Ideas in Bloom

Up on Prepare To Wed

2012-01-27T09:37:00.001-05:00

I regret it has been some time since I posted to the blog! These winter months are usually a great time to reengage and fall back into regular posting mode, but with an influx of wedding consultations, upcoming weddings, and of course planning for the arrival of Baby O, I have been less than diligent.

Prepare to Wed posted a look back at Nan & Jim’s fall wedding at the State Room in Boston last night and I thought I would share it here as well. An oldie, but a goodie. Enjoy!

Check it out HERE

Venue Visit – The Rivermill at Dover Landing

2012-01-19T15:17:00.001-05:00

Pam and I took a field trip out to Dover, NH this past weekend to meet with Michelle and Britt of the Rivermill at Dover Landing. We usually make a habit of scheduling a site visit when working in new venue for the first time, and with Heather and Andrew’s April wedding fast approaching, it was the perfect time to head to the seacoast.

The Rivermill opened about a year ago and we’ve been hearing great reviews ever since. It’s no wonder. The space alone is a breathtaking blank palette, framed by exposed brick walls and windows upon windows with views of the adjacent river.

The space is so versatile, offering a variety of layouts (some of which you can view directly on their website). You can have your ceremony and reception in the same space. Or, if you’d rather exchange vows offsite, the Rivermill offers a helpful listing of other downtown locations that might fit the bill.

If Michelle and Britt are any indication of how dedicated the rest of the Rivermill team is, you’d be hard-pressed to find another venue that offers such customer service and flexibility when it comes to your event. These owners are committed to go above and beyond the call of duty to make sure your wedding day or event is the best it can be. Pam and I left the meeting thinking that we had met kindred spirits!

We are looking forward to working with the Rivermill crew for Heather and Andrew’s upcoming wedding and now have so many ideas for those weddings to come! Who wants to get hitched???

all photos courtesy of the Rivermill at Dover Landing website

Thank YOU

2012-01-17T16:26:00.001-05:00

A big “thank you” to all the couples who provided us with such great feedback on Wedding Wire this year!

Hearing that you loved your wedding day flowers is the best part of the job

Wedding Revisited – Annette & Todd at the Seven Hills Inn

2012-01-13T14:57:00.001-05:00

Annette & Todd chose the beautiful Seven Hills Inn in Lenox, MA for their summer nuptials. The Victorian Inn has a wonderful neutral palette with touches of gold and rich wood accents. A perfect compliment to their jewel-tone summer color scheme.

Looking to achieve a "just picked" look, we chose blooms that were seasonal, local (if possible), and of a variety of textures. The bouquets featured Sunflowers, red Astilbe, purple Scabiosa, and Hosta leaves picked directly from our cutting garden. Annette loves Gerber Daisies, so these were intermingled through all the designs as well.

The dining room was decked out with arrangements set in gold ceramic cubes with Curly Willow accents. Small silver mint juleps cups made of mercury glass sat on cocktail tables in the music room where the bar and music kept guests celebrating into the night. Todd grew up in Saratoga Springs, so these pieces were a clever nod to the town's racing heritage and were even filled with real mint!

Thanks to Clark Photography & Hudson photo for the gorgeous shots!

A New Year

2012-01-02T09:05:00.001-05:00

Good morning and a good New Year to you! It’s hard to believe another year has come and gone so quickly, though I suppose time passes much more quickly when you are wrapped up in the things you love. 2011 was an exciting year of growth for Ideas in Bloom… more weddings and special events than ever before, burgeoning friendships with new local vendors (don’t forget to check out some of our favorites in the sidebar!), and an incredible amount of support from our fan base. Thank you!!!

Photo by the talented Stacey Hedman – part of our wintery photo shoot with Prepare To Wed this past spring. So much fun!

As we enter 2012 there is a lot to look forward to. Our concentration has begun to shift more heavily to the floral aspects of our services and the calendar has started to reflect that. It started to fill up with weddings and events even before the holidays hit! We look forward to integrating our unique garden-inspired style into many of these events, often in the form of live plantings. I can’t wait to see all of these special events come to life.

The next year will certainly bring us as much personal joy as professional. I look forward to meeting with and getting to know those newly engaged in the coming months and designing for as long as my ever-growing belly will allow. Our first wedding of the year is in late February and you bet I’ll still be in the studio, likely propped up in a chair! Though come March you’ll likely see a bit less of me as Chris and I welcome our little one. However, this doesn’t mean that operations come to a halt. The studio will continue to run as usual, and a voice not often heard from will be coming forth on the social media front to fill in as I step away. That’s right, Pam’s New Years’ resolution is to become more integrated into our online presence. The blog, Facebook, and *gasp* maybe even Twitter!

We look forward to everything this coming year has to offer and the people we will meet along the way. New clients, talented vendors, and inevitably, new friends. All welcome additions to the Ideas in Bloom extended family.

So here is to the New Year. A year of growth and joy for all!

Good Tidings To You & Yours…

2011-12-24T08:34:00.001-05:00

Wishing you all a wonderful holiday!

We’ll be enjoying time with family & friends this holiday and through some of next week as well, but will resume regular operations after the New Year.

Ideas in Bloom Concierge – Holiday Decor Made Easy!

2011-12-22T09:08:00.001-05:00

This season we had a new offering to roll out – full service concierge holiday decor on any scale. There is enough to accomplish around the holidays and those without the extra time or inspiration took advantage of our completely customizable service. We offered a brief and complimentary consultation, proposal, then a speedy installation. Quick, easy, beautiful!

One client had a great neutral canvas to work with. For a family with two young kids we wanted to keep the design somewhat traditional and practical with a touch of whimsy. The classic combination of red and green with sparkles of gold and touches of white seemed a perfect fit.

We concentrated on areas of the house that the family spent the most time in (living room and kitchen), as well as a festive entrance to welcome them home.

L to R: Large Evergreen arrangement in a white ceramic dish with red wire baubles, gold ting-ting & cinnamon sticks; Large all-weather bow atop a shrub strung with white lights (oh so pretty at night!); Mixed greens wreath with red berry & dogwood accents; Small live cedar tree in a metallic red ceramic planter & Spanish moss (two of these created a “forest” effect when set behind the family made gingerbread house in the kitchen’s picture window); Red baubles and sparkling white snowflakes hung from red, green & gold ribbon in the large window of the living room (out of reach of little hands!)

Our Concierge Decor Service isn’t limited to just the major holidays. Let us set the stage for any event you may have! Open house, business launch, or a gathering in your home…we have custom floral arrangements, specialty planters & unique event rentals for every occasion of any size.

More Holiday Arrangements – available at bowerbird & friends

2011-12-21T14:43:00.001-05:00

Check out these arrangements that will be available at bowerbird & friends antiques - garden – gifts, right in the heart of downtown Peterborough, NH. The shop features an impressive mix of antiques and must have gifts. Last minute holiday shopping anyone???

The unique containers were brought to the studio and we filled them with all sorts of distinctive holiday greens and botanical accents (fiddleheads, cones, eucalyptus pods, feathers, berries & more). They are one-of-a-kind, so hurry over if you like something you see!

The cedar tree will sport festive red candles that spiral around the arrangement!

Look, But Don’t Eat – common holiday botanicals to be cautious of

2011-12-21T10:01:00.001-05:00

There is always an abundance of beautiful centerpieces and festive plants decorating everyone’s homes and businesses this time of year. Though they add to that magical aura of merriment and wonder, it is easy to forget that some of these beauties could really ruin your holiday if ingested by a little one (human or furry). I hope that we adults know better than to nibble on the decor, but it’s especially important that we keep these common botanicals away from children and pets…

Amaryllis
Boxwood
Holly
Juniper
Mistletoe
Poinsettia

This is just a short list of some of the more prominent seasonal items to avoid. Should any of these be consumed, call your local poison control office (or veterinarian)

American Association of Poison Control Centers
1.800.222.1222

Photo from one of our 2010 Holiday Designs

‘Tis the Season…for Engagements!

2011-12-16T13:24:00.001-05:00

The holidays are such a special time of year; full of festivities and family. No wonder so many couples get engaged! You’ve probably noticed your Facebook newsfeed filling up with announcements, congratulations, and pictures of those new sparklers. I’ve seen more than a few friends and acquaintances post the happy news in the past two weeks alone and we haven’t even hit the landmark dates of Christmas and the New Year yet.

Every year we prepare for the after holiday rush of consultation requests. Newly engaged couples, still shining with that holiday glow, who are excited to plan their big day. This year there will be two very familiar faces at the table – My not-so-little-brother, John, and his FIANCE, Lisa! Lisa’s been a part of the family for years now, but we are so happy that they are making it official. (Adorable couple below – a few hours after the proposal)

Brother John made my Christmas by tricking me into going to the locally owned and operated jewelry store with him to check out the custom ring. He had been in the day before, seen the ring, and decided to bring big sister in for a second opinion. Of course it was perfect. As a craftsman (amazing woodworker & furniture maker – and I’m not just saying that because he’s family) it was important to him to buy an original piece by a fellow craftsman.

Luckily he didn’t make me keep the secret long at all and proposed the very next morning while on one of their favorite hikes. We were all able to celebrate with them just hours after while on our annual Condon Family Christmas Tree outing. Quite the hunt this year, considering the big news and our fancy new hats Pam brought back from her recent trip the Calgary.

The love birds got surprisingly tame bear toppers, while Chris and I received Sasquatch and a Yeti respectively. We may have looked ridiculous, but those handmade hats are warm! Check out all the kooky creatures from KnitWits.

So, as this year draws quickly to a close, the Condon family has much to look forward to and celebrate in 2012

Happy holidays from our entire family!

Holiday Arrangements

2011-12-15T12:08:00.001-05:00

Pantone Reveals Color of the Year for 2012

2011-12-11T09:18:00.001-05:00

It’s that time of year again. Pantone has decreed that the color of the year - Tangerine Tango. It’s a vibrant red-orange that prominent fashion designers are integrating into their Spring 2012 lines. Will we see it spread like wildfire through the wedding industry?

It is an alluring and versatile shade that could go the way of modern, whimsical, or even classic. I’ve always been a fan of the color combo orange & purple, and this is no exception. It would pare well with hues on the fuchsia side of the spectrum, as well as the ever so trendy aubergine (or eggplant, as we traditionalists prefer to call it). Take a look at a few images I found while trolling the web for tangerine tinted inspiration…

Flowers – Calie Rose Floral & Event Design, Invitation – Wedding Paper Divas, Cake – Mark Joseph Cakes, Favors – Martha Stewart

Haven’t read enough about this new “it” color? Click here for the full release from Pantone.

Deck the Halls!

2011-12-01T12:34:00.001-05:00

It’s already December 1st and the Holidays will be upon us in no time. 'Tis the season for festive decor!

In need of a wreath for the front door, roping for the front porch, or a centerpiece for a gathering of friends & family?

This year we are offering custom designs for your every need

Wreaths

Roping

Arrangements

And new this season... Concierge Decorating Services!

(for those who need to deck their halls but don't have the inspiration or time)

Something for everyone and every budget!

Contact us early to place your custom order or take advantage of our new design services
designs@ideas-in-bloom.com
603.620.2973 or 603.620.8743

So much to be thankful for…

2011-11-24T06:29:00.001-05:00

With so much to be thankful for this year we will keep it short and sweet. Loyal support, new friends and a bevy of beautiful celebrations in the last year leave the two of us truly grateful this holiday!

Here’s to health, happiness, friends and family – cheers!

