Fresh Fruit Centerpieces

For something unusual, try a fresh fruit bouquet as the centerpiece for your reception tables. Guests will be amazed and delighted. For little more than the cost of a traditional floral centerpiece, your guests have appetizers waiting for them at their seats. Be certain to reduce the amount of food you offer on your buffet or menu to compensate for reduced appetites after your guests give in to the temptation of this luscious design..

Crystal Elegance

Crystals are a huge trend in wedding style; this crystal bouquet is a stylish twist on this trend. Sparkling diamond-like crystals on twisted golden wire and organza ribbons comprise the "floral" decor for this elegant affair.

The bride, in white embroidered with crystals and metallic golden threads and her maids in black silk satin, all from Mori Lee and the groom and his men in classic black with satin lapels from Evan Picard, look elegant in a fresh way.

The crystal theme is carried through with small pew bouquets from the church to crystal and wire wrapped pillar candles as table decor at the reception. Even the topper on the three-tiered cake is a crystal bouquet. All crystal designed by Sophisticated Affairs of Indiana.

Roses Are Red

Nothing connotes "true love" like a red rose, or in this case two dozen red roses.

This bride and groom wanted tradition with a twist. That look was achieved by using quantities of rich, red roses.

Traditional white wedding invitations engraved with black script and sealed with red sealing wax imprinted with a rose beckon guests to partake in the happy event.

The ceremony site was decorated with traditional white tulle pew bows, which spilled onto the floor and an altar arch entwined with more tulle .

Bridesmaids, in champagne Vera Wang, carried bouquets of one dozen red roses while the groom and his men wore classic Evan Picone tuxedos in black with red rosebud boutonnieres.

Fresh red roses embellish the traditional white tiered wedding cake. White linen table cloths serve as an elegant backdrop to floating roses in crystal bowls. White candles provide ambiance.

As the evening winds down, departing guests are given long stemmed red rose buds, tagged with a thank you from the bridal couple.

Black & Blush

Classic, elegant and sophisticated - black never goes out of style for a formal event. This bride and groom chose to soften the black using blush roses from www.fiftyflowers.com.

The bride,wearing a champagne satin strapless sheath and opera length gloves from www.Target.com, as well as her attendants, wearing sateen strapless pencil dresses in ebony and opera length gloves, also from Target, carried bouquets of these fragrant blooms, embellished with pearl and crystal picks and hand tied with satin ribbons.

The groom and groomsmen emulate the suave sophistication of James Bond in their classic black tuxedo and bow tie ensembles. Boutonnieres comprised of a single blush bud, a few beaded picks and black ribbon complete the look.

Understated elegance from the ceremony continues to the reception where tables are bedecked with cream linens, cream votives, and bowls of these fabulous blossoms.

At the end of the evening, guests were impressed by the elegance of the event and enchanted by the lovely couple.

Solid Gold

For a golden wedding anniversary, or the bride & groom who hope to reach theirs we suggest a golden theme for the happy day.

The centerpiece of this reception is this elegant, fondant frosted four-layer four-flavored cake piped with gold icing and embellished with gold dragees and faux pearls.

The bride's cream satin gown and matching bolero jacket is streamlined and simple in its design and embroidered with a golden floral design. The groom's classic black tux is accented by a cream wing collar shirt with a cream and gold brocade vest and matching euro tie. Bridesmaids are resplendent in cocktail dresses of black, while the handsome groomsmen accompany them in ensembles that match the groom from After Six Formalwear.

The golden theme is carried out in the florals as well, with altar arrangements, bouquets, bouts and corsages as well as pew bows which include sparkling gold beads on gold wire picks tucked amongst the blossoms to catch the light.

The reception hall is glowing in gold with white table linens, white china atop gold chargers, crystal stemware and gold edged silver flatware. In the center of each round dining table is a golden flameless pillar candle atop a mirrored base, surrounded by a gold and crystal beaded gold wire candle ring.

After a delicious meal and an evening of dancing, guests depart, carrying with them small golf foil wrapped boxes containing delicious handmade chocolate truffles as a sweet reminder.

