Wedding Flowers: Winter

Winter weddings can be truly magical. The flowers play an intricate part of the winter wedding, setting the tone of true romance and elegance. Color and shades are more important in this season than any other.

Burgundy

In winter, Burgundy looks absolutely luscious paired with red (sultry) or bright white (modern). Any mixed variety of flowers below can create this look:

Roses: Black Magic, Black Beauty, Black Bacarra

Tulips: Queen of Night, Black Parrot, Black Hero, Deep Purple Stock

Mini Callas: Schwartz, Black Star, Maroon Sensation, Maroon Astilbe

Leucadendron                         

Burgundy Lemon Leaves

Burgundy Dahlias

Burgundy Cockscomb

Red

By simply adding some red berries and a hint of cedar you can create a distinct holiday bouquet with red flowers. Some favorites:

Roses: Grand Prix, Red Berlin, Classy, Charlotte, Estelle

Tulips: Oscar, Merry Christmas

Red Amaryllis

Red Poinsettas

Crimson Cockscomb

Red-Tipped Hydrangeas

Red Carnations

White or Ivory

Very stylish and picture-perfect for a winter wedding. Adds a soft and elegant touch to the look and feel of a wedding.

Roses

Tulips: Hybernia, Swan Wings

White Amaryllis

White Anemones

White Gerbers

Mini Callas: Cystal Blush

Casa Blanca Lilies

White Poinsettias

White Lisianthus

White Carnations

White Alstromeria

White Freesia

Green Foliage

Add in green foliage to make your flowers pop, or use only greens to make a very simple earthy bouquet and center piece.

Pine Sprigs

Flat Cedar

Carolina Sapphire

Holly

Bupleurum Leaves

Lemon Leaves

Magnolia Leaves

Pittosporum

Ivy

Green Berzillia Berries

Green Winterberry                                                                

Green Hypericum Berries

Blue

White by itself is a gorgeous way to say Winter Wonderland Wedding. But if you want, add a bit of blue  to your  blooms. Here are some contenders:

Light Blue Hydrangea 

Blue Scabiosa 

Blue Salvia

Blue Muscari

Blue Frangipani

Blue Hortensia

Blue Ceanothus

Silver

A splash of natural silver in the form of foliage can push an all-white bouquet to a whole new level of sublime. Bring out your bouquet's best with these outstanding choices:

Silver Pittosporum

Silver Dollar Eucalyptus

Lunaria (silver dollar plants)

Dusty Miller

Gold

A subtle hint of gold in a rich red or burgundy bouquet amounts to beauty that might almost seem too great in a less splendid time of year. 

Gold Ruscus

Gold Sprayed Berries

Gold Eucalyptus

Gold Holly

Wedding Flowers: Autumn

Autumn is a beautiful, romantic, and popular season to get hitched. The colors vary from creamy whites, light to deep golden tones, autumn oranges, and rustic reds. Below are some ideas to create beautiful arrangements for your autumn wedding.

Amaryllis

The season for these flowers ranges from late autumn to early spring. Thus, it is ideal for a late fall wedding. The colors vary from: white, green, yellow, pink, red, burgundy, and orange. The orange sovereign variety is a nicely shaded orange that would suit a fall wedding.

Aster

These flowers start blooming in September. The flower is known as a symbol of love and patience. *Note: Asters make good supporting fowers rather than being the focal flower.

Cosmos

Cosmos bloom from midsummer to fall. They come in a variety of shades of white, pale pink, dark pink, and in wonderful shades that are perfect for an autumn wedding (orange, red, and a deep burgundy brown "Chocolate" Cosmos). The flowers are usually light and airy creating the ideal casual bouquet.

Dahlia

This flower is available in nearly every shade and color, except for blue.  The flower is in season from summer to fall, fairly inexpensive which makes them a good choice for larger bouquets and arrangements. Dahlias have several meanings depending on shape and petals. Variegated ones mean, "I think of you constantly."

Delphinium

These flowers are accessible year round, although the peak is June to October. There are over a hundred different species of Delphinium, predominantly shades of blue, violet, purple, and white. A rarer variety comes in red and yellow shade (quintessential for an autumn wedding).

Freesia

Meaning innocence freesia come in shades of deep reds and yelow-orange blooms which make for amazing arrangements or bouquets.

Hyacinth

The season for Hyacinths is November to May. There are two varieties that most people are familiar with - the Grape Hyacinth (ie. Muscari) and the popular Dutch Hyacinth. The most common colors are purple and blue hyacinths, although they also come in white, yellow, pale pink, peach, and fuchsia. There are two important things that you need to be aware of. First, these flowers have a very sweet scent which will cause problems for people with allergies. Second, these plants are poisonous, so wear gloves if you are putting together your own bridal bouquets and floral arrangements.

