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4 Ways to Give Back During Your Reception


Wedding Planning Advice

We have an increasing number of couples that want to not only throw a great party, but also give back to the community during their wedding. From floral to gifts, there are a number of ways to share the love after the wedding is over! Here are a few ideas:

 

Floral provides a great opportunity to give back, after all, at the end of the night the flowers are yours to keep. It would be a shame to just throw it all away. In our previous blog we talk you through a number of different options, but one of my favorites is to donate them. Your florist may have a preferred charity that they bring flowers to after a wedding, but you can also ask your planner about it. Here at Each & Every Detail we have partnered with Harbor Chase Retirement Home to provide their residents the remaining flowers from our clients’ events. What a great way to pay it forward! Send us an email for more details. - Donations - Giving Back - Wedding planner - Each & Every Detail

Photo courtesy of Allen Tsai Photography

Floral by Petals Couture

 

Sharing Your Flowers

Floral provides a great opportunity to give back, after all, at the end of the night the flowers are yours to keep. It would be a shame to just throw it all away. In our previous blog we talk you through a number of different options, but one of my favorites is to donate them. Your florist may have a preferred charity that they bring flowers to after a wedding, but you can also ask your planner about it. Here at Each & Every Detail we have partnered with Harbor Chase Retirement Home to provide their residents the remaining flowers from our clients’ events. What a great way to pay it forward! Send us an email for more details.

 

In order to make sure that everyone gets fed, most caterers will cook slightly more food than the guest count indicates. This means that there will likely be left over food. While you could take it home and feast on left overs for a week you could also talk to your caterer about donating it. Different caterers have different rules about reheating food, but it’s definitely an option to consider when thinking about ways to give back. - Donation - Wedding Planner - Each & Every Detail

Photo courtesy of Tony Valadez Photography

Catering by CN Catering

 

Making Your Food Go A Little Further

In order to make sure that everyone gets fed, most caterers will cook slightly more food than the guest count indicates. This means that there will likely be left over food. While you could take it home and feast on left overs for a week you could also talk to your caterer about donating it. Different caterers have different rules about reheating food, but it’s definitely an option to consider when thinking about ways to give back.

 

There are several different ways you can encourage your guests to give back in your name. You can set up a typical gift table but have an informational sign that encourages charitable giving rather than gifts. You can also prepare your guests by registering through a charity or list your favorite organization on your wedding website. Alternatively, if you think your guests might be the kind to want to bring physical gifts, try having a toy drive or asking everyone to bring their favorite book to be donated. You still get a great gift table as well as the satisfaction that comes with helping others. - Wedding Planner - Each & Every Detail

Photo courtesy of Jeremy Minnerick Photography

 

Gift for Others

There are several different ways you can encourage your guests to give back in your name. You can set up a typical gift table but have an informational sign that encourages charitable giving rather than gifts. You can also prepare your guests by registering through a charity or list your favorite organization on your wedding website.

Alternatively, if you think your guests might be the kind to want to bring physical gifts, try having a toy drive or asking everyone to bring their favorite book to be donated. You still get a great gift table as well as the satisfaction that comes with helping others.

 

Favors are a fun way to add a little personality to your event! Rather than trying to think of the perfect little gift for your guests, how about you donate to a charity of your choice in their honor.  You can leave a little card on everyone’s place setting with the details of the donation.  That way you don’t have to worry if anything gets left on the table at the end of the night, because the charity has received your donation either way. - Wedding Planner - Each & Every DetailPhoto courtesy of Jeremy Minnerick Photography

 

Donations as Favors

Favors are a fun way to add a little personality to your event! Rather than trying to think of the perfect little gift for your guests, how about you donate to a charity of your choice in their honor.  You can leave a little card on everyone’s place setting with the details of the donation.  That way you don’t have to worry if anything gets left on the table at the end of the night, because the charity has received your donation either way.

 

There you have it, four easy ways to give back to the community during your wedding. What is your favorite way to pay it forward? If you want advice on how to incorporate giving back with your event contact us! We’d love to help out!

 
 

We have an increasing number of couples that want to not only throw a great party, but also give back to the community during their wedding. From floral to gifts, there are a number of ways to share the love after the wedding is over! - Give Back - Donations - Wedding Reception - Wedding Planner - Each & Every Detail

Floral Design – Unexpected Places & Trends


Wedding Planning Advice

 

Violet Floral - Museum Wedding - Flashbox Photography

Photo courtesy of Flashbox Photography

 

Pretty, pretty flowers!  When designing a wedding, floral design is one of those areas where a little creativity can have a HUGE impact!  Floral can change the look and feel of your venue, imply a certain type of environment, and emphasize or subdue the impact of your color palette.  I want to show you a few of my favorite unexpected places to put up some gorgeous floral, as well a couple of nifty trends you’ll see floating out in the aether.