Kristin & Pam

Give Thanks

2011-11-14T11:29:00.001-05:00

Can you believe it? Thanksgiving is just around the corner! There are turkeys to stuff, pies to bake and guests to prepare for. Let Ideas in Bloom take one of those chores off your long list this holiday and order your festive table arrangement today.

No matter the size of your gathering, we have the perfect centerpiece for your celebration. Dining elsewhere this year? Bring a bouquet to your hosts!

Harvest Arrangements
in shades of the season

In All Price Ranges

Low Centerpieces or Beautiful Glass Vases

Custom orders ALWAYS welcome!

Orders available for Delivery & Pick Up through Wednesday November 23rd

Please Order Early!
via email or phone
designs@ideas-in-bloom.com 603.620.2973

Delivery available throughout Southern NH and the greater Boston Areas. Delivery fees apply.

In honor of our veterans…

2011-11-11T12:36:00.001-05:00

Thank You

Savoring the colors of Fall

2011-10-29T15:36:00.001-04:00

I may be the only person in the Northeast (at least the only one of my Facebook friends) looking forward to our predicted fall snowstorm today. Sure, the crisp air and bright colors of fall are lovely, but you can’t beat the first flakes of falling snow, no matter how early they may come. Check back with me in late January/early February at the end of my pregnancy and I may be singing a far different tune, but for now I’ll enjoy Mother Nature’s crystal coating.

So, for those of you bummed out at the thought of hauling out the shovels and boots, here’s a reminder of the season to gaze at while the landscape outside is slowly covered in a blanket of white.

Red tipped Roses, yellow Lilies, burgundy Alstromeria, Safari Sunset and green Hypericum berries were gathered in this awesome retro plaid tin. We love to recycle unique containers and this one (complete with lid for future use) fit the bill for a very special recuperating grandfather this week.

Stay warm and safe during this first storm of the season!

Chase & Derek Married 10.9.11

2011-10-13T11:06:00.001-04:00

This couple might have had THE wedding weekend of the season. Temperatures in the low 80s, clear blue skies and a view to die for. Luckily we didn’t hit any of the crazy holiday traffic on the way to deliver their flowers and enjoyed the foliage (a bit lackluster though it may be this year) as we wound through the Notch and White Mountains Forest to get to the beautiful Mountain View Grand.

The bouquets featured seasonal flowers in shades of purple with just a sprig of gold for contrast: Dahlias, Scabiosa, Veronica and a few stems of Lisianthus, Freesia and gold Oncidium Orchids.

Small posies adorned the ceremony chairs on the aisle and a grapevine was entwined with purple ribbon and purple Limonium (no, not the stuff on your kitchen floor) to create the perfect frame around the arbor for the outdoor ceremony.

The couple had many personal DIY touches to add to the decor, including their cairn inspired centerpieces (for those of you non-hiking folk, click here to learn more about cairns) and a carved tree that served both as the photo on their save-the-date card and as a very cool escort card display. The couple loves to hike…have you caught on to that yet? We merely stepped in to create a “woodland floor” around the base of the tree trunk using seasonal potted plants (Mums, Pansies, Violets), moss and loose greens.

Check out the video featuring bits of our scenic drive and the set up…

I promise that I don’t make Pam do all the grunt work, though the videos may make it seem that way! Certain restrictions have been put on the pregnant lady by various loved ones (apparently I’m not allow to lift heavy things, monkey around on ladders, etc) so I have a little extra time to capture the behind the scenes action these days.

Gina & Brendan Married 10.1.11

2011-10-03T12:28:00.001-04:00

Gina, one of the sweetest and most excited brides I think I’ve met to date, planned a lakeside wedding at The Margate with lots of personal touches. It was a pleasure to design for the couple. She envisioned wildflower-like groupings of budvases mingling with lit votives and lanterns, as well as bouquets that seemed “fresh picked” from the garden.

Here’s her bridal bouquet - a mix of deep purple flowers and foliage with pops of white and orange. I used purple Callas, Dahlias, Scabiosa & Smoke Bush, as well as white Snapdragons, Freesia, Ranunculus & Queen Anne’s Lace, and orange Mokara Orchids, Freesia & Ranunculus. The Bridesmaids carried similar bouquets of mostly white with pops of the two accent colors. The Groom and Groomsmen all sported Calla boutonnieres wrapped with chocolate ribbon to match the bouquet wraps.

Unfortunately the constant drizzle and rain on Saturday made a ceremony at the water’s edge impossible, so everything was moved into the tent overlooking Lake Winnipesaukee. Luckily we always plan ahead for rain, so the quick change was no problem. Flower strands that were to be hung from trees near the ceremony site greeted guests as they walked through the entrance of the tent instead. Extra posies that were intended to adorn the ceremony chairs were moved to vases on the bar. Urns with Curly Willow “trees” with orange Orchids tucked into the branches flanked the ceremony space on the dance floor. These pieces, constructed by Pam on site, were easily my favorite of the event. Chocolate brown urns were topped with sheet moss before the “trees” were constructed in the center. Pam added stems of purple Alstromeria at the base of each trunk and I tucked bright orange Orchids into the branches to complete the look.

Since there was so much to do on site I didn’t have time to take many pictures, so I packed my handy Flip cam in our tool kit and managed to capture some of the behind the scenes action instead. Enjoy…and try to overlook my less than steady camera work!

Hopefully Kim Chapman captured the glow of all those candles. We had to make our exit before they were lit and guests arrived. Can’t wait to see the photos of the final product!

The Wedding Event at the Gardens at Elm Bank

2011-09-25T12:24:00.001-04:00

Our friends at Laurel Events asked us to create a few pieces to be showcased in their booth at The Wedding Event at the Gardens at Elm Bank – which is TODAY (Sunday, September 25 2011, 12:00pm - 3:00pm)!

The Elm Bank is playing host to The Wedding Event, a collection of more than 30 vendors who offer every kind of wedding-related service. It’s co-hosted by the Mass Horticulture Society and Mass New England Bridal Affair.

Check out the vendors and the beautiful grounds this afternoon!

A white & pink centerpiece compliments the mock table-scape and a small bouquet (not pictured) is on hand for brides to hold. We used pink Roses, white Hydrangea, white Stock, green Belles of Ireland, Seeded Eucalyptus, and white Snowberries.

Baby O!

2011-09-15T15:38:00.001-04:00

Many of you have noticed (and more than a few of you have pointed out) that the blog posts have been a bit few and far between in the recent past. While I assure you that we ladies have been keeping quite busy behind the scenes, your discontent has been heard and noted. Apologies to all, and now some news to reward you for your patience…

Chris and I are beyond pleased to announce that a new addition will be joining the Ideas in Bloom family this coming Spring. No, it’s not another furry shop dog, but an honest-to-goodness baby! Our little sprout will make his or her entrance right on time, just as all the other seedlings start to transform the New England landscape in late March.

“Grammy” Pam is of course thrilled and will be taking the reins for a short time while we settle in as a family. But, as those of you who know me well can guess, I’ll likely have to be kicked out of the shop on my due date and will be back and designing with the little one in tow just as soon as possible. Luckily our booked spring events will in no way be impacted by the arrival. This tot has impeccable timing already :)

We are currently busy gearing up for a slew of beautiful fall weddings that are quickly approaching so there is plenty of on the job training planned for our budding apprentice. Baby O should be ready to jump right in for the 2012 Spring/Summer wedding season!

Here’s our first baby splurge – a piece by the talented Miss Laura Warecki. You should check out her Etsy shop Paper Taxi!

A little R&R

2011-09-02T13:21:00.001-04:00

Well it’s that time of year again – the once-a-year Ideas in Bloom vacation week. We’ll be out of the office Sept 4-11th, rejuvenating our creative souls in preparation for the busy fall wedding season.

We hope you all enjoy the long weekend in happy and safe revelry, and good luck to all those vendor friends with 9.10.11 weddings!

Knowing the country will view Sunday, September 11th in solemn reverence, we also wanted to pass along information about an inaugural bridal show to be held at Pat’s Peak. Many of you know that we are preferred florists at the banquet facilities, but will be regretfully unable to attend this event, the first of it’s kind. We encourage all those engaged couples looking for a beautiful rustic retreat to take in the show. There will be a slew of vendors, hors d’oeuvres, entertainment, fashions and thousands in door prizes (including a $500 cash grand prize). See below for details…

MEMORABLE EVENTS BRIDAL SHOW AT PATS PEAK BANQUET CENTER

Sunday, September 11, 2011

12:00pm - 3:00pm

$500 CASH Grand Prize!

"Discover The Other Season of Pats Peak"...
Pats Peak is the perfect location to host a wedding ceremony and reception. Vendors from all over NH will be at the Bridal Show to help you plan the wedding of your dreams.

$5 admission. Purchase tickets and pre-register at MemorableEventsNH.com.

Also listed at http://www.patspeak.com/weddings.html

See you soon!

An Apology & A Garden Transformation

2011-08-29T15:17:00.001-04:00

I know, I know, it’s been too long since I posted. Between weddings, earthquakes, and hurricanes, it’s been an interesting end to summer. We have much to look forward to and plan for come fall, but more on that later. For now, please accept my humble apologies and this, our first video embedded post! I’m getting extra fancy these days!

I wanted to share this update on the garden in Waltham, MA that we created last season. You may remember reading about the project in the initial post, but for those of you who missed it, we had a client who strongly disliked their front yard – a small plot of grass and the obligatory shrubbery along the front of the house. They hated mowing, the stagnant look of the shrubs, and the lack of color.

Nothing’s worse than disliking your living space, so we suggested they do away with the lawn all together, add a radial patio, and a low maintenance garden. The entire design was centered around their desire for a semi-private space that looked great all season long. The plantings were designed so the garden has color at all times – vibrant purples and soft white tones.

This season we came in to install a stone pathway leading through the garden and to spread new mulch. I took the opportunity to document just how much the plants had grown since last season. The difference is amazing, even to us!

Check out this rudimentary video yours truly made to showcase the transformation!

Jennifer & Kyle Married 7.31.11

2011-08-03T15:37:00.001-04:00

Jennifer and Kyle picked a picture-perfect summer day to get married at Pat’s Peak in Henniker, NH. Mid 80s, no humidity, and a gentle breeze. Just gorgeous.

Speaking of gorgeous, here’s the beautiful Bride! She carried a bouquet of lush Dutch blue hydrangea dotted with hot pink roses, and blue seeded accents all tied up with a pale blue ribbon.

Look at that blue sky

The bridesmaids, dressed in hot pink, carried big bouquets of fluffy hydrangea.

What a ceremony site! We provided rented blue ceramic urns planted in shades of pink and blue that flanked either side of the entrance to the bride that leads to the ceremony circle. Shepherd hooks with hanging glass votives filled with pink flowers lined the aisle.

Close up of the votives filled with hot pink roses, pale pink spray roses and seeded eucalyptus.

White wedding on a white-hot day!

2011-07-25T08:51:00.001-04:00

Last week was oppressive, wasn’t it?! Well like the postal service ("Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds"), Ideas in Bloom will not be deterred by the elements.

I gave these white beauties a stern pep talk before delivering them to the Colby Hill Inn in Henniker, NH on Saturday. Even the freshest flowers can wilt under the hot summer sun, so we take ever precaution possible to ensure our blooms are picture perfect. In this case, we provided a small spray bottle so the bridal party could mist their bouquets in-between photos. Hydrangea, especially delicate in the heat, can soak up moisture from their petals and will stay perky with the right care.

Bridal Bouquet

This romantic rounded bouquet contained Hydrangea, Garden Roses, regular Roses, Lisianthus, and Spray Roses, all in shades of white, ivory, and cream.

