Flowers & Decor

Invitations Galore...

2012-04-20T16:48:00.001-04:00

So you’ve chosen the date, the venue, the dress and now it’s time for ………. INVITATIONS!!
To some, the invitation is just a quick note letting the guests know where & when to show up, but for others it can be a great way to begin to set the entire tone of your wedding day.

The choices are endless… from the ever so classy to the quirky and fun, invitations can bring a real smile to the face of your guests as they excitedly tear open the envelope to see what you’ve chosen. What’s the reaction you’re looking for? And ooh and ahh over their beauty? Or a chuckle as they think to themselves “only those two could get away with something like this”.

Let’s look at some examples all located on Etsy.com featuring handmade designs by talented individuals from around the world.

The classics: From featured sellers: Embellished Paperie & Eden Wedding Studio

The moderns: From featured sellers: RuffHouseArt & WillowGlenStationary

The Indies: From featured sellers: Ello There & Vincentine Design

The wackys: From featured sellers: Devhunt1 & Fancy Beast Designs

The selection is endless. The choice is yours…
Angie Smith, Editorial Producer, Affleur Event Design Inc.

Fancy Footwork

2012-03-31T18:01:00.003-04:00

Brides to be, have you noticed one of the biggest trends in today’s modern weddings? Colored bridal shoes! This is so incredibly exciting; brides are stepping out of the box and bringing their own personal flare to the traditional wedding looks.

With just a peek-a-boo of colour as you strut down that aisle this is the perfect way to show off that love of shoes so many of you have. Why be forced into white satin shoes that cost an inordinate amount of money? What about that pair of hot pink or purple peep toes you have had in your closet just waiting for the right occasion?

We add tons of fun and color to weddings through flowers and décor, bridesmaid dresses and boutonnieres … it is time for the brides to be able to dazzle with unexpected bursts of colour too. If you’re considering a look such as the ones shown above we’d love to hear from you!

Left to right top to bottom photography credits to:

JD Pix, Nina Thomas Photography, Choco Studio

Trendy Heels, Natalie Moser Weddings, hyc fashion

Phindy Studios, Craig Mitchelldyer, Michele M Waite

UnVeil Your Bridal Style

2012-03-12T17:53:00.004-04:00

Short & Sweet, Long & Lace, Fascinators, Birdcage Veils … the list goes on and on. Brides have a big decision when choosing a veil… traditional or statement piece?

Have you ever taken a look at the thousands upon thousands of options out there? A veil is a perfect way to add a touch of sparkle, sass or personality to a simple white wedding dress.

A great online resource for inspiration and purchases is Etsy. There’s something for everyone in every price range whether you have $20 or $500.

If you’re not sure which direction to head in maybe one of these styles will inspire.

The daring feathered birdcage veil:

Sold at Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/listing/82106405/modern-sewing-feather-wedge-and-birdcage

The traditional long lace veil:

As worn by the stunning Gwen Stefani on her big day.

Whichever style you end up choosing, make sure it’s well secured and ready for some good old fashioned partying with your closest friends and family!

2012 Color Trends

2012-02-09T10:31:00.000-05:00

The furniture decor and the fashion industry can be a source of inspiration when it comes to event decor. This 1 slide by Katie Hatch a California furniture designer and trend forecaster is good source of ideas when it come to choosing colors and styles. This year #1 color trend in her industry is Peacock Blue.

Check out the #2 and #3 spot of the 2012 trends by clicking here

Winter Wedding

2012-01-02T18:40:00.000-05:00

Brrrr……………. Winter has finally arrived!

Classic, crisp winter weddings are making a coming back into the wedding scene. A winter white scenic background with bare colossal trees, is the beginning of endless ideas to incorporate for a romantic winter theme wedding.

Save Money by Making Your Own Wedding Wine

2011-12-17T07:07:00.000-05:00

Couples naturally want their wedding to be perfect. Making your own wine adds a nice touch as well as save you money. However not all venues or caterers allow you to bring your own wine, so check with everyone involved before making any decisions.

Wines makers can produce excellent wines. The key to good wine making is planning in advance and allowing time (+6 months) for your bottle to age properly. On bottling day, make it a fun experience by bringing your wedding party to help. Don’t forget to add custom labels, it’s the finishing touch that truly personalizes your day and make great gifts or favours.

Rule of thumb is 1 bottle 750ml for every two guests.

