BETTER TV Apprearance - Valentine's Day Flowers

Be sure to tune into Better TV tomorrow, February 13 (check local listings) to catch me on the show discussing Valentine's Day trends and celebrity style with host Audra Lowe. I'll show you what's hot this season and what colors fit your style.

Better TV is seen in several cities across the country and is also availalbe on-demand online. Please tune in or watch online and let me know what you think!

If you haven't already ordered your Valentine's Day flowers, you still have time and maybe you'll get some good ideas from the show!

Better TV airs in these cities - please check your local listings for time and channel info: Phoenix, Portland, Hartford, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Nashville, Greenville, Las Vegas, Saginaw, Fort Myers, Green Bay, Chatanooga, and Springfield.

I hope you like the show because they've invited me back for a Spring Flowers segment! I'll let you know when that happens!

Here is the archive:

My Visit to the New York Flower Market

This week I had an amazing opportunity to visit the New York Flower Market. I had never been to any other flower market other than Los Angeles (which is one of the largest in the world). It is amazing to me the "low inventory" that is available to the New York Florists! In Los Angeles our market encompasses two full city blocks - massive warehouses with at least 75-100 vendors to buy from. In New York, it was located amongst other existing business (that aren't necessarily floral related) and each Wholesale Florist had about 2,500 square feet to work out of. There were approximately 10 vendors total (that I saw.) I just couldn't believe how "spoiled" we are in Los Angeles! The New York vendors still provided a beautiful selection of flowers but just not in the abundant amounts that we have in Los Angeles. I attached a few photos for you guys to get a glimpse of the New York market.

The other interesting difference were the hours that the market keeps. New York vendors start at 3 am and are open till 2 in the afternoon. Basically, a florist could actually sleep in!! In Los Angeles, the vendors arrive at 10 PM - market OPENS at 2 AM and most vendors are closed up by 8:30 AM (some linger around but not too many).

I would love the New York hours...but i'll keep the L.A. selection!

Hidden Garden Opened Eight Year's Ago on St. Valentine's Day 2000

Eight Years ago on February 14th The Hidden Garden opened its doors. Had I only realized that Valentine's Day was the busiest day of the year for florists I probably would have rethought that one!

On February 14, 2000 my girlfriend, mom & dad all helped me start The Hidden Garden. All my friends that I knew (and all their friends that they called!) ordered flowers from me. I was so unprepared! In retrospect it was funny but that day seemed like a total disaster. It started off so fun and cute. My girlfriend and I sat on our "stools" at the design table and took our time making these beautiful little arrangements on February 13th. The phone just kept ringing....it seemed like it wasn't going to stop. It was all my friends, being supportive, ordering their loved ones flowers. How lucky was I! To have these great clients/friends. By the end of Feb 13th I was exhausted. We went home thinking we should get some rest. Actually, we should have made a pot of coffee to keep us going!

The morning of the 14th we were back at it. Ready to get all the orders out the door. Who knew that with LA traffic and only 1 driver it would be impossible to get all the orders delivered! By 2 pm I was in tears. I didn't think we would get it all done. I even pulled my husband from his job to come pick up orders and deliver them to his office for me! He was driver number 2! By 8 PM all the orders were delivered. A little late but at least they all arrived to their destination on February 14th!

As the year pass I learn more and more. The biggest lesson was that of February 14, 2000. It's always fun to look back and reminence how far we've come. But only for a minute because Valentine's day is only seven days away!

Superbowl Tailgate Party

We had the most amazing job opportunity when we were asked to prepare all the floral designs for the NFL's Superbowl Tailgate Party, the VIP event of this year's big game. It was unlike any job we have ever done! We are used to large events but this was much larger than any normal job! The designs had to be oversized, eyecatching from yards away, unique yet consistent so that the guests would remember which tent they were actually in! The total event was over one million square feet. You can only imagine the vast amount of space we were covering.

I took an amazing crew of our L.A. designers with us to Glendale, Arizona. We had a blast creating unique and custom designs that were eye catching for the party goers, yet representative of the region.

