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How Do I Choose A Wedding Theme? – Ask The Wedding Expert

August 6, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Question from Jocelyn:

I am getting married in May 15 or 20 in 2010. And I like the colour of navy blue, light blue and white but I don’t know what kind of flowers to go with my wedding or what theme to go with and I don’t know if I should have it outdoor or in a church.  What should I do?

Answer from Wedding Expert Angela:

Hi Jocelyn, and congratulations on your upcoming wedding.  You colour choice sounds lovely.  As for flowers, there are many colours that go with blue.  Some of them are greens, purples, yellow, and melon.  As you can see from this photo, blue and melon go well together, and are considered complementary colours (they are opposite each other on the colour wheel).  This video I made on choosing wedding colours will give you more ideas on colour choices.

I think you are stressing yourself out over the flowers when you don’t need to.  What you really need to do is make a list of all the flowers that you need—bride’s bouquet, # of bridesmaid’s bouquets, boutonnieres, # of parent’s corsages, table centrepieces, etc.  I made a video that outlines what you need to consider when making your wedding flower list.  Once you have your list, go to your florist (with your budget clear in your mind), and ask them what they suggest.  THEY are the flower experts.  Bring a picture of the bridesmaid’s dress, or a fabric sample so they know your wedding colours.

When it comes to choosing a wedding theme, you have thousands of choices.  You can keep it simple with a colour theme (blue).  You can choose something that represents you and your fiance, like a hobby or something you both love to do.  To get some ideas, visit the popular wedding favour site—they have thousands of wedding favours to choose from.

When it comes to choosing an outdoor wedding, or a church wedding, the choice is really yours.  If you are outdoors, you will have to arrange things like chairs, sound system, at least one table, and then you will want to make it festive and decorative.  Usually that means arches, or lattice as a backdrop where the alter would be.  Those things can all be rented, or purchased, but they will need to be setup and taken down after the wedding.

If you were in a church, you could just decorate the church, have your wedding, and then arrange for someone to remove the decorations.  If it rains, the church would probably be your backup location anyway.  Those are the main things to consider.  This article on wedding ceremony sites might be helpful.

Good luck, and if you have further questions, feel free to ask.

Angela Fiebelkorn, Ask The Expert

Filed Under: Ask The Expert, Colours, Flowers, Spring, Wedding Ideas, Wedding Themes Tagged With: , , , ,

What Wedding Flowers Go With Blue and Brown? – Ask The Wedding Expert Answer

July 28, 2009 By 1 Comment

Question from Meagan:

What color of flowers should I use for my tiffany blue and chocolate brown colored wedding?

Answer from Wedding Expert Angela:

Hi Meagan, and congratulations on your upcoming wedding.  Blue and brown are a great colour combination.  Nice choice.  Since brown is a neutral, you have a number of options when it comes to working with the blue colour.

You can go with various shades of blues and purples.  Blues and greens work well together also.  Blue and melon orange are great together.  The triadic colours of blue, lime-green, and pink also work.  Of course white, being another neutral goes with anything.  And yellow is always a great colour to add some pop to your flower bouquet.  This video I made on choosing your wedding colours will help you see what colours go well together.

I have made a video on how to choose your wedding flowers which you may find helpful.  Your florist is your flower specialist, and can best advise you on what flowers to use.  Take pictures of your wedding dress, bridesmaid dresses, or any other decorative items you have finalized to give the florist an idea of your style and tastes.  As the video suggests, define all your flower needs first, and then go talk to two or three florists.  Find out what they suggest, and get some quotes.

This article might be helpful in understanding what your wedding flower bouquet choices are.

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What Colours Go With Blue Orchids? – Ask The Expert Answer

July 22, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Question from Brittany:

Hi, I am having quite the challange finding colours that go well with Blue Orchids.  Since Blue Orchids are stem-dyed Pink Orchids I was thinking about having some pink and I love the colour green as well.  How can I combined these colours without it looking like too much, and keeping it elegant at the same time.

Answer from Bridal Expert Angela:

Hi Brittany, and congratulations on your upcoming wedding.  The real trick with keeping things elegant is simplicity—repeated throughout the decor.  The use of neutrals  (white, black, brown) in their many shades also contribute to keeping things elegant.

As for blue orchids, or the colour blue, the usual combinations are:  1) shades of blue, 2) blue with green and/or purple, 3) blue and melon, 4) blue, pink and lime-green.

