Did You Think I Disappeared?

I thought I disappeared.  I'm not quite sure where the last week or so went.  I don't even know the last time I posted on here.  A week ago, I went to a lecture on business ethics with my mom.  I learned a lot, but it also made me question a lot about the ethical practices of big business. 

Last week/end was a bit insane.  I was on the go with wedding stuff all weekend.  Friday night I worked for a few hours after work getting flowers ready for our wedding in Dubuque on Saturday.  Saturday morning we were on the road at 5AM.  We worked about 12 hours straight setting up the wedding reception and ceremony and then we were back on the road to Des Moines while some of the crew stayed in Dubuque to finish out the night and do tear down.  At 11 PM we had some rentals to take down and I had to finish my florals for the bridal show in Ames.  With the rental pick up, I didn't get to bed until about 2AM, and was up again about 2 1/2 hours later.  We had a bridal show in Ames on Sunday.  I was pretty pumped to talk to some brides who had so new ideas.  No offense if you are reading this and you are planning a wedding and you colors fall into the following categories, but there are some things with weddings I just getting burned out on. 

Gray and yellow is something we have done a couple times this year.  I like it, but I have never been in love with it.  The problem with yellow and gray is that is limits my floral options.  Black and white or black and red.  I have just really had enough of those combos as this point.  I would like to do an all red wedding, any takers?  The other one, and this pains me to say this, is pink and specifically pale pink.  Use some vibrant colors here people.  Now the final color that I just feel like we have seen a TON of this year is purple, every shade of purple.  After the first couple I had seen enough purple for quite a while.  Luckily, I think we might actually be winding down on the purples.  Alright, so who has any new ideas?  I talked to a couple of brides on Sunday that are using turquoise. I was pumped to hear that! 

So, in an attempt to get people on board with something "new" and "different" I made a crazy arrangement for Sunday's bridal show.  I have been looking at these feathers in our design space all year and I wanted to do something with them.  I used some leftover white roses and some white orchids we brought back from Saturday's wedding. 

After much discussion about wedding colors and design concepts, I think I have come to a conclusion about people and their approach to their weddings.  Why are so many people afraid to take a risk, do something different with their wedding?  While there is something to be said about "tradition", I think you can also combine tradition with something a little different maybe even something edgy.  A wedding should show the style of the couple, it should be something that is custom for the couple, not a cookie cutter wedding.  Too many times, people have pictures and want something exactly like the picture.  While that is fine, and it is great to know what you want, there should also be some leeway for designer interpretation, please. 

I know you can't really see in the photo, but I did a couple of boutonnieres with buttons.  They were super fun and way different than anything we have done this year.  I hope someone wants one this next year.  That is it for my schpeal for now. 

Here are a couple more photos from the bridal show.

If you know someone getting married, pass my information along.  I would love to do their flowers.