Easy Christmas Bouquet Idea

Recently, I have heard lots of Brides discussing the merits of having flowers for a Christmas Wedding and should they be silk or real as many florists seem to have problems supplying them. Personally I never had a problem with getting flowers at Christmas time, but when I came across this idea, I just had to share it with you as I think it is easy enough for most people to chance making themselves and can be made way in advance and you could even scent it if you are organised enough! I think it would only be enhanced by adding some flowers to it (silk or real) white roses, orchids or even carnations would be beautiful and of course you could colour co-ordinate the ribbons to match your colours. To scent the pine cones you would need to have them at least 8 weeks in advance of when you want to make the bouquets, put them into a shoe box lined with a roll of cotton wool and add some drops of essentail oil in the scent that you like, you can get a cinnamon scent, rose scent, pine etc. Cover them with some more cotton wool and leave in a hot press or somewhere warm, take out every couple of weeks and top up the scent, after a few weeks they will maintain the scent, these are also really good for christmas potpourri.
Then simply wire the pine cones and group together to make the bouquet, add some pretty lace and some ribbons and you're good to go! You could also have your florist make these up for you, any good florist should be able to do them. And of course you can keep them and use them as christmas decorations next year!

Easy Christmas Centerpiece

Materials Required:

■Cylindrical vase or clean empty can
■Two sided tape (found at most hardware or scrapbooking stores)
■Rubber band
■Candy canes
■Wide ribbon (must be wider than rubber band)
■Roses
Instructions:

1.Wrap the two sided tape around the vase/can once approximately halfway down the vase/can. (The two sided tape will help keep the candy canes from sliding out from under the rubber band.)
2.Slide rubber band around the vase/can.
3.Begin inserting the candy cans behind the rubber band.
4.Tie the ribbon around the vase/can taking care to cover the rubber band with the ribbon.
5.Fill with water and arrange roses.
Another “Bride Idea”: Use mini candy canes and baby food jars or small fruit cup cans to create small individual vases which can serve as place cards. Just attach a label with your guests’ names to the ribbon

Chair covers, - why limit yourself to one colour?

Pink & gold Organza
baby pink & black Satin

fushia pink & Black Satin

baby pink & chocolate brown organza

Coffee & Cream Satin

Cream & Mint

O.k. Ladies (& Lads!) It's time to step up to the Mark!

Why Limit yourself to just one colour when you can have two! (or three!)

Do every second chair or every second table with a different colour to give your venue a wow factor and match your colour scheme!

Having a Black & White Theme?

Why not alternate tables of black chair covers with white sashes and tables of white covers with black sashes .

The sky really is the limit!

We would be happy to suggest colour options for you that will work with your wedding flowers or wedding colours.

Easy Christmas Centerpiece and Place cards

Here's another quick and easy centerpiece for all of you christmas brides out there

Buy some boxes of christmas baubles and use them for your christmas centerpieces,

you can get a colour to match your theme,

Or if you have a bigger budget get some clear baubles and some battery operated fairy lights,

and layer them in a bowl together for a great effect!

You could also add stars, pine cones or christmas sweets to the bowl,

or add a couple of small seasonal flowers or some mini roses,

and perhaps layer a little christmas pine underneath for a lovely christmas scent

First place some baubles in a pretty glass bowl.........
(they don't all have to be the same you could use "fishbowls"," brandy glasses", "Martini glasses" or "sweet dishes" Vary the heights

Layer the fairlights in between.......

add a couple of stars and ........Voila!

Of course you need place cards to match so why not liven up some plain baubles in contrasting colours(see instructions below!) and add a little tag with each persons name
Or if you have added pine cones to your display,

Glittery pinecones make wonderful wedding favours and/or place card holders at a christmas wedding or winter wedding.
This pinecone painted in icy winter colors with sparkling glitter accents is perfect for a wonderful favour for your holiday guests. Create one for each place setting at your holiday table, then insert a slip of paper with the guest's name in the leaves of the pinecone. At the end of the evening, everyone will have new ornaments to bring home and hang on their own trees. What a wonderful way to create long lasting memories of your wedding. (instructions also below)

For the bauble place card you will need:

• A baking sheet
• Kitchen aluminum foil
• 3-inch-diameter glass ball christmas ornamentwith removable metal cap
• 6-inch square Styrofoam block
• Drinking straw
• High-tack white glue
• Micro glitter in coordinating color

Directions
1. Cover baking sheet with aluminum foil. Remove cap from glass christmas ball and set aside.
2. To facilitate decorating, place Styrofoam block on cookie sheet and stick straw in center. Insert cap end of glass christmas ball on straw.
3. Make swirl design or other desired design on surface of christmas ball with nozzle of glue bottle.
4. Sprinkle glitter over glued areas. Let dry completely. Shake off excess glitter. Replace cap.
You've now got customized Christmas Wedding place cards that double as wedding Favors!