Fall In Love

For a contemporary take on a fall wedding, we suggest sunflowers. This bride has chosen to go with Mexican sunflowers in brick red, bi-color, and traditional yellow, accented with blue and purple lisathrus and silk autumn leaves. The bridal party is smartly attired in cream and onyx as a backdrop for the bold color of the florals. Flower girls dressed in cream tulle with black and white organza sashes scatter silk autumn leaves in a blaze of color as the proceed to the altar. This theme is carried out into the reception as well. Round tables covered in cream linen, set with white china, crystal stemware and silver flatware are accented with large and small autumn leaves, cream votive candles, ivy bowls filled with more flowers and vintage glass ice buckets holding a large bottle of fall sparkling cider for toasting the happy couple.

Amazing Orange

Orange is gaining in popularity as the main color for a wedding plan, this groom loves orange so we gave him orange. The unusual color pallet is beautifully done in the florals by www.blumen.com using orange roses and gerbera daisies set off by green pompom mums and dendrobia leaves. The groom and his groomsmen will wear classic black Bill Blass tuxedos and an orange rosebud. Bridesmaids and flowergirls will wear gowns in David's Bridal persimmon. Altar arrangements and pew bouquets will all echo the lovely bridesmaid's bouquets. The decor for evening reception will feature persimmon table runners atop ivory table cloths and glass globes with small bunches of mixed flowers and greenery. Guests will each receive an orange organza bag containing a large handmade cookie shaped and iced to look like a gerbera daisy and tagged with a card that reads "orange they a perfect couple?" And they truly are.

Pink Callas

Calla lilies are a classic for weddings. This particular wedding we have done callas with a twist - all in pinks. This combination of pink callas, blush rosebuds and white stephenotis (shown here in silk from www.budget-bride.com) can be done in either silks or fresh blossoms. The pink is carried throughout the event in custom printed pink calla invitations, reception and response cards as well as place cards and menus. This bride's favorite color is pink, her engagement ring is a pink sapphire flanked by diamonds set in platinum from www.newyorkweddingring.com. Her wedding gown is the palest shade of pink from www.houseofbrides.com with her attendants in deeper shades of pink from David's Bridal. Her handsome groom and his attendants will all look fabulous in black trousers, cream dinner jackets and pink Antonio Ricci Couture vests with matching bow ties. The boutonnieres will be a single pink calla lilly. Church altar arrangements will be a mix of giant callas in all shades of pink, from fuchsia through the palest blush, mixed with roses in blush, pink and deep rose, and stephenotis blooms. The pink is through to the reception, where guests will be dining at pink linen-draped tables set with elegant ivory china, crystal stemware and silver flatware. Centerpieces will be pink pillar candles in glass hurricane lamps surrounded by a ring of pink mini callas, pink rosebuds and more stephenotis. After a delicious meal, guests will be treated to an elegant wedding cake, covered in pale pink fondant callas. It will be a lovely wedding for a lovely couple.

Butterfly Wedding

A popular trend is to release live butterflies after the wedding ceremony. To carry that theme through the entire wedding and reception and yet maintain an elegance is the desire of this bride. To make her wedding wishes come true we have incorporated delicate jeweled butterflies into all aspects of this event. Guests received invitations of heavy white stock, laser cut with a butterfly design. The bride's tiara and choker feature silver-tone jeweled butterflies. All boutonnieres and corsages, as well as bouquets and floral centerpieces include small sparkling butterflies from www.budget-bride.com. The wedding cake is decorated with florals and butterflies. Guests will leave with butterfly shaped botanical paper, which, when planted, will grow wildflowers from www.botanicalpapers.com. This personalized touch, something the bride loves, is what makes her wedding memorable.

Rainbow Wedding

Popular in the early 80's, the rainbow wedding is making a trendy come-back but with new twists. This whimsical six-tier wedding cake (from cakehead.com) is covered in tinted fondant and topped with gumpaste hearts. The maids will each wear a cocktail length dress in a different shade (from davidsbridal.com) , the groomsmen will each wear a classic black tux and white shirt with a different shade of vest and matching tie and pocket square (all from menswearhouse.com). The floral arrangements carry this fun theme with a combination of mini calla lilies in all shades of the rainbow (the blue are tinted, all others are natural) from www.fiftyflowers.com. Table decor for the reception is pillar candles in rainbow shades atop mirrored bases to reflect the candlelight. and multicolored heart shaped scatters all atop white linens with white tableware, crystal stemware and a mini calla tucked into each napkin. The finishing touch is the recitation of a poem, written by the groom for his bride, which refers to their marriage as his "treasure at the end of the rainbow."

