Sending Smiles ~

Flowers + Size = Cost: Well, that is not really a true formula but with floral centerpieces it should be. Our customers are always surprised to find out that centerpieces placed high above the table cost more than low ones. It's really more about how many flowers it take and what is the correct proportion than it is anything else. Something that appears large directly down on a table will looks small and out of proportion if elevated on a grand pedestal or large vase. Whether you are planning a wedding , shower, or corporate event, the rule applies.  Take the centerpiece pictured below created just a few weekends ago. This piece included 10 premium sized  hydrangeas, 10 roses, 8 spray roses, 10 stock, 2 green hanging amaranthus along with lots of variegated pitta and ruscus foliage. In case you can't tell these centerpieces were quite and large and very dramatic. Keeping the flowers loose and airy helped us to make the most of the flowers use to create the size we want

When I talk to people about their floral designs , whether they are for a wedding or just a floral gift, they often say ~ "I don't need those exact flowers, you can change the flowers to lower the cost". Here it is in a nutshell folks, changing the flowers, changes the look. Changing the flowers changes the texture and often changing the flowers changes the ability to make an arrangement in a certain color theme.  If you could create a very artsy, unique looking arrangement by using common flowers instead of expensive rare ones, everyone would do it, right? Take the bouquet in the picture below. This bouquet is created with quite a few different flowers such as scabiosa pods, mini calla lilies, spray roses, tea roses, hypericum berries and seeded eucalyptus. If you wanted to make a lower cost version of this bouquet, you probably could change out some of the callas with carnations but the calla lily has a very unusual shape and nothing else, with a lower cost, real

Did they ever really go away? Special events such as mitzvahs, showers, birthday parties and even weddings are a great time to show off your fun side! Having a theme for your party doesn't have to be hokey or corny. Look at this fun Bat Mitzvah that we worked on. Working closely with Ariana's mom, we helped not only set the theme but coordinate the details for a look that, although festive, had a sophisticated feel. Aqua and lime colored balloons spiraling along side centerpieces created by the client, each table was named a different candy and related back to the seating arrangements for each guest. Who doesn't want to see "You are seated at the Skittles Table"! Looking for a theme idea? How about a wine theme? Use corks as place card holders or fill tall glass vases with them. Take elegant looking wine bottle and pour dripped wax and add a single tapered candle. Tuscan looking floral arrangements in earthy ceramic pots with twirls of brown vines and fresh dang

My last blog talked about the importance of the Escort/Place Card table and that got me to thinking about the gift table. Is it worth decorating the gift table at your wedding or other event such as a shower or birthday party? My answer is a definite "Maybe"!! Is the table in an area that will be seen all night? Does it need a little something to help say "Here, Put your gifts here?". If so, it might be worth putting some of your decor budget towards decorating the gift table. Often we do a tall floral display or a bouquet of balloons, as in the case of sweet 16 and mitzvah parties. Even a garland of fresh foliage accented with flowers, ribbons or event branches looks lovely if it matches the over all theme of the event!! To see more of our design work visit our party website at www.mondaymorningballoons.com