The Ultimate Wedding Day Decor Checklist. How to Organize All Those Details

Welcome to our very first Blog Hop for 2015!
This month we want to help you start the year off by getting organized as you’re planning your wedding or event. Get ready for some great ideas to help you reduce stress and enjoy the planning process as you move along through the blog hop.

You may just be starting the blog hop or may have come from Rachel Huntoon  at Ashford Manor Bed & Breakfast on Natalie’s Blog Hop. If you get off track at any time, the full lineup below will help you move along from blog to blog so you make sure to see and learn from all of the articles featured here today.

Wedding Flowers 101 

So you are planning your big day and it’s time to get serious about the florals.  Contact your florist six to nine months before your wedding date.  Every bride wants her wedding to be memorable and her choice of flowers or arrangements should reflect her specific taste and personality. Her flowers should create a theme to make her wedding day special and provide the finishing touch . So how do you decide what flowers to use for your wedding and all of those special events that take place once you say  “yes”. 
 
First, determine your floral budget. Have a look at the total wedding budget and see what is available for flowers. Once that amount has been established make a list of the floral item you require. It's a good idea to make a "must-have" list and a "wish-list", so that if you do have to make adjustments, the wish-list flowers can go first without effecting the overall design.  Some floral arrangements might not be realistic once you have budgeted for everything else, so it's a good idea to know how much you have to spend on flowers before getting started. When you visit the florist, you can discuss the extent of your budget and work from there.
 
What to Bring to Your Floral Consultation
 
Bring a trusted friend/bridesmaid, as well as the decision maker (whether that is you or someone else).  Just don’t bring too many people so you won’t be distracted or unable to state your opinions freely.
      *Know your chosen venue.  You want the design to complement not compete with your venue. 
       Photos and any room layouts will be helpful.

      *Gather your dream inspiration pieces to share with your vendor.  That can be magazine clippings, your      Pinterest board, photos. Putting them all into an email  and forward before your meeting will allow the vendor to have some ideas to share with you.  If you’ve chosen your gown and your bridesmaids gowns, bring photos, color swatches, etc.
      *Bring a list with your estimated ceremony time, reception begin and end time, guest count, bridal party and attendants. 

Your list might look like this:
Ceremony Location: __________________________________  Time: __________
Reception Location: _________________________________ End Time: ________
          ____  Number of Guests (as far as you know)
          ____  Bridesmaids                       _____  Groomsmen
          ____  Jr. Bridesmaids (ages)        _____  Jr. Groomsmen (ages)
          ____  Flower Girls (ages) ____    _____    Ring Bearers (ages)  ____   
          ____  Moms/Grandmas                _____   Dads/Grandads
          ____  Ceremony flowers               _____   Ushers / Hostess
          ___________Cocktail Tables        ___________Guest Tables
          ___________Head Tables            ___________Long Tables
 
*Bring your budget guidelines.  Arrangement prices can range dramatically, remain within your comfort level to create the best event possible. 

Here is a basis guideline for the Southeast area to get you started. 

Bridal Bouquet:  $250 and up

Bridesmaids Bouquets:  $60 to $100 ea.,  Boutonnieres:  $10 ea and up,  Corsages:  $15 - $25, Altar Flowers:  Two large arrangements flanking you:  Allow $300-$500 or you might choose a custom structure. 

Centerpieces/Lows:Small starting at $45 ea

 

Dramatic statements starting at $100 and up ea

 Delivery and Installation Fees:$250 and up, depending on complexity. Sales Tax
 
*Plan to spend about an hour and a half during the initial consultation.  The vendor will get to know your taste and desires, what you’d like to see.

Here are a few site to research the price of flowers:
www.globalrose.com
http://www.fiftyflowers.com
www.growersbox.com

Listed below are some of the more common flower meanings:
 

Alstroemeria: Devotion

Babies Breath: Pure Heart

Carnation: Fidelity

Chrysanthemum (Mums): Cheerfulness, Truth

Daffodil: Joy, Devotion

Daisy: Faith, Simplicity

Gardenia: Joy

Gladiola: Generosity, Beauty

Iris: Promise

Ivy: Fidelity, Friendship

Lily of the Valley: Happiness

Lily: Purity, Innocence

Orchids: Rare Beauty

Rose: Love, Friendship

Rosebud: Beauty, Youth

Stephanotis: Happiness

Sweet Pea: Blissful Pleasure

Tulip: Perfect Lover

The next stop is Kishana Highgate at Kishana Highgate Photography on Natalie’s Blog Hop!

Thanks for visiting and I hope to see you again next month! 

1. Natalie Bradley at Natalie Bradley Events  
2. Katherine Shorter at Creating Awesomenessity
3. Kristi Richardson at Bloomed To Last
4. Chantal Benoit at Chantal Benoit Photographer
5. Elizabeth Batte at plainjane designs 
6. Andie Freeman  at Andie Freeman Photography 
7. Brenna Fields Taylor at An Elegant Affair LLC
8. Irene Tyndale at Irene Tyndale Events 
9. Tessa Marie at Tessa Marie Weddings
10. Peter Merkle at Chicago Wedding DJs
11. Anshwa Lewis at SwaLaRue Events
12. Deborah Ashe at Rev. Deborah Ashe
13. Angela Christoforo at Elite Wedding and Event Planning
14. Liz Coopersmith at Silver Charm Events
15. Amber Peterson at Cheers Wedding & Event Planning
16. Maggie Evans at Maggie Evans Designs :: handmade bridal couture
17. N'neka Scruggs at Images by N'neka
18. Kelly Snyder at Southern Charm Weddings
19. Cindy Clearwater at Something Blue Virgin Islands
20. Kimberly Parks at KP Photography
21. Simone R. Ross at Lil' Tux N Tiara's Event Sitters & Entertainment
22. David Osborne at Sound Insight Productions
23. Nicole Hill at Flora Bond
24. Shaun Cox at A D.I.Y. Affair Weddings and Events
25. Katrina McCullum at Made of Honor Weddings
26. Sandy Salle at Hills of Africa Travel
27. Rachel Huntoon  at Ashford Manor Bed & Breakfast
28. Daphne Simpson at Elite Design   YOU ARE HERE
29. Kishana Highgate at Kishana Highgate Photography
30. Loraine McCall at Mojica Photography
31. Teresa Rhodes at Nearly Nesters 
32. Andrea Freeman at Andrea Freeman Events
33. Nikki Michel at Ciao Bella Weddings
34. Kelly King at Affordable Wedding Invites by Gossett Printing
35. Christine Ringuette at Down The Aisle Wedding Planning & Design
36. Myiesha Antwine at Kiss and Tell Weddings
37. Ashley Rae at Ashley Rae Events
38. Laurie Kuerlemann at Platinum Party Events Entertainment, Inc
39. Lydia Wells at Writer Mom
40. Melissa Pepin at Melissa Pepin Photography

JANUARY AISLE RUNNER SPECIAL

50 FT. White Non-Woven runner

This price includes your basic monogram design (we will complete up to three sample designs) The runner can be monogrammed in one of the following ways. .

OPTION 1: Three Letter Monogram Plus Long Date (Month, Day, Year)
OPTION 2: First Names and Last Initial Plus Short Date (MM.DD.YY).

$150 includes shipping in the continental US

If you already have a wedding monogram design, I am more than happy to hand paint it on your aisle runner. An additional fee may be required based on the complexity of your design.