Trend: Eccentric Bouquets

It’s Rochelle with an innovative and eccentric trend rising in the wedding industry! We all know that flowers are a big part of the budget, but there are alternative options to choose from that are much friendlier to your pocket. 

Did you know that the bridal bouquet originally consisted of garlic, herbs and spices to ward off evil spirits? It wasn’t until the marriage of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1840, did it get replaced with fresh flowers. In today’s time, the bouquet is decided by the colors and season of the wedding, but wouldn’t it be nice to keep the bouquet for years to come?

Wedding planners and brides are coming up with fabulous ideas to make their wedding one of kind while still keeping to the budget. I have found some of the more popular alternative bouquets being used today.

Our May bride, Emily, made her own bouquet along with ALL the flowers for her wedding out of sheet music! Here is a look at her creativity.



Below are some more beautiful bouquets created out of fabric that look just like the real thing.

My favorite eccentric bouquets are the brooch bouquets! So pretty!   

If you want to add some excitement to your bouquet, add some feathers to the mix.!

Lastly, are unique ideas like a pinwheel bouquet and other items to replace a traditional floral bouquet. 

 In Springfield, there is a small business that creates eccentric bouquets out of scrapbook and tissue paper and fabric.  They are called Flowers Now and Forever and you can see more of their work on their Facebook Page.

Flowers Now and Forever

Engaged: Cherrie and Jon

Meet Cherrie and Jon! 

They will tie the knot this Saturday in Springfield, Missouri!

1. How did the two of you meet and how long have you been together?

Cherrie and I were set up through mutual friends. Our first meet up was at Bass Pro believe it or not. I was interested to meet anyone that would meet me at Bass Pro. That was on May 5^th 2008 so we have been together five years. 

2. Tell us about one of your favorite dates!

Cherrie and my favorite dates range from camping at the river to dinner and a movie to walking at the trail. 

3. When did you know it was the real thing?

I knew it was the real thing early on in the relationship. I knew it could be a forever thing when we were able to spend an entire weekend at the lake and both enjoy ourselves. 

4. Was the proposal a surprise? How did it happen?

The proposal was a surprise it happened in Kansas City on the day of Cherrie’s graduation from Nurse Practitioner school. It was a surprise and was a great cap to what had been a stressful period in my life. 

5. How do you envision your wedding day?

On our wedding day I envision being surrounded by family and close friends and enjoying all the festivities. My only hope is that it isn’t too cold and doesn’t snow, other than that I know it will be a day I will always remember. 

6. Are there any fun family traditions or special details that you are planning to incorporate?
We are going to have a standard wedding although being from the Philippines I do want to incorporate a couple of Filipino traditions. 

7. Bride, what are you most looking forward to on your big day?

What I’m looking forward to the most on the big day is starting our lives together with a great memory, and giving us a starting point to our official story together. 

8. Groom, what are you most looking forward to on the big day?

I’m looking forward the most to the doors opening and seeing Cherrie in her wedding dress for the first time. A lot of planning and stress has gone into planning this wedding so to see her for the first time as my wife is something I will never forget.  

Congratulations you two! We can't wait to celebrate with you in December! 

Engaged: Carrie and Griffin

Meet Carrie and Griffin! 

They will tie the knot this December at the Gillioz Theatre and party the night away at 425 Downtown! 

1. How did the two of you meet and how long have you been together?

We've tried to remember when we first got together, sitting down and doing the whole time line thing and everything and have yet to figure it out, so we made up our own anniversary date, of June 11th, but halfway through the first year (we still to this day say happy anniversary every month) the 11th just landed on too many holidays, so we switched it to the the 12th of June. This year we took a small vacation to celebrate our fourth year together. So we'll be getting married around four and a half years together.

2. Tell us about one of your favorite dates!

This last valentines day. After Carrie finished work and I got out of school we went for dinner and Nonna's Italian Restaurant we had a great meal and reminisced about our trip to Italy. After dinner we went to the Gillioz (where we're have our wedding ceremony) and they had a whole little package put together for couples. They screened "When Harry met Sally", and gave us little packages that included, some champagne, a small box of chocolates, a rose, and I think a few other things. They also had a free s'mores bar, which included a two small open flames to roast the marshmallows upon, graham crackers, and chocolate fondue. They also had popcorn and drinks and the snack bar.

