Flowers are one of those things I have never been able to live without.  I go to the store, I pick up fresh flowers.  When I would have a date with a new guy – bringing flowers = bonus points for trying to make a good impression.  So I am surprised at my lack of enthusiasm with incorporating flowers into my wedding day.

Here’s how I answered Aimee when we discussed flowers and what I wanted, “I love flowers, but they die – quickly! I really feel like they are a waste of my budget.  How few flowers can I get away with having”?  Always the consummate professional, she assured me that incorporating flowers into any budget doesn’t have to be expensive.  Traditionally, five to ten percent should be spent on flowers and décor for your ceremony and reception.  Since that area clearly isn’t a priority, I’ll be staying towards the low end of the range for reception décor.

Photography Credit: Holland Photo Arts

St. Matthew’s blessed to have a wonderful space that doesn’t need much decorating (smile).  My reception location, however, is a different animal altogether.  While it’s a beautiful location that (luckily) works with my color palette, it’s still going to need a few enhancements.  Aimee had me meet with some florists whose design style I liked and would work for my budget. After a few meetings, I was feeling skeptical about finding the right florist.  However, I did see a glimmer of hope once I met with Shawn Cossette of Beehive Events.

Shawn has this easygoing, wonderful attitude that immediately put me at ease.  She let me know that I had lots of options for decorating my ceremony and reception that didn’t have to involve lots of flowers. I described my vision and the colors in my color palette.  After sitting and taking everything in for a long time, she smiled and started giving me lots of wonderful ideas I could consider.

Photography Credit: Holland Photo Arts

Her number one rule was always use flowers that are in season.  Since the wedding is in October, I not only have Gerbera Daisy’s (my favorite) and Calla Lilly’s to choose from, but I can also use Pomegranates, Persimmons, fall foliage and curly willow as well.  All work with my color palette, which fall in the deep reds and purples; great colors for fall.  I now feel good that I have some flower options for me and my bridal party on wedding day.

For the reception, she suggested that I use rentals – lamps are one option.  I can also rent small trees and hang votive candles from them as well.  I also love tall votive candles that will add maximum ambiance to my evening reception without packing on maximum bucks!  The best thing is using rentals allows me to incorporate flowers within any rental I choose.

Photography Credit: Holland Photo Arts

After meeting with Shawn, I’m feeling better about adding flowers without sacrificing style or my budget and I guess I can get the best of both worlds.  I can’t wait to see the end result!

Beehive Events, a fabulous District Favorite, does a top-notch job at creating amazing floral arrangements and special touches to your wedding. They can also provide more comprehensive services, adding linens, furnishes, and décor that mesh with your vision and floral ideas. I had a wonderful conversation with Shawn Cossette of Beehive Events, who gave me great information about her creative process, eco-friendly work, and so much more!

As I am sure you have an endless variety of floral options to offer, how do you narrow down the choices and what questions do you ask a new client to jointly form a vision for their event?

During our first consultation I try to define the style of the wedding. I encourage brides to bring images of things that they like. It is not necessary that they be pictures only of flowers, I love to see images of fashion, décor, food, gardens, interiors….. images that the client loves. This helps me understand their vision and establish whether they are attracted to an old world/ flower robust style, a dressed organic/rustic style, modern/ sophisticated style, an estate/luxe style or a 50s/vintage style.

Photography Credit: Meg Runion

The next step is to define the color palette of the event keeping in mind the season and the availability of floral elements.  Then I gather all the other details like venue location, time of event, style of food service, number of expected guests, budget….. Each wedding is so unique and I really work hard at trying to design the flowers and décor so that they reflect the taste and style of the couple.

At this point I spend a bit of time reflecting on all of these details and then present our first proposal to the client. I also include a couple inspiration boards that show many of the floral elements that I am suggesting to give the bride a visual to help her better understand what we are proposing.

In what ways are you able to be eco-friendly with your work?

We are so fortunate to live on a small farm where we grow much of what we use. We are strictly organic and are continually experimenting on what product is best suited to grow successfully in our region.

We are having great success with lots of different herbs, dahlias and perennials. We also have been doing a lot of work using potted succulents that we recycle and reuse in centerpieces, living succulent walls…. I am very excited about an escort card display that we will be doing for a wedding on Memorial Day weekend.

For this event we are growing strawberry plants that will be planted to create a raised bed with the sides made from reclaimed barn wood. The bed of strawberries will be the size of a 30” x 6’ rectangular table. The guest name will be calligraphed onto the front side of a wooden tongue depressor with the table name on the back. I chose a variety of strawberries that will be at their peak at the end of May, so there should be lots luscious, ripe strawberries poking out among the leaves.

