and what that will bring.  And I am excited once again to craft it up so very much. It doesn't get much better than crafting nights, now does it?

To Have and to Hold Your Flowers

Planning a wedding is such an education at times! We all know to think about what you want for your venue, flowers and dress—but there are a lot of details that I hadn’t considered. One thing I quickly learned when I started talking with florists is that I need to decide what kind of vessels I want my flowers to be in. I honestly never though far beyond basic glass and perhaps mason jars. But there are so many other amazing choices!

I still haven’t quite decided and researching all these gorgeous photos is making the decision even harder! We are loving the look of something that fits in with the outdoor garden feel, but don’t want to go overly rustic. Here are some things we’re considering.

Birch: I love how birch feels so rustic, yet so light with the white color! It really makes the flowers pop. Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4 

Wood Box: These wooden boxes remind me of flower boxes or something you’d get at a famers market, which totally fits our vibe. Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4 

Galvanized Aluminum and Silver: The galvanized metal gives a nice blend of rustic and sophistication. It feels great for the garden atmosphere. Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4 

Colored Glass: While clear glass can feel a little too shiny and glam for the look we are going to, I love the look of colored and milk glass. Sources: 1, 2, 3 

Coffee and Tea Tins: Dan and I are big coffee drinkers, so I’ve been thinking it would be cool to use coffee and tea tins for some smaller arrangements. Maybe on cocktail tables? Aren’t these beautiful! Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4 

Finally, I found some really unique centerpieces in my search that I though were too cool not to share. Sources: 1, 2 

Anyone else using some unique vessels for your florals?

Blossoming Inspiration {Wedding Flowers}

The latest thing on my mind is flowers! We’ve just started meeting with florists and I am loving pulling inspiration for this part of the wedding planning. I have a pretty clear point of view of what I want, so it has been fun to find the images that represent that vision. In meeting with the florist, I got a whole other list of things to consider with flowers. There is so much involved in florals, and I have to say, I am loving every second of it.

I know I’m looking for something with great texture—my dress has texture, the guys will likely be in great linen suits—so I want the flowers to compliment that look. I also want my flowers to have a little personality! Instead of the traditional roses and orchids, I love dahlias, succulents, thistles and ranunculus.

Here’s some of my favorite inspiration.

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

I learned a lot from the florist as well, so here are some things to think about that you might not have been considering: * What kind of vessels do you want your centerpieces in? Glass, wood, metal or not shown at all? * What color do you want your bouquet to be? That color scheme might be a bit different that you imagine for the rest of the wedding flowers (more white, etc.). * What do you want to do for aisle décor? Two big arrangements at the back of the aisle or smaller arrangements down the aisle? What about aisle petals? * Are there any other (less typical) places you want flowers? For example, our venue is a house, so I’m thinking of doing a wreath on the door that matches the rest of the wedding flowers. * Is there anything you can repurpose? Bridesmaid bouquets on the cake table? Or, could you even use flowers from the rehearsal dinner on cocktail tables, gift tables or in the bathroom? * Don’t forget votives (especially for outdoor weddings)—it doesn’t matter how pretty the flowers are if you can’t see them after dark!

Sources: Unique Vessels 1, 2, 3; Aisle Decore 1, 2; Cake Table

Anyone else have great tips and tricks for wedding flowers? Good inspiration or things I might not have thought of?

Floral Inspiration Brought to Life

You may remember this post from a few weeks ago, as I was pulling together inspiration for our meeting with the florist. Well, we recently had our first floral meeting and I could not be more inspired. I took my mom along with me (Dan had no interest in accompanying us) and I arrived prepared with photos of my inspiration, a bag full of possible items to incorporate into the centerpieces, and of course, my laptop and camera. We arrived at our appointment and filled out the necessary paper work. I was so nervous the owner was going to throw me out of there for trying to design the flowers without having chose bridesmaids dresses or even having an established color scheme. I explained to her that I had more of a clear vision of what I want for flowers than for the dresses. The owner, obviously a lover of flowers herself, completely understood my thought process and was happy to see my vision.

{Inspiration}:

one, two, three, four

I showed her the photos I brought and she immediately got my vision. Hold on, she said. I'll be right back. She was gone for a good 15 minutes, then came back with this and I nearly cried.

Bridesmaid Bouquet

I cannot believe how perfectly she executed my vision.

Blush pink and ivory roses, a couple of perfect peonies and just a hint of green. She put the entire bouquet together and wrapped it with a champagne ribbon. Blush pink, ivory and champagne? We found the perfect color palette! Then she explained that this bouquet is for my girls. She will come up with something with more pink for my bouquet and will prepare sample centerpieces for our next meeting. Then, as if things could not get any better, as we were wrapping up our meeting, she handed me the bouquet. Here, I made it for you. You love it so much you have to keep it. Go home and put it in some water. I was in heaven.

Inspiration, actual

I think I actually like my bouquet better : )