3. When did you know it was the real thing?

Although I had (and still do have) a huge wanderlust, it became real for me when I sat down and signed a year long lease with both of our names on it. Carrie says that's when she knew that I put her and wanting to be with her before my own desires of leaving this town far behind me in the rearview mirror.

4. Was the proposal a surprise? How did it happen?

A few months before our two-year anniversary we decided to take a summer vacation. With our love for travel and taste for Italian inspired cuisine, where better than to Italy? A week before our two-year anniversary we landed in Rome. For months and months before this I had repeatedly told Carrie that I would not be proposing for years to come, always asking why rush things? An hour or so before midnight on Jun 11th, we decided to leave our sub lent apartment and talk a stroll. On one of our previous excursions I had found the perfect place, Castel del Sant Angelo, Castle of the Holy Angel. The river that splits the city of Rome in two, the river Tiber, runs directly in front of the castle. A few minutes before midnight I found a gateway leading down to the river. At the banks of the river you could glance up and see the castle, each window alight with candles, and soft courtyard music playing in the background. On the stroke of midnight we raised from our seated position on the bank and I dropped to a knee. As I began my well rehearsed speech, "I have already asked your father and..." her hands quickly raised to her mouth in a surprised gasp and cried "ABSOLUTLY!"  

5. How do you envision your wedding day?

A unique yet traditional wedding. We have never wanted a princess type wedding, nor a courthouse one. A simple mix between traditions and our own personality. We hope to have romance of the life long commitment we'll be giving one another and the fun and atmosphere of the party to celebrate our union.

6. Are there any fun family traditions or special details that you are planning to incorporate?

Bride will be honoring her late mother by wearing her veil, also she has received the garter belt from the Grooms side of the family. 

7. Bride, what are you most looking forward to on your big day?

The dress. As of yet Griffin has not seen the dress and I'm extremely looking forward to seeing his face as he sees me in it.

8. Groom, what are you most looking forward to on the big day?

Kissing my wife for the first time.

Real Wedding: Krista and Gordon

Krista and Gordon were married earlier this summer in Springfield, Missouri. They are a couple that was so passionately in love that it was incredible to witness. Jessica Boever, their photographer, captured their giddy excitement to be married perfectly! Here are a few of my favorite images from their big day.

favorite :)

Krista and Gordon, wishing you all the best in the world! Congratulations! 

Engaged: Maegan and Calvin

Meet Maegan and Calvin! 

They are getting married next summer in Joplin! 

1. How did the two of you meet and how long have you been together?

In January we will have officially been together for eight years. Yes, we've been together since we were sixteen! We actually met at a district wide middle school dance. A mutual friend passed along our interest  for each other and we began "dating." Dating can be used loosely. I think we talked once on the phone after two weeks of dating, which was the extent of our relationship. Once the third Friday rolled around I had a friend leave a message on his answering machine to break up with him for me. We were in seventh grade! Totally acceptable at this age. His brother still remembers relaying the message for him to listen to the answering machine. I love that one day we'll share this story with our grandchildren. They probably won't even know what an answering machine is. 

2. Tell us about one of your favorite dates!

We would like to think of our favorite 'date' as when we and our friend Omar spent an entire month in Costa Rica in 2010. We've been on plenty of dates, concerts, and road trips but we had to rely on each other and learned a lot about each other there. We saw beautiful places and met amazing people. The most fun was when we went  river rafting, zip lining, toured a national park, rode horseback to a waterfall, slept in hostels and learned about the culture. 

3. When did you know it was the real thing?

When it became time to decide where to go to college, especially when Calvin had a baseball scout from a school in Alabama we really considered what moving and separating would be like. That's when it started becoming real. We didn't want to have put an unnecessary stress on our relationship if we didn't have to. 