Bridesmaids’ Bouquets

The Bridesmaids carried Roses, Lisianthus, Stock, and Spray Roses in the same pallet.

Hot tip on a HOT day

2011-07-21T14:18:00.001-04:00

Everything is wilting in this oppressive heat. People, pets, and plants. I've taken refuge in the cool of the AC and Kiera pup has been snacking on Frosty Paws frozen dog treats. That leaves the plants (no pun intended, I promise!).

You might think that watering plants in heat like this is easy – switch on the sprinkler and walk away. Well, good start, but your plants need a little extra TLC to make it through the day. Here’s a tip for watering when the heat is so bad you are seeing mirages of icebergs and igloos…

Give each of your plants a good long drink directly at their base.

This means you have to get out the hose or watering can and carefully tend to each of your blooming beauties, but it is so worth it. Plants get stressed out in this weather too and need the boost of a good soaking. Sprinklers cover a large amount of ground, but unless you plan on leaving the water running all afternoon, the moisture stays on the surface and rarely reaches the roots with the amount of hydration they crave. Also, in temperatures like we will see in the next few days, the water will start to evaporate quickly, leaving your green leafy friends wanting.

Watering directly at the base of each plant ensures that every one will get the moisture they need to battle the heat without an additional stress. Thirsty varieties like Hydrangea will be most thankful for your extra efforts. It may be a sweaty job, but your garden will thank you!

Vendor Spotlight – Laurel Events

2011-07-19T13:02:00.001-04:00

I had the pleasure of sharing some great conversation and tasty gelato with Lauren Donovan of Laurel Events a few weeks back. A former small town New Hampshirite, Lauren has a dynamic personality with a lot to offer a newly engaged couple planning their big day. I thought our readers would enjoy getting to know her and her company as much as I did. Oh, and their new and improved website launched THIS MORNING, so go check it out! http://laureleventsboston.com/

Date of company's inception / background experience

Started in Sept 2010 - Officially launched in Jan. 2011

Previously worked in Marketing, Events and Affiliate Relations for CSNNE (Home of the Boston Celtics) and was a Media Planner for MPG Arnold working for major clients like VW, Choice Hotels and Bentley Motors.

I decided events was really my passion and the most fun. The "rat race" in the telecommunications world was making me a cold person so I realized I needed to make a change - and there has been no regret or looking back!

What makes you stand out from other planners?

I truly customize my services to each client's needs. If you just want help with your invitations or if you want advice on everything - I'm here to help. If you want us there the day of - or if you want us with you every step of the way - we will do it. The modern bride typically has a full time job, is going to school, has pets, friends and family to attend to - oh yeah and who has time for hitting the gym or having fun?! Planning a wedding adds a lot of stress because it is such an important and emotional day. Finding the right venues and vendors for your personality can be time consuming - and most brides don't have that time. I work with each bride to find the perfect vendors that fit her budget and personality and to make sure the planning process is fun and less stressful. And I only work on what/where you need the help the most to stay within your budget.

Pricing Information

Since every package is customized it is hard to put a price point out there - it depends on the amount of work, travel and time involved for each task.

The only price point item we do put out there is our Day of Coordination Package. For 2012 the Day Of costs $675 plus travel (and potential overnight accommodations for travel over 1 hour from Boston). This includes our first consult together, unlimited email/phone discussions, another in depth in person meeting the month before the wedding, I will provide a full agenda for the wedding week and day of for the bride and vendors. And on site coordination and management the day of your wedding from the beginning until the end.

What's your favorite part of the work?

I've always been a hard worker and I enjoy the fast pace and moving - it makes me work better when I'm under pressure and the day goes by quicker! I also love it when my client and their family tell me how amazing I've done - I know someone has seen and loved my hard work - and that's just the coolest feeling ever - to finally be recognized for all I've done.

What's the single best piece of advice you can impart to a newly engaged couple (without giving away all your secrets, of course!)

Ignore the TV shows, ignore the magazines or all the websites out there that say "You have to.... (insert comment about something way over the top and way over your budget limitations). A wedding is ABOUT YOU AND YOUR PARTNER. Despite your budget, you truly can have a beautiful wedding if you focus on the parts that are most important and true to your own personality. If you have the right idea and resources you can work out anything you are looking for!

If you have any spare time, how do you spend it? Or some other personal tid-bit you don't mind sharing.

In my spare time I'm mostly with my pets - I have a cat Holly who doesn't leave the house and my dog Bear (8.5 mo old golden retriever) who is usually always with me where ever I go. He's my new found best friend! Other than my pets and the business, I too am getting married in November 2011 - so I'm working on that, spending time with my fiancé, family and friends and I volunteer at my yoga studio - I love heated yoga! I try to stay pretty busy and active!

{preview} Annette & Todd Married 6.25.11

2011-07-13T19:26:00.001-04:00

We had the pleasure of driving out to Lenox, MA (that’s Berkshire territory for you coastal dwellers) for Annette and Todd’s wedding a few weeks ago. Not having spent much time in western MA, I was bowled over by the plethora of drop-dead-gorgeous wedding locations hidden in those woods. This couple’s wedding spot, Seven Hills Inn, was no exception! A former mansion with Victorian flair, the Inn was the perfect spot for this New York duo's nuptials.

Luckily our good friend, the supremely talented Brooke McConnell of Hudson Photo, was attending the events as a guest and snapped a few photos of the decor for us. If you are in the upstate New York area and need personal or professional photos, she’s your gal. Brooke took many of the photos you see on our website and has a gift for capturing the spirits of young ones as well. We love her, so you should check out her site: http://bshudsonphoto.com/.

Annette adores Sunflowers and we used them prominently in the centerpieces.

The entire Inn is filled with touches of gold, so these brushed metallic squares filled with blooms in hot summer colors were the perfect fit.

The look was “sophisticated yet garden-esque.” Each centerpiece featured an appropriately dramatic “cage” of Curly Willow to give the arrangement an organic touch.

As a nod to Todd’s hometown of Saratoga (a horseracing town if you weren’t aware) we used silver mercury glass mint julep cups and greened them up with actual mint! They were the perfect accent to the small cocktails tables in the Music Room where the dancing and bar could be found.

And here’s a shot taken by armature photographer, Tom, who came along for the scenic ride. Passing storms with torrential rain pushed the festivities indoors, which is a pity, since they were supposed to be married in front of this stunning planter by Pam. Fortunately all the other ceremony floral were easily repurposed indoors.

Just a taste of Annette & Todd’s wedding for now. A little something to whet your appetite for more. Check back in too see their photographer’s shots as soon as we have them!

Shout Out to a Local Artist

2011-07-06T14:51:00.001-04:00

Yikes! It’s been busy and I haven’t had a chance to post in a while. My apologies. We designed a beautiful wedding out in the Berkshires (more on that later) and have been going gangbusters in the gardens. So, to appease the masses, here’s a great find for today…

Laura Warecki, a fellow former New Bostonian (yay!), posted this adorable save the date on her blog and I had to share it.

Laura is a Boston based illustrator and attended Massachusetts College of Art and Design, where she found her niche in cut paper and watercolor illustrations. She has some incredible designs featured on her website, which I would encourage you to visit - www.laurawarecki.com. Check out her great work and connect with her if you are looking for custom save the dates or invitations!

Welcome Summer!

2011-06-21T17:56:00.001-04:00

As if the warm weather wasn’t indication enough, summer if officially here! What better way to kick off the season of sun & fun than with a party (or two)?

This sizable bouquet was for a milestone birthday celebration. A big bunch of Viburnum created a base for tufts of Cockscomb plumes, yellow Roses and tall stalks of blue Delphinium.

We also had a very special graduation party this weekend (so proud of my sis-in-law!). She’s off to Nazareth in the fall so we created arrangements in the school colors – purple and gold. To add a fun touch, glitter balls filled glass cylinders and the arrangements “floated” over them. Flowers: Yellow Roses, purple Agapanthus, purple Stock and purple Daisies.

So welcome, Summer, with your lazy beach days and backyard BBQs. We’re glad to have you back!

What’s Blooming {Poppy}

2011-06-14T14:49:00.001-04:00

You may have seen the recent photo (on our Facebook page) I took just the other day of a gorgeous salmon pink Poppy growing in one of the gardens we tend to. Trust me, the photo doesn’t do it justice! These bold and billowy blooms command your attention.

Poppies (we’re talking about the ornamental kind here, not those used for edible seed or illegal activity) are a very attractive and easy to grow flower of both annual and perennial varieties. The large, crepe-like petals (4-6, depending on variety) come in all shades and sit atop stems that can grow up to 2 1/2 – 4 feet high. The flowers only last about a week, but are showstoppers until their petals open flat around the blue pollen coasted stamen and eventually drift to the ground. They will also reseed themselves in the same manner.

Besides adding punches of color to a landscape, they make great for great cut flowers as well. Though they have long been used as symbols of both death and sleep, Poppies are a popular flower found in the markets during the spring season. If you cultivate them in your yard, be sure to cut them in the early morning when the buds are just barely unfolding for a long lasting bloom in the vase. Once the season for Poppies has petered out, the markets will still have their pods available. They are used as botanical accents to add texture to design. A plant of many uses!

What’s Blooming {Iris}

2011-06-07T14:57:00.001-04:00

Yikes! It’s been nearly a week since I last posted and this next flower is already making it’s retreat from the heat.

Iris is technically a genus of 260 species of flowering plants, but the name is also widely used as a common name for all the species. Apparently the name is taken from the Greek word for a rainbow, which is fitting for a flower with such a variety of colors. My favorite is a beautiful shade of butter cream yellow found in the garden, but they also come in the more common shades of purple, “blue”*, maroon, white, etc. You’ll often see blooms of “blue”, bright yellow, and white at your local flower shop.

Irises are perennial herbs (though don’t try using them to spice up dinner tonight!) with long flowering stems growing from a base of sword-shaped leaves. They come bearded or beardless (weird terms for flowers, I know). Bearded irises are constructed with three petals that grow upward while three other petals open away from the center. Kind of like a fleur-de-lis, which, not so coincidentally, was designed after the flower itself! The open petals sport a strip of fuzz or the “beard.” Though it usually looks more like a caterpillar than a beard. “Mustached” would even be pushing it. The variety that you find in the floral cooler are beardless and all the petals eventually open in full.

* I use “” marks because there is no true blue iris. They are all varied shades of purple, some cooler than others, giving the illusion of “blue”.

What’s Blooming {Peony}

2011-06-01T15:47:00.001-04:00

We all have our most favorite flowers. You know, the one you covet most on your list of loves. The one that makes you go weak in the knees and sigh with delight. For me, that’s the Peony. Their large, romantic blooms embody such grace and simplistic elegance that I can’t help but swoon in their presence. No others come close, though there is a long list vying for second place.

During their painfully short season (late spring/early summer – otherwise know as NOW!), I’m like a kid on Christmas morning; slipping my galoshes over pajamas and sneaking out of the house, all the while hoping no one sees me, to clip a few of the feathered flowers before I start my day. This morning I cut an extra few just in case the weather turns on us. Have you heard about these tornado warnings in NH and MA? What’s that about?!

I favor the “Double” flower type (so lush with petals!), but would also take any version. With well over 25 species, peonies can be classified by both plant growth habit (herbaceous bush or tree) and by flower type (Single, Japanese, Anemone, Semi-Double, Double, and Bomb-Double) - each category becoming more complex and numerous in the arrangement of petals. Herbaceous peonies die back in winter and springing from “eyes” in spring, while tree peonies lose their leaves and leave their woody stems to winter. The flowers range in shades of white to pink, red and even yellow.

