Time certainly has a way of getting away from us.  Although we are finding ourselves in the latter spring months of May 2012, it is time to for those of us in the wedding business, to begin to look at Weddings 2013!  I have recently been contacted about weddings for the following year, and I say, YIPEEEEEE!  It is so good to see brides and grooms planning well in advance.  Stress be gone I say!  So what should you be doing right now to prepare for your wedding in 2013?

First and foremost, like I’ve stated in the past………..START WITH YOUR GUEST LIST!!  What? What about the venue you say?  Ok while it is true you need to book your favorite venue way, way, out, I still suggest that you begin with how many people you intend to invite to your big day, and how might your budget begin to accommodate all your friend and family?  Remember brides, although you and your fiance are understandingly excited to share your love with ALL of your friends and family, your budget might be slapping you in the face with a reality check!  So with that being said, review the numbers….how much to you REALLY have to spend on your wedding.  Let’s throw out a number………….say you have a budget $20,000.  Sounds like a lot right?  STOP.  Now think carefully.  Is the venue of your dreams going to take a good $6,000 or more just to rent the space?  In many areas that number and HIGHER is very realistic.  Then how are you going to feed everyone?  Are you going to spend at the very least upwards of $55.00/plate for every guest?  100 guest and that’s $5,500.  Honestly, many popular venues charge over $100/plate, so you can already be at around $16,000 and you haven’t included anything else………..flowers, pictures, your dress, bridesmaid’s dresses, tuxes…etc..you get the picture.  So…….how is that 500 guests at your wedding looking now?

The problem with falling in love with a venue first is, that your emotions are understandingly running very high.  You want the romance, you want opulence, and frankly you want to impress your guests!  But how many guests is your budget willing and able to impress?  All too often I have seen couples rent a venue that is way out of their budget and THEN agonize over the guest list because they cannot possibly feed and entertain everyone they know!  What a shame!  Why put yourself through such stress.  Start with the guest list.  If inviting 300 people is the most important thing to you…then figure out at the very minimum how much it’s going to cost you to invite so many of your friends and family.  Then look for a venue that is large enough to accommodate a large crowd, but doesn’t eat away at your overall budget!  If the venue is more important than inviting every living soul on the planet, then by all means…..rent the Queen’s Palace if your budget allows.  But whatever you decide….DO NOT RENT SOMETHING THAT CANNOT COMFORTABLY ACCOMMODATE YOUR GUEST AND YOUR BUDGET!!!!.  Why rent a $6,000 venue to 50 people?  I guess if your budget can do it…then perfect…but if not be more realistic and work from the ground up!

So brides and grooms of 2013, and beyond.  Start with your guest list NOW.  Take the time to really think about  what is most important.  Do not OVER accommodate if your wallet won’t allow!  You will both be more relaxed, calm, and confident as you head down the path of planning your wedding.  As always, I congratulate all of you, and if you are planning a wedding in our lovely town of Murphys, Ca, then by all means, give me a call!  I’m here to help!

If you are not familiar with the location of Murphys, Ca., we are located in what’s commonly known as the Gold Country of California, in Calaveras County.  Murphys, lovingly known as the Queen of the Sierra, is one of the many beautiful foothill towns found at the base of the majestic Sierra Nevada Mountains.  At an elevation of just over 2,100 ft, Murphys offers the best in grape growing, fishing, hiking, bike riding, shopping, wine tasting, cave exploration, lodging, fine restaurants, and a whole lot more!  We’ve even been called the Carmel of the Sierra’s!

Just 2 miles outside of Murphys, I own 82 beautiful pine and oak tree filled acres that offers something for everyone.  Blackberry Creek Ranch will appeal to couples looking to get married in a natural outdoor setting off a quiet country lane.  No worries about distracting and intrusive traffic noise here

I will keep you all informed on our progress and will post pictures this spring and summer. We hope to be up and running in time for the 2013 wedding season!  In the meantime, if you would like to check out why Murphys, in Calaveras County, Ca., ought to be your wedding destination, I invite you to visit: www.gocalaveras.com  

If you would like more information on the development of Blackberry Creek Ranch for your next event, you can either contact me here at www.raedavis.com or at raedavis1099@gmail.com and as always at 209 768-8485.