100 guests 5 cases of wine with 10 bottles extra
120 guests 6 cases of wine with 12 bottles extra
140 guests 7 cases of wine with 14 bottles extra
160 guests 8 cases of wine with 16 bottles extra

It is always better to have extra bottles of wine than too little (trust that it will not be wasted anyway).

When selecting your wine, choose one that will appeal to the majority of your guests and harmonizes with the meal served. It should be light to medium body, fruity in taste and not too tart. My preference is using 100% juice (not from concentrate) for wine making, it produces a nicer wine.

Enjoy and drink responsibly!!

Is black appropriate for a wedding?

2011-10-16T19:18:00.000-04:00

This question could be debated on either side. Some feel that the purity and sanctity of marriage is lost with a black coloured theme.

In the end, all that matters is what you like. When combined with other colors black is a beautiful accent. I had the opportunity to work with a bride who was daring and not afraid to go against the grain of the traditional white colors.

In the beginning while setting up, there were a few “omg black” comments. However when it was complete, and all the details and trimmings were pulled together, those “OMG” comments turned to “WOW that is stunning!”. The DJ for this wedding, told me that he does many weddings and it’s always the traditional white. But this look was the best he’s ever seen. Comments like those inspire me. Love it!

What about the bride and groom? What did they say? We took their breath away and they were beyond happy. Who knew that taking such risks with decor would bring such praise!

Well…that’s a wrap! At Affleur Event Design Inc. we are always thinking outside the box.

Choosing Complementary Colors for Your Wedding

2011-10-13T09:49:00.002-04:00

Deciding on which color to choose in your wedding can be time consuming.

What color will compliment your favorite color? How can I choose a palette of colors that will enhance my theme?

I have just the tool your have been looking for!! Checkout my favorite color palette site: http://kuler.adobe.com

It can give you ideas with already created color themes or if you already have favorite color it can help you find complementary colors depending on preset rules you can choose from.

For example if you choose lavender as your favorite color, here are different suggestions you will get from Kuler:

Have fun color choosing!! If you’re feeling overwhelm at the process just give us a call and we can guide you in this process.

2011 Flower Trends for Wedding

2011-10-09T18:13:00.001-04:00

Today with the help of air overnight shipping we can obtain an endless number of marvelous flowers, from Thailand’s orchids to Holland’s tulips. With such great floral selections at our fingertips we can create the bouquet you are dreaming about.

The hand- tied bouquet remains a popular choice for brides and bridesmaids. With splendid blooms tied with a beautiful classy ribbon, gives the appearance of freshly picked flowers.

Flowers enhancing your wedding cake add such beauty.

Choosing a style or theme that has a special meaning for you can also add a personal touch to your event. Flowers have different meanings, do your research and choose flowers that capture the emotion and meaning of your event.

Pay special attention to the flowers scent when selecting them. Certain blooms have pleasing fragrances for instance; gardenia, peony, stephanotis, and tuberose.

Nature's walk - Fall Theme Wedding

2011-09-23T19:39:00.000-04:00

Summer is officially over. Fall has arrived and you are getting married. Why not incorporate the season’s beauty into your wedding decor! Use shades or gold, oranges and browns to enhance your theme.

Autumn Elements:

If you are looking for a different spin to a fall themed wedding book a free consultation with Affleur Event Design.

Vintage Wedding

2011-05-30T19:38:00.000-04:00

Vintage......this is my favorite time period to design!

Growing up our family owned one television and mother loved watching classical flicks. It didn’t stop there. Our home was embellished with vintage timepieces. Surrounded by vintage charm I grew to appreciate this period of time. No wonder it’s one of my favorite things. It’s like a warm blanket and a cup of tea on a rainy day.

Nastassia and Andre were married at Liberty Grand. This venue oozes VINTAGE. Their colors were creamy white and summer yellow. Our imaginations were running wild, but, in the end, we aim to please our clients. The design was simple, yet classy that incorporated pearls, crystals, grandiose candelabras, and candles. Our clients loved it!

Hey... sometimes less is more. Enjoy!

Vintage Summer Garden

Spring Breeze Wedding Concept

2011-05-10T14:32:00.000-04:00

Congratulations Brides-to-be!

So he popped the question and you said YES! Now the fun and excitement begins.

