Photo Credits: Kristen Marie; Levi Max Stolove Photography; Beehive Events; Beehive Events; Red Shoes Photography; Red Shoes Photography; Beehive Events; Beehive Events;Beehive Events;

For a quick history of Pantone, check out this great Apartment Therapy article.  Happy weekend!

Love these pictures above of Beehive Events‘ work.  Follow the jump for more images and have a happy Friday!

Photo Credits: Inspired by This Found via lover.ly; Daniel Usenko Photography via Pintrest; via Beehive Events

With an archive of over 100,000 images, you are sure to find pictures and wedding ideas that you love –and, the database is updating and evolving daily.

I did a quick search for “linen”, and let me tell you, I have been browsing for at least the past hour…

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For more fantastic local inspiration, check out a couple of my other favorite D.C. wedding blogs, Ritzy Bee and from Hello to Hitched!

Have a happy, happy Thanksgiving!

Source: CAKE.

I may have to have a few friends over for dinner this weekend to try out this display…Happy Friday!

Credit: Design Sponge

How did Helen Olivia get its name?

Helen Olivia is named for Craig and I’s maternal grandmothers.  Helen was my grandmother.  She was the first person to teach me how to arrange flowers when I was about 8 or 9 years old.  She had studied floral arranging as a home economics major in college and helped me to use the wonderful flowers from my father’s garden for pretty designs.  My husband and business partner, Craig, and I were also inspired by singer, Greg Brown, who once said, “All the wisdom of the world is passed down through our grandmothers.”  We felt if we created a business inspired by our grandmothers’ wisdom, elegance and spirit, we couldn’t go wrong.

What services do you provide?

Helen Olivia is a boutique florist providing exquisite custom floral designs for special occasions such as birthdays and anniversaries.  Additionally we create lush, premium floral pieces for weddings and events.

What is the largest number of arrangements you have ever put together for one event?

Helen Olivia has created approximately 90 table centerpieces for a single gala dinner.  However, the opening of Bloomingdale’s in Chevy Chase was our largest single endeavor.  Not only were there arrangements in almost every single corner of the store, some of the arrangements were just so very big!

What inspires your floral design, and what keeps it fun and fresh?

I look at books and magazines all the time.  I’m inspired not only by other floral designers but also by interior designers.  My two favorite things about floral design are color and texture so interior design provides wonderful ideas.

What is the largest design project that you have ever done for a wedding?

It is hard to single out one design project as weddings often require many elements each of which is intricate and detailed and all come together to create a challenge as a floral designer.  Chuppahs are usually Helen Olivia’s largest single project to design.  We have done beautiful chuppahs out of branches such a cherry or birch.  We often spend a few days creating these chuppahs wiring each branch on to the chuppah frame.

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Custom monograms are a great way to add a personalized theme to your wedding and tie all your elements from the Save the Date through Menus together.

Choosing our monograms was one of my favorite wedding activities to date. Yes, monograms plural because as we learned, there are a few basic guidelines for wedding monograms.  The most important monogram rule we learned, “An engaged couple should never use the married monogram until after the wedding ceremony.”

With that rule noted, our wedding planner suggested we get three variations of a monogram:

1. Our first initials and wedding date:  This monogram can be used on your save the date, web site, invitation and any pre-wedding correspondence.
2. Our first names:  The wedding date isn’t necessary in the monogram used on programs and other day of printed materials.  Most guests will have the date ingrained at that point. Also, the date will most likely appear in the heading of a program or menu.
3. Married Monogram:  This monogram features the last initial and can be used for the reception, thank you cards and other post wedding items.  Depending on what monogram you chose you could use it for stationary, towels and other items for years to come.

Remember, your monogram should reflect the style of your wedding.  Think about what items you may want them printed on cocktail napkins, coasters and make sure the monogram is appropriate for those types of items.  Below are the three monograms we settled on. They were designed by Bellatristics for a very reasonable price and came will all printing and usage rights.   I hope you like them and find inspiration for your own with them.

The flavors look divine and with Kara’s philosophy that the “little things in life make all the difference”, they are infused with love and joy and are just downright delicious.