Bling isn't just for the Bride's ring anymore

Do you stop at every jewelry store window?  Do flashes of light catch your eye?  YUP, me too!  I am a true taurus and love anything sparkly (probably more than I should admit).....so for those of you like me why not add some light catching pretty to your bouquet??

John Heil Photography 

Sweet Pea Photography

All of the above photos are using Swarovski Cyrstals  so a little costlier but the sparkle factor is unbelievable....they really look like diamonds!  So pretty!!!
And there are coloured crystals as well.....which can add a completely different feel to the bouquet!

Sweet Pea Photography

Of course there are less expensive options as well and they can be just as pretty.........

Kim Christie Photography

These are corsage pins-looks great!

Black crystals in the centre of the stephanotis and crystals in the bouquet-DRAMA!

Even gerbera daisies look cute with their purple accent

Maybe crystals in the bouquet aren't your thing but the handle now that's a whole different story!

For the BLING bride-a complete handle of crystals!

Or just a few lining the handle

Or smaller crystals on the handle but still complete coverage

Or what about just a beautiful buckle?  John Heil Photography

Whatever your blingy style or budget there is an option for you so put your sun glasses on and have some fun!

Purple Passion

Purple and weddings will never go out of style.....with all the shades most everyone can find one they love!  The colour of royalty it can be elegant and sophisticated or fun and exciting...it can be anything you want!
You need to start with the perfect stationery and I'm loving the bold graphic of this large bloom!

Artist's Flower by Invitation Consultants

LOVE the fun and gorgeous elements of this invite

Simply Posh Design

You have to have a pair of fabulous purple shoes peeking out from under your dress so go ahead and splurge:)

Christian Louboutin

Manolo Blahnik

Yves Saint-Laurent

Dresses are important....ask any bridesmaid:)

Jennifer Purple Cocktail dress by Natasha Milani

or for the bride outside the box?.....

Not for everyone but for that special couple this could be cool!

You don't want a purple dress so maybe purple flowers are the way to go....

Roses, freesia, calla lilies & stephanotis

Mischa Bartkow Photography

"I do!" Wedding Photography

 Roses, freesia, mini-cybmidium orchids and dendrobium orchids

Decor flowers in purple is always a great way to incorporate your colour as well

white hydrangea with purple stock

There are STUNNING options for linens out there...here are just a few chair options

Wildflower Linens

Wildflower Linens

And you certainly cannot forget about the cake!

Cake by Ganache photo by "I do!" Wedding Photogography

Pink Cake Box

Dogwood Blossom Cake

There are, of course, millions of other pictures of purple wedding ideas-search them out and have some purplely delight:)

Carnation Adoration

I LOVE CARNATIONS!!  There I said it! and I refuse to take it back:)  Seriously what's not to love? and we're not going back in time to blue carnations with a stem of baby's breath sitting in a sad little bud vase, we're talking en mass in natural colours and soft scents of clover......heaven!

At a fraction of the cost of a rose they are perfect for a couple on a budget and I've yet to meet a couple not on a budget.  When used together in bunches it adds a frilly texture, even mimicking a peony and who doesn't love a peony?, that you simply cannot get from a rose.

Here are some photos of bouquets I have designed using carnations.....

An all carnation, in white and mint green, bouquet for this super fun bride

Match Studio

 Dark pink mini-gerbera daisies, kermit mums, spray roses and soft pink carnations for a fresh look

White carnations and cream roses for a soft feel

And for this bride's cutie little flower girl I designed a red carnation pomander ball with aqua-modern!!

Lucida Photography

What about ceremony you ask?  Why yes!  YES!!

Pew Markers of fluffy white carnations to decorate the aisle

Wreaths to hang from the door to let everyone know this is where the party starts!

Mischa Bartkow Photography

Dan Fontaine Photography

 What about these impressive arrangements?  250, yes 250 each piece, hot pink carnations were used to create these alter pieces-you certainly can't ignore them!

Dan Fontaine Photography

But will they work for centerpieces too?  SURE DO!

who wouldn't be impressed by a 5ft tree with spheres of different sizes all using carnations?  Actually so many people came up to me and were shocked they were carnations!

Small balls take approximately 40 carnations; Medium balls take approximately 65 carnations and Large balls take about 100

This was used on a head table and flanked by some jumbo white hydrangea and some spray roses-it works perfectly together!

 LOVE this for as an option for a low centerpiece-still very dramatic!

Designed by Eddie Ross

 IMAGINE walking into a reception and seeing these beauty's all lined up-your jaw would drop and so would your guests

Designed by The Place for Flowers

Lucida Photography

 These purples are eye catching and come in 4 glorious shades....they are grown locally by a man that specializes in growing purple flowers

Instead of just laying your bouquet on the head table what about a "pillow" for it?  Couldn't you see it running the length of the table to hold all of the bouquets?

And finally something for your cake because you can't have a party without cake!

Designed by Eddie Ross

Cake, cupcakes, cookies-really you couldn't go wrong here!  It would be a real show stopper!

I hope I was able to sway your perception of carnations...a multitude of colours, inexpensive and look FANTABULOUS en mass!!  Would you consider using them at your next special event?