One important aspect of a wedding is the decor. You may ask “what kind of style do I envision for my wedding”? Clean lines? Dramatic Statement? Themed? To design your venue with creative flair, find an event designer that will capture your vision and then, here’s the key- run with it! Creativity is endless!

Here is one of three blog posts that will guide you to develop ideas for your wedding. Stay tuned for more...

Spring Breeze

This was a beautiful wedding designed for Emily & Kyle at Emerald Hills Golf and Country Club. Clear blue skies, beaming sunshine, lush green landscape, the day was perfect for an outdoor wedding!

Their colors were pale pink and white. After visiting the venue, our team decided to go with a clean lines and simple style. The key was to allow the eye to play with simplicity. Allow the flowers, color palettes and lighting, speak for themselves.

The end result? Well, Emily and Kyle’s testimonial says it all. You can find it on our website Emily & Kyle Album.

Use google.com/weddings to help you plan your wedding!

2011-02-15T09:48:00.006-05:00

Check out Google new site google.com/weddings where basic templates are offered to help you planning your wedding.

For more info you can refer to this great article by Amber MacArthur from the Globe & Mail.

Happy wedding planning!

Money Saving Tips to Reduce Your Flower and Decor Cost

2011-02-11T10:31:00.006-05:00

Today more then ever before, newly engaged couple are looking to get the best value for their money.

There are so many creative ways you can save money and add to your event while staying on budget.

My favorite way is to fully utilize your ceremony flowers and have someone move the arrangements used at the ceremony to the reception, your event designer can make a few simple changes to the look of the arrangement and still make it look new and fresh. A couple of ways to do this is by adding height to them, with branches for example. You’d be amazed at what a different look you’ll accomplish for very little spending. Another way is to add flowers.

Also you can use your bridal party bouquets to enhance your head table. All you need are nice vases properly situated on the table with your other arrangements.
Remember to ask your event designer about rentals items available. You can save money on items that you you want to purchase yet that you might not ever use again.

Call us at 647-883-4242 or email us at events@affleur.ca is if you have any questions regarding your event. We’ll be more than happy to help you out and give you more money savings tips!

Suggested Floral Arrangements for a Wedding

2011-02-02T20:14:00.000-05:00

To help you remember the flowers you may require for your wedding, here’s a helpful list to get you started and show your designer;

Bride’s Bouquet
Toss Bouquet
Maid of Honor & Bridesmaid Bouquet
Junior Bridesmaid
Flower Girls
Groom Boutonniere
Best Man & Groomsmen Boutonnieres
Ring bearer Boutonniere
Father of the Bride & Groom Boutonnieres
Mother of the Bride & Groom Corsages
Grandparent’s Boutonniere & Corsage
Aunt’s & Uncle’s Corsage & Boutonniere
Ceremony arrangements
Reception Grand Entrance Arrangements & Place Card Arrangements
Tablescapes (centerpiece) for Guest Tables
Head table floral decor
Flowers for Cake Topper
Flowers for Bride’s & Groom’s Residence
Floral Hair Accessories

How to Select Wedding Flowers

2010-10-29T10:10:00.000-04:00

When choosing flowers, everyone has different taste and preferences. Be sure to choose flowers YOU love, after all it is your special day.

- Be Creative and Different
 Many styles of bouquets are available for your wedding. Why not select something different!

- Choosing a Floral Designer
 If you have a wedding coordinator, you can ask for his/her advice. Make a list of the questions for the candidates you will choose among, and take notes. Later you will able to compare the answers and decide who will be best for you. Always ask for pictures from their portfolio and notice the styles to see if it fits with yours. Are the pictures, traditional, modern, avant-garde? Be sure to notice these details. Choosing a designer with a good reputation and with good references is essential.

- Take into Consideration the Style of Your Dress and the Color of the Bridesmaids’ Dresses
 Flowers should complement the style and color of the bridal party attire. Ask your floral designer for advise and suggestions (a good designer will ask you about this without you asking first)

- Handling the Flowers, make them last
 Fresh blooms are delicate, and need to be handle with care. They should be kept where they can breathe (not sealed up in a plastic bag) and if possible in room temperature water. It will prevent the fragile flowers from bruising and wilting prior to the wedding ceremony.

Flower Colors and their Meaning

2010-08-08T11:36:00.000-04:00

If you want flower colors that will represent you and how you feel about your wedding or event, this is a must read!