Nerine Lily

This flower can also be known as Guernsey Lily and comes predominantly in bright pink. Other colors include: white, cream, peach, orange, and crimson red (the last two colors being perfect for fall!!)

Roses

Roses are available all year. They make for a beautiful flower regardless of the season (you can never go wrong with a rose). A few popular choices and appropriate colors for fall include: deep burgundy, chocolate brown, orange, burnt orange, halloween orange, golden yellow, and bi-color yellow and red. 

Wedding Flowers: Summer

Summer time can make for a delightful wedding. One of the essential pieces at any wedding are the flowers. The flowers that are in season depends on which time of year you have your weddings. Be sure to talk to your florist, and look at these selections to come up with some spectacular summer wedding flower ideas of your own.

Alstromeria- Also known as a Peruvian Lily is available in yellow, purple and violet. They are a beautiful, exotic looking flower.

Chrysanthemum-These summer blooms come in large and compacts varieties. Colors range from white, red, yellow, purple, pink and orange.

Forget-Me-Not- A beautiful bright blue bloom that makes a lovely accent flower in you wedding flower arrangements.

Gerbera Daisy- Comes in a variety of beautiful colors like yellows, pinks, and oranges.

Sunflower- Large or small varieties make a terrific summer wedding flower arrangement.

Poppy- Brilliant red flowers truly make a statement.

Rose Mallow- Also known as hibiscus these flowers will add a tropical touch to your summer wedding.

Peony- Large, gorgeous flowers in pink, white, or red make a stunning bridal bouquet.

Rose- The traditional wedding flower available in many colors, some not so traditional. Try a two-toned rose with baby's breath for a lovely display.

Orchid- Another tropical flower in many exotic colors including white, pink, and purple. A lovely selection for a beach wedding!!

Calla Lilly- A gorgeous bloom in an amazing array of colors. Choose from white, pink, lavender, red, yellow, orange and even more.

Special Wedding Cake: Red Velvet

Hidden beneath the swooping white frosting of this tiered dessert are stunning scarlet layers infused with buttermilk and cocoa. Red velvet cake, whose namesake hue comes from food coloring, is a favorite dessert in the South, but its exact origins are unknown. In honor of its adopted home, gum-paste magnolias adorn it here. For added flavor, we've substituted a tangy cream-cheese frosting for the standard flour-based icing, spreading it between each layer and outside.

Ingredients

• 3 each 6-, 9-, 12-, and 15-inch round layers, plus two 4-inch round layers Red Velvet Cake
• 5 pieces corresponding-size 3/16-inch thick foam board
• 5 recipes Cream Cheese Frosting
• 1 cake board, 18-inch diameter
• 25 wooden dowels, 1/4 inch diameter, 4 1/8 inches long
• 3 gum-paste magnolias

Directions

1. Prepare tiers: Trim layers. On corresponding- size boards, fill 6-, 9-, 12-, and 15-inch layers with frosting to make 4-inch-high tiers. Repeat with 4-inch layers to make a 3-inch-high tier. Frost tiers; press a large offset spatula vertically against sides at 1-inch intervals to make swooping ridges.
2. Assemble tiers: Place 15-inch tier on board. Insert 10 dowels, arranging 1 in center and 9 in a circle 2 1/2 inches from edge. Center and place 12-inch tier on top; insert 8 dowels in a circle 2 1/2 inches from edge. Center and place 9-inch tier on top; insert 4 dowels in a square 2 1/2 inches from edge. Center and place 6-inch tier on top; insert last 3 dowels in a triangle 2 inches from edge. Refrigerate until ready to display. Decorate with gum-paste magnolias.

Wedding Dessert Treats: Brownie Batter Cheesecake

The name alone is enticing. These simple and easy to make desserts are a hit at any occasion, especially a wedding. 

Ingredients

for the crusts:

1 cup graham cracker crumbs

3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1/4 cup butter, melted

for the filling:

1 cup heavy whipping cream, divided

2 tablespoons powedered sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1-8oz. package Philadelphia cream cheese, softened

1 1/2 cups box brownie mix (the powder)

2 tablespoons milk

mini chocolate chips for garnish (optional)

Directions

In a small bowl, mix all ingredients for crusts together until moist. Divide evenly between 4 serving dishes and press into the bottoms and up the sides about half an inch. Set aside.