September Splendor

Early September brings cooler weather and with it a multitude of fresh blossoms. This September bride has chosen a neutral color scheme for her attendants and decor to serve as a backdrop for the bountiful color of her mixed florals. Roses, mums, late callas, hydrangeas and more in a mixture of brilliant tones brings lush color and pizazz to this wedding. The bride, in champagne silk, will carry a bouquet comprised of peach, coral and yellow roses with mums, statis and callas hand-tied with rich copper ribbons. Her attendants in taupe crepe, will carry gorgeous, colorful mixed bouquets, also hand-tied with copper ribbons. The groom, in a champagne-toned designer tux will sport a peach rosebud, while his groomsmen, in classic black with ties and vests of beige brocade will sport bouts of a single blossom each in a different color and type of flower. The venue, for both the ceremony and reception, has large French doors to open to take advantage of the cool evening breezes and enjoy the equally as colorful sunset. Two small ivy bowls, each filled with a mix of glorious blossoms, will flank champagne colored flameless pillar candles on each table. Guests will be touched by the personally written wedding vows and enjoy the fabulous dinner reception. The menu includes a fabulous mocha creme filled chocolate wedding cake. Guests will take handmade truffles, wrapped two to a box and topped with copper ribbons with them to remind them of the sweetness of the event.

High Contrast

Labor Day weekend's festivities include a black and white wedding. The bride will carry classic, long stemmed white callas, hand-tied with black and white ribbons. The maids will carry white anemone hand-tied with a black ribbon. The groom's bout will be a white mini calla and the other bouts and corsages will all be white anemones. All flowers are sourced from www.fiftyflowers.com. The pews and railings at the church will be draped in white tulle and accented with black satin bows. The maids' gowns are full length, black chiffon with white satin sashes . The bride's is the identical gown in white with a black satin sash. The flower girls dresses are white layered tulle with black sashes. All purchased from JC Penney. The gentlemen will be in classic black tuxedos with black shirts and white ties and vests, also purchased from JC Penney. The groom and ring bearer will wear classic black tuxedos with white shirts, ties and vests. Black table linens, white china and white candles trimmed with black bows extend this look to the reception. The invitations, classic black engraved script on heavy white stock, request that guests also wear black and white.

Heavenly Hydrangeas

Cool blue hydrangeas accented with bear grass atop pale blue linens with a scattering of blue crystals keeps this motif cool and uncluttered for a mid-August vow renewal ceremony and dinner. The bride and groom, married twenty-five years, opt for a semi-casual, yet elegant look for their festivities. The bride's pale blue cocktail dress, from Macy's and the groom's dark suit and pale blue tie look just right as they are attended by their teenage children. The dinner party, featuring a buffet of salads, entrees and sides, celebrates not only, twenty-five years of marriage, but the family they have created.

Sage and Celadon

Celadon and sage greens create a cool backdrop for this August wedding. The bridal party, in David's Bridal peridot green, carry a mix of antique green, cream and soft mauve hydrangea hand-tied with peridot organza ribbons. Small tin buckets filled with antique green hydrangeas from www.fiftyflowers.com grace the pews in this country church. Larger tin buckets with more hydrangea atop crisp white linens continues this cool look into the church's fellowship hall for the luncheon reception. For the guest's dining pleasure, the menu includes an assortment of light salads, cool sandwiches and cold drinks. Sour cream chocolate cake with white chocolate frosting decorated with gum paste hydrangea blossoms completes the meal. Because hydrangea blossoms are really many small flowers grouped together they lend themselves to many uses; bouquets, corsages, boutonnieres, as well as decor require fewer stems to achieve a full, lush look.

