Trend Alert: English Garden Romance

Blame it on Downton Abbey, or the biceps of the newest Agent 007, Daniel Craig - but the nation seems to have its eyes fixated on our closest ally across the Atlantic at the moment. The English influence has even trickled into American weddings for spring and summer, and we're loving it.

 

Say goodbye to the simple, minimalist centerpieces of recent years. While some of today's brides will still want a contemporary wedding, we are seeing brides move toward soft palettes and feminine textures. Muted shades of pinks, pale peach, and champagne are seen in roses, peonies, ranunculus, hydrangea, stock, and baby's breath.

 

                     

Silver bowls, bud vases and candleholders are the perfect accent to the English wedding table, while lush garlands are being hung from ledges or branches. Cascades of flowers are returning, emphasizing the trend toward opulence and formality.

 We at Cactus Flower have enjoyed creating several weddings so far this season with this theme. Doesn't it make you want to hop on a plane, find a romantic English garden, and enjoy a cup of tea with your beau? (Or perhaps, Daniel Craig?) 

 

Flowers by Serendipity Bridal and Events

Photography by Stacey Windsor Photography

Hot Weddings Trends: Mismatched Bridal Party

It was devastating to show up at the prom in the same dress as another girl. Why do we put our bridesmaids through such embarrassment? We all know that cuts, lengths, and colors are not universally flattering on all women.
Bridesmaids, rejoice! Brides today are asking their bridal party to wear different dresses - and sometimes completely different colors - as a statement of their originality. This trend is particularly fitting if the wedding theme is rustic, beachy, or whimsical.

Gentelmen, this idea applies to you, too. Surely the last thing a man wants to do is stand in front of a crowd next to his fraternity brother in matching outfits. Why not let the groomsmen show their individuality with different ensembles?

We hope this trend is here to stay. Not only does it make a wedding more fun, it opens one up to other non-traditional details, like mismatched bouquets. At Cactus Flower, we love mixing it up!

Hot Wedding Trends: Vintage Weddings

As technology continues to take over our daily lives, our love affair with simpler times seems to grow. Here at The Studio at Cactus Flower, we see the vintage wedding trend continue to surge into fall/winter of 2012 and into 2013. After all, what's more romantic than reminiscing?

The roaring 20's have made a comeback this year, with champagne colored dresses, brooches, and feathers galore. Outdoor receptions that Gatsby would have hosted - with romantic hanging lights, fireworks, and jazz bands - are hot this summer, and the trend will become stronger as the Great Gatsby remake heads to theatres this winter.

Here in Phoenix, the Hotel Valley Ho has been a hot location for Rat Pack-inspired weddings. Men in fedoras, supper club-styled tables, and jazz bands make for an evening fit for Dean Martin.

Even without a specific era as a theme, the term "modern vintage" is as common in the wedding world right now as champagne and roses. Whether it's birdcages as card holders, mason jars as centerpiece vases, or old suitcases as accent "tables" in an outdoor reception space, couples are finding modern ways to incorporate old-fashioned items, textiles, and style into their special day.

Puttin' On the Ritz

We had the pleasure of providing flowers and decor for a fablous wedding at the Ritz Carlton for a great couple: Samantha and Leor.  Everything about the event was classy and refined, from the all-white flowers and pops of blue accents (like Sam's shoes!) to the rhinestone-studded wedding cake. Thanks to the fabulous Kimberly Jarman for sharing the photos with us.

Samantha's bouquet was made with all-white roses with rhinestones in each rose, accented with white feathers and finished with a rhinestone band on the handle. Talk about bling!

The ceremony flowers were simple, with rose petals and lit wax vessels lining the aisle. The chuppa was draped with white satin, adorned with white mixed flowers, while tea lights and cystals hung from the backside to create a dramatic backdrop.

And oh, the reception flowers! Opulent centerpieces of white dendrobium orchids, white feathers, and blue LED lights made for a dramatic effect.

If you can't get enough of the photos, check out their wedding trailer by Serendipity Cinematography.

Our New WeddingWire Video!

Check out our lovely new video slideshow, courtesy of WeddingWire.com!

A White Christmas Wedding in the Desert

OK, so the chances of a white Christmas in Phoenix are pretty darn slim. But our lack of snow and spring-like temps allow for beautiful outdoor weddings in December, so we're not complaining.

You can still have the effect of a tender snowfall with an "orchid rainfall" backdrop, like the one we did here at the Montelucia Resort on December 23rd.

We simply took crystal beading and attached white dendrobium orchids to them. It added an illusion of privacy without obstructing that breathtaking view.

 The aisle decor was simple and elegant: glass cylinders with submerged white orchids stood on pedestals, and white rose petals lined the walkway.

A white Christmas...without shoveling, scraping, or three layers of clothing!

All the Rage: Black and White Weddings

The Classics are always in fashion, but right now the classic black and white color scheme is the choice palette for brides. It's no wonder; black and white weddings make for an elegant event and can even be downright glamorous. And you'll never look back at your photos and think, 'What were we thinking with orange bridesmaids dresses?!' 

White roses, hydrangea, and calla lilies are a perfect flower choice for black and white weddings. Black accents can be inserted with ribbons and feathers. We love white anemones as a focal flower, since they even have a black center.

Winter is the perfect season for a black and white wedding, no matter where in the country you live - though surely snow would be a magical touch!