Gray becoming the new Black

Gray is becoming one of the hot trends of 2009. All brides want something about their wedding to be memorable and different. With the "oh so classic" black being used in almost every wedding, brides are opting to go with gray. Gray is very classic and as you can see from the chart above, goes with almost anything. Gray matched with yellow has a chic, clean and crisp look and would be great for a summer wedding, whereas, Gray matched with a Burgundy or Navy Blue would be great for a winter wedding.

The top picture shows Gray dresses with the yellow bouquets which seem to make the dresses "pop". Groomsmen can actually wear something other than Black as well by wearing a Gray suit. The Gray suit would compliment very well and most guys probably would'nt put up much of a fight since Gray is still considered a "manly color" .

Gray has many of the same characteristics of black being clean, classy and easily matched with any color. So is Gray becoming the new Black? If so, you might want to jump on that train and be one of the first to start the trend.

Do not underestimate the Gerber Daisy

I get emails from brides telling me they are on a budget and ask me to suggest some bouquets. I always suggest the Gerbera Daisy because they are beautiful, come in a variety of different colors, and are very affordable. For example, the above bouquet would cost around $55.00 if it was made with all roses (13). By removing 6 of the roses and replacing them with Gerber Daisies, the bouquet costs $36.00.

I have some brides who want to order corsages for the Bridesmaids to wear instead of a bouquet, because their flower budget is tight and they think that they can not afford bouquets. Gerber Daisies also come in different sizes, some having a 7" flower head. An idea for the bridesmaids would be to have them carry 1 Jumbo Daisy with ribbon tied around the stem or have them carry 3 average size Daisies. Both would cost you around $6.00 which is the same price that you would pay for a corsage. When I show brides these options, they are in total disbelief that they can actually get something cute for the bridesmaids for that price!

Using different flowers other than roses can definately be a $$$ saver. Nobody says that you HAVE to have roses or even Calla Lillies for your wedding. It's something to think about!

Real Touch Flowers?

For those of you that have not heard of "Real Touch" flowers, I just wanted to talk about them for a moment. Real Touch flowers are a newer brand of artificial flowers that look unbelieveably real. Real Touch started becoming more popular around 2005, and have been becoming more and more used by brides. Even brides that said they would never have artificial flowers at their wedding are now using them. Not only do they look real, they feel like real flowers. Real Touch are made from latex, or silks with latex over PVC. I've worked with Real Touch for a little while now, and I still try and smell them because they look so real.

For example---the above picture is of a bouquet of Real Touch Calla lilies. This bouquet in normal silk/artificial would cost approximately $25.00. The same bouquet in Real Touch would cost approximately $60.00. Real Touch are more expensive then normal grade artificial flowers and can even cost the same then fresh flowers, but again....they will not wilt or die. You can keep them forever.

Reasons to choose Silk over Fresh Flowers

Picture this....its your wedding day, you just said your "I dos" and get into your receiving line. You set your bouquet down so you can properly hug your friends and family. The photographer soon says he's ready to start taking pictures so you go over to get your bouquet when you realize it is not there! You turn your head to see your 4 yr old nephew swinging it around and swatting it against one of the beams. As you walk over to see what in the world he is doing you see flower heads laying on the ground. "Its my light sabor" he says. You bend down, pick up all the flower heads and pop them back on to their stems. Good as new! How can that be, you ask? They were silk flowers.




If they were Fresh Flowers the ending of this story could have been tragic. You would have probably yelled at your little nephew, he would have cried, you would have cried and the pictures would have been ruined.


Maybe that is alittle dramatic, but I think you get what I'm saying. Which leads me to my #1 reason to choose Silk vs. Fresh Flowers.





#1- Silk flowers are much more durable, fresh flowers are very fragile. If something unforeseen happens (which it usually does), Silk flowers are much more likely to withstand it vs. Fresh.

I read an article from someone who said that no one should ever use Artificial Flowers on their wedding day no matter how real they look because a wedding represents a fresh beginning. Well, along with that fresh beginning comes a fresh, new credit card bill. One of the #1 reasons of divorce in the first year of marriage is money problems. By the way, if you look at my prior post, the meaning of flowers is the same whether they are real or artificial.





#2- Silk flowers are more affordable and can fit into almost anyone's budget.





Everyday when I walk up my stairs I walk past a curio that I have in my hallway. On the top shelf I have a picture of my best friend Dana and I, and right next to it I have the bouquet that I held in her wedding. That bouquet looks as good as it did the day I held it, everytime I walk by it I think about her wedding day and smile.





#3- Silk flowers will not die, so you can keep them forever as a constant reminder of your special day.





Your wedding is in November and you decide that you want to carry purple iris's since they are your favorite flower. Who cares if its winter, you want them anyway. You go to your florist and pick out the perfect bouquets, when he tells you it will be an extra $150 per bouquet because they are out of season.





#4-Silk flowers are non-seasonal, they are always available in a variety of colors and styles.





I think we all know how hectic and sometimes stressful planning a wedding can be. The wedding day itself can cause alot of brides to crumble under the pressure. Wouldnt it be nice not having to worry if the florist is going to get there in time and if the centerpieces look the way you had imagined.





#5- You can get silk bouquets and centerpieces way ahead of time. This way that is one less thing you have to worry about the "day of".

What do your flowers say about you?

My name is Erica and I justed my own business called Erica Lynn Designs. Over the years I have helped making silk flower arrangements for friends and family and have loved it so much, I decided to try it full-time. I have never blogged, but thought I could actually use this type of forum as a journal or even "therapy" as I go through my journey of becoming self employed. I hope to post here weekly if not daily.

Some people believe in the meanings of different things the same way they believe in their daily horoscope. So, when you decide to take that walk down the aisle, what do you want your bouquet to say?
I came across what the meanings of different flowers were and I thought it was interesting. I wanted to share them with you. Enjoy!





Anemones- Expectation and Anticipation


Baby's Breath- Happiness and Everlasting love


Birds of Paradise- Symbol of Magnificence

Calla Lily- Beauty, femininity as well as purity

Carnations- Fascination and purity


Cherry Blossoms- Spiritual beauty


Cornflower- Delicacy


Cosmos- Modesty


Cymbidium Orchids- Luxury, love and beauty


Daffodil- New beginnings


Dahlia- Good taste and "forever thine"


Daisy- Innocence, gentleness and cheer


Dendrobuium Orchids- Love, nobility and beauty


Freesia- Innocence and trust


Gardenia- Secret love, peace and joy


Geranium- A true friend


Gerber Daisy- Happiness and friendship


Gladiola- Generosity and strength of character


Hydrangea- Understanding and remembrance


Iris- Promise, hope and faith


Ivy- Wedded love and affection


Lavender- Devotion and constancy


Lilac- Symbol of "first love" and youthfulness


Lily- Purity


Lily of the Valley- Sweetness and return to happiness


Magnolia- Dignity, nobility and beauty


Mum- Cheerfulness and means "you are a true friend"


Peony- Healing, life and a happy marriage


Phalaenopsis Orchid- Symbol of evening joy


Poppy- Imagination and dreams


Ranunculus- means "you are radiant with charm"


Rose- Love, passion and perfection


Stephanotis- Happiness in marriage and desire to travel


Sunflower- Homage and devotion


Sweet Pea- Departure and "thank you for a lovely time"


Tulip- Symbol of perfect lover and represents dreaminess


Wisteria- Symbol for welcome and means "I cling to you"


Zinnia- Represents rememberance and lasting affection.