The peony is named after Paeon, a student of Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine and healing. As goes many of the myths responsible for the names of some of our favorite flowers, this was a story of a relationship gone wrong. Asclepius became jealous of his pupil and Zeus stepped in to Paeon from his teacher’s wrath by turning him into the peony flower.

Well thank you, Zeus, for if it weren’t for you, I would be without my most beloved of blooms! I’ll soak up every last second of happiness they bring me before the summer heat ushers out their last flowers or before the tornadoes whirl them out of sight. I suggest you seek them out as well.

What’s Blooming {Lilac}

2011-05-26T12:19:00.001-04:00

A fresh cut bunch of these fragrant beauties sits atop my bookshelf table as I type; an uninhibited and slightly wild grouping of woody stems with purple blooms peeking out from the mass of leaves as nature intended (courtesy of my grandmother’s backyard).

Lilacs abound in New England for a brief but spectacular season in the Spring (usually early May). They are a fast fading bloom, but very popular. The flowers will usually last 3-5 days. The trick to a longer bloom is to cut them when the tiny star-shaped flowers are just beginning to burst open and the majority are still just engorged buds. Also, resist the urge to plop them into a pool of ice cold water and opt for lukewarm instead. It will help them drink faster and stay hydrated longer.

Syringa, or Lilac, is a genus of about 20–25 species of flowering woody plants in the olive family. They are deciduous shrubs or small trees that explode with flowers in shades of purple, or in some varieties, white, pink, dark burgundy color or even pale yellow.

The Syringa vulgaris has a special place in the hearts of fellow New Hampshirites as our home’s official state flower. They are "symbolic of that hardy character of the men and women of the Granite State" (New Hampshire Revised Statute Annotated (RSA) 3:5).

Every May the Arnold Arboretum in Jamaica Plain celebrates "Lilac Sunday". During this celebration of Spring, the The Arboretum shows off its collection of over 400 lilac plants and opens the grounds for picnicking (the only day of the year it’s allowed). Unfortunately the festival was held May 8th this year and we missed it. I’ll have to settle for my bunch of blooms at home for now.

What’s Blooming {Tulips}

2011-05-18T12:06:00.001-04:00

It’s raining. Again. It’s hard to stay positive when everything is so damp and dreary, I know. I was at the flower market this morning and in a moment of weakness I caved and bought myself a bunch of these orange beauties. Like you all, I too need a little color in my life these days. Yes, I’m usually surrounded by vibrant blooms, but even I needed a little pick-me-up at on my desk this week.

Few things are more beautiful than a simple bunch of tulips spilling out of a vase. Groupings of the Dutch variety, the elegant long stems of French, or the ruffled petals of the Parrott, it doesn’t matter. I love them all. I take full advantage of their abundance while in season and it saddens me that they are quickly making their exit.

So, as an homage to their simple beauty, a post on the last of our spring bulbs in this series…

Tulips are perennial bulb plants with showy flowers found in a wide range of shades (basically anything other than true blue). They belong to the family Liliaceae and are grown in gardens beds, containers, or for harvest as fresh-cut flowers. Depending on the species, tulip plants can range in height from as short as 4 inches to as high as 28 inches. Strap shaped leaves with a waxy coating surround a single stem that usually produces only one flower per stem, though a few species bear multiple flowers. The showy, generally cup or star-shaped flower has three petals and three sepals, which are often termed tepals because they are nearly identical.

Enjoy them while they last!

Find the Newt! (again)

2011-05-16T19:50:00.001-04:00

So it turns out that there was no newt to be found in April’s edition of NH Magazine! There is a very nice apology to those who strained their eyes looking for the little bugger last month and the magazine is offering up two prizes for those willing to give it another go in May. You could win our lovely spring/summer door piece (below) as well as a year’s subscription! For those of you without a current subscription, click here to find your local retailer.

Happy hunting!

Yellow & Grey – A Prepare To Wed Shoot

2011-05-13T14:45:00.001-04:00

In case you missed it on the Facebook Page, check out our post on the Prepare To Wed blog. It has all the details of our shoot at the Inn at Round Barn Farm in Waitsfield, VT. It was so much fun to design for this project and we hope you enjoy the end result!

Click HERE

What’s Blooming {Daffodils}

2011-05-11T09:06:00.001-04:00

A short post on these quickly fading blooms! It’s hard to believe it’s already May and the bulb plants are already making their exit.

Daffodils, or Narcissus, are of the Amaryllis family and bloom from bulbs in the New England spring. There are somewhere between 50 and 100 different variations of this trumpet-like bloom, including species variants and wild hybrids.

It’s is yet another spring flower with a name derived from Greek mythology. As the story goes, Narcissus became so obsessed with his own reflection as he kneeled and gazed into a pool of water that he fell into the water and drowned. Another variation of the tale depicts an entranced Narcissus trapped on the water’s edge by his reflection until he died of thirst and starvation. In both versions, the Narcissus plant first sprang from his post on the riverbed. As a result, the flower is widely seen as a symbol of unrequited love.

All species of Daffodil have a central corona surrounded by a ring of six floral leaves which unite to form a tube at the forward edge of the ovary. The usually yellow flowers (though also found in white and shades of green)are divided as follows: The three outer segments are sepals, and the three inner segments are petals. Growers have developed some Daffodils with double, triple, or ambiguously multiple rows and layers of segments, and several wild species also have known double variants.

They aren’t all pretty though! All varieties of this cheery bloom contain the alkaloid poison lycorine, concentrated mostly in the bulb but also in the leaves. The bulbs can sometimes be confused with small onions and can make you very ill. So don’t eat them!

Daffodils also cause a bit of trouble for florists, but the season is so short that we don’t mind. When cut they secrete a sap that can harm other flowers. If mixed with other blooms, the stems cannot be recut before arranging or else the sap will be released again and effect the rest of the piece. The calcium oxalate in the sap can also cause "daffodil itch," a dermatitis issue. I much prefer to use them in landscapes, rather than in arrangements!

To all the Moms and Mommies-To-Be!

2011-05-08T09:25:00.001-04:00

Happy Mother’s Day to all the Moms and Mommies-To-Be out there! Special wishes to our three former Brides expecting this year!!!

And love to my own wonderful Mom!

What’s Blooming? {Hyacinth}

2011-05-04T14:56:00.001-04:00

Next in our “What’s Blooming” series: Hyacinth. These perennial spring bulbs first make their appearance as long, narrow leaves that are folded lengthwise. Once the buds mature, they pop as highly fragrant flowers that bloom in dense clusters of a wide range of colors: peach, orange, salmon, yellow, pink, red, purple, lavender and blue. The flowering spikes can be as short as 6 inches or grow to a leggy foot tall. They can be planted indoors and out, making them a favored gift in the spring. These blooms are also used in springtime cut flower arrangements.

Hyacinths bear the name of a beautiful youth loved by both the god Apollo and the West Wind, Zephy Greek mythology. One telling outlines Hyacinth’s passing as an accident. In an attempt to impress Apollo, Hyacinth ran to catch a discus thrown by the god, but he was struck by the disc and died. Another version of the tale marks Zephyrus as responsible for the death of the namesake. Apparently Hyacinth’s beauty caused a feud between Zephyrus and Apollo. Jealous that Hyacinth preferred the archery god Apollo, Zephyrus purposely blew Apollo's discus off course to injure Hyacinth. Either way, Apollo did not allow Hades to claim Hyacinth. Instead, the god made a flower from Hyacinth's spilled blood. (pseudo-Apollodorus, i. 3.3., Lucian,Dialogues of the Gods; Servius, commentary on Virgil Eclogue iii. 63; Philostratus, Imagines i.24; Ovid Metamorphoses x. 184)

{Muscari}

Two for one today! Closely related to the Hyacinth is the Muscari, or grape hyacinths. These low, blue or white flowered plants appear similar in appearance to hyacinths in their bud form. They are also commonly cultivated in gardens for spring bloom and their delicate appearance makes them a perfect compliment in a cut bouquet.

Mother’s Day Specials!

2011-05-03T13:58:00.001-04:00

Mother’s Day is THIS Sunday!

Have you gotten something special for the wonderful women in your life?

Bright Spring Flower Arrangements

fresh cut flowers in the vibrant shades of spring
$35.00 - $45.00 - $55.00

Beautiful Blooming Plants

cheery 6" planters in shades of purple, pink or blue
Gerberas $25.00 - Begonias $30.00 - Azaleas $35.00

Orders accepted through Wednesday, May 4th. Order now for the best selection! designs@ideas-in-bloom.com or 603.620.2973

All items available for delivery or pick up. Delivery fees do apply. Delivery areas include Southern New Hampshire & the Greater Boston Areas.

What’s Blooming in London? {Lily of the Valley}

2011-04-29T09:18:00.001-04:00

Welcome to a special post of “What’s Blooming?,” the Royal Wedding edition! Amid all the pomp and circumstance of this international celebration, the flowers of the day were refreshingly understated and natural in shades of green and white. The star flower of the day: Lily of the Valley.

The white bell-shaped blooms symbolize purity and happiness; a wonderful choice for such an occasion. Botanical name Convallaria majalis, Lily of the Valley flowers are popular in wedding bouquets (soon to become even more so!), and also used to celebrate May Day in Europe.

Live Maple trees, with their newly sprouted leaves, lined the grand aisle of famed Westminster Abbey, giving the somewhat imposing space the feel of a more intimate springtime garden. Planted at their bases were beds of ferns and Lily of the Valley. It was the first hint of what was to come.

The second sign? Maid of Honor, Pippa Middleton, had springs of the spring flower tucked into her hair . A perfect compliment to her elegant white attire. She was also flanked by the young maids carrying posies with sprigs of Lily of the Valley.

And then there was the Princess bride. Stunning in her Alexander McQueen gown and carrying a teardrop bouquet of the fragrant flower, spilling gracefully over her hand. Royal bouquets are traditionally all white and this was no exception. Also, if tradition reigns, a spring of myrtle will be hidden somewhere in the bouquet, as every royal wedding bouquet has since Queen Victoria's wedding in 1840.

Shane Connelly, a London based designer who has a history of working with the Royal family, was tasked with the floral design for the big event. The themes of the day: seasonal British blooms. “I suggested right from the beginning that we would use things from the royal estates because her [Kate] whole ethos has been that it had to be British, which would be mine as well, and that it had to be seasonal and as organic to the place as possible,” Connelly said. Going further to ensure a green element to the day, William and Kate have requested that much of the plant materials be replanted at Highgrove Estate or donated to charities.

Today the world took in this beautiful event that will certainly set trends for years to come. My predictions for flowers trends going forward, some of which were already on their way into the mainstream: A return to simplicity, white or soft colored flowers, smaller teardrop bouquets, and nods to nature through the use of plants and trees indoors.

What’s Blooming? {Crocus}

2011-04-26T08:55:00.001-04:00

In the spirit of the season when everything is fresh and new I thought it would be fun to start a new series of posts: What’s Blooming?

Yes, you probably know the names of most of the common blooms (unless you are my husband – don’t worry, he won’t take offense to that), but hopefully we’ll add to your existing knowledge and highlight a few new plants for you as the growing season progresses. Let’s get started!

The Crocus. It is one of the first flowers to bloom come spring and is a welcome signal of the end of winter. Their cup-shaped blooms push through newly soften earth or even a layer of snow to reach heights of two to six inches. They pop in shades of yellow, white, purple, and lavender. Some have bi-colored or variegated blooms and all varieties have grass-like leaves that usually have a white stripe along the center.

