Fresh or Artificial Floral?

It has has been alot of fun to write for The Spectrum every month as a free-lance writer about weddings. So I thought I would start posting a little piece of them every month.

This article was about artificial or fresh floral. Latley brides have been leaning towards artifical floral... I still don't know how I feel about it. I am a fresh flower girl myself, but I will say I have seen some really pretty artifical floral arrangements lately.

I'm torn!! Which do you think is best?
Photo from Orchids and Company of a fresh and
artifical bouquet. Can you tell which is which?

Dusty, coarse, frayed edges and great-aunt Gertrude all come to mind when thinking of those taboo words in wedding floral: fake flowers. Many reception venues even state in their contracts that artificial flowers are not allowed to cross their thresholds.

Fake floral has received a bad name for not being used correctly, being poor in quality and being just plain outdated. Fortunately artificial flowers have come along way in the past decade.

"The sad muted flowers with frayed edges and weird leaf centers are not the only choices available for event designs anymore," said Lindsey Madsen, owner of Orchids and Company. "By using a variety of fabrics, fibers, specialty dyes, UV coating, hand painting and numerous other techniques have made it beautiful and easy to incorporate artificial flowers. So the dreaded fake flowers have become fabulous fauxs."

A question a bride needs to ask herself when deciding to go artificial or fresh floral is which will fit her look and event best. Professional floral designers can help you know which works best for you.

If the florist is asking numerous questions, almost to the point that you feel like a guest on a game show, then take a deep breath, that is actually a good sign," Madsen said.Getting to know the nature of the event, where the flowers are being used, the timeline of events, and if children or pets are in the bridal party, will help determine which look will work best for your event.

A misunderstanding about artificial floral is that it is more cost effective than using the real thing....

To read the rest of the article go here!

Rustic Wedding Ideas

So, We've had a request for a rustic wedding down in Las Vegas. I've taken some of the pictures the Bride has sent and added a few touches to make the idea complete. She really likes globe lights, Chinese lanterns and subtle fall colors. I'm thinking we also might want to add chandeliers outdoors, mason jars, long guest tables, wooden benches and lots and lots of candle light since it is out doors.

Cali-For-Nia

California!! Me, Kaulin, Jeff and Mr. Bentley went down to Oceanside Fourth of July for a little "Working Vacatoin" with Andee and Steve.

For anyone that doesn't know, my dad and some investors, have some vacation rentals down in San Diego in Oceanside on the beach and my whole family is working at remodeling them. They're called "A Strand of Paradise" because the addres is 412 south the Strand.

Andee, Steve & Ethan are living down there during the remodel managing and doing alot of the work. They should be all up and rentals this fall. I'm so excited! They are so much fun.

Mr. B-stain is great on road trips! He gets into his bag and passes out! Plus he loves the beach, so we don't leave him behind. :) Have we ever left him behind anywhere? i don't think so...

Eeee and Heffe on the pier. Ruby's resuraunt is right on the end of the pier walking distance from us. It was a rocky ride for little E.

At Ruby's. haha, I love this picture of little E.

This unit, on the top, over looks all the other units and the ocean (9 in all). Its so nice to wake up in the morning to cool breazes from the ocean and bright sunshine at 6am from the rising sun.

This is what it look like from our place down the strand.

Mr. Hinton.

There in a surf school in town that has asked to use our place to store their boards. So in return we are allowed to use their surf boards and they will give free lessons to anyone staying there with us.

Steven David

Heffe was a pro.

These beach cruisers on the beach are SO much fun! Andee and Steve bought their own to have down there. No better way to get around. There is a one way road right infront of the strand where everyone rides bikes, jogs, walks dogs etc. Andee with Mr. B on the cruiser.

Nanny and baby Eeeee!

Ruppert!

Addicted to Addiction

So I am a big fan of So You Think You Can Dance. I also make Kaulin watch it with me. Poor guy.

Well every now and again there comes a dance that I fall in love with that just give me the chills and this is one! Its about addiction and how she can't stay away from him although hes bad for her. Its crazy amazing! Of course choreographed by Mia Michaels who is twistedly good. Check it out.

Nanny, this is the only one you would have been missing out on in Cali. :) But now you won't have too.