You can also try getting glue "pens" and writing the name of the person on the bauble, sprinkle glitter over, leave to dry completly, then put the date on the other side, thus creating a lovely keepsake for your special day, (this would be very time consuming so may be a good idea to do for just the top table?)

For the Snowy pine cones

You need:
• Kraft paper
• Small pinecone
• Rubber gloves
• Spray primer in white
• Gloss spray paint in mint blue or green
• Spray adhesive
• Plastic winter snow
• Fine glitter in warm highlight
• 1/3 yard of thin silver twisted cording
• Scissors

Note: Always work in a well-ventilated area when using spray paint.
To make:
1. Cover clean, flat work surface with kraft paper. Place pinecone on paper.
2. Put on rubber gloves. Apply thin coat of spray primer to pinecone. Let dry completely. Apply one or two more coats of primer, as necessary. Let dry completely.
3. Apply thin coat of spray paint to pinecone. Let dry completely. Apply one to two more coats of paint, as necessary. Let dry completely.
4. Apply fine mist of spray adhesive to painted pinecone. Wait 5 minutes or until cone is tacky.
5. Lightly sprinkle plastic snow on pinecone until it sticks and desired effect is achieved. Take a pinch of glitter and sprinkle over pinecone. Let dry completely.
6. Make loop with silver cording and tie in double knot around top prong of pinecone. Trim ends.

These would look beautiful on top of crisp white or red napkins with
a little sprig of christmas holly or ivy.

(and don't forget the christmas crackers!!!)

D.I.Y - Floral Table Plan

Another D.I.Y tip for all of you!

Click on the picture to enlarge,

You could also make this up using Ivy or fake Flowers, for a christmas wedding you could also stick on some pine cones or baubles,

For spring/summer some butterflys or little birds,

Could also embelish with sequins and glitter!

You can also get some really pretty hat pins (your florist should be able to get some for you!)

Or if you are lazy like me you could just use the glue gun and glue everything on!!

Whatever you choose - Have Fun!

Maureen

Centerpiece Idea

The Painted PotsCovered Toilet Rolls!

The Finished Product!

Here's a quick and easy project for all of you D.I.Y. Brides!

It's also great when you consider that it is virtually free to make and using mostly recycled things thus helping the environment!

So What you will need is the following:

1 x Pot for each centerpiece,

Some Large Twigs From the Garden or ask for Mitsumata or contorted willow at your local florist

lots of old toilet rolls,

Some fabric or wallpaper to match your theme,

Some fringe, ribbon, feathers, boa, or beaded fringe (try hickeys)

Some crystals or Glass beads with holes in top,

Some Moss

Thin wire or see through thread(fisherman's thread)

Some Plaster of Paris (or a small bag of cement)

& Some Small Flowers to decorate (silk will work best here but you can use real if you have time the morning of the wedding!)

and a glue gun is also a great help!

Begin by painting your pots in colours to match your chosen theme,

You could spray paint the bottoms and just paint the collar by hand if wished
Pick out one two or three branches per pot depending on size of pot and size of branches,

Make up plaster of Paris (or cement) following the instructions on the packet,

And add to the pots, with the stick(s) inside, holding them in place until they set

Cover the old toilet rolls with the fabric or wallpaper, using the glue gun

(or failing that double sided sticky tape!)

& don't worry if it doesn't quite cover the ends as your ribbons etc will cover them anyway

When they are dry have fun sticking on your embellishments either end of the tubes, you could just put a simple strip of satin ribbon in a complimenting shade either side or whatever you wish

Make a couple of small holes in one end of the tubes and thread them with the invisible thread or wire which will be used to hang them

Hang them on your tree, along with the crystals or glass beads

Use the Moss to Cover the bottom bit where the plaster of Paris is and randomly glue on some small flowers to the tree

Stand Back and admire your work!

(Use your imagination for these trees, they can look so Fab, you can also try these ideas,

if you are having a Christmas wedding, how about adding a set of battery operated fairy lights to each tree (Dunne's have some fabulous one's at the moment with little stars on) Or buy them now and save them for your summer wedding if you just love the fairy light effect!