These petite flowers are members of the iris family and are hardy perennials. Their name is derived from the Latin crocatus, meaning saffron yellow. The spice saffron is obtained from the stamens of Crocus sativus, a fall-blooming species. Now, I can hear the wheels turning in your head if you are a cook. “Hey, saffron is pricey. I’m going to go out and raid the neighbor’s yard!” Don’t. First of all, you won’t win any favor with the neighbors, and secondly, we have the spring blooming variety in New England, so please don’t try to collect your own!

Crocuses bloom from corms, which are short, compressed stems similar to bulbs. They are flatter and have “eyes”, or buds, at the top from which new shoots emerge. Each year a new corm forms on top of the old one, and tiny corms, called cormels, form around its base. Each corm produces one to five blooms a season. When planted in proper conditions, most self-sow the next generation.

If you’d like to add these cheerful little bursts of spring to your landscape, plant them in full sun to partial shade. They also prefer well-drained soil and have good drought tolerance. They do well in rock and wall gardens and look best when planted in mass drifts for maximum impact.

Happy Easter!

2011-04-24T11:09:00.001-04:00

Spring blooms to match the balmy weather today: Tulip, Hyacinth, Daffodil & Crocus.

Go Green: Earth Day 2011

2011-04-20T07:58:00.001-04:00

This Friday, April 22, is Earth Day! The Earth Day Network is making it very easy to give a little something back to Mother Earth this year. They’ve devised a campaign to encourage mass participation: A Billion Acts of Green®.

Visit http://www.earthday.org/ for some great ideas of simple steps to take that will make a big difference (eating more locally sourced food, changing out your light bulbs, planting a garden, etc). You can declare your Act of Green, organize an Earth Day event, or find an event near you to attend.

Each Act pledged is counted towards the goal of one billion ahead of the 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. As of 7:30am this morning the count was 100,499,089. Add you pledge to the growing number!

I made a personal pledge to support my local farmer’s market more than ever this season and to finally plant that wildflower garden that I never seem to have time for. As a business we always prefer to buy seasonal cut flower products and jump on the chance to purchase locally grown stock. Maybe this is the year that we begin our own cut flower garden in earnest. What will you do?

From more information visit the Earth Day Network website or their Facebook page.

Ahoy! Flowers for a landmark birthday…

2011-04-18T11:37:00.001-04:00

Whew, it’s been a busy week! Unfortunately I didn’t have the chance to post pictures of this nautically themed party held last weekend until now.

A faithful customer hosted the bash and gave us a copy of the invitation as inspiration. We took the idea and ran with it!

We wrapped a seaside inspired driftwood and seashell wrap around a teal blue vase reminiscent of coveted sea glass. It then was filled with Blue Delphinium, white Snapdragons, Thistle Blue Flower, red Alstromaria, and bright yellow Pincushion Protea.

A second arrangement was done up in a wooden sailboat base. So cool! The arrangement was filled with Thistle Blue Flower, red Alstromaria, bright yellow Pincushion Protea, green Hypericum Berries. It was topped off with white Snapdragons placed in a large arch from stern to aft like a sail.

Tired of waiting for Spring? So are we.

2011-04-05T15:38:00.001-04:00

I don’t know about you, but the lack of color in my life is starting to take it’s toll. I like to think of myself as a hearty New Englander, but even we have our limits! Spring fever is in full effect.

If you’ve got the lingering winter blues, let us create a little bit of Spring for you! Permanents (high quality silks) are a great way to brighten up your home. Window boxes, door pieces, etc. They’ll never wilt and can be used year after year. Already have a piece that’s in need of a makeover? We do that too!

P.S. Remember, you can win one of our pieces by participating in New Hampshire Magazine’s Find the Newt contest…in this month’s issue NOW!

Best of … with your help!

2011-04-01T08:40:00.001-04:00

One of the best parts of our job is hearing the amazing feedback we receive from happy customers and brides. It gives us the warm & fuzzies inside! If you like our work, please take a few minutes to complete New Hampshire Magazine’s Best of Bride 2011 contest and vote for Ideas in Bloom. In a business where referrals are key to success, we are so very appreciative of our loyal fan base (that means you)!

Vote TODAY through June 30th!

Oh, and don’t forget about some of our industry friends based in New Hampshire: Tastefully Wright Special Occasion Cakes, Pat’s Peak Banquet Facilities, Kate Parker Weddings, Joanna Puza Photography & Adam Flaherty Videography

Spring Baby Shower

2011-03-29T13:22:00.001-04:00

Spring…the warmth of the sun after a long winter, the chirping of fuzzy hatchlings, hints of color emerging from the newly softened earth. While this week’s biting cold may not feel very Spring-like, we can look forward to the promise of new life all around us. What better way to welcome the season than with a celebration of babies?!

Pam created the pieces below for a joint baby shower this weekend. The event was held in honor of two childhood friends preparing to welcome their new additions within months of each other! The flowers were designed to match this adorable hand-knit giraffe each first time mommy-to-be received.

Cluster of pussy willows tucked into a basket arrangement containing blue hydrangea, pink & orange lilies, purple stock, and green hypericum berries.

Pink & orange lilies, pink tulips, orange ranunculus, and stalks of pussy willows in a spray of lily grass.

Find the Newt! April’s New Hampshire Magazine on stands now!

2011-03-25T09:11:00.001-04:00

Enjoy a challenge and looking to add a bit of Spring color to your front door? Get the most recent copy of New Hampshire Magazine hot off the press! We’re excited to announce that Ideas in Bloom is sponsoring the Find the Newt contest in the April publication.

Find the newt and this beautiful door piece could be yours!

Click Here to find the recently stocked newsstand nearest you

* See magazine for contest rules*

New Hampshire Magazine is the essential guide to living in the Granite State, each month joining readers in a quest for all the best the state has to offer. They present features on the most fascinating people, most entertaining places and most delicious cuisine and offer departments on everything from health to home to humor. New Hampshire Magazine Online

Weekend Happening – Boston Flower & Garden Show

2011-03-18T09:43:00.001-04:00

Looking to add a little color to your weekend? Check out the Boston Flower & Garden Show at the Seaport World Trade Center. This year’s theme is "A Burst of Color: Celebrating the Container Garden."

Container gardening can spruce up any space, from the city roof deck to a mature country landscape. We’ve been using them for years to add pops of color and vibrancy to our customers’ homes. They are also a great (and green!) way to add a garden feel to a wedding ceremony or reception.

Hours
Friday, March 18, 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday, March 19, 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sunday, March 20, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Admission
Adults                $20
Seniors (65+)     $17
Children 6-17      $10
Under 6             Free

Click here for more info

Photo from the Boston Flower & Garden Show website

Irish Charm

2011-03-17T11:55:00.001-04:00

Parades, festivals, shamrocks and lots of green. Today is a day to celebrate all things Irish! As it’s my first St. Patrick’s day as an O’Neil (a Condon O’Neil at that!), I thought it fitting to honor my roots on the blog today.

There is a certain charm associated with the Irish. Visions of the romantic windswept countryside, the lighthearted merriment, the “luck of the Irish”… it’s alluring. What better inspiration for a wedding? Here’s a nod to the magnetism of the Emerald Isle.

Arrangement from Real Simple, Ring Pillow from Martha Stewart, Cake from The Sweetest Occasion, Chic Corners Invitation from Wedding Paper Divas, Clover Key Necklace from Imaginary Girl, Groomsmen Photo from Intimate Weddings, Pewter Cufflinks from Gifting Girls, Dress from The Vintage Wedding Dress Company

May love and laughter light your days,
and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours,
wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world
with joy that long endures.
May all life's passing seasons
bring the best to you and yours!

Celebrating Women Today and Everyday

2011-03-08T11:57:00.001-05:00

Today, March 8th, is International Women's Day. It’s the 100th anniversary no less! Observed since the early 1900's, this celebration is recognized worldwide. Tradition has it that men honor their mothers, wives, girlfriends, colleagues, etc with flowers and small gifts (not the reason for this post, by the way). In some countries IWD has a status much like Mother's Day where children give small presents to the women in their lives.

Now some of you may be saying to yourselves, “I thought I heard something about March being Women’s History Month, but this International Women’s Day thing is news to me.” On the whole, our nation has been a bit slow to celebrate the accomplishments of women. Taking a step forward 1978, the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County (California) Commission on the Status of Women initiated a “Women’s History Week,” scheduled the week of March 8 to coincide with International Women’s Day. The celebration was mirrored around the country and soon Congress was encouraged to declare a national Women’s History Week. This became official in 1981 thanks to Rep. Barbara Mikulski and Sen. Orrin Hatch. In 1987, the National Women’s History Project petitioned Congress to expand the celebration to the entire month of March, a resolution that has been approved every year with bipartisan support in both the House and Senate.

Some of you may also be saying to yourselves, “Do we really still need a whole month dedicated to women?” Recent years have seen a shift in society's (and even women’s) perception of equality. Younger generations have seen women reaching new heights in business, equality in legislative rights, and visibility. It is too easy to forget the people who blazed the hard-won path that got us to this point and to recognize that there is still pioneering to be done.

The theme of this year’s Women’s History Month: Our History is Our Strength. “Our shared history unites families, communities, and nations. Although women’s history is intertwined with the history shared with men, several factors - social, religious, economic, and biological - have worked to create a unique sphere of women's history.” (National Women’s History Project) The narratives of the individuals who have fought so hard and their achievements are the foundation of today’s successes.

However heartening that message is, the unfortunate truth is that women are still not paid equally to that of their male counterparts, women still are not present in equal numbers in business or politics, and globally women's education, health and the violence against them is worse than that of men.

There is good news to be had in the small business world. There are now more than 10 million women owned businesses in the US today. Even more encouraging is the fact that women owned businesses are growing at the twice the rate of all other new businesses. (Thanks to the SBA Office of Advocacy for those fun facts) The wedding industry creates great opportunity for such ventures. We’ve had the pleasure of meeting and working with so many strong and determined ladies who are making a name for themselves out there.

So on this, the 8th of March, our small women owned business wishes all of those ladies out there a wonderful International Women’s Day! Take a moment to recognize the women in your life and community and support their efforts, whatever they may be.

To learn more about Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, check out these sources:

A Visit to the Emerald City

2011-02-25T16:27:00.001-05:00

No, I didn’t follow the yellow brick road, but I did take advantage of the long President’s Day weekend to fly out to Seattle to surprise a dear friend for her birthday. Total success, by the way, complete with shrieking and jumping up and down!

We spent a wonderful sunny day (no rain the entirety of the trip!) walking about downtown before heading north for the remainder of my stay. Strolling about under bright blue skies, I spotted clear signs of spring sprouting from the ground that rid me of my New England winter blues.

I’ve always enjoyed my visits to the Pacific Northwest and have marveled at their commitment to green initiatives. Sure, the moisture-heavy climate is perfect for plant growth and the landscape is breathtaking, but even the cities are “green.” Take this building for example. Overlooking Pike Place Market and Puget Sound, it hosts gardens on every patio level. I also saw a parking garage with a full-scale rooftop park, complete with lawns and gardens. Even City Hall sports a green roof. These are only a few examples of many.

The Northeast is also, albeit more slowly, shifting focus to more sustainable building projects like green roofs and walls. If designed correctly, these elements are not harmful to the architecture, are low maintenance, and require minimal water.

Green Roofs:

reduce storm water runoff
filter pollutants
improve air quality
help offset carbon footprint
can act as a sound proofing barrier
protect and increase the lifespan of the roof surface
insulate and cool buildings (reducing utility costs)
create habitat for birds and insects

Green Walls:

clean outside air of pollutants and offset carbon footprint
clean interior air space by removing harmful toxins
can act as a sound proofing barrier
insulate and cool buildings

They are also really pleasing to look at!