4. Was the proposal a surprise? How did it happen?

The proposal was a surprise! I say this with enthusiasm because I'm very intuitive and usually ruin his surprises.  I was surprised because at no point did Calvin dictate our plans. On our seventh anniversary weekend we went to Kansas City and stayed near the Country Club Plaza like the previous year. Our night got off to a late start by waiting for the hotel to take us down to the plaza. We had dinner and went shopping around but had limited time since the shops were closing. Originally we were going to have the hotel pick us up but instead decided to walk out of fear of standing in the cold. As we were walking back to our hotel we were passing  J.C. Nichols Memorial Fountain where we he stopped and kissed me and got down on one knee. I had no idea and it was absolutely perfect. 

5. How do you envision your wedding day?

We envision lots of love, laughter and tears. We love our family and friends and we're excited to share our special day with them. Many of our guests are just as excited as we are for us to get married. They have watched us and our love grow and supported us along the way. So, there will be lots of love and happy tears... and dancing!

7. Bride, what are you most looking forward to on your big day?

I am looking forward to seeing my groom. I cannot wait to see the look on his face when he sees me for the first time. I imagine we'll probably say hundred times we can't believe the day has actually come. 

8. Groom, what are you most looking forward to on the big day?

I am looking forward to the reception. I am going to be so nervous during the ceremony so I'll be ready to enjoy my wife, family and friends.

Party Theme: Spooky Dinner Party

Rochelle here!

Halloween isn't just for the kids... While they go trick or treat, the grownups can also have something sweet! We have pulled together some ideas for a spooky little dinner party that is sure to entertain. Enjoy!

Happy Halloween!

 - Rochelle

Bridal Fashion Week Favorites!!

So I am probably WAAAAAAAAYYYY more excited about this post than anyone else in the world because I have been waiting to share it all week and because it is all my own personal favorites. Nevertheless, I think it is fabulous. Enjoy! 

That tulle on tulle action is literally killing me. Neckline - Gorgeous. Color - Gorgeous. Material - Gorgeous. Detailing - Gorgeous. I am officially planning my vow renewal. 

 Amsale

Can't say I would be brave enough to wear this one myself, but I am in awe of the construction elements and overall look. Nicely played Anne Bowan, nicely played. 

 Anee Bowan

This will be the second party dress I don for my vow renewal I am now planning. I mean seriously!? Perfection. 

 Della Giovanna

No one can do lace like Ines Di Santo.

 Ines Di Santo

  Ines Di Santo

In love with this sweet silhouette and that bow! Oh and that sparkle! 

Naeem Khan

What were some of your favorites from the fashion week lines? Any brides out there find their dream dress on the runway!? 

Bridal Fashion Week Trends: Accessories

We are continuing the week of Bridal Fashion Week love with the top trends in accessories! If you didn't catch the trend post on gowns you are seriously missing out. Stunning!

Ok so here are the top trends we identified on the runways that will be hitting the stores next year...

Capes. 

Yes you read that correctly. We are not talking little red riding hood style either, these are some seriously stylish capes. 

 Madeleine Fig

 Naeem Khan

Kelly Faetanini

Theia (Okay this one is a little bit red riding hood :))

Badgley Mischka

Feathers. 

From headpieces that fluttered down the runway to sleek looks that incorporated feathers as well, there was no doubt about this being a big trend.

 Reem Acra

 Pronovias

 Reem Acra

Pronovias

Gold Jewels.

It wasn't just gowns that kept this trend alive. Belts, headpieces, jewelry and more were glittering in shades of gold. And might I add, that I AM LOVING IT. 

Ramona Kaveza 

 Pronovias

Erica Koesler

Ornate Veils.

Details. Details. Details. I was absolutely swooning over the hand work on some of these stunners. Lace, applique, beadwork.......

 Naeem Khan

 Theia

 Theia

Reem Acra

British Inspired Headpieces. 

We all love how the Brits wear there millinery, and apparently we love it so much we are willing to try it! Fascinators have been big, but these looks are straight from Buckingham Palace. Kate's style choices live on!

Pronovias

Pronovias

 Pronovias

Watters

To see the top trends in gowns, look no further!  And to see all of our absolute FAVORITES from fashion week stay tuned! Would you rock any of these trends on your wedding day?