Since you are leaning towards the blue-pink-lime green combination, I would suggest that you use these colours in your decor.  To keep it elegant, use these colours as accents to your neutral white and black which are the usual colours for an elegant wedding.  The trick to elegant is not in what colours you choose, but in how you use the colours.  Use them strategically to make a bold statement, or softly in more locations in your decor.

This video on choosing your wedding colours will help you finalize your colour choices.  Many brides choose to hire a wedding planner, or an interior decorator for a day to help them plan their wedding colours and decor.  You may opt for this choice.

Good luck, and if you have further questions, feel free to email again, or comment below.

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How Do I Use Magnolia’s As A Wedding Table Centrepiece? – Ask The Wedding Expert Answer

July 13, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Question from Tina:

I’m having trouble trying to figure out how to use magnolia leaves in my centerpieces, with or without flowers.  Also I would like ideas on how to use
ivy on my bridal party tables.

Answer from Bridal Expert Angela:

Hi Tina.  Magnolia’s are very beautiful.  Whether you use the leaves or not, depends upon what you do with the flowers—although I always think that some greenery always enhances the look of a flower arrangement.  Have you considered one magnolia head floating is a bowl of water, with water activated lights?  Could be quite stunning!

As for using ivy, if you have a large vase, you can use it to trail over the edges slightly.  You can use a “string” of ivy artfully draped around your centrepiece.

Have you spoken to your florist?  They have hundreds of pictures and many ideas from all the weddings they have done.  They are THE expert when it comes to flowers, and if you aren’t utilizing their skill, you are missing out on the best part of hiring a florist.

Good luck and feel free to email again.

Filed Under: Ask The Expert, Flowers, planning Tagged With: ,

Are Boutonniere Appropriate For A Casual Wedding? – Ask The Wedding Expert Answer

June 27, 2009 By 1 Comment

Question from Ruth:

My granddaughter is getting married in a chapel at an outdoor park.  Everything is going to be casual.  She would like the groom and his attendants to wear one anthurium boutonniere on their knit shirts (they will not be wearing suits).  Is that appropriate?

Answer from Bridal Expert Angela:

Hi Ruth.  Congratulations on the marriage in your family.  Yes, having a boutonniere is appropriate.  The purpose of corsages and boutonnieres are to help identify the key people at a wedding—bridal party, and family members.

Since the bridal party is casually dressed, it is good that they can be identified in some way, and a boutonniere is a perfect way to do this.  This video on wedding bouquets and wedding flowers will give you more information.

If you have further questions, feel free to ask.

Angela Fiebelkorn, The Wedding Expert

Filed Under: Ask The Expert, Flowers Tagged With: , , ,

What Color Flowers Should I Choose For A Destination Wedding? – Ask The Wedding Expert Answer

May 19, 2009 By 2 Comments

Question from Phyllis:

The bridesmaids are wearing turquoise dresses for a Jamaica Wedding in December.  What color flowers should I choose to compliment the dresses.  My gown is ivory.  Please help.

Answer from Wedding Expert Angela:

Hi Phyllis, and congratulations on your upcoming wedding.  The first flower that came to mind was white orchids.  But many colours go with turquoise—yellow, orange, red, or blues and greens.  Most bouquets have more than one colour.  I recommend that you contact the florist who will do your flowers, tell her how many boutonnieres, bouquets, etc. you need, how much you have to spend, and let them make some recommendations. 

They know what is available in all the price points in December in Jamaica.  They will advise you.  Here is a video you may want to view on wedding flowers.  If you have further questions, feel free to email again.

Angela Fiebelkorn, The Wedding Expert

Filed Under: Ask The Expert, Colours, Flowers Tagged With: ,

What Centerpieces Should I Use In August? – Ask The Wedding Expert Answer

May 1, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Question from Fran:

My wedding is August , 2009. The reception will be in the commons of my high school-really lovely setting. What should I use as centerpieces during such a hot month. Candles seem hot yet romantic. 

Answer from Wedding Expert Angela:

Hi Fran, and congratulations on your upcoming wedding.  The two most popular centrepieces are candles and flowers–alone or in combination.  This video on Wedding Reception Table Centerpieces will give you some ideas.  Candles do not give off much heat, and they are so beautiful and classic on a dinner table.  The soft candlelight is quite romantic and beautiful. 