There aren’t too many examples of these projects springing up in New England, but if you are ever you can find yourself in Portsmouth, walk by Cava Tapas and Wine Bar on Commercial Alley. Unveiled this past September, a large, multi-piece garden wall hangs beside their patio seating.

Here’s to thinking green on a dreary day like today!

We’ve got that lovin’ feeling

2011-02-14T10:36:00.001-05:00

Google Joins the Wedding Biz

2011-02-11T11:50:00.001-05:00

Google has been improving the organizational skills of the masses for years now and as of yesterday they have cannon-balled into the wedding planning pond as well. The Google Blog (yes, powered by Blogger) rolled out new services for the frazzled bride: Wedding webpage templates, photo editing & design templates, specialized Google Docs for budgets and such, as well as Picasa web albums.

The design options are not extensive, but the other tools may be handy, especially for all those existing Googlephiles. So go forth and oogle over Google’s newest venture: www.google.com/weddings.

Wedding Revisited – Trish & Adam

2011-02-08T15:26:00.001-05:00

It’s overcast and rainy (or snowy, depending on where you are), so what better way to spend a few minutes this afternoon than to gaze at these beauties from Joanna Puza? Jo shot some fantastic images for Trish & Adam’s wedding this past October. You may remember that my original post about these two lovebirds include a peek at the adorable calves on their working farm. Too cute!

I may be a bit biased, but I was completely in love with Trish’s bouquet!

Loved the shots on the farm

Be sure to check out Joanna’s webpage (http://jpuzaphoto.com) for more photos in her wedding gallery. Also, if you are ever wandering about the downtown Concord, NH area, she’s recently set up shop in 9 Pleasant Street. Stop in to see the new client lounge and studio space!

Déjà vu

2011-02-03T16:17:00.001-05:00

Punxsutawney Phil has made everyone very happy by declaring that our shivering and shoveling days will soon be over. I decided to watch all the pomp and circumstance around the little guy’s decision (video here) and I’m not sure if the all-knowing rodent is on the up and up.

The poor thing gets tugged out from his artificial stump and plopped into the Inner Circle (their language, not mine) of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club up on Gobbler’s Knob. People are shouting and waving signs and it looked to me that the furry Seer of Spring was trying to make a break for it, away from the top-hatted groundhog enthusiasts. The president of the Club then proceeded to converse with Phil in “Groundhogese" to determine our wintery fate. Personally, I think that Phil mutters something like “Bugger off” and asks to be put back in his borough. Let’s give the poor creature a break. It’s a lot of pressure to put on a groundhog who didn’t apply for the gig (I bet he didn’t go to meteorology school either).

Either way it turns out, we know Spring will come at some point, even as storm after storm buries our good spirits under the heavy snow banks. But as our collective patience wanes thin, take solace in the fact that tulips, much like this one, will begin to push their cheery heads through the slush as the Earth enters its next season. So, just a bit more patience, my fellow New Englanders, we will be complaining about the unbearable muggy days of Summer in no time.

Build a little love this Valentine’s Day…

2011-02-01T09:51:00.001-05:00

Create your own armful of happiness or swing by to pick up a premade bouquet for your sweetie this Valentine’s Day!

We’re in New Hampshire Wedding Magazine!

2011-01-26T15:17:00.001-05:00

Pretty exciting news, blog followers! Two of our 2010 bouquets were included in the January publication of New Hampshire Wedding Magazine! We are the first two photos in the NH Bridal Bouquets feature on page 24.

To note, photo #1 (mango callas) was taken by the talented Jo Cush, and photo #2 (peonies and roses) was taken by our friends at Aurora Photography, Nora & Troy. Unfortunately that info got a little mixed up when it went to print :)

The magazine is a great place to find other talented New Hampshire vendors and this issue contains Real NH Weddings, Music that Moves You, as well as Memorable Reception Ideas. Visit their website for more: http://www.nhweddingmagazine.com/.

Hot off the Press! (the “E” Press that is…)

2011-01-25T11:26:00.001-05:00

WeddingWire, the nation’s leading wedding technology company, is thrilled to announce Ideas in Bloom, LLC has been selected to receive the prestigious annual WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 for Florists!

Recognition for the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011 is determined by recent reviews and extensive surveys from over 750,000 WeddingWire newlyweds. Our past clients are among those that shared their experiences on WeddingWire, the largest wedding review site in the nation.

Ideas in Bloom, LLC stands among the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire community, representing quality and service excellence within the wedding industry. Awards were given to the top wedding professionals across 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, and were based on the overall professional achievements throughout the past year.

“WeddingWire is honored to celebrate the success of the top-rated wedding professionals within the WeddingWire community,” said Timothy Chi, WeddingWire’s Chief Executive Officer. “With the annual Bride’s Choice Awards™ program, WeddingWire has the unique opportunity to recognize the best wedding professionals across the US and Canada. We applaud Ideas in Bloom, LLC for their professionalism and dedication to enhancing the wedding planning experience last year.”

We are happy to announce that Ideas in Bloom, LLC is among the very best Florists within the WeddingWire Network, which includes leading wedding planning sites WeddingWire, Martha Stewart Weddings, Project Wedding and Weddingbee. We would like to thank our past clients for nominating us to receive the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011.

For more information, please visit our WeddingWire Storefront today at http://www.weddingwire.com/reviews/ideas-in-bloom-llc-new-boston/6cebe76df46cdfd5.html.

For more information on the Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2011, please visit www.WeddingWire.com.

About WeddingWire, Inc.
WeddingWire.com, the nation's leading technology company serving the $70 billion wedding industry, is the only online wedding planning resource designed to empower both engaged couples and wedding professionals. For engaged couples, WeddingWire offers the ability to search, compare and book over 200,000 local wedding vendors, from wedding venues to wedding photographers to wedding cakes. WeddingWire also offers an online community and a suite of cutting-edge planning tools for weddings, including wedding websites and wedding checklists, all at no charge. For wedding professionals, WeddingWire provides free online management tools creating the only market opportunity that gives local businesses control over their clients, reviews, leads and performance. Businesses that join the WeddingWire Network appear on WeddingWire.com and other leading sites, including MarthaStewartWeddings.com (NYSE: MSO), ProjectWedding.com and Weddingbee.com (both part of eHarmony), and Celebrations.com (part of the 1-800-Flowers family of brands, NASDAQ: FLWS).

Oh the Weather Outside is Frightful…

2011-01-24T07:37:00.001-05:00

I, like many of you, woke up this morning to below freezing temperatures. I like to think of myself as a relatively hardy New Englander, but -5° F (which, according to weather.com feels like -22°) is downright frigid!

While you all are bundling up in layer upon layer to protect yourselves from the biting cold this morning, I’m thinking about how to best protect our weekly flower pick-up from these cutting conditions. Flowers, like people, are susceptible to polar-like freezes. They, as well as indoor plants, contain moisture and can get frostbitten much more readily than you or me.

Here are a few tips for protecting blooms during the coldest days of our New England winters:

Bundle up! If you need a coat and gloves, chances are your flowers need extra protection too. Box or wrap them in heavy plastic before transporting outside if temperatures are anywhere near freezing.
Speed is of the essence. Don’t expose them for longer than you have to. Quickly transport bouquets between warm buildings or vehicles. Never leave them in a freezing cold car!
Drafty windows? Keep your arrangement safely away from those chilly panes.
Winter brides, weigh your options. Do you really want your bouquet in that must-have photo of you and your new husband under a romantically snow-tipped tree? You can get the shot, but be prepared for your posy to droop once you are back inside.

Stay warm today!

New Hampshire Magazine December 2010

2011-01-14T11:05:00.001-05:00

In case you missed it (like we did!) here’s a snap shot of our designs from the 2009 Nashua Symphony Orchestra & Chorus Holiday House Tour. For a closer look check out our Press tab above.

Thanks to Susan Howley and Joni Haley for their hard copies!

NEW Monthly Drawing!

2011-01-07T10:35:00.001-05:00

In an attempt to carry over some of that holiday cheer into the New Year, we are now offering a FREE (yes, free!) monthly drawing.

Check it out under the “NEW Monthly Drawing” tab, or click here!

Happy 2011 :)

An Ode to 2010

2011-01-01T17:30:00.001-05:00

Another year come and gone. I’m sure you all are resting up after raucous New Year’s Eve celebrations so I’ll keep this introspective short, sweet, and full of pictures.

2010 was memorable for many reasons, but our June wedding is at the top of my personal list. It was a beautiful, albeit rainy day, full of love and celebration. I may have bitten off more than I could comfortably chew doing all the flowers, but I was lucky enough to have loads of helping hands along the way. For all those DIYers out there, craft and create your hearts out in the months leading up to the wedding, but for goodness sake, take the day off the “day of!” I was so glad to have my army of wedding warriors (lead by the fearless Pam Condon, otherwise known as “Mom”) to set the stage for a wonderful evening.

We met so many amazing brides throughout the year and were honored to play a role in their weddings. From the tip of Vermont, to the quiet corners of New Hampshire, and down into the heart of Boston, each event was different and a perfect reflection of the couples. Variety is certainly the spice of our lives! Check out a few selective pictures below.

A big thank you to some of the talented photographers we met along the way! Featured above (in order of appearance): Joanna Puza, my little point-and-shoot, Aurora Photography , Harper Point, and Jo Cush.

Cheers to you all, and here’s to a wonderful 2011. We look forward to making it an amazing year, one beautiful garden or stunning wedding at a time!

Ashley & Guy Married 6.19.10

2010-12-19T07:39:00.001-05:00

Just in time for their six month anniversary! I know, this one’s a little late, but it’s here now. Pam gets all the credit for this one. It’s an anomaly that only one of us does a wedding, but I was off on my honeymoon and she took care of every last detail.

Ashley and Guy were married on a beautiful piece of private property right on the Piscataqua River in New Boston. They had a wonderfully sunny day, perfect weather to showcase their vibrant wedding colors. Bright pinks, yellows and greens punctuated their outdoor ceremony.

Photos by Marsha of Harper Point Photography (Amherst, NH)

Ashley adores Tulips, Gerbers and Carnations, all of which made of a beautiful bouquet when accented with green Bells of Ireland and Hypericum Berries. Green, pink and yellow votives filled with blooms hung from shepherd's hooks down the aisle where an arbor full of flowers waited, flanked by various planters.

The groom’s boutonniere included a few sprigs of Rosemary as a nod to his profession – chef! In fact, the wedding was held just down the lane (yes, there are lanes in New Boston) from their restaurant, The Northeast Cafe. Pretty convenient considering Guy did all the prep for their wedding feast!

The cute couple in the Cafe (photo pilfered from the Cafe’s Facebook page – taken by Monica)

Such a beautiful wedding for this enterprising couple! If you are ever in New Boston, be sure to stop into the Cafe for a sandwich, one of their delicious specials, or a cozy dinner with a romantic river view.

Spotlight…On Us!

2010-12-18T19:04:00.001-05:00

The ladies over at Prepare to Wed (another website you should add to your list of “must visits”) were nice enough to write up a neat little feature on us. Check it out!

Pantone Reveals Color of the Year for 2011

2010-12-09T17:40:00.001-05:00

Pantone created a flurry of tweets and online buzz today by announcing the new “it” color of 2011. Drum roll please…Honeysuckle! Or as I call it, pink.

“In times of stress, we need something to lift our spirits. Honeysuckle is a captivating, stimulating color that gets the adrenaline going – perfect to ward off the blues,” explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “Honeysuckle derives its positive qualities from a powerful bond to its mother color red, the most physical, viscerally alive hue in the spectrum.”

