Non-Traditional Bridal Bouquets

When it comes to weddings, as of late, there is nothing that is left being untouched by the non-traditional stick. Among the current trends that I love such as colored shoes and hair accessories instead of veils is the use of non-traditional bridal bouquets.

I'm so glad that brides don't feel like they have to have a bouquet of white flowers just because they are the bride. I love when a bride carries a brightly colored bouquet, it pops against her dress and looks amazing in pictures. And I especially love when brides stray away from the traditional flowers of roses and calla lilies and go for something more outside of the box.

Here are some ideas for bridal bouquets if you are looking for something a little more trendy and a little less traditional.

Texture:

This bouquet has amazing texture made up of cockscomb, dahlias, coneflowers, scabiosa pods and muted mixed greens.

Bridal Bouquet: Visual Lyrics, Round Rock, TX

This gorgeous bouquet is made by grouping of blooms, including tulips, dahlias and roses.

Bridal Bouquet: Prive Floral, Austin, TX

This amazing bouquet is Black Magic roses, plum calla lilies, deep-red peonies, ranunculus and cymbidium orchids.

Bridal Bouquet: Daniel Events, Delray Beach, FL

Non-floral:

FEATHERS!!! This is so fun and flirty. You can purchase this bouquet here on Etsy.

Wheat! What a perfect bouquet for a fall harvest themed wedding.

Now this one is an amazing DIY bouquet made from BUTTONS! How adorable is this! What a great way to tie in your theme.







Be creative with the types of flowers you use in your bouquet, use lots of texture or bold colors. And even go non-floral if you feel so inclined! It's your big day, express yourself in every aspect of it.

Get To Know - Spark Creative Photography

One of the biggest reasons I love my job is because of all the wonderful people and amazing vendors I get to meet. Rose Petrowski of Spark Creative Photography is one of those people. After being friends on Facebook and following along on Twitter, Rose and I finally met in person at the Lakeshore Wedding & Event Professionals event back in January. Please get to know....Spark Creative Photography!

1. What type of services do you offer?

I am a wedding and lifestyle photographer. I also do senior pictures, maternity pictures, baby pictures, and family portraits. Engagement sessions are some of my favorites!

2. How long have you been in the photography industry and where are you located?

I have been a photographer for much of my life. I was always the member of the family who took all the holiday, birthday, and graduation photos. I have been in the wedding industry since 2007. I am located in Grand Rapids, MI but have photographed weddings all over lower and central Michigan. I am willing to travel and would LOVE to do a destination wedding some day!

3. What type of clients do you like to work with (traditional, modern, etc.)?

I like to work with a variety of people. I sincerely enjoy unique people. I adore talking with anyone about their relationship; how they fell in love, the proposal story, and finally all the plans they have for the big day.

4. How would you classify your style of photography?

I shoot a combination of posed and documentary style photos. My main goal while I am photographing a wedding it to capture real moments that happen. Recreating the smile a groom gives his bride when he first sees her in her dress is impossible. The same holds true for a father walking his daughter down the aisle or grandparents proudly watching on as new union is formed. These are the “magic” moments in life that I strive to capture.

5. When you’re not busy working, how do you like to spend your downtime?

When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my fabulous husband. Together we like to travel, garden, peruse rummage sales, and admire antiques. I love spending time outdoors camping, hiking, swimming, and kayaking. My family and friends are my cheerleaders and support network so being with them is a priority when I’m not working.

6. What is one crazy story of something that has happened while you were working?

I had an unfortunate clothing mishap once when photographing a wedding. I purchased a new silk button down blouse and wore it for the first time to a wedding. It was not stitched together well and started to unravel part way through the morning. I managed to fasten it together with safety pins, borrowed from the bride, but by the end of the evening, it was barely holding. I had to keep my Shoot Sac tightly stretched across me to keep my top together. It was awful. I will never wear a button down shirt to a wedding again!

Thanks Rose for sharing with us!!

Picking the Big Date

(image from google images)

Every girl dreams of her big day, the day she will marry her Prince Charming. But we all dream of it in a different way. A different season, different location, different style. I wanted to get married in the fall, it's both my husband and I's favorite season by far and we couldn't picture it any other way. One couple I know chose their date because it worked well for the majority of their family that was employed by schools. Another couple is still in college and picked the date based on their spring break schedule.

How did you pick your wedding date? Did you want to get married on or near a specific date for sentimental reasons? Or did you want to marry in a certain month and your date was the only one available by the venue?

I would love to hear your stories!!

Amazing Aisle

I'm in love with this aisle, of course this photograph magnifies it's beauty. I picture this aisle in a backyard garden wedding, with the ceremony taking place just as the sun sets. The hurricanes would be glowing as the guests left, so romantic.

I cannot even begin to imagine how many petals it took to create this. I had a bride that wanted this look and with 300 roses it didn't even come close to being this long or this thick. Amazing.

(photo courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings)

One of my favorite outdoor wedding details is the aisle. There are so many ways to make it unique and beautiful. Here are a few ideas...

Carnation pomanders balls on shepherd hooks

(image from here)
Flower petals in a design down the aisle

Or something as simple as an aisle runner with petals scattered.

My only caution when thinking of using flower petals is to keep in mind your venue and if it is a windy location. The venue may not allow you to use petals due to the clean up. If it is a windy day you may not get the exact look you are going for or the petals won't be able to be placed until just before you walk the aisle.

Choosing Your Bridal Party

It can be one of the hardest decisions for a newly engaged couple to make. Choosing the bridal party. It can especially be difficult if you are from large families or have a big group of friends that you are super close with.

Some couples decide to include everyone in order to avoid hurting feelings, this can result in huge bridal parties, the kind that take up the whole front of the church. Other couples narrow it down by only selecting the people they are the closest too and asking others to do things such as readings, solos or personally assisting them while getting ready.

When my husband and I got engaged I knew I wanted a small bridal party, maybe 3 or 4 on each side. I decided to ask only my "sisters" (my sister, my future SIL, and my cousin). But for my husband it was much harder since he had been living with the same guys for the last 4 years at college and had close friends from high school still. So what we decided is that we would have 3 on each side and four ushers. It turned out perfect and we were so glad to have everyone important to us involved.

The size of the group may narrow itself down as well. Depending on the financial and time commitments you are asking they may not all be able to participate. When asking your friends to be a part of your big day let them know date and location as soon as possible, as well as what will be expected of them. By doing this, if they know they will not be up to the task you will have time to ask someone else without it seeming like an afterthought.

In the last year or two I have noticed a relaxation of the "bridal party rules", and I fully support it! Do not feel that you need to have an equal number of bridesmaids as groomsmen or that you can't have two best men or two maids of honor. Anything goes!

Two Weddings

What if you get invited to two weddings on the same day? How would you handle that situation? Especially if you are close with both couples? I would love to hear your feedback. I'm thinking this might happen to my husband and I this summer and I have no idea which wedding we would choose.

Maybe they will have a double wedding just for us! Could you imagine?

(image from here)

Tears from Heaven

I am in love with this photo. It was taken this past fall at Apple Blossom Chapel & Gardens. The downpour arrived just as the couple was being pronounced husband and wife. What a great story to have from your wedding day!

The reactions from everyone are just priceless. The guys are clapping and laughing, the girls are worried about their hair and make up and the couple is just in love.

*Photographer unknown, let me know if it's yours