Love Is In The Air!

Well, it’s about that time of year that couples are looking for different ways to say, “I Love You”.  Though there was a bit of a dip in the number of couples who were looking to be married around Valentine’s Day, this trend seems to be making a come back.  So too are the colour palates for these often themed weddings. 

The first combination, of course, is red and white.  No matter what time of the year you are looking to get married, red is a timeless colour that makes a bold and sexy statement.  Red roses might be traditional, but the options for red flowers are endless. Traditional or cutting edge, this colour choice adds class to any wedding. 

PHOTO CREDITS: THE CAKE LIST(cupcakes), MY PERSONAL ARTIST (invitation & stamp), THE KNOT(shoes), FLORIDECO (urn), MARTHA STEWART (table settings & lanterns),  STICKY FINGERS (apples & strawberries)

Next, of course, are pastels. Think those pretty little "Be Mine" sweetheart candies.  The truth is, there are so many beautiful pastel combinations that we will be sure to revisit some of these combinations later on in the year, but for now, lets keep it sweet with a little Valentine inspiration!

PHOTO CREDITS: PACIFIC PARTY CANOPIES (linens), CRUMBS & DOILIES (cupcakes petite fours), MARTHA STEWART (cake), BEST BRIDAL (dress), COUNTRY LIVING (outdoor table), URBAN DEBRIS (hearts wreath), 

CRYSTAL VELVET WEDDINGS (bridesmaids), FTD (floral wreath)

No matter the time of year, the inspiration for a beautiful wedding colour palate can come from some of the most simple things.  Think about some of the things you and your sweetheart delight in and use them as a jumping off point.  No matter where you derive your inspiration, remember, it's all in the details! 

The Beauty of Autumn

Ahh, fall is here, and with it comes the busy rush of beautiful autumn weddings that are part of our business. We truly look forward to this period of the wedding season every year. 


Over the last six to eight years the trend of getting married during the months of harvest has become more and more popular.  Fall affords couples many opportunities to take advantage of the beautiful natural colours and botanical products available. Many of these seasonal items help to make a wedding unique and distinctly memorable.  


Without a doubt, traditional colours like orange and red never go out of fashion when it comes to a wedding that takes place in the fall months. However, with the every increasing popularity of chocolate and espresso tones, many couples are looking to make their wedding very dramatic with bold dark tones that burst with splashes of contrasting colours.


If a memorable autumn wedding is what you are looking for, we recommend to our clients that they choose the two main colours that will tie together their vision.  Once that is chosen, we then complement that choice with a metallic accent.  For autumn we think that a choice in the family of copper or bronze is often the most rich looking.  


The inspiration board below offers a peek at some of our favourite ideas for the 2010 fall wedding season.  Unique personal touches such as the carved pumpkin with the personalized monogram, the bountiful table arrangement in a Lumina pumpkin, and the delightful caramel apples are just the things that would keep guests talking!

The detailed use of accessories, decor, guest take-away's and botanical choices that add a unique twist on the autumnal theme will make the difference between an ordinary wedding and an extraordinary event . 

PHOTO CREDITS: DAILY WED SHARE, SUNSHINE & RAVIOLI, FLAVORS BY SERENDIPITY, LAURA HOOPER CALIGRAPHY, MARTHA STEWART WEDDINGS, MARRY MONOGRAM.

Memories For Years to Come

We pride ourselves on being able to offer our clients different and interesting items for their events.  When it comes to weddings, often it is our brides who stumble upon interesting things and share them with us.  This is just one of those items!

Created by a company named Happily Ever Afterwords (no, that's not a typo!), The Anniversary Box is a keepsake box that contains cards and envelopes labeled with the anniversary years 1 through 50. The purpose of the cards is that they are given to friends and loved ones at any event surrounding the wedding ceremony, where each piece of stationery becomes a place for their thoughts — preserving a special written message to be kept in the box and read by a couple on the anniversary year indicated.