Now you might be wondering why in the world would I be picking on the most popular wedding color of our time?  How could a basic color like white be a potential problem in the flower world?  It is after all, a natural color found in Mother Nature, and is undoubtedly used in countless weddings all over the world.  So what gives?

Believe it or not, white is one of the most dominant colors, or non-colors, that is often used the wrong way.  What do I mean?  I try and drive home the idea of considering how your flowers, dresses, and decor, is going to look like through the lens of a camera.  Have you noticed that when looking at bridal bouquet with deep rich colors, it suddenly takes on a whole different look when you add stark white to it?  You find yourself looking at it, and wondering what doesn’t belong.  If you look at pics with pure white added to say dark purples, blues, reds, burgundy’s, etc, all you see is white here, white there, white over there….in other words….blobs of white stand out like a bright light!!  Too many florists make the mistake of not balancing the white with a darker shade of creams or a very pale yellow, or if appropriate, a peach or pink tone.  Now I’m certainly not saying that florists in general do not understand the tricky balance that pure white can require.  Brides are often stuck on a color palate that the features all the dominate ranges, but they can sometimes fail to understand how to brighten or soften a bouquet.  Often out of necessity, and sometimes frustration, florists throw in white in the hopes of bringing darker colors out……but unfortunately it often does the exact opposite.  Instead of white acting as a brightener, it just becomes one more overly dominate color that actually makes dark colors, even darker.

So what do we do with white?  We of course LOVE white in weddings.  It’s classy, it’s clean, it’s elegant, and romantic.  My advice, and remember this is only MY opinion is…that we consider the over all color combination of the bouquets, and arrangements, first.    In other words, are you using a color palate of deep rich fall tones, or are you considering deep purples and blues?  Maybe a beautiful rich red perhaps?  I would advise you to drop by your nearest fabric place…I’ve recommended doing this before….and taking your initial ideas of color, and lay them side by side.  Start with all of your darker tones…now add a bolt of white.  Where does your eye immediately go?  I guarantee you are going to say WHITE! Now what about bright yellows, oranges, pinks, green, lavender, soft peaches, and light blues?  Here’s where a little white can be very complimentary, but I still advocate the use of a little cream for a good balance.  However, I have seen lavender and white bouquets that were lovely, and the same with yellow and white, and orange and green and white!  Again it comes down to balance…the softer and brighter tones all carry a brightness on their own, that when paired with a bit of white, make their colors stand out even more!

To not sound too redundant, I’ll end with my favorite use of white.  I absolutely adore a white, cream, and green bouquet.  That’s it….just those 3 colors.  The green can just be…well the green, or it can be in a flower or filler. White and cream can go from the height of sophistication and glitz, to the most subdued garden, and natural, setting.  The combination is really stunning no matter which way you take it.

Now I’m not saying to forego the use of white in your bouquets….I’m just saying be careful on HOW and WHERE you use the white.  Think about how those bouquets are going to look in the pictures that you will show off for many years to come.  With a good eye for balance, and color, white will be a very welcomed addition to your wedding decor!!

*At Silver Leaf Events, I offer design consulting for a nominal fee.  Contact me on my website www.raedavis.com or raedavis1099@gmail to request more information.  

When I created Silver Leaf Events, I had the idea to create high-end silk arrangements to offer as rentals or purchase for brides on a budget, and for those that wished to keep their bouquets forever.  We participated in a few shows last year, and low and behold…the same thing happened.  Photographs were taken under the guise that they wanted to have something in their hand to look at when they called us to discuss their wedding work.  Yeah…right.   What occurred…..was….again, taking our designs and doing the work themselves, or with a lessor product.  Ok…I get it.  And yes, I could have said no photographs…and probably should have….but I’m a trusting soul!!!  So on we go.

