Thursday, August 11, 2011

Trend Spotting... Vintage Brooch Bouquets

Most brides I work with are looking for a way to make their wedding day personal and unique (Of course! That's what we do at Curry Kay!). They have mused over menu choices, decor, stationery, but rarely have they thought about bouquets. Most brides think their bouquet choices are limited to shape, flowers, and type of stem binding, but there are so many options! Take these vintage brooch bouquets for one...

JewelBeGorgeous
 What I love about these (besides their vintage flair, shapes, colors, and general loveliness) is that they can fit so many styles. A bride who loves the sparkle can don a primarily crystal brooch bouquet like the one above. While a quirkier bride, who's wedding theme has a bit of a retro twist, can carry an enamel brooch bouquet like the one below.

LionsgateDesigns
One thing to keep in mind with these stylish posies is that they tend to be on the smaller side. Think of how many brooches are in the first two pictures... lots. Now imagining the time it takes to collect and wire those (not to mention the weight!). Not every bride imagines herself with a tiny bouquet, so you may want to consider filling out you bouquet with some flowers, either silk or real.

Noaki



What do you think about this trend? Would you carry a brooch bouquet, do you prefer all flowers or would you do something completely different?

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Just a Tip... Using Candles in Your Decor

If you are like most of my brides, you want candles and LOTS of them. I, myself, am a huge fan of using candles (assuming your venue allows it). They provide a beautiful low flicker that illuminates not only centerpieces but your guests in a most flattering way! There are endless choices when purchasing candles for your wedding so here are a few things to keep in mind...

Photo Credit: TM Photography via Style Me Pretty

1. Go for unscented. You may love the smell of "Pomegranate Cider" by Yankee Candle (I know I do), but now is not the time to decorate with 200 votives in that scent. Now Yankee Candle is a bit extreme as their scents are very strong, but even a lightly scented candle can become overpowering in numbers. For a guest who has a very sensitive nose, just one vanilla candle can make for an uncomfortable evening.

Photo Credit: Kristina Lynn Photography via Elizabeth Anne Designs

2. Look for a long burn time. Tea lights may seem like a great idea since you can buy them at bulk at a dollar store, but they burn very quickly and need to be replaced frequently. I like to use 10hr "food warming candles" that are available at restaurant supply stores. I can light them well before your first guest arrives and they'll be flickering beautifully all night!

Photo Credit: Annaboos House

3. Buy lots! Candles look gorgeous all over your reception venue and it's always a good idea to have a few extra on hand to fill in the decor. As the lights are dimmed for dancing they will be lovely on the bar, cocktail tables, the cake table and more. I'm sure you'll find a good use for them even if you have a few leftover after your big day!

And one more heads up... before investing in candles and holders make sure to check with your venue to see if they allow candles. Many venues allow candles as long as they are in a glass holder while others will request that you use the battery operated version.