We really tried to work with items that would seem ideginous to the Arizona area. Florals such as cactus, succulents, hypercium berries, agave plants, accacia knifeblade and silver tree. We also incorporated florals that might not be a part of the traditional Arizona landscape but fit into the decor of their respective areas at Superbowl Tailgate. Some items included amazing Orchid displays in the Spa Domes, Red Dyed Magnolia Leaves and Burgundy cymbidiums in the Native American Tent and White Dendrobium Orchids and Silver Rocks in the Team Tent.

The game was thrilling between the New England Patriots and New York Giants, and you could feel the excitement. We were so exhausted by the time the game started and just hoped we could contribute to a memorable party experience. We are finally home after a long week of work but definitely looking forward to the opportunity to do it all again next year in Tampa!!

Valentine's Day Celebrity Style: Pink is the New Red

I recently had the opportunity to talk with Lisa Chase, founder and editor of CelebrityEverthing.com, about the hottest Valentine's Day trends this year, which I was more than happy to share!.

I told Lisa that the biggest trend is PINK, PINK, PINK! Say goodbye to traditional red roses and say hello to bright, vibrant, plentiful arrangements of pink! I know a lot of men out there will be scared to steer away from red roses so it's up to you to educate your man. Send him the link to Celebrity Everthing, leave him a post it note, or just have him call The Hidden Garden - we'll set him straight.

Going green is another topic on everybody's minds these days and believe it or not, you can be earth-friendly with your Valentine - rent or reuse the vase or container, ask for locally grown flowers, or send a plant (like an orchid) - it will last a lot longer and can be replanted!

Be sure to check out Celebrity Everything for all my Valentine's Day flower trends and find out why Jessica Alba will be thrilled this year!

Wedding Color Combinations

When I posted about a recent wedding that had a gorgeous, yet uncoventional, color theme it got tremendous response and still is one of my most visited posts. The red and blue wedding colors were so vibrant and amazing - yet who would have guessed that combo would be so dramatic? To be honest, I did.

You and your fiancee may come up with some wild and crazy color pallettes and my advice to you is to try them all out! Ask your wedding coordinator or wedding florist to show you samples of how your favorite colors will look together. You just never know how terrific (or horrific) they can be until you try. It's our job to bring your dreams (and unique color combinations) to life, so challenge us, we love it.

In the current issue of Bride & Bloom Magazine, the striking Red & Blue Wedding we created here at The Hidden Garden is featured and we could not be more pleased. As a designer, it's still such a thrill to see my work get such attention. I hope you'll check it out.

And if you have questions about your wedding color combinations, please email me and I'll be happy to share some suggestions.

Superbowl and Flowers???

The Superbowl is only a week and a half away. Guess what, the Hidden Garden is a part of it? Go figure - football and flowers???

Our company was hired to provide all of the floral decor for the Superbowl NFL Tailgate Party. If you've never heard of it, Tailgate, is the "it" party on Superbowl Sunday. You can't buy a ticket - you have to be invited. We are responsible for the floral decor in 5 of the tents that will be at the NFL Tailgate extravaganza.

What type of flowers would you design for a football party? I'm sure you are wondering. Since the party is in Arizona the decor should remain consistent with florals that would be growing in that region of the world. We will be incorporating fresh florals such as succulents, kangaroo paw, acacia knifeblade, flax leaves, etc. We are also staying very environmentally friendly by using plants in a lot of the decor space. Some of the plants include cactus gardens, paddle succulents, agave plants, etc.

The design for the job has been so interesting and a wonderful challenge. Since the outdoor plants that are grown in Arizona are very sparce and not "that florally" (i.e. - roses, hydrangea, tulips - like we usually design with at The Hidden Garden) we have really had to change the way we design for this event. It's just a different type of floral!

Days of Our Lives Green Wedding Video

Recently, I helped Days of Our Lives plan a eco-friendly Green wedding for Sami and Lucas! After I completed the show's wedding, I helped a real Star of Days plan her wedding. Martha Madison (aka Belle) married AJ Gilbert (restaurant owner and chef) last summer and I helped her come up with some amazing ideas for her green wedding, which she so kindly shared with the viewers of Your LA TV. Check out the video.