All of the above aside, in my experience, I see brides entering these fairs with a glazed look in their eye.  Often they are noisy, crowded, and very overwhelming!  Too many vendors can be a negative as brides taste, look, feel, talk to, and pick up business cards from dozens and dozens of vendors, and often by time she gets home, she has forgotten what she liked and didn’t like!!!  When I married a second time back in 1999, my then fiance and I decided to attend a bridal fair in Sacramento to get some ideas on what we wanted to do for a honeymoon.  We walked in and were immediately struck with the sheer madness of it all……and like every bride I have witnessed at these things…..we walked out with a bag full of cards and brochures, and never looked at them again.  UGH……

Ok, before I get negative comments from bridal show producers, and vendors, that rely on bridal fairs for a good portion of their wedding business, I will say that for SOME businesses, bridal fairs are a great way to represent their talents, and of course……potential venues!!  I hesitate to speak for other vendor’s experiences with bridal fairs, and I won’t….but I would love to hear from them, and have them comment, and add to this discussion!!!  I know that there are many businesses out there that love to participate, and find the fairs to be well worth their time and money!  I would love to hear about your experiences!!

So what do I suggest to brides before they go to their first bridal fair?  I suggest that if you are a first time bride, and are planning to attend your first bridal fair, go in with the intention to just get a feel of what is potentially available to you.  You may or may not wish to even pick up business cards, and brochures, at your first show.  Trust me….starting in the months of January, and February, there are numerous bridal shows in many areas throughout every state, and they usually crop back up in the fall months, so don’t panic.  Go to an early in the year fair, and take note of what you liked, and didn’t like, about it.  If you have a lot of time….you can just take the opportunity to get a few ideas on the latest trends in weddings, and go home and digest it all.  If someone’s work is an absolute stand out, and you really, really, love it…then make an appointment  to see this vendor at another time, where you can sit down, and really discuss details.  Remember, one of the reasons I offer a complimentary 2 hour initial consultation at Silver Leaf Events, is so you can get a chance to know me, and I, you!  Bridal fairs do not offer much of an opportunity for a one on one, and nor should they.   Don’t allow yourself to get overwhelmed with all the sites, and sounds, at one fair.  Take your time, browse, maybe do a once over…or twice…and go home and take a breather.  If the next bridal fair is in close proximity to the one you first attended, then chances are the vendors that you saw before, will be back!!!  Also if you do find someone who you really, really, want to follow-up with…be sure to take a written note of that, or I promise you will go home…look through your stack of cards…and be completely confused!   Take your time, enjoy, and follow up!

Take a look at Pinterest, (www.pinterest.com), and you will get an idea on where design is headed.  The vintage romantic, and rustic look, is all the rage.  Unlike the 1980′s where more was….well more…this year, “less is more,” or at least, “re-purposed” is even better! Couples are searching for more natural and affordable venues where mother nature provides an ideal ceremony and reception backdrop. The trend this year is to make the most of what is already there…then jazz it up with inexpensive items that can be made to look like a million bucks!  It can be done!

Taking a look at today’s stock market report, it is clear that this economy is not going to fully rebound in the near future.  It is going to take some careful planning, and a lot of thought, into making a tight budget stretch as far as possible.  If you are a DIY bride, think about starting to design your wedding very, very, early.  If possible, hire a consultant to guide you down the right path with design ideas.  A little money spent consulting with a professional, can save you big $$$ down the road.  Keep in mind that the trend is MORE WITH LESS!!!!!!  A professional consultant can show you how to come to terms with working within the confines of a tighter budget, and still pull off the wedding of your dreams.  Remember, the biggest hurdle is knowing where to start, and where to shop for the items that you need.  But the key here is going to be patience, and plenty of time to get everything in order!