Eiseman continues, “The intensity of this festive reddish pink allures and engages. In fact, this color, not the sweet fragrance of the flower blossoms for which it was named, is what attracts hummingbirds to nectar. Honeysuckle may also bring a wave of nostalgia for its associated delicious scent reminiscent of the carefree days of spring and summer.”

Instead of joining the online banter (my current favorite quip: @socalgecko Pantone announces Color of the Year for 2011. They should've named it "Pepto" since the economy's still causing ulcers), or point out to Pantone that I was totally ahead of the curve on this one with my own 2010 wedding, I decided to harness all that festive and uplifting power Eiseman highlighted and create an inspiration board. A little something simple and fun with accents of orange and yellow…

Dresses - The White Dress By The Shore, Invitation - Wedding Paper Divas, Candy Spread - Amy Atlas Events, Cake - The Knot

For more about the newly minted hot color of 2011 click here for the full press release.

Candlelight Stroll

2010-12-07T13:53:00.001-05:00

Looking for a festive holiday activity? Strawbery Banke in Portsmouth is hosting their annual Candlelight Stroll (weekends through December 19th.)

Hundreds of candles and strings of twinkling lights lead you through the beautifully preserved homes and workshops filled with 350 years of winter traditions.

What amazed me the most was the abundance of local materials used to create the decor. Every wreath, swag and arrangement was made in the tradition of the period. They featured an assortment of berries, barks, seed pods, greens and dried flowers harvested locally, just as the original occupants would have done. I even saw a perfectly preserved daffodil tucked into a spray on a mantle. How they managed that I’ll never know!

Walking through the glowing candlelit grounds was truly magical. I can’t help but think of what a spectacular wedding site it would be. Turns out the unique space is available for rental! I’ve been daydreaming of the beautiful vintage bouquets perfect for such a space ever since…

Wedding Revisited – Nan & Jim

2010-11-22T09:13:00.001-05:00

You may remember our initial post (and the terribly lit photos from my little point-and-shoot) about Nan & Jim’s Boston wedding. Jo from Jo Cush Photography was kind enough to provide these fabulous images from the October 16th celebration. The couple blended tradition and their clean modern style for a stylish fall look that really comes through in these photos.

Simple but brilliant mango calla lilies were the theme of the bridal party for the ceremony at St Brigid Parish in South Boston.

The reception, held in the City Suites of the State Room in downtown Boston, boasted incredible views of the twinkling skyline. The cocktail tables featured alternating tablescapes: low cylinders filled with vibrant mokara orchids with bloom scatter, as well as a trio of votives surrounded by blooms.

The dining space was breathtaking. Tall clear cylinders weighted by polished river stones sprouted branches full of natural fall foliage on half of the tables. The other half displayed a trio of clear cylinders of varying heights filled with spiraled mokara orchids. Every table had a scattering of the orange orchid blooms and twinkling votives.

To see a complete slideshow of Nan & Jim’s big day, visit Jo Cush’s blog.

A big thanks to Jo for her images! With an extensive travel history and a background in graphic design, Jo’s camera captures amazing detail as well as all those big moment shots. She does it all; from love to families to beauty & portraits. Check her out!

One Week!

2010-11-18T08:07:00.001-05:00

Accepting orders and delivery through Wednesday the 24th.

Order early for the best selection!

Reminder - Upcoming Holiday Event

2010-11-17T10:00:00.001-05:00

Bedford Village Inn Holiday Shopping Stroll

Sunday, November 28th

10am – 3pm

A great collection of holiday artisans (including us!) showing unique wares. Come shop for those on your gift list or maybe get a little something for yourself. We will have our always popular wreaths and swags as well as new basket designs for your door. Stay tuned for a full post about our 2010 holiday line!

Click HERE for a full listing of vendors

Bouquet of the Week

2010-11-16T12:22:00.001-05:00

Rich fall colors with a touch of whimsy!

Thanksgiving Countdown – Two Weeks!

2010-11-11T13:19:00.001-05:00

designs@ideas-in-bloom.com

Trish & Adam Married 10.30.10

2010-11-01T09:03:00.001-04:00

We love repeat family business! Trish’s sister Chrissy came to us for her very pink May wedding a while back and we were thrilled when Trish came back to plan her fall celebration. One of eight siblings (six girls!), there have been plenty of weddings to celebrate in their family and everyone seemed cool, calm and collected when I delivered the bridal party flowers.

The beautiful Bride and her bouquet!

Adam’s family runs a working farm in the Concord, NH area so we added a touch of rustic charm to the flowers for their church wedding.

The boutonnieres were wrapped in natural raffia and the mothers’ corsages had a wildflower look to them. My favorite were the little ring bearers’ sturdy hypericum berry clusters. Perfect for rowdy boys!

The six bridesmaids carried matching bouquets in bright fall colors to match the bride. The eldest of three flower girls carried a posy of cheery yellow mums, green hypericum berries, and red mini gerbers. Her younger counterparts carried single stems of mango callas.

The reception was held at Camp Spaulding in their rustic event space. The couple and their families did a great job of decorating the entrance with mums, pumpkins, and corn stalks from their farm. Inside, tables featured a centerpiece with a bottle of wine with a custom label displaying one of their engagement photos. We then scattered red and yellow mum blooms on each table to give them a subtle touch of color.

We also provided a small arrangement for the guest book table and the couple rented our reclaimed barn wood “reception” sign.

And, of course, I couldn’t leave town without visiting with a few of the farm’s young cows. So cute and friendly!

FLOWER BOARD:

Purple anemones, red roses, red gerbers, yellow billy balls, yellow roses with fiery red tips, mango callas, deep maroon scabiosa, purple stock, sunflowers, and more!

A Refined Take on Pumpkin Decor

2010-10-28T06:57:00.001-04:00

Love these sophisticated and shiny pumpkins from Real Simple! With Halloween just around the corner, bright orange jack-o'-lanterns can be found on almost every doorstep, but that vibrant color might not fit into every event’s palette. A few quick coats of metallic paint and you have some glam gourds. Integrate them into your centerpieces, line them on a mantle for a stunning display, or group a few at an entrance to greet your guests.

Upcoming Event

2010-10-27T15:37:00.001-04:00

It may be a balmy 70 degrees in Boston today, but it’s not too early to start thinking about the holidays. I can hear your collective groans, but let’s glance at the calendar, Thanksgiving is a mere month away!

What better way to usher in the holiday shopping season than to break free of that turkey coma at the end of the holiday weekend and join us at the annual Bedford Village Inn Holiday Shopping Stroll? Browse through an impressive assembly of vendors, gaze at the BVI’s always spectacular holiday decor, and top off your afternoon with a relaxing glass of spirits in their cozy Tavern.

Hooked you yet? Good, we will see you there!

Stayed tuned for the launch of our 2010 Holiday line of decor!

Seasonal Cut of the Day

2010-10-25T08:24:00.001-04:00

Purple artichokes! Not our usual seasonal bloom, but a great botanical to integrate into an autumn arrangement. The fall season revolves around the concept of the harvest and what better way to showcase the bountiful fruits of the earth than to use them as an accent in our floral work? These beauties were nestled in a bright fall mix with yellow sunflowers and rich red roses. They are also stunning grouped in a low centerpiece and I have seen them carried in bouquets by adventurous brides for a very organic/vintage look!

Scarecrow Alley 2010

2010-10-22T14:07:00.001-04:00

Those of you who drive through the “down town” section of our sleepy little town have noticed that the scarecrows have begun to congregate on the common again. The Recreation Department and Friends of the Library sponsor the annual Scarecrow Alley contest and there are some really great entries going up.

Our Garden Lady of last year was a bit traditional and we decided to go out of the box for this year’s creation. You can visit our “Garden of Earthly Frights” until October 30th. Once again we used live plant material in our constructions. The little “frights” are all live potted plants and our Wicked Witch sports a head of shocking blue hair that is actually live ivy. This is always one of the most fun community projects of the year!

Remember to vote in all three categories (family, business, organization) at the Town Hall, the Library, or Dodge’s Store.

Here’s hoping for a repeat!

It’s Here!!!

2010-10-19T09:02:00.001-04:00

The new website is here! Check it out!

www.ideas-in-bloom.com

A big thanks to Emily Ryan for all of her hard work!

Nan & Jim Married 10.16.10

2010-10-17T11:17:00.001-04:00

We had the pleasure of providing the floral decor for Nan and Jim’s wedding day in Boston. Nan carried a bouquet of mango calla lilies and burgundy hypericum berries tied with a satin ribbon to match. Her maid of honor held a slightly smaller bouquet of callas and the super cute flower girl had a small posy to match her new aunt’s bridal bouquet. Jim and his best man sported simple calla boutonnieres with berry accents and a black satin ribbon wrap. Following the early afternoon ceremony at St. Brigid’s Parish in South Boston, guests were treated to a boat cruise around Boston harbor while the Cityside Suites at the State Room were readied for their reception.

Nan and Jim have a great sense of style and took a fresh and modern approach to the classic fall look. The celebration began with a cocktail hour where guests enjoyed passed hors d'oeuvres and drinks as well as a stunning view of the dusky skyline. The room featured both low tables with seating and high-tops. Each low table featured spiraled vibrant orange mokara orchids atop polished river stones and a dusting of bloom scatter on the tabletop. The high-tops glowed with a trio of votives surrounded by the colorful orchid blooms.

As the cocktail hour came to a close, a partition wall gave way to the waiting dining room. Guests enjoyed a tasty meal as well as the stunning view of the glowing Boston skyline from 33 floors up.

Nan and Jim wanted to infuse a touch of rustic elegance into their dining design so we integrated natural branches into five tall arrangements held aloft in tall clear cylinders weighted by a bed of river stones. Each arrangement was surrounded by orange orchid blooms and flickering votives.

The remaining five dining tables featured a trio of clear glass cylinders of graduating height filled with the orange mokara orchids. River stones once again served as a base and blooms and votives completed the tablescape.

I was lucky enough to attend the event as a guest and the entire evening was such a beautiful celebration of this couple. It was such a pleasure to add to the already stunning ambiance of the State Room’s accommodations.

Congratulations again to the happy couple!

PS Apologies for the lighting and resolution of some of these photos. Time for a new camera :) If you’d like to see close-up of any of these images, visit our Facebook page.

Shari & Eli Married 10.10.10

2010-10-11T11:49:00.001-04:00

It was a beautiful morning for a wedding! Shari and Eli tied the knot at historic Gore Place in Waltham, MA. The former estate of Governor Christopher Gore, this Federal period historic house is owned and operated by the Gore Place Society, a nonprofit members organization dedicated to the preservation and restoration of Gore Place.

Shari had a very specific bouquet in mind for her special day – large sunflowers and orange roses with purple accents. We took that color scheme and expanded upon it for the reception arrangements. These pieces adorned the buffet tables, bar, and escort card table.

Shari and Eli love games, so they had created their own fun centerpieces out of the bits from some of their favorite board games. The escort cards were made from game pieces as well. Very creative!

I got to mill around the grounds a bit while waiting for the caterers to set up and captured quite a few photos. Enjoy…

(To be fair, the arrangement photos were taken before delivery)

And the first look!

Congratulations to Shari and Eli!

A BIG Thank You to Our Fans!

2010-10-08T13:30:00.001-04:00

We are thrilled to announce that YOUR votes propelled Ideas in Bloom into the top 25 blogs named winners of the 2010 Weddzilla.com Guru Awards!

