Floral Obsession: Anemonie Wedding Inspiration

One of my absolutely favorite flowers is the anemonie and I wonder why I don't get many brides that want to incorporate this beautiful flower in their wedding decor.  Anemones are so pretty and somehow a little vintage looking, also said to represent anticipation and luck.  Here is my subtle way of changing some of minds....

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Clockwise from top left:

Cakes By Confetti Cakes
Anemonie Bouquet
Anemonie Bouquet
Anemonie Invitation Suite
Grooms Boutonniere
Anemonie Centerpiece
Single Tier Cake
Anemonie Centerpieces

Absolutely Fabulous Weddings' 2012 Forecast

After much research, our highly anticipated 2012 Wedding Forecast is ready and I can't wait to share this information with all of you.  The newest wedding trends for the upcoming year range from the look of your wedding to the flowers to the food to the favors....everything.  Let's get started.

CATEGORY # 1:  THE LOOK
Color schemes have got back to the classics.  Right now it's the nudes - oyster greys, champagnes, nudes, pinks, pale gold and creams.  With this said, patterns are getting bolder as colors are getting softer.  Linens are heavier and more textured.

Photo credit:  weddingbycolor.com

Luxe Candelabras in any material are in, so.....out with the chunky pillar candles and in with the tapers.  If you are having your ceremony outdoors, hanging chandeliers make a wildly romantic statement.
    
Photo credits here:  stylemepretty.com


CATEGORY # 2:  THE FLOWERS
The flower of the year is the peony, which that is no surprise here but other fabulous flowers for next year are garden roses, ranunculus and frilly carnations, white mini calla lilies and of course the orchid.
  
Photo credit:  stylemepretty.com


The age of the single centerpiece is over.  2012 will be all about collections of containers, flowers and candles on one single tablescape.
  
 
Photo credit:  foreversacredevents.wordpress, elizabethannedesigns.com, scarletpetal.typepad.com

Natural is still new.  Terrariums, which are glass domed arrangements of pebbles, flowers, succulants and found objects such as birds nests and shells are seen everywhere.
  


Photo credit:  stylemepretty.com

CATEGORY #3:  DRINKS
This years three words are the perfect 3 categories to choosing your bar menu.
ARTISNAL:  Specialty drinks designed for your day are never out but the ingredients seem to be a little more intricate.  For example, ingredients like frothy egg whites, elderflower liquor, and unexpected garnishes such as candied ginger or herbs.  Signature drinks always a sophisticated edge to any reception.
      
Photo credit:  bestbeverage.com, theubpost.com, elegantcreationsevents.blogspot.com

TASTINGS:  Plan tasting station style bars.  For example one could be a tequila station and the other could be a scotch station with different selections of these types of liquors.
  
Photo credit:  destinationweddingmag.com, xiamenwave.com


CUSTOM ICE:  As you may know, the quantity and style of ice can either make or break a cocktail so offer up shaved ice, crushed ice and oversized cubes for different drink varieties.
  

Photo credit:  amountainofcrushedice.com

Wine pairings for dinner.  2012's meal isn't just about what's on your plate, it's also about what's in your glass as well.

Photo credit: robbinmontero.com

Category #4:  CAKE COUTURE
**  Cleaner lines and details and of course sugar flowers never go out of style.
    
Photo credit:  pinkcakebox.com, labellz.wordpress.com

**  Cake silhouette.  Right now, each tier is looking different.  Round tiers with a hexagon shape thrown in there or even five inch layers mixed with two inch layers are popular 2012 trends.
    
Photo credit:  cakecentral.com, thetwistedsifter.wordpress.com, cakefiction.com


Category #5:  FAVORS
When it comes to favors, if they're not edible, don't bother.  Candy tables, breakfast snacks, bagels or donuts in boxes are all sure to be a huge hit.
  
Photo credit:  Absolutely Fabulous Weddings

Happy Planning your 2012 Wedding!

Amy Lythgoe, Lead Planner and Event Designer
Absolutely Fabulous Weddings
561-577-6686
amy@fabulousplanner.com
www.fabulousplanner.com

Pool Blue Beach Love

This is what I love about Florida– you can be at the beach, and if you have to be anywhere, the beach is not a bad place to be. Time stands still and the scenery is something that brings people from all over the country. So it obviously makes for one of the loveliest places to get married.