Use strings of Pearls if you are having a pearl themed wedding (you can also pick these up very easily at the moment look out for tree garlands)

You could hang small Christmas decorations from the branches

If you are having a spring or Summer wedding why not try adding butterfly's, lady birds or small birds to the branches

Hang strips of organza ribbons with diamante hearts or ovals from the branches

O.K that's enough from me, I hope I have helped, If you make one of these please e mail me a picture, & I will "showcase it here on my blog, I would love to hear your ideas too, or if you have something that you would like to share please e mail me!

Have Fun!

Maureen

Red Christmas Theme - Floral Mood board.

As Promised here's not one but two red mood boards for your chrstmas theme! I love the idea of the little snowy christmas tree in the cloche for a table center, these would also make great gifts for aunties etc to take home at the end of the night. They can also be planted which makes a really great memento of your wedding and is also "green" and helping the environment. I love gold with red but you can just as easily use silver if that is your preference. For a red and gold theme think lots of candles in red and cream with gold bouillion wire wrapped around them, lots of gold baubles and red and gold ribbons, pine cones, and berries,(if you are not getting married untill next christmas start collecting in the jan. sales!) add a sprinkling of fairy lights but with gold accents instead of silver and again make use of christmas trees, if you can find mini ones real or fake they make great table centers, dont forget your tables accent them with pretty red and gold christmas crackers and red ribbons on crisp white napkins.................
And if you are brave enough to wear a red dress, check out the stunner above, it's by Ian Stuart, I so LOVE, LOVE, LOVE his creations, there is also a really fab hat that goes with this dress (and yes it also comes in white! & Ivory)You can find it here:http://www.ianstuart-bride.com/docs/5.param_dress_masquerade.html
I have also found a really great idea for table centers which I will share with you ..........................tomorrow!
See you then!
Maureen

Save Money on your Dream Dress while helping someone else

If you are still searching for your dream dress do you know that some of the better known charity shops sell new and almost new Wedding dresses and actually have specialised Bridal shops of their own? Many of these dresses are sample dresses donated by designers or bridal shops at the end of the season to enable them to make way for new stock, dresses start from €70! You can check out Oxfams Wedding Boutiques here: http://www.oxfamireland.org/oxfambridal/contact.htm and also Barnardos here: http://www.barnardos.ie/our_shops/our-wedding-boutique.html
Happy Hunting!!!

Ferrero Rocher Place-Cards

I recently did a post on how to make Ferrero Rocher trees, but just came across this idea, which I think is really great and easy to make, just print out your guests names onto some nice card stock and perhaps you could put something like "Our Wedding" or the date or your names on the other side Put a cocktail stick in the center and glue the two sides together. Once dried stick into a single ferrero rocher et voila! Sometime simple is best!

Winter Wonderland anyone?

Ooooooh! O.K. so I admit, I love Christmas! and although I love the summer and the sunshine it's somehow nice to get back to crisp cold days with a lovely fire inside! (although I do hate the rain!!) But this time of year I get alot of brides asking about Christmas weddings and winter themes, what can we do to make it different? Well you can do alot! You can go for a lovely silver and blue theme as above or an equally beautiful red and gold theme (maybe I will do that tomorrow? Check back!) And although I think that the picture on the bottom left (with all the Christmas trees) is a little in the extreme, you could achieve something a bit more subtle by using the same idea. let your imagination run wild! Think Fog machines, and lighting effects with snowflake filters, beautiful iridesent snowflakes on the tables and lots of fairy lights. You can make beautiful and not very expensive table centers by using some of the plants that are available such as small christmas trees with snow or gittered finish and put lots of pincecones and t lights around the base of them, If they come in plain pots just spray paint them in a colour to match your scheme. Or how about some nice glass hurricane jars filled with baubles and fairylights? Put a cracker at each place setting and you could also pick up some inexpensive chocolates in the shape of christmas trees or snowmen (the type that you hang on trees) and tie one to each napkin with a piece of ribbon. Of course if it all seems like it's just too much work, we would be happy to do it for you! Check back tomorrow for the red and gold theme!

Preston you are an Inspiration!

Any of you who know me or regularly read this blog, know that I spend alot of my spare time surfing the internet in search of inspiration and new ideas for wedding flowers! One of my all time favourite floral designers is Preston Bailey, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE his work! Check out these amazing floral sculptures that he created, they truly are a work of art!

Preston also recently designed the Wedding Flowers for the Wedding of Billionaire Heiress Ivanka Trump (daughter of Donald & Ivana Trump) & her long term boyfriend Jared Kushner
in a star studded ceremony in Trump National Golf Club in Bedminister New Jersey, as always the flowers were beautifully elegant & classical without being overpowering!, I can but dream that one day I will have an unlimited budget to work with!!!! Click on the pictures to enlarge - there is a SERIOUS amount of roses in that Chuppah!