Red

The traditional color of love, Red excites. Red flowers are classic and can be a potent stimulant for a romantic liaison.Symbolism: Passion, deep love, desire, beauty, respect, confidence, longing, courage, aristocratic, constancy.Romantic message: I love you; I desire you, always.Flower options: Long-stem Roses for the classic message. Anemones, Orchids, Zinnia, Dahlias, Amaryllis.

Pink

Feeling frisky? Cotton candy or pale blush, pink is feminine fun, fun, fun. Pink flowers are a sweet reminder of childhood days.Symbolism: Sweetness, playfulness, grace, admiration, gratitude.Romantic message: Life with you is fun. I admire you and I’m thankful for you in my life.Flower options: Peonies, hydrangeas, Stargazer lilies, Ranunculus, Roses, Tulips, Freesia, Zinnia, Camellias.

Yellow

Known for its warm, energetic and sunny appearance, Yellow brightens any space or experience. In a romantic context a yellow flower often signals a change.Symbolism: Nobility, richness, friendship, joy, happiness, new beginnings, jealousy, pride.Romantic message: Things are moving too fast, let’s slow things down.Flower suggestions: Tulips, Daffodils, Sunflowers, Lilies, Alstromeria, Freesia.The exception: A bouquet of yellow roses is the perfect way to tell your friend you want more. And, if that’s too subtle, mix it up with red roses to express friendship peppered with longings of love.

Orange or Coral

Autumn leaves, hot summer sands, or citrus fruits, Orange or Coral is bold, warm and commands attention. Orange flowers can stir feelings ranging from simply enjoying life to pure, dizzying attraction.Symbolism: Warmth, happiness, vivacity, intrigue, desire, enlightenment, health.Romantic message: I desire you or life is simply extraordinary with you.Flower options: Roses, Poppies, Orchids, Birds of Paradise, Ranunculus, Gerbera Daisies, Tulips.

Green

Surrounding us in nature, Green in the botanical form is a neutral color. Typically a background color, Green when combined together in varying shades tends to awaken feelings of balance and positive energy.Symbolism: Happiness, youth, sincerity, fortune, renewal, fertility, faith, neutrality, eternal life, optimism.Romantic message: My life is rich and harmonious with you.Flower suggestions: Hellebores, Roses, Bells of Ireland, Green Cymbidium.

Blue

Deep blue oceans; Calm, cool lakes; Open-road skies, Blue is the color of tranquility, trust, and infinite possibilities. Flowers in shades of blue release the spirit and often induce feelings comfort.Symbolism: Peace, serenity, freedom, integrity, devotion, hope, infinity, stability.Romantic message: I can be myself with you and I only have eyes for you.Flower suggestions: Iris, Delphinium, Hydrangea, Larkspur, Forget-me-nots, Freesia.

Purple or Violet

Often associated with royalty, violet or purple is also the color synonymous with creativity and meditation. Purple or Violet flowers can relax as well as awaken feelings of intense euphoria.Symbolism: Nobility, luxury, integrity, enchantment, individuality, fantasy, sophistication, passion.Romantic message: I admire your uniqueness and have profound feelings for you.Flower suggestions: Tulips, Hyacinth, Lavendar, Snapdragons, Sweet pea, Gladiolas, Lilacs, Orchids.

White

Milk, pearls, clouds or sugar, White is the combination of all colors. White flowers are classy, unique and often celebrate a successful beginning.Symbolism: Purity, innocence, respect, commitment, reverence, unity, humility, cleanliness.Romantic message: You are perfection. Our relationship is full of hope, promise and I have the deepest respect for you.Flower suggestions: Tulips, Gardenias, Daisies, Dahlias, Lilies, Cosmos, Magnolias, Calla Lily, Narcissus, Peonies, Roses.

Black

Other than the dried or dyed, natural black flowers are probably slim to none. But, there are some flowers that come close – deep, red-black or deep, purple-black – giving black flowers a less negative connotation in exchange for a more seductively elusive one.Symbolism: Sophistication, mystery.Romantic message: Things between us are deliciously still mysterious. I want to keep diving into our full potential.Flower suggestions: Black Beauty roses, Queen of Night tulips or Black Calla Lilies, Chocolate Cosmos, Bat Orchids, Black Hollyhock.