And of course brides, as I always say….the tighter the budget, the smaller the guest list.  It is just an absolute fact that the more people you invite, the more money you are going to spend….period.  Decide on how many guests you really, really, want to share your special day with, and THEN choose the venue!  Look outside the city for a more natural wedding setting….this is happening more and more!  Look at ways to use what mother nature is already providing………lots of ideas are out there on that…………..look at places like Murphys, Ca for beautiful and affordable places to get married!  Think outside the box!!!!! A small rustic schoolhouse that is available here in Douglas Flat, Ca, is a wonderful place for a small wedding.  Check out local parks….we have a beautiful public park here in Murphys, Ca!!

Again, what is this year’s biggest trend? MORE FOR LESS!!!  MORE FOR LESS!!! And while that statement used to be reserved for the so-called “underprivileged,” it just isn’t so any longer.  Today’s bride is having to understand the complexities of a tough economy more than ever…no matter what her status.  And remember, it isn’t a matter of necessarily doing without, but more of a matter of how to create something fabulous out of the mundane.   After all I like to say: CREATIVITY IS THE NEW BLACK!  The key to success  with all of this,  is careful planning, whether you consult with a professional like Silver Leaf Events, or you go it alone.  Try not to only equate money with success….some of the most incredible weddings have been created with more imagination, talent, and patience and guidance,  than anything bought “out of the can,” so to speak with lots of $$$.  Have fun trying new things…………..GET CREATIVE…………..and you will achieve the wedding of your dreams.  I promise!!!

Ok, in the natural flower world, there are very few truly “blue” flowers.  What normally comes to market in blue will usually consist of Belladonna, Hydrangea, Asters, and Delphinium.  There are some species of roses that have a blue cast, and a filler called Misty Blue…a relative to the Caspia family.  I am sure there are a few others that escape me…but those are the most well-known, and often used, naturally blue flowers in design work.

This morning’s question was centered on blue Dendrobium orchids.  Blue you ask?  Do they come in blue?  NO!  ”But I’ve seen them,” you say?  Yes, you have probably seen them in various arrangements in floral shops from time to time, and in wedding photos. I’ll refrain from being catty on that one.  The bluish/purple orchids you are referring to, are dyed.  Dye is put into the water, and when the orchids or any white flower for that matter under the same process, sucks up the water………their petals turn that color!  Not rocket science, but it works.  Does it look good?  In my opinion…and just my opinion……..NO.  And there are other, more important issues to consider when using a dyed flower, and you are not going to like the outcome.

Other than the fact that I am not a fan on how a dyed fresh flower looks, there are potentially devastating outcomes if not handled properly.  If you are a bride that

If you are contemplating mixing a dyed flower with another white flower in your bouquet, here’s what you can expect.  If you mix a dyed flower…say blue Orchids with white Roses, and put them in a vase together, you are taking the risk of your lovely white Roses, sucking up the blue dye that will absolutely tint your water the same color.  I am not guessing this happens…..I’ve seen it happen!  You also take a very big risk in the dye coming off of any damp petals or stems on to your white wedding gown, and that would be the biggest tragedy of all!!  You do not want to take that chance!!  Also if you use the dyed blue flowers with any white flowers in your centerpieces together………well……you get the picture!!

All in all, blue is a tricky color to work with in the floral world.  I have designed, and seen, some absolutely lovely bouquets using NATURAL blue flowers.  Keep in mind that some blue’s can be very dominate in the bouquets…so balance is the key.  I frankly like to see the softer blue’s in bouquets and if a darker blue is needed…use it sparingly and maybe just as an accent in the stem ribbon wrap.  Like I’ve blogged about before, think about what the camera lens picks up.  Always remember that dominate colors will show up first in your photos…so be careful here.  If using a real dark or bright dominate color…..you might want to use it mono-chromatically…meaning just that color, or various shades of that color together.  But if balanced correctly…any dominate color will enhance a bouquet…not take it over!