Preston we are not worthy!!!!

Ivanka Trump with her husband Jared Kushner

The beautifully decorated golf club, where the ceremony took place

Preston with the Happy Couple

Hi to everyone that we met yeterday at The Falls Hotel Wedding Fair in Ennistymon!

a big Hello to everyone who came along to see us at the Falls Hotel in Ennistymon yesterday, it was great to get to meet you all in person! Please contact us if you would like additional quotes or if we can help in any way!

Friday the 13th! Jacintas Wedding at The Star Of The Sea Church Quilty, County Clare & Afterwards at the Armada hotel, Spanish Point

O.K, I should have known when I took the booking for today Friday the 13th that Murphys Law would apply (anything that can go wrong..........!) but all is well that ends with a Happy Bride!(& Groom!)

Today was the Wedding of Jacinta & Dermot in the Star Of the Sea Church in Quilty, but a clerical error put a Funeral and the Wedding back to back, leaving a window of only 45 mins between the funeral and the wedding, which of course didint leave me with much time for floral arrangements! (No slacking today then!)

My long suffering husband offered to come & lend a hand but he woulding really have a clue what to do............Thankfully an Angel came to my rescue in the form of My friend Maeve (check out her fabulous handmade wedding invitations here: http://www.maevekeaveycreations.com/) She really was a Star, she tied on all the bows on the seats, lit all the candles and was a generally great help. So we got it done by the skin of our teeth! And the bride was delighted with the results! (Phew!!!) Next time there is a Friday the 13th I'm staying in bed!!! Hope your day was good!

And Hearty Congratulations to the Happy Couple! (who I'm sure had a great day!!!)

How to make sweet topiary trees

I am often asked about Sweet topiary trees are they easy to make, I am happy to make them for you if you think that they are too time consuming or would be equally happy to supply th Oasis Balls so that you can make your own. The most popular types of topiary trees are probably the ferrero rocher trees and the strawberry trees, but you can make them out of any kind of sweets or even lollipops!

They are really easy to make you will need round oasis balls, or styofoam balls, wooden dowels or good quality natural twigs for support, and a pot for each tree, which you could decorate or paint or if you are good at decoupage you could put pictures of the bride and groom or names and the date.......(you get the idea!) you will also need a glue gun, some curling ribbon,some toothpicks, and a pretty organza bow to tie on the tree to decorate. You will also need a bag of plaster of Paris.

Firstly cover your ball with a couple of sheets of cellophane or a light crepe paper.Center the end of the wooden dowel at one end of the Styrofoam or Oasis ball. Push the dowel into the ball firmly. Do not push it all the way through, however push it far enough so that the weight of the sweets on the ball later will not cause it to fall off the dowel. You can also put some craft glue on the end of the dowel to ensure it stays in the Styrofoam ball.

Make up the bag of plaster of Paris according to instructions. Fill up your pots to 3/4 full and leave to set for a couple of minutes, center the other end of the dowel or stick into the plaster of paris and hold for a minute untill set, you now have your tree! Once the plaster of Paris is set you can cover it up with either some moss or some crushed cellophane or material or crepe paper.

Decorate by either sticking a toothpick into your sweet and then into your tree or by just using glue to hold them on if you are using a glue gun be carfeul as they get hot and you do not want to either burn yourself or melt the chocolates! Fill in any gaps with some curling ribbon or crushed crepe paper and tie on your pretty bow.

Yoou could also use strawberries which have to be attached with toothpicks but are really nice for a summer wedding, you could make variations on these by first of all dipping them in chocolate or white chocolate and or dipping them in sprinkles.

You could use toffees, fudges, roses, quality street, lollipops anything that you can get your hands on! There are so many Variations. Most of all have fun and dont eat all the goodies before they get to your tree! Also your tree does not have to be made of sweets (although that is my favourite kind!!!) you can use dried rose buds, try using small christmas tree ornaments at christmas, in different sizes and colours or pine cones, the possibilites are endless! The foam shapes also come in a tree shape so you can make little trees also. You could also have two or three balls on larger dowels but would need to secure these with a dollop of glue. And of course you can always add a bit of ivy along the stem if wished!

Have Fun!

If you are looking for a really great band for your big day then you should check these guys out - they are SMOKIN! The Marvels are based in Cork but will travel, be warned though they book out Fast so if you want them book them NOW! You can also check out their website here: http://www.themarvels.ie/ giving your reception the WOW factor!