Vendor Spotlight: Brocade Designs

Sorry I had to divert to shoes for a little while. Now I'll go back to talking about my lovely bridesmaids. You know what they're wearing, and you also know they're sporting gold heels (of their choosing). So I know what you're wondering. What are they carrying? Today's your lucky day- cause I've decided to feature my florist slash event designer slash therapist extraordinaire.

Please meet Hillary Robson of Brocade Designs. Yeah, she's the shiz. Not only is she a fantastic florist, but she's killer at understanding design concepts and helping your "bridal vision" come to life. I sent Hillary several pictures and she came back with an 8 page, super detailed proposal. Eight pages- of my wedding- are you serious?!? Does anything make a bride happier? I read her description of our day over and over. What some deets? The beginning started like this "classy. timeless. beautiful". And I died.

Okay, I'm back to life. Here's a description of what my bridesmaids will be carrying in our ceremony: "ivory hydrangea, ivory garden roses, ivory lisianthus, ivory freesia, dendrobium orchids, and ivory ranunculus. Loose, but not cascading. Hand tied with gold ribbon". Are you still reading? Or did you pass out? Because the girls are all choosing their own dresses, I wanted to give my maid and matron of honor a look of distinction. Their bouquets will be tied with both gold and blue ribbon. I die.

Here's some of the inspiration pictures we pulled together.

River Rock and Ranunculus

The simplicity of this centerpiece is fantastic. I could make the table numbers myself, and the varying heights of containers create depth. The votives have a great effect and I like how they're scattered around the larger vases. If you know me, you always hear me talk about using coffee beans as a filler in centerpieces. I'm loving the river rock just as much (sshh...almost more) than the beans for this project! They're rustic look really compliments the flowers used. I'm not sure what those green ones are, but I think the middle height is ranunculus. Thoughts? Do you like this look? I'm obsessed with this pallete!!! Look out- the ball is rolling...

When To Wed?

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In my mind I've always been a spring bride. I was born in May, our anniversary is May 4, my parents were married April 3rd, I like it warm out (but not hot), and pastels are my most favorite colors. But the truth is, I don't know if we could pull off a wedding by next spring. An 8 month engagement? Not for this planning diva. I want all the time possible to explore every single option...type A anyone? That being said, I don't want to wait until 2011.

So now I'm exploring the option of late summer (August) or November. I won't get married in September because A) everybody does it and B) FSIL/FBIL SE got married in September. And October isn't really my thing because A) everybody does it. If we're looking at November, I'd definitely like to do it maybe the first weekend? Ugh...

I had thought of doing a summer wedding w/ a wedding indoors (church), cocktail hour outdoors, and reception inside. But it's just SO. HOT. HERE! And I would probably just cry if I saw those telltale black clouds coming in.

So for now, we'll continue to contemplate our date conundrum (or maybe it''ll just be me contemplating). I love the floral arrangement above because not only are the flowers cloth (they won't die!), but they'll fit with a spring, summer, or fall palette. I'm obsessed with dusty mauve, pink, grey, and ivory colors right now! What do you think about that?