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Giving Flowers a Second Life

Flowers are a wonderful thing.  They add beauty to any situation and are an integral part of weddings and many other occasions.  But what happens after the “I do’s” and events?  

Flower donation is a growing phenomenon.  There are several organizations now who “recycle” gently used flowers from weddings and large events.  They use every part of the designs including the ribbons and vases.  New arrangements are crafted from deconstructing the bouquets and centerpieces. These new arrangements are then delivered to hospitals, assisted living facilities, hospice houses, and nursing homes.  Many times they are also tax deductible depending on what organization you work with.

Random Acts of Flowers is a privately-funded organization that has a vision to improve the emotional health of the community with flowers.

In July 2007, Random Acts of Flowers’ founder, Larsen Jay, was in a near-fatal accident. While confined to his hospital room, the outpouring of support that Larsen received in the form of daily visitors and dozens of floral arrangements immediately aided in his long recovery.

When Larsen was capable of leaving his room he noticed how many of his fellow patients did not have visitors or flowers – the very thing that helped him so much in those early and difficult days. Within moments the first “random act of flowers” delivery was made, repurposing his flowers and delivering them to patients in nearby hospital rooms. The memories of how a simple gesture touched his fellow patients compelled Larsen to form Random Acts of Flowers in 2008.

Random Acts of Flowers recycles and repurposes flowers by engaging dedicated volunteer teams to deliver beautiful bouquets and moments of kindness to individuals in healthcare facilities across the country.

As a recycling “green” nonprofit organization run almost entirely by volunteers, Random Acts of Flowers is committed to nourishing the health of the environment, individuals, and the community.

Are you interested in donating?  If there aren’t any organizations in your region, work with your florist or wedding planner to find a local facility in your area that would be interested in taking the flowers.  We all know flowers have a positive effect on mood, so why not share the joy? Visit your florist today to talk to them about flower donation!


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Wedding Trend: Getting Back to Nature

Wedding Trend: Getting Back to Nature

Getting back to nature is a growing movement.  We live in a fast paced world and many people have begun to see the beauty in slowing down.  This is also true for the wedding world.  Couples are choosing a more relaxed, natural atmosphere opposed to the old standard wedding structure of perfection.  

Out with the old, and in with the…old?  Brides are discovering “new” flowers that are actually heirloom flowers.  There are older varieties of mums, zinnias, and carnations (among others) that are making a comeback.  These older versions come in different shapes and more pastel colors that are a great match for the softer look many brides are trying to achieve.

With the rise of free seating and movement towards longer, rectangular tables, multiple centerpieces will take the stage.  These centerpieces are likely to include flowering branches and layers of greenery.  There will also be variations in centerpieces to create a loosely connected vibe, rather than identical pieces across the board.

Photo Courtesy of: Com-Patt-Ibles Flowers and Gifts

Photo Courtesy of: Com-Patt-Ibles Flowers and Gifts

Locally grown flowers native to the region where a couple will be getting married are becoming more popular.  Brides are choosing to have a free-flowing bouquet with a more organic look.  This also brings the introduction of other elements of nature, like sprigs of lavender or edibles.

Whether you decide to stick with a more traditional style or go au naturel, flowers add beauty to any venue.  For help discovering which flowers will make your day perfect, contact one of our local florists!


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Bridal Bouquet Inspiration

Flowers bring life to weddings and set the tone for the whole event. Choosing the perfect blooms to match your wedding colors and style takes careful consideration. Wedding season is here and our florists all over the country have been working hard to make bride’s visions come to life.  Browse through some of our florists latest designs to find bridal bouquet inspiration.

 This soft light blue and white bouquet was designed by Yacht Flowers in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

This bright peach and green bouquet was designed by Flowers of Worth Avenue in Palm Beach, FL.

This stunning bouquet of deep lavender, red and light pink was designed by Ann’s Petals in Longview, TX.

This colorful orange and light pink bouquet was designed by A Fruit Basket Southern Blossom Florist in Charlotte, NC.

This whimsical purple and white bouquet was designed by An English Garden Flowers & Gifts in Mokena, IL.

Flowers have become a way for brides and floral designers to display their creativity. Talk to your florist about exactly what you would like to see in your wedding bouquet and watch your vision come to life. If you want to continue to browse through wedding bouquet ideas visit our Wedding and Party Network Photo Gallery where you’ll find more beautiful arrangements from local florists all over the country.

3 Popular Cascading Bouquets

Princess Diana’s cascading wedding bouquet of plush roses, white orchids, and myrtle stunned the world. Cascading wedding bouquets are back in style this year with a fresh new look. Brides are wanting a looser whimsical vibe for their weddings and this bouquet shape helps achieve that effortless beauty. Here are three types of cascading bouquets that brides are looking for this year.

Whimsical
Achieving a free-flowing whimsical look can be difficult but adding lush greenery will give the arrangement artistic charm and shape. This style is a great compliment to lace wedding dresses and outside ceremonies. This unique arrangement bursting with blooms is sure to stun your guests and bring your wedding to life.

Photo courtesy of  Shadeland Flower Shop in Indianapolis, IN.

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3 Popular Spring Wedding Flowers

Everyone knows that spring is the season for weddings and flowers. We have made a quick list of the three most popular wedding flowers this season. Take a look at what flowers brides are loving for their weddings!