All in all, if you can avoid it, do not consider dyed flowers for your bouquets or centerpieces.  Honestly…they look dyed most of the time.  If you have your heart set on a dyed flower, be sure to keep them away from other white flowers in water, and be sure that they do not have any chance to bleed onto your dress!!!  You are not going to get that out!!  Stay with the natural colors if you can, and I think you’ll be much happier with the outcome!  :)

Ladies and gentleman we are going to take a little stroll down memory lane for a moment. Remember my blog about the Guest List?  Well in light of the coming economic slam we are all about to experience, we say “hello old friend.”  Here we go…………

1. For the majority of brides and grooms, the number one indicator on how much their wedding is about to cost them…or their parents…is the size of the guest list.  Think about it…..the more people you invite, rolls into needing a larger venue, feeding more people, purchasing a larger cake, renting more equipment if needed……….etc….etc.  You get the picture.  REMEMBER….It’s a wedding, not a family reunion!!!

2.  Not only might you think about pairing down the guest list, but you might really want to think about the size of your bridal party.  The more friends and relatives in the “party,” the more bouquets, corsages, and boutinere’s you’ll be purchasing. Do you really need 10 bridesmaids and groomsmen?  Maybe not. Now I know for most of you, this is a much tougher choice than cutting 5th cousin 7 times removed from the guest list, but select carefully here. Really….select carefully!  More on the guest list later.

3.  Consider hiring a planner……………….long pause……………………what did she just say?  Yes, hire a planner and/or a consultant.  Why?  Isn’t the idea to cut costs?  Absolutely!  So why hire a planner or consultant?  Like I’ve said in the past, if you are getting married in a town, state, or country, that you are unfamiliar with, hiring a planner or consultant can save you significant amount of time, stress, and, oh yeah, fuel!!!  If you are not running around searching for florists, caterers, venues, and D.J.’s blindly, you will save money in the end…and your sanity as well!!  So what do they do that you might not be willing or able to do?  A planner and/or consultant that has been in the business long enough, will know the right people for the job….or at least direct you to the right people for the job.  If you are working with a tight budget, then the planner will hopefully be able to direct you to vendors that can fit that need.  I know that many brides think that hiring a planner/consultant is a luxury that they cannot afford, but trust me when I say, that there are planners that will work within your budget constraints to help you achieve your goals  My view is…why not?  As planners we have to remember that a little good will now, can go a long way in securing additional business in the future!  That’s my motto anyway!

4.  The DIY bride.  With the rising cost of living associated with the rising fuel costs, there is going to be resurgence in the DIY popularity.  Martha Stewart vast fortune grew out of this very phenomenon 30 years ago…..and her message….even though her DIY comes at the hands of an enormous staff……….is going to be more appealing and necessary than ever!  In the above paragraph I mentioned a consultant.  What exactly is a consultant?  Well normally a consultant is professional that…well…does just that….consults on a project without actually physically working on the project.  Example….if you are planning to do your flowers by yourself, but you are not sure which design might be the most cost-effective, or maybe the easiest to create without going insane, you might want to consult with a professional in the field of floral design!  A consultant might charge by the hour, by the day, or by the overall design project creation.  Either way, again, you can save yourself valuable time, money, and most of all………..your sanity by spending a little money to have a “game plan,” so to speak.  Don’t forget, a professional florist/designer consultant can even do the purchasing for you, saving you lots of time and hopefully some money too!

5.Once again…………..The Guest List.  See a pattern here? Running the risk of sounding redundant,  I cannot stress enough the importance of trimming your guest list if your budget is feeling the strain.  I know you want to invite ALL of your friends, and your parents want you to invite ALL of your relatives, but in this struggling economy, it just really doesn’t make good sense.  This is probably the most difficult area to tackle when planning your wedding.  But remember….at an average of $ 50.00-$60.00 a plate, the total cost of your wedding can easily soar way past your intended budget!!  I believe in sitting down with your family, or your wife/husband to be, and in an honest conversation, come to a realistic number that you can agree upon, and more importantly, afford!  Will there be hurt feelings?  Well maybe, but if they are good friends, and loving family members, they will understand.  Don’t forget, you can always invite them to the family reunion!!!