If you wanted to do something completely different, you could use rose bowls or vases with water/goldfish in them.  A tall vase filled with lemons and limes is quite dramatic.  Pay attention to tables in magazine pictures or on tv shows.  You will be amazed at the variety of centrepieces you will suddenly notice.  Head to your local magazine store and browse through the bridal magazines.  Look at all the centrepieces to get ideas.  Your public library will also have books on decorating to give you yet more ideas.

Good luck, and congratulations on your upcoming wedding. 

Angela Fiebelkorn, The Wedding Expert

Filed Under: Ask The Expert, Decorations, Flowers, Reception Tagged With: , ,

How Do You Decorate A Community Hall For Your Wedding? – Ask The Wedding Expert Answer

April 22, 2009 By 2 Comments

Question from Kim:

Our wedding reception is being held in a typical community hall that has a tall ceiling, large square room with basic paint and the horrible rectangular tables.  I am having a hard time trying to create a dramatic table setting that makes the hall feel more upscale but still allows the eye to flow easily through the room so that the guests may see one another throughout the night.  My colors are cobalt, black and white.  We will also be having a buffet dinner and a few bottles of wine for the tables. I am open to any suggestions, please help me!!!

Answer from Wedding Expert Angela:

Hi Kim, and congratulations on  your upcoming wedding.  The trick with community halls is in the lighting.  Once the lights are dimmed, you will find the walls will visually disappear.  Then you need to bring light back into the room where YOU want it.  “Up lights” can be purchased at your local hardware store or anywhere lighting is sold.  I have picked them up for $10 and they are readily available.  Also, any floodlights will work as well.  You might be able to borrow flood lights from family or friends who like to light up their Christmas decorations outside in the winter.  Sometimes, your church might have some that you could borrow.

Then you will need to have focal points for your lighting.  Imagine light shining through the table skirting on the head table (from underneath the table).  It will look very dramatic and depending upon the lighting in the room, it may even look like the table is floating on light.  The use of a few clusters of pillar candles in different heights will bring lighting to each table, as well as create a dramatic look. 

The picture in this post shows the use of a trumpet vase to create dramatic height.   You do not need these vases at each table, but, depending upon your budget, could be randomly placed around the room.  You can use fresh flowers, silk flowers from the ‘dollar store’, add some twigs and branches, and some feather, and you could have a dramatic floral arrangement.  Fill the vase with sand (or coloured sand) to add more colour to the table. 

That should get you going with some ideas.  Google images for “wedding reception tables” to get some visual ideas.  If you get stuck, I always recommend hiring a professional.  An interior designer or wedding planner can be hired for the day to do the decorating for you, and they aren’t that expensive.  This video on ‘wedding reception table centrepieces’ might be helpful.  There are other videos in this wedding planning series that will give you other ideas for decorating your reception site.

Good luck, and if you have further questions, please feel free to email.

Angela Fiebelkorn, The Wedding Expert

Filed Under: Ask The Expert, Decorations, Flowers, planning, Reception, Wedding Ideas Tagged With: ,

Do The Colours of Brown and Eggplant Go Together? – Ask The Expert Answer

April 17, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Question from Kyla:

I am wanting to go with a chocolate brown color (expresso) for bridesmaids dresses.  I am looking at bridesmaids bouquets of simple eggplant(?) calla lillies.  What shades of purple go with chocolate brown for the overall color scheme?

Answer from Bridal Expert Angela:

Hi Kyla, and congratulations on your upcoming wedding.  Brown is a neutral colour, so any colour will go with it.  The best purple or eggplant colour has an undertone that matches that of the brown.  When the undertones of a colour match up, the colours will go together.  How do you know if the colours work?  Place them next to each other.  If they look fine, they are.  If you don’t have an eye for colour, ask your florist.  That is their expertise. 

Brown bridesmaid dresses are very popular, and are a classic choice.  Congratulations, and if you have any other questions, please feel free to ask.

Angela Fiebelkorn, The Wedding Expert

Filed Under: Ask The Expert, Bridesmaid Dresses, Colours, Flowers Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Types of Wedding Flowers – Learn them through video

April 12, 2009 By 2 Comments

This video is about the different types of wedding flowers for the bridal party, the reception and the bride.

It is part of the twenty free wedding planning series made available to you by Bridal Expert Angela Fiebelkorn.

Filed Under: Flowers, planning Tagged With:
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