If the video doesn't work, click this link to view the video on the site

My Latest "Inside Weddings" Article - Great Wedding Party Flowers

In the latest issue of Inside Weddings my article is all about great flowers for your wedding party from bridesmaids and groomsmen to flower girls and ring bearers.

Here are just a few of my ideas:
• Give each bridesmaid only one type of flower in your color palette – for example one can carry all hydrangea; one all roses; one all tulips; one all cymbidiums, etc.
• Wrap the base of the boutonnieres in ribbon that coordinates with the bridesmaids’ bouquets (a color other than black.)
• Have an all-flower girl wedding party!
• If your ring bearer is old enough, have him pull a wagon down the aisle with the flower girl sitting in it (if she’s young enough.) Decorate the wagon with tons of flowers, ribbons and greenery.

Inside Weddings Winter 2008 issue is on newstands now.

Meetings, Meetings, Meetings

The first of the year is always the busiest time of year for "wedding appointments". All the newly engaged couples out there are ready to start the wedding process. That means lots of meetings! As a florist, we usually end up meeting with multiple brides each day to go over the details of their special day. I thought I would share a few "meeting" tips to help you get through the florist interviewing process.
1. View the florists work via the web or at one of their events before you even meet with them. This will ensure that they are capable of providing the style that you might be looking for when it comes to design
2. When you call to make your appointment keep in mind that most florists can't take weekend appointments because they are usually busy designing another brides wedding on the weekend. Think of it this way - "would you want your florist to be busy with other wedding appointments when they should be focused on your flowers on the day of your wedding?"
3. Confirm that the florist is available on the day of your wedding. If they do take more than one wedding a weekend, just make sure that you will have your own dedicated staff on the day of your wedding. For example, at The Hidden Garden we take 2-3 weddings a weekend but we also have different design teams that attend each wedding so you are guaranteed your own crew on your day. This is critical. You also want to make sure that the person you have been dealing with at the floral studio is also the "manager" that is on site the day of your wedding. It will just leave you feeling more relaxed if you are in the hands of someone you know.
3. Bring all the photos of wedding flowers you like and even images you don't like to the meeting. This will give the florist a good sense of the design and style you want for wedding decor.
4. Plan on spending at least 1 hour at your first meeting with the florist. They should get all the details of your upcoming day at this initial meeting (ie - guest count, color choices, table design, bouquet options etc)
5. Ask the floral expert how long before you will receive a complete written proposal from them. It should be approximately 1 week.
6. Find out what the best form of communicating with them would be through the planning process. You will have lots of questions during your planning months. You might want to change some items, show her new photos or just get advice on color combos. It's always nice to know that the florist is readily available to you for these quick questions.
7. Ask if (and they should) and when they do a sample meeting. This is the most important part of the whole process in my opinion. This meeting usually takes place a month and a half before the big day. At this meeting you should see the linen options, chair choices, a complete sample of the actual centerpiece, votive candle options, menu/napkin treatment etc. This is where it all comes together. By the time you leave this meeting you should be thinking "I have a great visual of what my reception room is going to look like". This will allow you to be very confident on the day of the wedding. There should be no surprises then when it comes to the flowers!
8. Confirm how many people will be on location the day of your wedding, what time will they arrive, will they be done prior to guests arrival (really important), what time will they come back to strike.
9. Last but not least, if mother nature decides that there needs to be some flower substitutions, make sure they are of equal caliber as the flowers that you have requested.

The planning process should be fun and exciting. Hopefully these tips help make the flower process a little less stressful.

Congratulations, you're engaged! What next?

Congratulations, You’re Engaged! Start Your Wedding Planning Now, Here’s How:

What could be better during the holidays than to receive a sparkling engagement ring from the man of your dreams? I guess you’ve been good all year…way to go, Santa! Okay, so you’re engaged, now what? Where do you begin with the planning? Not to fear, as long as you are honest about what you want, the planning will be easy and really fun. After you’ve called your girlfriends, emailed a photo of the ring to everyone you know and held your hand out the window while driving, here are some things to think about:

Where to begin:

Talk with your fiancée about his likes/dislikes and what is most important to each of you. Write down all your ideas no matter how grand and decide what you can and cannot live without as you go through the process. Budgets will change as you go so remember to be open to compromise and work with professionals who know how to stretch your budget for maximum impact. Read on for important things to think about and discuss now.