With careful planning, combined with professional guidance, you will be able to create the wedding of your dreams……….even in today’s volatile economy.  Just remember to be realistic, and honest in your expectations.  Most of all, keep an open line of communication between all parties involved, and I am positive that you will be smiling the brightest of smiles on your wedding day!  Congratulations!

When I’m in the grocery store looking through the magazine section, I can’t help but notice the increase in DIY wedding publications.  Now, I am not surprised by this given the state of the economy, but I have noticed that when it comes to flower design, there is still a lack of information about cost.  Some do a pretty good job at breaking it down, but because flower prices can change as quickly as the weather, it can be hard to really pin point how much those designs are actually going to cost the bride.  So what does the DIY bride do in this case?  You really can’t go to your local florist….well you could but it’s bad form….and grill them for flower prices and advice….maybe a friend, or family member?  How about the opportunity to consult with a professional on not only the how to’s, but the how much, side of doing your own flowers?  I might have the answer.

When I sold my shop a decade ago, I truly believed I was done with the floral profession….period.  I had decided to go back to school and earn my B.A. in history….fully intending on earning my Master’s and going on to teach at our local community college.  But like many creative people, I just couldn’t get a way from designing and decorating…..so I created this company, Silver Leaf Events, so I could keep one foot in the door of designing, and also have a hand in planning and coordinating weddings when needed.  But honestly what I enjoy most is advising and teaching others how to do their own designs…and so I offer this…………….

As part of my business, I offer design consulting.  For a fee, I will help the DIY bride plan, purchase, and advise on how to create a beautiful wedding on her own, or with the help of friends and family if she so chooses.  I can advise you on how to create a simple but dramatic look that will not only satisfy your taste, but will hopefully leave a little extra money in your bank account for the honeymoon!

Now I know this blog will not be popular with many in the industry…especially florists.  But before you write to me, I want to say one thing.  In the title of this blog I wrote:  The DIY Bride: Should You?  Should you? Uh, NO, I really do not encourage it.  Can you?  Of course, but you must be a bride that is extremely organized, have a lot of free time on your hands, and have the willingness to be frustrated at times without becoming a bridezilla!  Why?  Because I am going to say this with all honesty.  Florists earn, and I mean EARN every penny they charge for creating the designs for your wedding.  In fact, weddings are so labor intensive, that in reality, florists often barely break even.  Remember, you are paying them for their talent.  What might look easy to do, is really not…so do keep that in mind before you even contemplate doing your own flowers!

But for those of you that want to try to tackle the job, you are welcome to contact me and set up an appointment.  Remember that I’m in Murphys, Ca.  I will consider traveling within a reasonable distance.

Today I wish you all a very Happy Valentine’s Day and congratulations if some of you were either married or engaged on this special romantic day!!

I met the creator of Blue World Botanicals at a vendor event at Ironstone Vineyards, here in Murphys, Ca.  You’ll recall that I have Ironstone featured as my current wedding venue of the month.  However, I was participating in this particular event as sterling silver jewelry rep….”my other job”……. and was set up next to a woman that had some very intriguing products on display!  I stared and stared at these little boxed and wrapped cupcakes, and tiny wedding cakes, for the longest time, trying to figure out what the heck they were!!  They looked to me like real food cupcakes, and cakes, but I thought what the heck would someone do with a miniature wedding cake?  Was I behind on the latest trend? EEK…no one told me!!!  So………..of course………….I finally asked when I had a break from customer traffic………..oh was I surprised!!

Now if these products are on the mass market already, than I am truly unaware of them.  So I am going to introduce you to, Blue World Botanicals…………….bath fizzies that I found so wonderful, that I decided to buy them, and offer them to my clients, and new customers, looking for a fun and unique gift:  Take a look at these:

Christine, the owner and creator of these wonderful gifts has informed me that custom orders of scents, and colors, are available.  I think these are just wonderful, and are so realistic, that it is virtually impossible to tell them apart from their edible counterparts!

If you are interested in learning more about these products and how to purchase them, please contact me either here on my website or at raedavis1099@gmail.com.  I hope you find them as much fun as I do! Enjoy!!