Purple Passion

The second week in August is a wedding featuring a passion for purple. Shades of royal purple, plum, lilac, lavender and violet all combine to create a lush backdrop for this royal princess bride and her handsome prince. The royal theme is carried through the entire wedding. The bride's chapel length veil is anchored by her princess-like tiara. Her attendants, in shades of periwinkle, lilac, lavender and plum for the maid of honor will all wear smaller tiaras reminiscent of princess crowns. The flower girls, wearing miniature bridal gowns and tiaras will scatter a mixture of petals on the personalized, monogrammed aisle runner. The groom and men will all wear classic tuxedos with tails, vests and bow ties is varying shades of purple. This pallet and theme continue to the reception; the cake topper is a crystal carriage. The white tableware and linens create a perfect backdrop for the table decor. A combination of mixed purple blooms and floating candles atop mirrored tiles to reflect the light. Wedding favors are tulle bundles of traditional candies almonds tied with purple roses and ribbons. Complete silk floral ensemble from www.thebridesbouquet.com

Sunny Skies

The first weekend in August features a wedding in colors that bring to mind sunshine and blue skies. Creamy roses, yellow roses, blue hydrangea, bear grass and leather leaf combine to create sumptuous bouquets, corsages, boutonnieres, centerpieces, and altar arrangements. The second-time bride will wear a sky-blue sheath with a matching coat of dupioni silk. Her attendants, her young daughters, will wear matching dresses of blue taffeta. The groom and his groomsmen will wear dark suits, whites shirts and blue ties. An intimate dinner reception will follow the ceremony and feature Greek salad, a choice of prime rib or chicken breast, stuffed baked potatoes, green bean bundles, hot bread sticks and a wedding cake of New York Style cheesecake topped with chocolate sauce.

Victorian Bridal Shower

On the twenty-sixth of July we are hosting a Victorian themed bridal shower for our niece. The handmade invitations feature a Victorian rose print on cream stock layered with pink parchment. Although it's shaping up to be a large group, the invited guests number nearly 90, with the acceptance rate at 75%, the feeling of intimacy and coziness will prevail with the use layered fabrics in the table linens and a cozy seating arrangement. Decor takes it's lead from the bride-to-be's wedding plans using apple red, blush pink, and cream white roses in classic topiary arrangements with a liberal scattering of rose petals. Refreshments will include curried chicken salad tarts, blueberry and strawberry mousse in phyllo pastry shells, boiled shrimp served in a crystalline ice bowl with a tangy cocktail sauce, cucumber and salmon finger sandwiches, wedding cake cupcakes and pink lemonade punch. Entertainment will be personalized bridal shower bingo and personalized bridal shower word scramble. Guests will take with them organza bags of pink or red filled with chocolate and tagged with a Victorian print that reads "hugs and kisses to thank you".

Summer Brights

Next weekend's wedding is a profusion of bright color! By using every available shade of gerbera daisy from www.growersbox.com we have achieved a festive atmosphere. Simplicity of arrangement contrasts nicely with this complex color pallet. Attendants will carry mixed bouquets hand-tied with colorful ribbons and wear empire waisted gowns in hot pink, bright purple and deep red from www.Newport-news.com. Gentlemen will wear classic black tuxedos with bright vests and euro-ties from After Hours Formalwear. Small bunches of blooms tied with bright ribbon will grace each pew and two large arrangements will grace the altar of the historic church. White linens provide a neutral background for the centerpieces of simple glass vases filled with a dozen mixed blossoms. Fresh blooms and bright ribbon will grace the multi-layered wedding cake. Guests will enjoy the afternoon and take with them not only sweet memories of the event, but customized tins of mints as a sweet reminder.

Sunshine & Salmon

This week's wedding is all in shades of sunshiny yellow and salmon pinks. Using the bride and groom's favorite colors we have created a pallet that is joyful and lovely. The theme has been executed by the use of "Star Ambiance" roses from www.fiftyflowers.com in the fl orals, butter yellow linens on the reception tables, and even extending to the food and drink which includes pink champagne punch, lemonade, and a gorgeous three-tier wedding cake decorated with fresh roses and greens. The bridesmaids are outfitted in yellow chiffon cocktail dresses from Chadwick's of Boston - www.chadwicksofboston.com. The groomsmen in ivory tuxedos with pink ties from Men's Wearhouse. The bridal couple, both in ivory, will dance the evening away at their outdoor reception under a canopy of white tenting draped with clear twinkle lights and pink and yellow tulle to the music of the big band era as played by the bride's uncle and his band.