Choosing a Date

Day or night? Winter or Summer? Friday or Saturday? Religions may certainly play a role in this decision, but if you are able, consider all the options as this may save you money and heartache. If you find the ideal location and it’s booked for each Saturday in 2008, you will have to change your day or find a new place. Take it from me, locations are very hard to come by so be flexible with your dates if you can. As for seasons, I am a florist so I would say spring is the best time to get hitched. Your floral choices are amazing in springtime.

The Dress

Ah, the dress. This is the warm and fuzzy part of the planning process. Perhaps you’ve been dreaming of a certain style your whole life and know exactly what you want. Maybe not. This can get expensive so consider all your options. I suggest speaking with married women and getting their advice. Fortunately, you can actually rent a Vera Wang wedding dress these days (if you are in LA check out One Night Affair, they have great deals on couture dresses). Not a bad idea considering your wedding dress will only see the light of one day. If you are looking for a keepsake I also love the look of Claire Pettibone bridal. The key is to be you and be comfortable. Wear color ; choose a dress that’s low key and play up your flowers and accessories; go mini; have an extra long train; sleeveless; backless; strapless or whatever. Just let it reflect your own personal style. You will look uncomfortable in anything else.

Choosing a location

This will likely be based on whether you have your wedding ceremony in a church or temple or if you have the ceremony and reception in one place. Again, discuss what each of you envisions, then make a list of questions for the coordinator at each location you visit. Be sure to ask about any plans for renovation, hidden fees or extras they can throw in to sweeten the deal. If it’s a hotel, be sure to block rooms for out of town guests and try to negotiate a discounted rate.

Local or Destination Wedding

There are great reasons for both but it may come down to number of invited guests and time of year (many locations have peak seasons, rates are higher.) Do your homework on both, weigh the options and compare budgets and then decide. Destination weddings take extra effort, but they provide loved ones with a memorable experience. Always remember to send out save the dates for destination weddings so guests can plan out their trips.


Elopement or big wedding?

This one is very individual. What have you always wanted? Do you envision the two of you on a secluded beach gazing into each other’s eyes or do you see you both atop chairs being thrust high above a crowded dance floor? Talk to each other, talk to your family and make a decision that feels right for you.

Planning Timelines:

Destination Wedding: 12 – 6 Months (depending on how far the destination is)

Elopement: 2 -3 Months

Church Wedding : 12 Months plus (just to ensure that you get the church location you want – as well as the time of ceremony. There are often more than 1 weddings a day at most churches.

Ceremony + Reception/one location: 12 Months plus


How do I decide on Décor?

Visit your floral expert first or email me here (amy@hiddengardenflowers.com)! Flowers are the most important element in wedding décor, but I am a little biased. Your florist can help you decide a color palette and coordinate all your linens to compliment (or even contrast) your flowers. The one thing I always hear from brides is that they were unaware how much the flowers set the tone for the décor of a wedding. Trust me, we can turn your special day into a world class event, thanks to Mother Nature. My suggestion is to start w/ both of your favorite colors and go from there. Sometimes the most unlikely combinations can make a wonderfully unique impact! Check out this blog for an example

It’s great to read magazines and blogs and ask your married friends for advice, but when it comes down to it, be yourself and let your choices tell your love story.

Let Your Wedding Day Tell The Story Of Your Love

When it comes to planning your wedding, there are many ways that you can incorporate special moments and details of your relationship that tell the story of your love. Sharing the story of your love on your wedding day will give your guests a personal reflection on the life you have been building together, and the new life you are about the create.

Get Your Creative Cap On

• Location where you met
• Places you traveled together
• Favorite vacation spot
• Special hobbies & interests
• Favorite foods, treats, or restaurant
  

How To Share Your Story

Overall Decor Of Your Wedding
Some couples center all the decor for their wedding after a specific theme. For example, if the two of you met in Hawaii or love to travel there, you may choose to have a hawaiian or tropical themed wedding. Or, another bride and groom may love to travel to Napa Valley and will center all their decor around a Tuscan feel.

