We all get so overwhelmed with our frantic lives: rushing to school, to work, to meetings and trying to see family and friends. There's never enough time for everything. And now that you're engaged (congratulations), you somehow have to find time to plan a wedding! Yes, it's a lot - how will you do it? First, try something that I have learned to do: Stop and breathe. And when you do that, smell the roses!
And speaking of roses, all you brides planning a springtime wedding are so lucky, because it truly is the season when you can stop and breathe and smell the flowers all day long. Spring reminds me of everything coming to life, the arrival of Easter (not to mention my own April birthday). Flowers are where it all began for me. As a child, I worked in my grandfather's flower shop, and from the very beginning I was mesmerized. My Pop-Pop taught me the names of the flowers, how to prep them, how to purchase and design them and later how to do weddings. So flowers remind me of my grandfather, which always brings me joy, and I love to see how flowers bring so much joy to brides.
Your Paper Trail. For your invitations and other printed materials, choose springtime hues. Whether you're planning a garden fete or an indoor loft reception, consider using ribbons and floral design accents in your invites.
Your Fashion Look. If you love drama, you can choose a ballgown accented with a floral motif; if understated is more your style. consider a gown with a floral design woven into the bodice trim and hem, or perhaps one with florets that start at the sweetheart neckline and are then scattered all the way down to the hem. For spring I love to see bridesmaids in long, flowering chiffon gowns in wonderful colors, like deep orange embellished with coral; golden yellow accented in buttercup; and vibrant raspberry tinted with blush pink. The trend now is bold floral hues instead of the predictable pastel tones, allowing your attendants to pop with color!
Your Menu. Start with a garden salad that looks and tastes like a burst of springtime, and garnish with colorful pansies. Choose a light entree, like halibut encrusted with Parmesan cheese served with spring vegetables, or a poultry dish served with a bundle of greens and drizzled with a raspberry vinaigrette.
Your Design. The first explosions of flowering branches - yellow forsythia and cherry blossom - always make me smile. Flowering dogwood, quince, apple and pear branches all create drama or a romantic garden feeling. Hyacinths, daffodils, tulips, irises, peonies, ranunculus and sweetpeas are wonderful choices too. Have each bridesmaid carry a single flower - an orange tulip, a coral ranunculus, a yellow daffodil - to create a living painting of an array of garden blooms. And the bride's bouquet? A collection of every flower from her garden of bridesmaids - but all in white.
Your Cake. Consider a fondant-covered confection with blooms to match the flowering branches on your tables. Or how about tiny fondant baskets filled with sugar flowers that are served to guests just as you and your husband cut the wedding cake? Then everyone shares that moment - and feels as if they, too, can stop and smell the flowers.
For all my girls planning their wedding day, or just dreaming of their special day, remember that life is a gift, and that taking a few moments every day to stop, sniff and breathe can make you appreciate how very sweet it is!
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