Sources:http://www.teleflora.com/flowercolors.asp

http://www.uvm.edu/pss/ppp/pubs/oh24colr.htm

http://www.mtycounty.com/pgs-magik/flower_color.html

http://www.temarikai.com/meaningofsymbolismsandcolors.htm

http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Language-and-Meaning-of-Flowers&id=1028

http://www.flowersgrowing.com/colors-symbolism

http://www.angelstouch.com/vancouver-meaning-colors-of-flowers.ph

http://www.flowercreativity.com

http://www.flowerstories.net

http://www.romancestuck.com/ideas/flower-colors.htm

Written by cococello

www.colourlovers.com

Enjoy!

7 Things To Consider When Consulting With An Event Designer / Decorator / Florist

2010-08-05T23:02:00.000-04:00

1) Compare Apples to Apples: When shopping around everyone wants to have the best possible value for their money. However many are disappointed after seeing what they got for their decor investment. To avoid this, make sure you understand the type of flowers you’ll be getting, the amount of stems and green fillers that will be in your arrangements and how fresh the flowers will be (old flowers can be bought at a cheaper price but will be wilting during a nice summer day).

2) Style / Theme: When choosing a style or decor theme, always keep in consideration the season. Ask your floral designer which flowers are in season during your event. A creative designer can offer guidance with choosing a theme that fits your style and taste.

3) Consultation: Insist on seeing the designers portfolio. Look at their style. Does it match yours? Are you comfortable with the designer? Ask yourself how creative is he or she? Is what they’re selling a “cookie cutter” design?

4) Flower Selection: Flowers can be separated into 4 categories (listed from least to most expensive)

a- basic (gerbera, mums, alstromeria, carnations, etc.);

b- mid-range(hydrangea, calla lilies, rose, etc);

c- tropical & exotic (orchids, anthurium, birds of paradise, etc.);

d- artificial - silk

Wait a minute. Aren’t artificial flowers less expensive? No. Often times artificial flowers end up costing more money than fresh flowers. However the advantage is... it lasts forever.

5) Questions to Ask:

1- How many weddings or events has the designer had?

2- Does he/she understand my vision?

3- What is needed to secure the date of my wedding/event?

4- How many events are squeezed in the day of my event?

... if more then one or two: Will my event be subcontracted to another designer?

5- Will I get a written contract outlining the work that will be done?

6) How many designers should you visit: Keep it simple so don’t get overwhelmed! After doing your research first by looking at their website, narrow down your list of event designers to a few, three is a good number. While meeting the designer, if you like what you see don’t be afraid to book, and yet, don’t feel pressured to do so. Like buying a house, if you like what you saw but decide to shop around, someone is else can place their bid and win. Similarly, someone else could book your designer making him/her unavailable the day of your wedding.

7) Budget - Be Upfront: Many are apprehensive to discuss their budget because they think they can get a better deal by holding back. A good designer prices every event in a similar way, the amount of labour needed, the cost of the flowers and/or rentals, overhead cost like phone bill, advertising, office rent, etc.

Remember that the main goal is to accommodate your budget and design the best event to your wishes yet meeting what you can afford. Bottom line the higher the budget is the more you get. When you budget is tight let the designer know, discuss your concerns and be honest, he or she can keep that in consideration when choosing the type of flowers and can suggest ways to keep the design cost effective yet beautiful.

As a general guide, for the average wedding of 200 guests and approximately bridal party size of 10 (includes bride & groom), we recommend a minimum of 10% of entire wedding budget to be allocated toward flowers and decor. For example, $50,000 wedding which includes a venue, gown, transportation, photography, disc jockey, etc. equates to $5000 toward flowers & decor.

What do you do when the bride and her mother don’t see eye to eye on the design?

2010-07-08T21:00:00.000-04:00

Great post by Preston Bailey (he’s an awesome event designer in New York City)

http://www.prestonbailey.com/2010/07/frequently-asked-questions-what-do-you-do-when-the-bride-and-her-mother-dont-see-eye-to-eye-on-the-design/

Enjoy

Free wedding invitations!

2010-06-28T21:20:00.000-04:00

Hello Future Brides & Grooms

Today I stumbled upon this cool website.

www.pingg.com

A creative way for a bride or groom to send really cool digital invitation their guests.

Use it for Bachelor / Bachelorette party, engagement party, rehearsal dinner, wedding invitation, destination wedding, bridal shower, etc.

Use their services free via email invitations or use their paid version using the traditional in mail invitation.

Check it out!!