Printed Materials
A more subtle way to express different parts of your love story is in all your printed items. A small symbol such as a palm tree, vine of grapes, seashell, or hibiscus flower can create a continuing theme throughout your wedding. Printed materials can include: invitations, menus, programs, place cards, and table numbers.

Cocktail Hour
Sharing a part of your story can be centralized to just your cocktail hour. That way, you don't have to share the theme throughout the whole wedding. For example, if you don't want to have a tropical themed wedding, you may just choose to have a tropical cocktail hour that will serve custom drinks and appetizers that reflect your love story.

Favors
Giving your guests a favor to take home is a great way to share something that reflects you as a couple. Your guests will be able to take something home that symbolizes you as a couple. You can choice something that matches the theme of the wedding, such as a wine stopper or something that the two of you share a love for, such as cupcakes or fresh baked cookies.

Pictures
Sharing pictures of you as a couple at your wedding will always keep your guests entertained. Whether it's framed pictures where your guests arrive or pick up there place cards, or a video slide show that is presented at the reception, your guests will be sure to feel your love as they see how you live your story. These pictures may even be of the two of you in different stages of your relationship or experiences you have shared.

It's Not Too Late to Decorate your Home for the Holidays Like a Pro

It's less than two weeks until Christmas and you still haven't hung a single stocking? No worries. Take it from me, you've got plenty of time to whip up holiday spirit that even the Griswold's would envy!

• Christmas Tree: Unless you've got kids this is not a must-have item but if you decide to go for it, you've got plenty of time to pick up a fresh one. Another option is to purchase a fake tree. This is a great alternative for the earth-conscious and it will last for years and years. Plus, next year you'll be better prepared. Some fake trees even come pre-decorated. Now that is a time-saver!


• Wreaths: I could create a wreath in my sleep! This time of year my little elves and I are very busy making wreaths. If you have time this weekend, it's a great project to do as a family. I recommend you start with a premade round wreath (real or fake) to save time. Which ever you decide, get some pretty ribbon, lightweight ornaments or small framed pictures of your family, a hot glue gun and create! There is no right or wrong way to do this as long as it stays together.


• Where to Focus: Front door, fireplace mantle, dining table and staircase. Incorporate Christmas greens, berries, juniper and holly throughout with ribbons, candles, vases and lights (I recommend you buy all new strings of lights each year and never plug more than five into one socket.)


• Dress up a wall or table top with the holiday cards you've received and you're done!

That's it! Try one or all of these ideas this weekend and your holiday cheer meter should improve tremendously. And remember that just because it's almost Christmas, you'll keep your decor up through the New Year so you're really not that late. Happy holidays!

How to Plan the Perfect Destination Wedding: It's Easier than you Think!

Destination weddings are extremely popular with couples seeking to create unique non-traditional ceremony. Couples have their choice of beautiful cities, resorts, beaches, canyons, mountains, waterways, and deserts. Aside from location, there are still many other details to attend to. Below are a few suggestions to consider when planning a destination wedding.

Choosing A Location: Couples should choose a location that means something to them. This could be the beach where they met, the ski resort where he proposed, a resort featured in a favorite movie, or a covered bridge where their parents grew up. An emotional attachment adds to the significance of the event and can be incorporated into the ceremony and reception thereby creating lasting memories that touch you and your guests.

Visit The Location In Advance: This is perhaps the most important step, yet the most overlooked. By visiting the site, couples get a visual of the space during the planning process. It could be disastrous to arrive the week of the event only to discover the pictures received were not very accurate. Inquire with sales staff about a familiarity trip. Most resorts encourage site visits prior to booking and many offer discounted or complimentary accommodations.

Décor: Remember that location can be part of the décor. This is another great argument for a pre-event visit. Incorporating local themes can be very beautiful as well as timesaving and cost-effective, particularly if the couple is on a budget. For example, if the resort is on lush, tropical grounds perhaps the indigenous flowers and plants can line a natural aisle or frame the perfect spot to exchange vows.