1. Peony
From classic neutral arrangements to colorful modern mixes the peony is an all-time favorite for spring brides. Peonies have large gorgeous ruffles that make them stunning in any bouquet or arrangement. Peony season begins in early spring and extends through late June. This beautiful bloom is available in various shades of pink, red, yellow, white, and cream.

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Wedding Trends: Colorful Wedding Bouquets

Want to make your bouquet that catches the eye? A colorful bouquet really stands out against the ivory color of a wedding dress or a neutral colored bridesmaid dress. Here are some colorful bouquet ideas for your upcoming special day!

Wedding Trends: Colorful Wedding BouquetsTangerine Beauties

Combine bright oranges and yellows for a poppin’ bouquet! Add small pieces of greens, like a beautiful succulent or dusty miller to complete your bouquet look.

Bright Greens

Green bouquets are growing in popularity and bright greens can really make your arrangement stand out! Add white roses or a touch of lilac throughout the arrangement to give it that ‘just picked’ garden look!

Pretty Pinks

Don’t hesitate to use different shades of a favorite color. Combine fuchsia, magenta, pink, and tangerine roses for a bouquet that will grab everyone’s attention. Add a couple of succulents for a rustic look!

Get creative with your florist for a unique wedding bouquet! For more great ideas, visit the Wedding and Party Network Blog!

Tangerine Beauties, Bright Greens, and Pretty Pinks photo accreditation to: weddingandpartynetwork.com

 

 

Wedding Trends: Rustic Reception Centerpieces

With the new year comes more weddings! Planning a wedding with a rustic theme? Here is some great floral inspiration for rustic centerpieces for your reception tables.

wedding trendsSmall Accents

A small arrangement can go along way and also make a big statement! Consider a short cluster of simple roses, greens, and dusty miller for those earthy tones that complete the rustic look.

Color Mix

If you want your arrangement to pop, use a variety of colors. Don’t be afraid to mix bright golds with dusty purples and add textured leaves. Use a wooden container to add to your decor.

Leafy Greens

What really brings out a rustic themed arrangement is the use of earth tones and greens. Use a variety of leafy greens. Mix big leaves with small ones to give it a wild look!

Don’t forget to get creative and team up with your florist to come up with something totally new and totally you! For more great ideas, visit the Wedding and Party Network Blog!

Small Accents photo accreditation to: weddingandpartynetwork/gallery/16056

Color Mix photo accreditation to: weddingandpartynetwork/gallery/15650

Leafy Greens photo accreditation to: weddingandpartynetwork/gallery/15409

 

Spring Wedding Floral Inspiration

With winter just around the corner, now is the time to hit the spring wedding planning hard! Here is a great post from HeyWeddingLady.com featuring some beautiful floral design inspiration for spring Weddings!

Photo courtesy of HeyWeddingLady.com

Unique Floral Design Inspiration for Spring Weddings!
by HeyWeddingLady.com

Florals for spring? Groundbreaking, I know. But in the midst of one of the strangest winters I’ve ever experienced – with record breaking sunny days in the West while the East Coast is buried in snow – I thought a round up of unique floral design ideas would get everyone in the mood for spring!

To read the full article from HeyWeddingLady.com,  click the link below! Don’t forget to call your local florist to help you plan your wedding flowers!

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Wedding Trends: Spring Bridal Bouquets

Planning your spring wedding? This is the time to start! Here are some trending bridal bouquets to give you some ideas for your own bridal bouquet!

Blush Blooms

Dreaming of a romantic look for your wedding style? Consider a bouquet with pretty pastels and rustic greens. Add some dusty miller to give it a blush tone.

Poppin’ Pinks

Make your bouquet pop with bright pinks! Consider a variety of peonies, garden roses, and lilies to give your blooms a varied look. Add some green hydrangeas to give it a “just picked” feel.

Mixed Florals

Don’t hesitate to combine a variety of colors and blooms to achieve an interesting wedding look. Combine orange roses with pink carnations and include a big statement flower, like a white peony, to give your bouquet a full look.

Now is the time to start planning your wedding day look! Your flowers are the finishing touch to your special day style! For more great ideas, visit the Wedding and Party Network Blog!

Blush Blooms photo accreditation to: weddingandpartynetwork/gallery/17292

Poppin’ Pinks photo accreditation to: weddingandpartynetwork/gallery/17250

Mixed Florals photo accreditation to: weddingandpartynetwork/gallery/16476

 

Year Round Blooms

Sometimes it’s hard to decide on wedding flowers, especially when you take the season of your wedding into account. Here is a graphic from GreenWeddingShoes.com on some year-round blooms!

Season Flower Guide: Flowers Available Year Round
by GreenWeddingShoes.com

If your wedding date isn’t set quite yet, but you were hoping to get a feel for what types of stems are available year round, we’ve got you covered, with a few of our favorites that are available throughout the seasons! Silver dollar eucalyptus makes the prettiest base for garlands and air plants + succulents are an eco + budget friendly option since you can keep them long after the wedding day is done. Gift them to your guests or take them home to decorate your space + have a fun reminder from your day!

To read the full article from GreenWeddingShoes.com,  click the link below! Don’t forget to call your local florist to help you plan your wedding flowers!

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