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In this issue:
- Editorial: Did you know that ...?
- Decorating: Special touches
- Our featured partner - "ShindigZ"
- Ask the Expert
- The Bride's Corner
- Sharing Success
- Laughter is still the best medicine
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The
DIY Review
Because every bride deserves
beautiful wedding flowers -- no matter what the budget! |
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Issue 5.a.07
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Editorial:
Did you know that ...?
By Jo Lind
Most Brides do at least some of their own Wedding Flowers.
I said some - not all. No one said you have to do everything. Seriously, think about it. Think of all the people you've known that have gotten married in recent years. What did they do? They may have left the intricate designs for the florist, but it's a good bet that they added floral touches on their own somewhere in the wedding
And, doing some of your own flowers can still save you big bucks, all the while providing you with memories you'll cherish for a lifetime.
Let's take a look at some of the areas where you might consider doing your own flowers.
Bridal Shower
What a great place to add some elegance. Use your imagination. There is so much more that can be done aside from throwing some flowers in a vase on the table. Decorate the cake or the napkins with flowers; give a corsage to the bride . or the mothers.
[See next section - Decorating]
Bridesmaid's Luncheon
Wouldn't you and your mother, or aunt, or best friend have great fun creating special, original floral gifts for your bridesmaids? Let them know just how special they are to you. Little, mini-bouquets would be fun, or corsages, or even small centerpieces for them to take home.
Rehearsal Dinner
This is a special evening. Whether the dinner is held at a restaurant or in your own backyard, help make it something to remember. Create your own unique centerpieces at a fraction of the cost of what a florist would charge. Insert your own creative touches.
Ceremony
Make the bouquets special by doing them yourself and adding your own special details. Make the corsages and boutonnieres into a memorable gift. Maybe you want to leave the personal flowers to someone else in order to concentrate on the altar flowers, the chuppah, or your own aisle decorations. And, remember to decorate the guestbook table with a lovely centerpiece to welcome your honored guests.
Reception
Let's start with the cake. With a little guidance you can create a work of art with fresh flowers on your cake. It's easy to create centerpieces for the guest tables that are beautiful and interesting ... and professional in appearance. You can even create floral favors for your guests to take home. Add some floral touches of your own to the buffet table to brighten things up and carry through your color scheme. And, once again, remember the guestbook table.
But, you want it to look professional.
Wedding Flowers - DIY has the tools to help you make your wedding flower designs look as good as if a florist did them.
- Begin by deciding what aspects of your wedding flowers
you'd like to do yourself. Take a look through our tutorial
packages. Choose the Tutorial Package that has the designs
you need. There are several packages from which to choose. Or, the "I
Want It All" Tutorial Package has all the designs, and
all the fluff, from all the packages rolled into one - then
you can decide later on which designs work best for you.
[see:
Tutorial Table of Contents]
- Read the WFDIY Planning Guide all the way through. All of it . all 50 pages. The information is invaluable. It will literally walk you "start to finish" through the process of planning, designing and creating your flowers.
[see: Planning Guide Table of Contents]
- Use your 6 months of email consultation for any questions not answered by the Tutorials or the WFDIY Planning Guide. There is no limit to the number of emails you can send. I'll be there to help in any way I can.
Browse
our gallery for inspiration, or get
started on your DIY wedding flowers today. |
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Decorating:
Special touches
Bridal Shower
Create a very small bouquet to use on top of the cake.
- The bouquet can be used as a prize for an "ice-breaker"
shower game.
- Use similar colors or flowers as those planned for the wedding.
- Place a doily under the bouquet to keep frosting off the
flowers.
- A small hand-tied nosegay would be an excellent choice for the bouquet.
Instructions for creating a hand-tied nosegay and finishing the handle can be found in any of these packages:
Contemporary Wedding Package
Traditional Wedding Package
Kid's Stuff Wedding Package
The Pocket Fold
This is a great idea to add some pizzazz to your reception tables, your bridesmaid's luncheon, a bridal shower, or the rehearsal dinner. It's simple and reasonably inexpensive.
Use the "Pocket Fold" for your napkins. Add some greenery and some flowers, or a single stem of your favorite blossom. Coordinate the color of the napkins and flowers with the colors of your wedding.
If you need a lot of them, napkins can be rented from your local party rental supplier. If you're having the event catered or at a restaurant, you can ask that the napkins be folded in this manner, or get them yourself ahead of time. Imagine the fun evening together with family and friends, a little food, a little drink - folding napkins.
The flowers needn't be expensive. Prepare them ahead of time. They can quickly and easily be inserted when the napkins are put on the tables.
Not only will this dress up the tables visually, but it adds that personal touch that means so much to your guests.
Browse
our gallery for inspiration, or get
started on your DIY wedding flowers today.
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Quick Tip!
Before You Buy
Before you purchase the greenery for your wedding, check out your yard . or your mom's yard . or your aunt's yard. You get the picture. There are dozens of bushes, hedges, and ferns that make excellent greenery for wedding work.
Test the greenery to see how well it holds up. Heavier, waxy type leaves hold up better for designs that will be out of water . like corsages and bouts. Save yourself some headaches. Do not use rose foliage. It wilts easily.
Always condition the greenery before you use it. After cutting, place it in very warm water and allow it to drink. |
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Our featured partner -
"ShindigZ"
ShindigZ.com...Great Party Supplies and Low Prices!
We all plan parties - year round. And we all need "stuff" . other than food and drinks, to make those parties a success.
I'm always looking for some way to make the event special. Something a little different.
Shindigz has it. The World's Largest Party Superstore.
