The Classy Calla Lilly

Amazing, classy, cool, clean, elegant, versatile are all words that you could use to describe the calla lilly. For all of you planning an elegant and classy wedding perhaps these photos will be a source of inspiration. Calla lilies are a chic, dependable, attractive flower. You can easily use them in your bouquets and also your tall reception centerpieces.

You just have to choose one that will match the wedding that your planning. Calla lilies can be found in any season and usually at affordable prices depending on the type you are choosing.

Calla lilies are stunning alone or mixed with other flower types. Calla lilies come in an assortment of colors including mango, eggplant, yellow, lavender and the classic white.

Calla lilies are the perfect flower for both a classic and a modern wedding. From a traditional church wedding to a rustic outdoor ceremony you can see calla lilies are a very diverse flower.

Carnation Love

I have done the carnation an injustice up until recently. I must admit that I did not consider it when I would talk with a client. I had tossed it off to the side as old fashioned and outdated. But I have seen the light. A very popular flower trend that I see continuing this year is flower bunching. Taking all one kind of flower and bunching it together compactly and making a bouquet out of this. It is wonderful. I love the look. I have 5 red carnations made up like this in a cute little glass vase sitting on my desk right now. We will be doing bridesmaids bouquets like this for a wedding in May similar to the one in the first picture. Everyone has a budget and if you want something sizable yet economical then the wonder carnation is for you. Look at these pictures of carnation bouquets and centerpieces and think about using them in your 2011 wedding. Send us an email at www.brenda@asyouwishfloral.com or call (515)201-5135 to talk about your wedding.

Cole and Kimber

Pinkie

Purple Passion

Vintage Coral-Wow

Photos courtesy of Justin Meyers at www.justinsalemmeyer.com

Small Business Saturday

Saturday November 27th is Small Business Saturday. Have you heard about this. Even though As You Wish does not have a retail store front we are still a small business. Saturday is a day to support local small businesses. Small Business Saturday is a national movement to drive shoppers to local merchants across the U.S.

Not all floral delivery sites online are local florist. I urge you to use "Local Florist" who actually arrange and deliver flowers direct from their shops and studios. Unsure if someone you want to order flowers through is local? Check out their About Us page check out their address. Is there address local? Do they even show their address? If not, please find a shop that does.

A local business has a lot on the line. Their reputation in the community and neighborhood where they are established relies on there quality and service. They are more likely to go above and beyond to make sure you the customer are thrilled with your purchase.

Support Small Business Saturday and your local florist.

Inspiring Red

I love red. Several weeks ago one of my twin granddaughters asked me what my favorite color was. I replied that for right now it was red. Red is warm and dramatic while it is also big and makes a statement. Wine based reds are mysterious and exciting.

Look at these images above from Preston Baileys blog. When I saw these I could hardly take my eyes off of them. Especially the centerpieces. Preston is known for his over the top centerpieces and events and these are no exception. I love the red beaded pieces hanging down from the arrangement. If you look close or click on the image to enlarge it you will see that these are made from carnations that are strung with the beads and ribbon. Incredible, amazing. Can you tell I love this. And look at the container. More and more red and it really makes an impact and your eyes cannot look away from all of this red. This room must feel so dramatic and warm. Anything could happen in a room like that. Fantastic job Bailey team.

Yellow and Pool Blue

Yellow and Pool Blue were the colors for our August 2010 wedding. Yellow was the hot, hot, color this summer. This was our 4th yellow wedding and the colors were stunning. The brides family had spent quite a bit of time in Hawai and loved the tropical flowers in teh orchid family, add to that some calla lilies and the intense color of the blue hydrangea and you have an instant eye catching hit.

The flowers used in this lovely yellow and blue wedding were Yellow Calla Lilies, Orchids, Roses, Alstromeria Lilies, Blue Hydrangea, Button Mums, Eremeris, Blue Delphinium and Fugi Mums.