Thank you, thank, thank you for your support! The winners were chosen based on votes from the Weddzilla community of Nearlyweds, wedding professionals from across the United States, and our wonderful fans. This blog is a lot of fun to write and it’s so great to know that you all enjoy it too!

We have posted links to all of the winning blogs in a new section of our right-hand sidebar. Check them out!

Click Here to view the full press release.

Boutonniere 101

2010-10-05T17:24:00.001-04:00

The busiest wedding weekend of the year is upon us (10-10-2010), so I thought it fitting to provide a refresher on the proper way to pin a boutonniere.

Step One: Hold the stem of the boutonniere, the front facing you, on the left lapel. It should sit about 4 inches below the top of the shoulder. Tilt on a slight angle to the right and take a step back to access the placement.

Step Two: Coming in from the outside of the body, use the pin to pierce the fabric from under the lapel beside the boutonniere stem.

Step Three: Move the pin over the top of the stem and pierce through the opposite side of the lapel. Pull tightly to secure the boutonniere. Ideally the pin should be placed so that any exposed section is camouflaged by foliage.

Step Four: In the event that the boutonniere is a bit heavy or the recipient is…lets say “particularly active,” a second pin can be used to secure it. We always provide two!

Image courtesy of Aurora Photography

Sneak Peek!

2010-10-05T12:28:00.001-04:00

Sneak peek of our scarecrow for New Boston’s Scarecrow Alley 2010! We’ve dubbed it “The Garden of Frights.” Here’s a few of the creatures in our “garden.” More photos to come once it’s up!

How are you decorating for Halloween?

Seasonal Decor That Lasts

2010-10-01T09:16:00.001-04:00

Happy October! There is no denying it now, it’s Fall. Time for apple picking, leaf peeping… and redecorating. Looking for less expensive ways to be festive? Silks are a great way to spruce up your home without breaking the bank. A one-time investment can provide years of enjoyment. Call us for your own custom adornment today!

Rustic wreath for a loyal customer

Unique container arrangement perfect for the hearth or foyer

Seasonal Cuts of the Day

2010-09-28T11:49:00.001-04:00

And they are back – Seasonal Cuts of the Day!

Fall offers an abundance of great seasonal flowers and accents. Gorgeous sunflowers (above)

Wispy broomcorn (above & below)

Beautiful cattails (above).

Playful Plumage

2010-09-24T13:50:00.001-04:00

Fall is such a great time to experiment with different textures and accents.

Feathers add a whimsical yet earthy touch to bouquets, boutonniers and arrangements. Tasteful tufts just exude a vintage-like grace that conjure up the simple elegance of an estate nestled in the English countryside.

It’s a great twist on the classic fall look!

Field Trip!

2010-09-19T21:10:00.001-04:00

I took advantage of this temperate Sunday afternoon and strolled around the Arnold Arboretum. It is the oldest public arboretum in North America. At a vast 265-acres, the Arnold Arboretum is both a research institution and public space. It was certainly a popular destination for families, runners, bicyclists, dog-walkers, and plant enthusiasts today.

Though the landscape wasn’t awash in color, the earthy tones of fall played backdrop to an abundance of berries, fruits, and seed pods. Without showy pops of color distracting the eye, one notices the interesting textures each plant specimen has to offer.

Even the most clueless about horticulture can enjoy a visit to the grounds. FREE guided tours are offered (click here to view the calendar), as well as printable maps for those who would rather move at their own pace. Admission is FREE every day of the year (except the major holidays), as is parking, so there really isn’t an excuse not to visit.

You can even use any part of the grounds for wedding ceremonies! And it’s FREE!!! You are welcome to conduct small (less than 40 people) wedding ceremonies, or other other group activities on the grounds. It would be a bit tricky since you can’t reserve a specific location on the property, erect a tent, or set up seating, but it would be a lovely spot for a very laid back couple or some gorgeous wedding photos. It would be a fun location for an engagement session as well. I’m a little sad I didn’t think about it myself!

It’s a beautiful spot to spend an afternoon. Just put on your walking shoes, grab a bottle of water and go!

View Full Album

Beautiful Botanicals

2010-09-16T16:20:00.001-04:00

‘Tis the season for a bounty of new botanical accents. Blooms are quickly going by and leaving behind some really interesting seed-pods and fruit. Including these unique accents in any arrangement adds an unexpected “wow factor.”

One of my personal favorites is the rose hip. During the New England summer months, seaside roadways and beaches boast brilliant fuchsia wild roses. I snapped this picture while strolling along the cliffs of East Chop on Martha’s Vineyard over the long Labor Day weekend. While it still had a lot of life in it yet, neighboring bushes were brimming with matured rose hips (pictured below).

Rose hips are the fruit of the rose bush that mature over the summer months and stand out as brilliant orange-red orbs in the early fall. They work great in arrangements or bouquets, adding a unique texture to any design.

Pam and I had to stop ourselves from trolling the MV roadways and beaches and harvesting every bunch in site!

SOWA Sundays

2010-09-01T09:04:00.001-04:00

This past weekend I spent a morning meandering around the stalls of the South End Open Market with a dear friend. It’s one of the best ways to spend a lazy Sunday morning in Boston. Start the day by indulging in a delicious brunch at any one of the number of tasty restaurants in the area. We chose the sunny curb-side patio at Stella. I suggest the eggs benedict with prosciutto cotto and spicy hollandaise, though I hear the frittata with herbed ricotta is a great choice as well. Hungry yet?

Next stop, the market. It’s a great place to walk off breakfast. Browse through the vendor tents and meet some great local artisans. SOWA brings in new artists every week, so there is always something new to see. It’s a great place to find presents for others or even a little something for yourself!

The brick warehouse along the right side of the tents houses the vintage market. There are plenty of good finds to be had here. Peruse everything from antique keys to vintage clothing. There are always unique vases and containers to be had if you are looking to create a vintage feel for your wedding, next dinner party, or your own personal collection. I picked up two of these cute and cheery ceramic pitchers for just a few dollars each.

All that walking work up an appetite again? Not to fear, SOWA is now featuring a rotating line-up of food trucks. There is also a farmers market in the adjoining lot if you’d rather a piece of fruit or other local produce on your way out the gates.

Admission and parking is free so there’s no reason not to go and explore!

Signs of the Season

2010-08-31T10:11:00.001-04:00

Well folks, it’s happened. Labor Day is upon us and Fall is close on its heels. Summer is quickly coming to a close.

We are all entitled to a moment of mourning as we reminisce about those afternoons spent basking in the hot sun and the warm summer evenings that followed. While we can bemoan the demise of these last temperate New England days, the signs of Fall are all around us.

NPR is reporting spottings of early color along the tree lines. We are seeing the same foliage transformation in the garden. These beautiful limelight hydrangeas have started their annual quick-change from pale chartreuse to an almost watercolor wash of rosy pink. Pumpkins are popping up at all the local farm stands, and mums welcome you at every supermarket entrance.

While there is a slight dread of the coming of crisper days and the downright chilly months to follow, we take solace in the anticipation of amazing seasonal products to come: graceful grasses, playful millet, golden stalks of wheat, and much more.

Peachy Keen

2010-08-25T12:22:00.001-04:00

If you’ve ever tended your own garden, you know that every year you pull in a bumper crop of a certain variety. Usually you have more tomatoes or zucchinis than you could possibly eat!

This year we have something a bit sweeter. Pam’s lone peach tree has been bearing fruit like Georgia’s orchards have gone on strike. She’s been giving them away by the bushelful and we still have a surplus.

What to do with all that juicy goodness?

You can grill them, can them, bake them, puree them, or even drink them. In researching recipes I came across this yummy treat on epicurious.com: Lavender and Peach Bellini. How delicious does that look? These would make a great addition to any bridal shower or engagement party menu.

Not ready float lavender in your cocktails? Here’s a recipe that’s all peach.

Bouquet of the Week

2010-08-24T11:03:00.001-04:00

Vivid violets to brighten this overcast day here in the Northeast.

Enjoy!

A Burst of Color

2010-08-17T08:36:00.001-04:00

Loved the simplicity of this colorful arrangement (for one of our weekly corporate deliveries) and thought I’d share!

Green spider mums are one of my favorite “playful” flowers and add a vibrant burst to any arrangement with their chartreuse blooms.

Hope it brightens your day too!

Flowers for “Brown Thumbs”

2010-08-11T11:27:00.001-04:00

Fabric flowers are a great way to add little romantic touches to your wedding. The best part? No need to water, clip, or arrange!

Here are a few interesting finds and easy DYI projects

Silk Flower Ring Pillow

From marthastewartweddings.com

Love her or hate her, Martha and her team always have great ideas. I love this ring pillow. The over-sized bloom is a great alternative to the birds’ nest trends of the last few years.

How-To

Ribbon Flower Runner

From marthastewartweddings.com

This runner really caught my eye. Guest book tables are always a difficult area to dress up and this is such a cute idea. And easy at that! All you need is heavy, double-faced ribbon of various designs and fabric-covered buttons.

Create a whimsical setting with a low arrangement of matching blooms or a framed photo of the bride and groom.

How-To

Floral Hairpiece

For my own wedding, I knew I didn’t want a traditional veil for our casual barn affair. Real flowers tucked into an up-do seemed too obvious a choice for a florist, so I decided that a blending of the two styles would be the perfect fix. Martha to the rescue again!

I found a pattern for fabric peonies and modified it a bit. Using netting I purchased for $2.00 at the local fabric store, I alternated white and ivory layers to match the color of my dress. Each of the two blooms were attached to a clear comb and accented with ivory pearl centers to compliment my jewelry.

How-To

Seasonal Cuts of the Day

2010-08-10T12:03:00.001-04:00

Native NH Dahlias

These showy blooms are easy plants to grow and yield beautiful flowers from mid-summer through fall.
They come in a huge range of colors and forms.

Sedum

This variation came right out of the garden. It’s shiny burgundy stems with dusky pink clustered starry flowers add unique texture to arrangements.

Add some mini sunflowers, stalks of millet, and whimsical accent flowers and you have a beautiful late summer bouquet!

Family Matters

2010-08-07T14:55:00.001-04:00

Family is important, we all know that. So why not include your family in your big day? First of all, they are cheap labor (funny, but true!). They can also make your wedding that much more meaningful.

For me and Chris it was an obviously choice to weave family into every aspect of our wedding. How better to mark the inception of our own family tree than with the help and support of our existing branches?

Family members are often called on to help address invitations, read passages during the ceremony, set up on the day of, and even officiate. We enlisted help for all of those things, and much more.

Not everyone has a grandmother who just happens to be a professional wedding cake designer, but surely there is hidden talent in your gene pool. Perhaps you have a crafty cousin who can help you assemble custom favors, or maybe your sister has the gift of song. Not only will you look back at your wedding day with those fond memories, but the planning process will be so much more fun!

Below is an homage to those (well most everyone) who were so invaluable at our wedding.

Images by Aurora Photography

Vote…and share with your friends!

2010-08-04T14:50:00.001-04:00

We recently joined the Weddzilla network and they have just launched their Guru Awards ‘10 for bloggers. Do you enjoy reading my tidbits and looking at our pictures? Then, please, pretty please, vote for our blog! Simply following the link and click on the arrow next to our name, then share the voting info far and wide.

VOTE HERE

Thanks for the support!

Seasonal Cut of the Day

2010-08-03T13:30:00.001-04:00

Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)

This native of North America blooms throughout the summer and is as hardy as they come. It loves the sun and is one of the most common wildflowers. It’s perky yellow petals brighten any summer arrangement. We used a few stems these week in an all red and yellow bouquet with Asiatic Lilies. A perfect hot combo for the steamy weather!