Plenty of brides love the pool blue color for their beach wedding but Shauna and Jeff choose to offset the pool blue and white color scheme with coral red, all the way down to the home made coral centerpieces the bride made.

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Congratulations to Erica and Winston!!

Erica and Winston choose to celebrate in style in true orange and gold style. I absolutely loved working with this couple. If you are looking for a color that is not a staple for weddings but can surely add flair and beauty to the event, consider using the dynamic shade of orange....paired with gold, it's absolutely stunning.

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Absolutely Fabulous Weddings

Amy Lythgoe
Absolutely Fabulous Weddings
(561) 577-6686

Ideas for your 11/11/11 Wedding.

Memorable dates hold special charm for special events, and a big one is coming up soon—Nov. 11, 2011, or 11/11/11.

Brides can incorporate the "11" element in their weddings in fund ways and here are just a few cute ideas.
1.  Have the reception before the ceremony and take your wedding vows at 11pm.
2.  Make all your table numbers "11".  This is a quirky way of playing a joke on your guests but you must be willing to have open seating.
3.  Host a lunch wedding reception by starting your wedding ceremony at 11:11am.

Another neat symbolic touch comes from numerology, the significance of repeating ones is a representation of new beginnings.

Are you having an 11/11/11 wedding?  If so, tell us about it

Amy Lythgoe

Wedding Candy!

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Getmarried.com

Calm & Energetic: Mint & Cherry

I love this color combo to make a bright splash at a vintage fall wedding....Mint & Cherry!

Fall Wedding Color Inspiration: Pantone's CEDAR GREEN

Evoking the freshness of a cool mist in a dark forest, cedar is a versatile, mid-tone neutral green that is one of the hottest colors for 2011 weddings.  

Photos by:

pantone.com, shop.getmarried.com & bhldn.com

All Things Rainbow

Rainbows symbolize good fortune, happiness, and hope. So it's no surprise that the ROY G BIV palette has become an increasingly popular way to add a bright, festive touch to weddings. But pulling off a stylish (not cheesy) event that reflects the color spectrum can be tricky—we suggest keeping it casual, crafty, and playful (and avoiding tie-dye at all costs).

Photos by:

brides.com

Photos by:

brides.com

Etsy Find: Creative Place Card Holders!

One of my favorite things to do is researching new and exciting products for weddings and special events and I came across the most amazing place card holders on etsy.com.  Jennifer at ReservedSeating  specializes in creating customizable place card holders perfect for any event.  Whether you are looking to add place card holders to your wedding reception, dinner party, or baby shower, she will work with you to create the perfect look.

These Ribbon Place Card Holder is handmade with wired double faced satin ribbon finished and accented with double faced satin ribbon.  Each place card holder is approximately 2 inches in height by 1.5 inches in width.  These beautiful place card holders are the perfect way to incorporate your events colors into the table decor!

All Photos Taken From:  ReservedSeating

Photos by:

ReservedSeating

Beautiful Wedding Chair Decor!

Wouldn't everyone agree that details are really what make an event special?  Adding a little something extra to the chairs at your celebration definitely qualifies....


Enjoy!

Wedding Style Watch: HIP & ARTSY

A hip and artsy wedding style means you may be the couple who loves to accessorize, and you drool over pillows with funky designs and city lofts with exposed brick.  Bottom line:  You don't want your wedding to look too wedding-y.

Your Details
-- Let your venue set the tone for your unique wedding style.  Look into renting your favorite restaurant downtown or the atrium of your favorite art museum.

--  Choose an unexpected color palette.  A few ideas:  bright orange, steel gray and white; green and turquoise with pops of yellow; or eggplant and candy apple red.

-- Hire a live band for your cocktail hour and reception.

--  Come up with a statement-making decoration for the reception.  Maybe it's an oversized chalkboard banner with a meaningful movie quote and your names and wedding date.  it could also be a patterned fabric that you thread throughout - from the ceremony aisle to the table linens.