The bride and groom are having strawberry shortcake for their wedding cake and they will be giving away homemade strawberry preserves for their favors. So it will all tie in together beautifully. After the wedding the client will plant the strawberry plants into their own garden and each May will have a wonderful treat of fresh strawberries to remind them of their special day.

What additional services can you provide a client?

Flowers are my first love but we also offer additional décor services at beehive. We have a wonderful selection of rental items such as farm tables, sofas, ottomans, banquettes, side tables, lighting options, candles…and much more!

Photography Credit: Meg Runion

We also specialize in custom fabric draping and treatments of tents, event spaces, entrée ways.  Our inventory is always expanding and we are always happy just to provide just flowers or to incorporate these other elements of design.

What spring flowers are you most excited to incorporate into your designs?

Right now I am in love with hellebores, viburnum, solomon seal and spring blossoms. It appears that I just can’t get my fill of their beauty!

What advice do you give clients who are on a budget but still want beautiful floral arrangements?

I would first suggest that using flowers that are naturally available during the season of their wedding and ones that are grown locally. I also recommend that the ceremony be done simply and that the majority of the flower/décor budget be applied to the dinner and dancing portion of the evening. I would also recommend if at all possible limiting the size of the wedding. A smaller budget goes much further when you have fewer centerpieces, linens and rentals.

Thank you so much Shawn! All of this conversation about flowers is making me so excited that spring is finally here. Be sure to check out more information and view the beautiful portfolio photos from Beehive Events!

Here at District Weddings, we believe that inspiration comes from everywhere. This weekend, while flipping through April’s issue of House Beautiful, I was intrigued by new and modern uses of wood in decor. The exposed beams and hardwood floors of King Family Vineyards are so warm and rustic – similar to images I saw in House Beautiful.

Although the models, Suzi and Kyle have been married for almost 7 years, they look so in love — could it be the magic of this incredible setting and thoughtful decor?  Despite the chilly weather, Suzi’s bouquet looks so fresh and succulent.

Beehive Events does a fabulous job using fruit to add depth and texture to the look of the wedding.

Candlelight gives you a big “bang for your buck” creating a soft ambiance and warm lighting.

Great job to King Family Vineyards, Beehive Events and Photographer Meg Runion!  Thanks for sharing!

Guests were greeted  by a dramatic escort card table by Amaryllis, who gracefully executed the floral design for the event and showed the incredible breadth and depth of their work.

District Favorites, Beehive Events and A. Dominick Events, teamed up to create this inspiring farm table.  I witness dozens of brides oogling over this soft, earthy display.

Aimee Dominick also seamlessly worked with the Washingtonian team to plan the show – every minute was perfect!

Of course, Kendall Barrett of Kendall’s Cakes (another Favorite!), was there to share yummy tastes of her gorgeous work.  I am not kidding when I say Kendall’s cakes are both delicious AND beautiful – quite the feat!

The darling Hitched ladies took a moment to smile for the camera with a few of their models, along with Jenn Haber and Jill Hudson Neal of Washingtonian, our lovely hosts.

Maria Cooke of Ritzy Bee did the adorable styling for the Hitched on site salon. I love this place setting!

Carine’s Bridal Atelier, yet another Favorite, worked to bring in Kenneth Pool of Amsale whose designs dazzled the runway.  For more of these dresses, be sure to stop by Carine’s this weekend for their Kenneth Pool Trunk show!

This is such a fun time for the bridal industry in Washington and we look forward to featuring other upcoming events soon. Stay tuned!

This first idea tops my list of recommendations…

I’m not sure how to begin, as I really don’t remember where this idea originated.  But I have to say, this was one of the most memorable parts of the weekend.  

One day it just hit me.  I wanted to do something special with my bridesmaids before my wedding.  Most of the girls are creative, and all of them like to have a good time.  I personally love flowers and have always wanted to learn more about arranging them.  Why not have a little bouquet creation class, so the girls can hand-pick and design their bridesmaid bouquets?

So that’s what we did.  We had a bridesmaids bouquet outing on Friday morning, the day before the wedding.  It was a surprise for all of the girls — they had no idea where we were going or what was planned until we arrived at the florist’s studio.  Which, by the way, was in the middle of the Virginia countryside.  It was simply beautiful.

Each of the girls was given a large vase of flowers from which to create their bouquet.  Shawn Cossette, the amazing talent behind Beehive Events (and the florist extraordinaire behind our Rehearsal Dinner and Wedding), lead our bouquet class.

She first taught us how to shape roses — how to open up the petals so they become “fluffier.”  Then we learned how to wrap orchids around a wire stem.

Photographer Sarah Cramer was on hand to capture the careful pruning, pulling, wrapping, and arranging…

Oh, how I love these women.  The finished products were simply perfect. 

And my, what flower-arranging skills they have!