In a large bowl, whip cream with powdered sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks form. Spoon out of mixing bowl and set aside. Place cream cheese, brownie mix, and milk into same mixing bowl the cream was just in and whip smooth. Gently fold in half the whipped cream. Spoon or pipe over the crusts. Top with remaining whipped cream and garnish with mini chocolate chips if desired. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Enjoy!

Top 10 Wedding Songs

Whether you like them or not these songs will pull at your heartstrings and possibly make you shed a tear. They have been played over decades at weddings and have been shared with many lovers on their special day.

10. Can't Help Falling in Love~Elvis Presley

9.  Unchained Melody~Righteous Brothers

8.  Power of Love~Celine Dion

7.  At Last~ Etta James

6.  Unforgettable~Nat King Cole

5.  Have I Told You Lately~Rod Stewart

4.  From This Moment On~Shaina Twain

3. The Way You Look Tonight~Frank Sinatra

2.  True Companion~Marc Cohen Lyrics

1.  Ribbon in the Sky~Stevie Wonder

Lyrics for every song!

Wedding Dessert: S'more Bites

Who said s'mores were only for camping? A yummy delectable treat for your special wedding day. The bite-size treat let's everyone indulge just a little without feeling too guilty (but truthfully who could have only one, just look at them)! The yummy treat is also super easy to make.

Ingredients:

Graham Crackers

Marshmallows

Chunks of chocolate (callebaut is amazing or whichever you prefer to melt)

Equipment:

Spatula

Serrated bread knife

Fork

Cooling rack or tray

Wax Paper

How to:

It is very simple to make. Although do not be fooled by the simplicity of it, the process takes some time to make enough for guests. First cut the graham crackers into quarters with a serrated bread knife.

Then cut the marshmallows in half and squish the sticky side down onto the graham cracker quarter. Prep work complete!

While you melt the chocolate in a double boiler, set up a pan with a cooling rack and a piece of plastic wrap or wax paper under it to catch the dripped chocolate once they've been dipped. This helps alleviate a big mess in the end and the pan helps make the transfer process to the fridge easy.

Next with a fork or spatula hold out each piece and drizzle chocolate on top until it is completely covered.

Then slide the s'more bites onto your prepared cooling rack. Set the tray in the fridge to harden. They don't take very long to set.

ENJOY!!

Special Wedding Cake: Ombre

Here's  cake for the fashionista in all of us. They have ombre clothes, handbags, and even hair! Now a cake....what fun! It's 50 shades of pink! I wonder if Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele had a fantastic cake like this at their "wedding."  If not maybe we should send this picture to the producers of the upcoming movie, Fifty Shades of Grey.  This cake could be done in any array of colors.  An even cooler idea would be to synchronize the colors with the wedding theme. Now that's matchy matchy!

If The Ring Fits...Wear It??

AHHH.....The ring!!! The key piece that shows the commitment and love a couple share. Whether it be delicate and beautiful or modern and durable these rings are meant to be worn forever.....make the choice wisely.

 ~Petite Pave Diamond in Platinum

 delicate and beautiful

~Comfort Fit Dome Wedding Ring in Platinum

modern and durable

~Double Inlay Wedding Ring

brushed in 14k gold

~Low Dome Comfort Fit Wedding Ring in Platinum

simplicity

Wedding Dessert: Blueberry Delight

Blueberries, Ice Cream, oh my!!!

A delicious, nutritious treat for all partygoers! Wedding, engagement parties, even a bachelorette party. These are easy to make and slide easily into the belly! The ingredients to gather: blueberries, vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt (to be on the even healthier side), and maybe some cool whip (lowfat of course) to top it off. Find some pretty stemware (i.e. martini glasses are a cute idea), layer in berries, add ice cream and repeat until the glass is full. Top off the yummy treat with some cool whip and a berry on top to make a decorative treat more appetizing. Another alternative to blueberries could be pineapple, mango, strawberries.........any fruit will do! Have fun with it!!

Wedding Appetizers: Caprese

Untraditional Caprese Pops!

After working many weddings in my lifetime, I have sampled some of the best and worst appetizers! Weddings have sometimes even skipped main courses altogether and served an array of yummy treats.  Never have I seen or heard of caprese lollipops!!! How much fun! It is a great twist to a plain caprese salad. Munch down upon a healthy option that tastes spectacular too!! Who could be without!!

Ingredients needed:
Cherry Tomatoes
Mozzarella (small balls)
Olive oil
Basil
Kebob Sticks

How to Make:

(Cut tomatoes in half and stuff small mozzarella ball into each. Sprinkle olive oil and basil lightly and apply on kebab stick. EAT!)