Watch Out For
With all of the fun, unique details, it can be tough to keep the style from looking messy and scattered.  Stick to a color palette of no more than 3 to 4 colors and come up with a design (like your initials, thumbprints, a colorful patterned fabric or even a favorite album cover) to keep the wedding day details looking cohesive.

Photo Credit: http://www.thegirlinthepinkweddingdress.com/

Amy Lythgoe
Absolutely Fabulous Weddings
www.fabulousplanner.com

Florist vs. Floral Designer: What's The Difference

The term "floral designer" may sound like a more pretentious way of saying florist.  But there are differences between the two designations.  A florist generally operates from a storefront, where he sells everyday arrangements in addition to special occasion flowers; a floral designer probably works out of a studio and focuses solely on events.  A florist can make a deliver centerpieces and bouquets, while a floral designer may become involved with lighting and helping you choose rental linens, furniture and other decorative pieces to create your reception's overall mood, in addition to crafting unique centerpieces and bouquets for the big day.

Photo Source:  http://lotushaus.typepad.com/lotushaus/globaflora/

Creative Escort Card Displays

My favorite escort card is one that is functional and doesn't get thrown away. Here are a few fabulous escort card displays that are not anything what your guests will be expecting.

Photos by: specialevents.com & www.elizabethannedesigns.com/blog

- Amy Lythgoe
Absolutely Fabulous Weddings

Molly & Casey's Ft. Lauderdale Beach Destination Wedding

Molly and Casey are a fabulous Colorado couple who chose the beautiful Sea Watch Restaurant on Ft. Lauderdale Beach for their April wedding. This couple was going for all things beach for their wedding, all the way down to the bare feet in the sand for their vows and the pretty blues they choose for their wedding decorations.

Enjoy!
Amy Lythgoe
Absolutely Fabulous Weddings

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Flowers In One Of Summers Favorite Shades: BLUE

More and more I am finding that brides are opting for blue flowers for their weddings and working with this color has been my single most exciting trend in weddings right now.  Blue is a hot color right now and it can make for a beautiful theme for your wedding decorations, but brides assume that flowers in shades of blue are scarce.  It's true that blue varieties aren't as abundant as some other bridal favorites, they do exist.

When it comes to blue flowers, it's important to remain flexible.  Incorporating soft shades of grey or champagne will soften the blue palette with elegant sophistication.  Blue florals are most abundant in spring and summer, so I suggest you choose one or two at most for your base.

Here are some blue varieties to consider:

Blue Cornflowers:  cute, small flowers that look like they were just picked from a field.

Blue Delphinium:  have height and are fabulous for aisle arrangements, altar arrangements, and buffets.  These come in a range of shades, from light to dark blue, and even a rich purple.

Blue Eryngium:  eye catching flowers that will bring a unique texture to your arrangements.

Blue Hyacinth:  smell delicious!  But do appear more purple than blue.

Blue Hydrangea:  available year round in light blue and seasonally in a strong deep royal blue.  When it comes to bouquets though, hydrangea should be the only flower used, as they wilt easily.

Blue Iris:  a beautiful flower but can appear more purple than blue.

Blue Viburnum Berries:  these are a fun, textural element that comes in the most fabulous shade of navy blue.  These look even better shiny so have your designer spray "leaf shine" on them.

Tweedia:  a sweet small flower that can be used as an accent piece in an organic type arrangement.  These blooms can also be used in a boutonniere, but keep in mind that this is quite fragile.

Veronica:  a deep shade of blue (almost purple) and a fun, spiky element that can bring a nice pop to your arrangements.

It is possible to order blue-dyed flowers, including dendrobium orchids, blue roses from Holland and blue carnations; however, my recommendation is to go with a natural choice.

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Tina's Baby Shower - It's A Boy!

Tina choose to celebrate her first little bundle of joy with 50 of her closest friends and family with blues, browns and cute little teddy bears. Enjoy!

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Creative Custom Wedding Card Boxes

One of my favorite suggestions to offer up to couples while working with them on planning their wedding is to give your guests a beautiful place to drop off their cards and gifts at your reception. Custom card boxes are a great way to bring in your wedding theme to match your style and decor. Here are some fabulous options for you to consider for your special day...

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