A Trip to the Flower Mart

We were recently lucky enough to make a special trip to the San Francisco Flower Mart to drop off some wedding invitations to a wedding planner we work with. We love going to the Flower Mart and could spend all day in there!

The Flower Mart is where wedding vendors and other professionals can get locally grown flowers direct from growers at wholesale prices. It's always such a treat walking through the Mart and we thought it would be fun to show you some behind the scenes photos, including prep for the wedding we did the invites for. Enjoy!

Izzy's Bouquet Inspiration by Vanessa Mason

I’ve just been away visiting family in Switzerland for a few days, but I’m back again to inspire you to plan your dream wedding. If like me you’re still hungry for more inspiration from Harry Judd (think band Mc Fly and 2012 Strictly Come Dancing winner) and his sweetheart Izzy Johnston’s wedding, read on. Her pretty pastel bouquet, which was made of brunia, freesia, sweet avalanche, pacific blue and avalanche roses, is so on trend. Pastels like nectarine, white linen, African violet and dusk blue are really top of the colour charts as well this spring according to colour trend forecasters Pantone, so take note.

And whilst you’re in a ‘floral’ frame of mind, why not check out Hello! Lucky’s brand new wedding designs: Classic Rose and La Vie en Rose. Again pinks and yellows stand out from the crowd, judging by what dress French actress Marion Cotillard was wearing to the BAFTAs 2013 and by the colour Dame Helen Mirren dyed her hair.

The colour yellow could be that of your bridesmaid’s dresses, table flower arrangements or going away outfit and pink carefully used is great all round, but particularly special for the flower girl’s dresses. I'd steer away from dyeing your hair pink for your special day, but you never know it may be just your thing!

If you're in the UK and need help with your wedding flowers, call upon these experts:

Florists: G Lily, Jamie Aston, McQueens, David Austin

Wedding planners: Isabel Smith, Mark Niemierko, Zoe Lingard

Photo credits: Bouquet made of two tone arum lilies, pink roses, hyacinth, brunia and lisianthus by Aleit weddings. Bouquet made of apricot coloured David Austin roses by David Austin.

DIY Floral Bouquets by Madeline Trait

You may remember Madeline Trait by her amazing cake toppers, but today we're excited to feature her for her more prominent role as floral designer. Madeline creates beautiful bouquets that reflect the character and style of each event. As a San Francisco artist, she chooses locally grown plants and flowers for her displays. Madeline is also the official floral designer for Locally Grown Weddings, a team of San Francisco-based small business owners with an emphasis on green business practices. We asked Madeline to write a guest post on our blog with tips for making your own bouquets or arrangements and we love what she came up with. Take it away Madeline!

Flowers are a decorative element that not only add to the decor of your event but also add to the importance, and that is why it is such an integral part of a wedding or party. Whether you DIY or have a florist do your flowers, it is that finishing touch that you don’t want to skip.

Today, I have a fresh modern look to a wedding bouquet using Hello!Lucky’s wedding stationery as my inspiration. Many times, the invitation is the first thing your guest will see to introduce them to your special day so it’s only fitting to have that the guide for the design of your event as you move forward. I selected the Big Day suite as my inspiration as I like the bold colors and modern look it has with it’s big bold text. Red being the main color was perfect guide for selecting summer seasonal flowers.

The red flowers that I chose were Dahlia’s, Lipstick Pods and Godetia. I chose these not only for their color but for the diversity in their shapes and textures. Yellow peonies were then added to the mix due to their red/orange centers and that added splash of yellow, plus, you can’t go wrong with peonies. Hasta leaves were used as a the final trimming to the bouquet creating a backdrop of green and pale yellow to set the other flowers off.

Looking to create your own? Here are some quick tips to consider for a bright, modern and bold bouquet:

Use bright colors.

Choose a mixture of textures such as the soft petals of a rose with the hard structure of a poppy pod.

Choose flowers that contrast in color and or shape and texture.

Finish the look with a bold stroke such as an interesting ribbon or leaves.

Photos by Aurora Meneghello Productions

Real Wedding: Amy and Adam

We're so pleased that Amy and Adam's gorgeous Sonoma Wedding was featured on Style Me Pretty this week!  Choosing the beautiful B.R. Cohn Winery as their setting, the couple (best friends since college!), treated their guests to a celebration inspired by the bountiful Sonoma fall harvest.

We love the rustic simplicity of chalkboard directions.

The couple said their "I do's" under one of the oldest trees at the winery.

We customized Amy and Adam's wedding invitation to reflect their California fall theme. Escort cards and save the dates brought the clean, playfully preppy touches together.

Simple autumnal flower arrangements by Kathleen Deery Design popped against the white table settings. A beautiful color palette that continued into the night [courtesy of Got Light?]:

The event was catered by Paula LeDuc Fine Catering, where Amy works. Divine! Our congratulations to Amy and Adam!

Photos courtesy of Elle Jae Photography

Ah, Dahlias!

Dahlias are in season right now - we picked up these beauties at the farmer's market.

Oh, so pretty...these are such lovely wedding flowers, too!

Sharla Flock Designs

We first encountered Sharla Flock's exquisite floral arrangements at our friend Serena's San Francisco wedding (and later learned that she's been featured in Martha Stewart Weddings and other leading magazines, natch!).

This natural table-top arrangement goes perfectly with the vintage-inspired vase and votives!

We just love her subtle, creative use of color and texture...

Check out Sharla's beautiful portfolio and website here.

The Designer Wedding Show

Most bridal fairs tend to be overwhelming, replete with bad wedding singers and puff-sleeved bridal wear, so we generally try to avoid them like a bride-to-be avoids Ben & Jerry's. We make an exception for London's Designer Wedding Show, held this past weekend in Battersea Park.

The Designer Wedding Show is a wonderful feast/fantasy for the bride-to-be, and a tolerable weekend afternoon for grooms. (Note: We have suggested that the organizers add a groom's salon, where one can tip back a pint and watch football while the ladies try on gowns. We are still awaiting a response.)

Some highlights: gorgeous wedding flowers and table centrepieces from eminent florist Jamie Aston; exquisitely detailed gowns by Sassi Holford and Barcelona-based coutourier Pronovias; fun, 50's-inspired frocks by relative newcomer Candy Anthony (who herself is a traffic-stopping style icon); effortlessly elegant gowns by celeb couturier Bruce Oldfield; and stunning hats by our favorite London milliner, Rachel Trevor-Morgan. Of course, we were there, too debuting our latest custom designs for our letterpress wedding invitations.

The next show is in October 2008 - mark your calendars!