 
Unexpected Places
 
Hanging Floral Arrangement - White Floral Installation - Amy Karp Photography
Photo courtesy of Amy Karp Photography
 
Hanging Installations: Although the floral ring has been around for awhile, there have been lots of fun, new options popping up in Floral-land recently for pulling your guests’ eyelines upward.  Use hoops!  Or terrariums!  How about adding dangling geodes?  Pop some greenery up there!  Or even branches, if you’re going for a more minimal look, or single stem for a boho vibe…  The possibilities are endless.  Hanging floral tends to work better in a venue with great rigging points, but a creative florist can make it work!
 
White Floral Tree - Escort Card Table - Leslie Spurlock Photography
Photo courtesy of Leslie Spurlock Photography
 
Entrance: Does your venue have a door of some kind?  Yep, I thought so.  How about setting the tone for your guests from their first steps inside? Make some magic outside of your entryway by using an arch around the door or even lining the walkway in candles, garlands, or luminarias.
 
Behind the Stage: Rocking a band or a hip DJ?  Bring some attention their way by creating a floral statement piece behind the stage.  It’ll make for great photos the whole night!
 
Floral Trends
 
Floral Wall - White and Red Flowers - Amy Karp Photography
Photo courtesy of Amy Karp Photography
 
Floral Walls: Oh me, oh my, have these floral walls not become utterly fabulous?  I love a gorgeous, colorful floral wall – or even a boxwood hedge wall with floral accents – set up behind a cool little seating lounge.  Insta heaven!  Add a laser cut sign with your names or your hashtag to make it all yours!
 
Tropical Floral - Green Orange Pink Flower Arrangement - Simple Moments Photography
Photo courtesy of Simple Moments Photography
 
Tropicals: I see more and more florists mixing in beautiful tropical blooms like protea and ginger with our more typical Texas lovelies.  Mix up your textures a bit by taking a page from the islands, and bring a little modern splash to your floral theme!
 
Moongates: They’re everywhere!  These beautiful hoop installations are a gorgeous ceremony backdrop option.  You can make it yours by going lush and lavish or keeping it constrained and cultivated.
 
All white bouquet - Small bouquet - Wedding Floral - Amy Karp Photography
Photo courtesy of Amy Karp Photography
 
Smaller bouquets: It feels like we’re moving towards more petite bouquets, after a few years of overflowing bouquets that hide the bride!  I see more slender lines in bouquets to show off the more elaborate bodice details we’re seeing in dresses, both for brides and maids.
 
Hopefully this inspires you and maybe you’ll consider your options for the “wow” factor when it comes to your floral. For even more inspiration visit our wedding albums on our website. If you have some trends or unexpected floral pieces you’d like to share with us please email us!
 

Vendor Spotlight: Petals Couture


Ask The Expert

Beautiful Fall Wedding, with ivory and gold floral bouquets. Bridal party wearing warm, mismatched rose gold gowns to compliment the fall decor.

Photo courtesy of Lindsay Davenport Photography

 

Flowers bring beauty, style, and charm to a wedding. Petals Couture creates timeless floral (with a fun flare) to add to the ambiance of your special day. We had the privilege of hearing all about how Petals Couture do what they do.

 

When and how did you get into the wedding industry?

In high school and college I worked for a flower shop and worked a few weddings while there. While in college I did an internship with an event planner who also did floral and I absolutely loved it! After college I worked for an event rental company but that wasn’t a creative enough of a position for me and flowers kept pulling me back. So I decided I would start my own business. I did my first bridal show in 2012 and it all took off from there!

 

Romantic outdoor ceremony arch with white draping. Ivory and Burgundy flowers with trailing greenery sprawling across the arch at Stone Crest Venue.

Photo courtesy of Ben Q Photography

 

Describe your favorite type of client

My favorite client is a young, fresh and traditional bride but still has the ability to think out of the box. My favorite weddings are traditional with the flare of what is in style at the time. I want my brides to look back at their weddings years later and still be WOWed by the flowers and remember everything as being timeless.

 

Simple, elegant ivory boutonnieres with a touch of burgundy with a pale blue back ground.

Photo courtesy of Ben Q Photography

 

Romantic gold, ivory and pale blue centerpiece surrounded by romantic gold votives. Light and airy floral centerpiece.

Photo courtesy of Tenth & Grace Photography

 

Why do you think your clients come to you for their wedding flowers?