The Anniversary Box itself is covered in pintucked ivory silk and accented with an embroidered Happily Ever AfterWords ribbon. It contains 50 notecards in cream cardstock with a blue border, 50 baronial flap, cream envelopes labeled with each anniversary year (1 through 50), an instruction card and three extra note cards. They are available for purchase online at: www.happilyeverafterwords.com

Now, if there are aspects of this idea that you love, but the details of this actual product don't work for you, ( I mean how many people will be offended if they don't get to write one?!?) then there are a bunch of variations that could be done as a DIY.

For example, why not pick up some fine stationary and make two-sided escort cards for your guests!  One side could guide them to their seat, the other side could have a place for them to write words of congrats or advice. Remember to put the pens on the table though! 

Another option could be a larger postcard at each table. All the guests at a table could create a written collage to act as a memory of the shenanigans that happened amongst them while you were not looking! 

The ideas are endless, but the purpose is fantastic; everyone wants to have lasting memories from their wedding.  Few couples opt for the traditional guest book anymore, so set yourselves apart and engage your guests in something that will be a memory for them and for you!

Breathtaking Bridal Showers That Keep Guests Raving!

One of the most popular questions we are asked at the shop is, "do I really need flowers for a bridal shower?". Now, as professional florists, we believe everything is a little nicer with flowers, but it really depends on the vision you have for the day.

As event planners, the vision of our client is THE MOST IMPORTANT aspect of any event. Before we begin the planning of any event we always ask our clients, "what is the vision you have for your event?". No matter how large or small, this vision will help to focus efforts and maintain continuity for a unified look.

When Erica planned her bridal shower with Maxine, they decided upon a Moroccan theme. The fuchsia and tangerine colours were some that Erica had always wanted to use for a event but never had the opportunity to put into action.

All aspects of the event were tied thematically and co-ordinated the colour choices. The tables were labeled with the names of famous Moroccan cities and each centerpiece was constructed around a large laser cut metal and glass lantern. Paired with the choices of orchids, roses and lilies, were small tangerines and dark purple grapes that added variety and interest to each centerpiece while continuing a thematic touch. Rather than contain the light inside the lanterns, this afternoon event made use of glass votive candles which were tucked around the perimeter of the floral arrangement. This worked to establish a romantic atmosphere event though the event took place in the afternoon.

The linen choice for the event was a mixture of matte tangerine stock linens with a silk fuchsia table overlay that had a slight sheen. This choice of mixed fabrics was made to add dimension to the table.

Rather than covering the Chiavari chairs with a cap, they were wrapped with a Pashmina that was also the guest takeaway gift for the afternoon event. Christine's Flowers of Bolton is known for the fine details of an event, and this bridal shower was no exception; each wrap was delicately tied with a handmade thank-you card attached by co-ordinating ribbon.

At any event the focus should be on offering guests a memorable experience. For this event, guests were greeted and could find their beautiful seating cards in an arrangement of dried orange lentils displayed in metal trays that echoed the finish of the lanterns. To bring whimsy to each place setting, a wedding dress shaped cookie in either fuchsia or orange was at each seat.

The arrangement of the tables for this bridal shower included a head table for the ladies of the bridal party. This area was defined with its own long and low table arrangement which included coloured glass hanging votives that added interest to the focal piece.

Though this bridal shower was relatively formal (it included a three course sit-down lunch), it also included a variety of games and a cookie buffet during dessert. The cookie buffet had a variety of culturally traditional cookies that were accompanied by framed descriptions of the cookie and their significance. Guests were given fuchsia take-away cartons for their cookies.

Guests could not stop raving about this bridal shower. Though it did have beautiful floral pieces, it was the continuity of theme and a strict focus on connecting all the choices for the day to the overall vision.

Once again, the secret to this unique event ... was all in the details!

Giving In To The Request

Many of our customers have been asking that we provide a little insight into the magic behind the fabulous events that we have become known for over the past 16 years. Our in-shop portfolios documenting our signature events have been a favorite for longtime fans as well new customers; our hope is that this blog will meet your craving for the floral eye-candy we are known for.

As a family owned floral and event business, we have had the wonderful opportunity to take part in thousands of special events for our amazing clientele. We hope that this blog will provide you with inspiration for your events, and provide us an opportunity to share our expertise.

Christine's Flowers of Bolton has always known that what makes an event outstanding is all in the details!