Travel Consideration: Couples who invite guests to their destination wedding must be considerate of their guests. Springing a destination wedding on guests at the last minute may lead to a lower attendance than hoped or guests who feel financially strapped being there. Give friends and family plenty of time to plan their trip and, if possible, offer tips and resources that will assist them with planning. In many cases resorts, hotels, and even airlines will offer special group rates for guests. Be sure to pass that information along to loved ones in your ‘Save The Date’ notice.

Use Local Flowers: It doesn’t get better than this. Chances are the destination location a couple has chosen is rich with local color. Take advantage of the local flowers and vendors to save on shipping. This will cut costs and add local flare to the event. For example, in Hawaii stick to the large assortment of tropical varieties and in Puerto Vallarta - definitely go for roses.

Hire A Wedding Coordinator: When at all possible, hire a wedding coordinator to manage the destination wedding. An expert coordinator is an asset for any wedding and particularly helpful for an out of town event. There are so many little details that go into planning a destination wedding that a couple may not realize and will likely not want to deal with on their wedding day. These details include gift bags at guest arrival, whether the property provides tables and linens in the sizes needed, presence of other hotel guests in or around the ceremony, bar and catering budgets, etc. By all means, let a professional help!

Weddings are very personal events and they should reflect the love and spirit shared by the bride and groom. Take the time to work together, plan wisely, be considerate of guest travel, and consult experts. Follow these simple steps and a destination wedding can be gorgeous, affordable, and manageable.

This article is also availabe at: http://ezinearticles.com/?How-To-Plan-The-Perfect-Destination-Wedding---It-Is-Easier-Than-You-Think&id=666975

Beautiful Wedding Flowers on Any Budget!

The first thing most brides discuss with their wedding florist is budget, which is often followed by frustration and hopelessness because of comparisons with other people’s budgets and weddings. But don’t despair; it is possible to create a fabulous wedding look without a movie star budget.
The first step is to be realistic with the budget given. For example, one bride might have $10,000 for a 100 guest wedding, while another bride has $10,000 for a 300 guest wedding. One might assume that the 300-guest event would not look as fabulous as the 100-guest event. This is absolutely not the case. If the bride is willing to concentrate the money in places that give the most ‘bang for the buck’, her florist can create a gorgeous affair she and her special guests will love. The key is to maximize focal points and minimize the less memorable areas.

A bridal bouquet is an important and very personal choice for each bride and one that deserves to be high on the list. However, when it comes to other details, there are several ways to stretch the budget by using common sense. Here are some important factors to consider:

Centerpieces: This is one of two locations that will garner the most ‘stares’ from guests. Friends and family will be seated around this arrangement for several hours, with some hoping to take it home. Brides should consider devoting more of the budget to centerpieces.

Ceremonial Structure: Whether vows are exchanged in a church, temple, hall, or outdoors under a gazebo, guests will be focused on the happy couple in this surrounding. This, too, will be immortalized in photographs and should be dynamic.

Bridesmaid Bouquet: This is an excellent opportunity to trim the budget in an area that is less likely to be remembered. A smaller, tasteful arrangement also looks great in photographs without taking attention away from the bride.

Gift Table: The gift table is for gifts. Most guests will not notice whether a centerpiece was present at all. This is a ‘drop-off’ area seen briefly as guests find their way to the bar. Minimal is best when it comes to this particular area. If all goes well the arrangement will ultimately be overshadowed by gifts.

Powder Room: There is no need for a formal arrangement in the ladies room. Although an important detail, it can be done minimally and still look great. For example, lay petals around a fragrant, votive candle for a nominal charge rather than a full floral arrangement.

Any bride will agree that $10,000 is a great deal of money to spend on flowers. But whether your budget is $3,000 or $10,000, when the money is spent wisely, brides can achieve a gorgeous look that is sure to be remembered. It is important to pay attention to details, however, remember to keep them in perspective. A great wedding florist can help determine where to concentrate the bulk of your budget and where to scale back.

This article was featured on Ezinearticles.com