One review I got that really stuck out to me was when a bride said I was “patient, resourceful, accommodating, and just went above and beyond.” I loved hearing this from her because these are qualities I strive to live by with each of my brides. Planning a wedding can be a stressful task so I try to make this part of their wedding an easy and fun process. Picking out the flowers and décor can be the most fun part of wedding planning because it sets the whole tone for the wedding.

 

Bride and groom with rustic lavander and ivory bridal bouquet with wild greenery.

Photo courtesy of Soleil et Lune Photography

 

What do you love most about weddings/engagements?

I love the excitement and creativity involved with weddings. Each wedding is completely different in their own ways. Its never boring, that’s for sure! Another favorite part is seeing the brides reaction to her bouquet as well as the venue when it is all set up and ready!

 

Visit Petals Couture at www.petalscouture.com. You can also contact Emily at by email at emily@petalscouture.com or by phone at (972)571-2856. Petals Couture is located at 194 Industrial Blvd. #106, McKinney, TX 75069. She meets with couples by appointment only.

 

To get some floral inspiration, visit our blog, Finding Your Flowers. We walk you through how to find what you want as well as how to navigate getting what you want!

Finding Your Flowers


Wedding Planning Advice

Photo Courtesy of Krystle Akin Photography

Floral Design by Holly Viles Events & Decor

 

When most couples think of the design of their wedding, one element they tend to focus on is flowers.  Now some prefer more and some prefer less, but no matter the amount of floral, it seems to be a given that some floral will be included in the wedding day.  But where to begin?

 

The best place to start is social media.  Searching through Pinterest and Instagram for different wedding floral ideas allows you to see what’s out there, give you different styles to choose from and lets you explore the world of color from a floral perspective.  Create a Pinterest board or find a way to store photos in an organized format that lets you save the photos you find that are inspirational to you.  Try not to find the PERFECT image, but focus more on general images with different elements you like, whether it be the flower types, colors or general shape of a bouquet or arrangement.  Try searching for key terms that match the style or colors you are attracted to, like modern blue wedding or rustic coral wedding.  Don’t worry about mixing different styles like traditional ballroom or rustic ranch, your florist will help you mix and merge the different genres you pull from to create your own seamless personal style!

 

Photo courtesy of Miranda Marrs Photography

Floral Design by R Love Floral Design

 

Organize your collection of photos by type of décor element, such as bridal bouquet and bridesmaid bouquets, centerpieces, boutonnieres, ceremony décor, cake flowers, etc.  This allows you to organize your thoughts and prepare for meeting with florists, so you can show them the different groupings to get your ideas across.

 

Once you feel you have a good idea of what you are looking for, start looking for florists that match your style.  To do this, look at their website galleries, Facebook albums, Pinterest boards and Instagram feed.  See if their style matches up with the photos you’ve chosen. If your photos reflect interesting containers, make sure you see some interesting containers in the photos from the florist.  If you prefer more candles than floral, see if the florist has photos of centerpieces that reflect that as well.  If you love a cascading bouquet, make sure you see photos of cascading bouquets that the florist has produced.  Of course, you want to do your research and find a reputable florist that has great reviews and proven reliability as well!

 

Photo courtesy of Autumn Light Photography

Floral Design by Bella Flora

 

You might consider meeting with more than one florist (2-3 is plenty) and explore your ideas and style with them.  Share your photos and explain the elements that are important or attractive to you in each photo so you both know what to focus on.  Check out their container options and see what works well for your style.  Florists are artists and when meeting with them, your goal is to get a feel for how creative their ideas are and see who is more in sync with your vision. Their input is very valuable as they know what flowers are in season, how to create the beautiful arch of floral you discovered or if the hanging floral elements you love are possible in the venue you’ve chosen.

 

Photo courtesy of Diane McKinney Photography

Floral Design by Pearls & Poppies Floral Design

 

Important:  Do NOT expect to compare apples-to-apples as each florist should come up with their own ideas.  Also, do not take proposals from one florist to another and expect them to duplicate each other’s work and price match.  This is not their function nor will they feel comfortable doing this. Be honest with the florists you are meeting and give them the budget you want or need to stick to so they can work within that boundary.  If you are a good fit for a florist’s style, they will work hard to make sure the ideas they can make work for your budget are worth it.

 

Once you’ve met with a florist, they should send you a proposal that reflects the concepts you brought as well as their suggestions and ideas.  Great proposals include photos of the floral and containers to be used, line item descriptions of each décor piece (including types of flowers to be used) and price for that item.  After receiving the proposal, you can certainly ask questions and make changes.  From here, it’s up to you to choose the florist that you feel fits your vision and budget best!