ShindigZ.com
- the World's Largest Party Superstore 
You want to talk about theme parties? There are party supplies
for literally every party theme. You won't believe all the party supplies that ShindigZ carries!
But, let's not fprget about weddings. Weddings need "stuff", too!
- Engagement Party
- Bridal Showers
- Theme Inspired
- Rehearsal Dinner
- Ceremony
- Reception
- Favors
- Gifts
- Personalized Banners
You'll be amazed at the large selection of supplies. Don't be shy - Take a look!
[Note: Wedding Flowers-DIY has teamed with reputable companies
to provide you with quality resources. You can access all of
these companies from our website. Visit our Partners
Page, our Links
Page, or just click on the logo links below our Main
Menu.]
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Ask
the Expert
Submitted
by: Melody
Melody had a question that is asked frequently.
Read on to learn what Jo Lind has to say:
Question:
Hi Jo!
I'm sure I will have many questions...my wedding is July 14th. I think right now, my only question is: who are reputable online suppliers that I could use and when should I order my flowers?
Answer:
You asked for a reputable online flower supplier. I have developed a sort of 'quid pro quo' partnership with American Floral Distributors. According to the owner, 80% of their business is with DIY Brides. They have a policy of working closely with each bride.
AFD also gives you the option of ordering "by the bunch" instead of only "by the case". Not everyone needs 200 roses! They have a huge selection of flowers, so chances are you will see what you want. If you don't see it, ASK. They will try to get whatever you desire.
AFD frequently ships directly from the grower, so freshness is assured. (Shipping is often free in the US)
AFD has agreed to give all my clients a 10% discount. (some restrictions apply) The discount code is available with the purchase of any tutorial package from Wedding Flowers-DIY.
How soon should you order your flowers?
I would order the flowers at least a month in advance. That way, if you cannot get a particular flower, you can adjust your design accordingly. Ideally, you will want delivery on Tuesday, for a Saturday wedding. Check with the supplier, to make sure of their policies.
I hope this helps.
Jo Lind
[Ed note: You can read more of Jo Lind's design tips in
the Wedding Flowers - DIY Planning Guide, and also get one-on-one
attention with personal email consultation. Both come complimentary
with every Step by Step Tutorial Package. Order
yours today! ]
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Sharing Success
In the last issue, Tina had questions about the tulips she was going to use for her friend's wedding. Tina has been kind enough to share a picture of the finished bridal bouquet and cake from that wedding.
_______________________
Hello -
Well I just wanted to share my experience with you on the Tulips - My arrangements were totally awesome. The bride's flowers looked great.
Tina
________________________
Woohoo!
Well done, Tina! It looks beautiful! I would be proud to carry that bouquet.
Jo Lind |
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The Bride's Corner
Some advice from Jackie in the U.K.
Hi there,
I've been planning my own wedding now just over a year and I still have 10 mths to go.
It's easy to say relax and have fun but your heart and head say otherwise. So try and plan everything to your own pace and lifestyle and you shouldn't go too far wrong. I still feel I have lots left to do.
I have decided to do my own flowers. Be careful not to go overboard when buying flowers, as this way can save you money. You don't want to end up spending a fortune, so be cautious.
I bought a beautiful designer gown brand new off Ebay. I saved hundreds of pounds doing this. My fiancé's parents own a bakers. Their present to us is our cake so again another fortune saved.
I have bought some gorgeous flowers off Ebay - enough to do the church and venue as well as the bouquets and button holes.
I also managed to knock the price down on the venue reception, breakfast, and evening, as well as get discounts for my guests. I got a complementary room for the bride and groom not only on the night but a year later as well - on the 1st anniversary!
I haven't got a photographer yet as I can't seem to find one I like. But we do have a friend of a friend who does this as a hobby and is quite good at it. So ask around - you never know who you know or who they know. It could save you a small fortune, because believe you me, once you put the word wedding in front of anything prices suddenly double.
So be careful, good luck, and have fun! Try not to stress or fret too much.
Regards,
Jackie
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Laughter is still the best medicine
"Out of the mouths of babes..."
I recently attended a wedding for a relative. My five-year-old grandson sat between me and his parents.
As the bridal procession began, he watched intently, surveying each of the four bridesmaids carefully as they walked down the aisle toward the front of the church.
It was then that I realized that my grandson had been watching too many reality TV shows when he turned to me and asked, "Is this where the groom decides which one he wants to marry?
________________________
A grandmother overheard her 5-year-old granddaughter playing "wedding." The wedding vows went like this:
"You have the right to remain silent, anything you say may be held against you, you have the right to have an attorney present. You may kiss the bride."
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Do
you have a question for Jo Lind?
Drop her a line at newsletter@weddingflowers-diy.com
-- and you might see your question answered in an upcoming issue
of The DIY Review -- Ask the Expert! |
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Share your ideas with the DIY Community!
Do you have ideas, design tips, solutions, or anecdotes you'd
like to share with the DIY Community? Do you have a special
wedding tradition in your country that you'd like to share?
Send a comment to: newsletter@weddingflowers-diy.com
Subject Line: Bride's Corner
Only your first name will be used. Your comments will appear
in the next issue. |
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What is the DIY Community?
We are brides, friends and families of brides, entrepreneurs,
and wedding designers worldwide. We share ideas.
We also share successes. [coming next issue]
We are from countries worldwide:
Australia, Canada, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Micronesia, New Zealand, Russia,
Singapore, South Africa, Tuvalu, United Kingdom, United States.
Your country not listed? We'll add it!
[Just added: Germany, Russia]
Email: newsletter@weddingflowers-diy.com
[The countries listed are only those that were obvious from
country email extensions.] |
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