Color your world

Color your world

With the use of color we can be energized, or soothed, comfortable, or unsettled - color plays on our senses. Memories are made, and memories are triggered by color, it’s an emotional thing. We have our favorites but, as with everything, colors fall in and out of fashion on a regular basis.

Yellow and gray is THE combination right now, and what a combo it is! It can be bright, it can be muted, sometimes it's elegant, sometimes it's rustic - it welcomes a whole spectrum of nuanced tones, and easily invites a complementary hue to peek in, such as a red or orange.

I’m thrilled to see yellow back in popularity, it’s one of my favorite colors in fresh flowers, along with orange, but we’ll save orange for another post.

Gray can come into the bouquets and arrangements through ribbon and fabric, or fresh foliages such as soft, and fuzzy Dusty Miller, or the sleek leaves of seeded eucalyptus, which are both silvery-grayed green.

Some brides have been requesting monochromatic yellow, or a combination of yellow and whites in the fresh flowers and bringing in the gray through the attendants’ gowns, and accessories, even the cake!

Silver is a natural with this palette, and the metallic quality really adds a nice element. One thing about this palette is that it can be dressed up or dressed down.

I’ve found a couple of fun sites online, for anyone looking for ideas or help with a color palette, or just some fun ideas to add to your wedding plans. The first is a site for colors, palettes, and trends, try http://www.colourlovers.com/ . I’ve played around a little bit and can see how useful this site could be for choosing a palette, and comparing all the combinations of the color values within that palette. It shows patterns using your palette also. Can’t wait to explore further.

The next site, of which I am now totally addicted is Pinterest at http://www.pinterest.com/ This is basically a collection of pin-up boards, on which you “pin” pictures of interest that you have found online. Each board may be a different category, and you can have as many boards as you care to.

I’ve been categorizing elements of weddings, not necessarily flower related, but things I feel our brides may be interested in incorporating into their own plans. Everything from bridal bouquets, to travel destinations, homemaking (Wow, that sounds from the ‘50’s doesn’t it) attendant gifts, cakes, party idea, lots of DIY, and on and on. Come check us out at http://pinterest.com/harkinsflorist/

I’ve been talking so much about yellow and gray weddings that I neglected to mention that this combo is hot in clothing fashions and home decorating too, not just weddings, or events. Embrace the combo, and have fun, however you may use it.

DIY weddings…(Do It Yourself)

Do it yourself weddings have become increasingly popular lately. I would think that part of the reason is the downturn in the economy, but I really believe that many brides just want to have more of a hands-on experience with their wedding décor, not just ordering, but actually having a hand in on some part.

Some brides, who are talented, or have some experience with handling flowers, will tackle the whole wedding, while most will opt for the reception centerpieces, and occasional pieces such as a bouquet for the guest book table, or the powder room.

Our part in all of this is usually to supply flowers in bulk. We applaud these brides and will help with flower selection, advice on seasonal types and a few tips on the mechanics that go into an arrangement. If the brides need the flowers processed we will do that for a small additional charge. We don’t offer classes, and we don’t offer space in which the arrangements can be made. We just don’t have the room for either.

Some brides find that they've bitten off more than they can chew, and call asking for help, especially when they are faced with making 20 centerpieces, and their volunteer help has run off, and they are quickly running out of time! It is rarely a problem for us to take over the construction and delivery of these at the last minute. We are happy to help out, but we will also be charging fully for the work.

So, if you are a Do-It-Yourself bride, and you're getting married in New Orleans, or the surrounding area, come in and see us. We'll work together to help you have the wedding you've always wanted, at a price you can afford.