Floral Friday: Small Bud Vases

One of our new interns, Megan Marshall, we be working with Bart Scott in our floral department. Together they will highlight some floral trends for the upcoming 2010 seasons with a special three-week feature on Fridays.

One theme we predict will be popular in 2010 is the arrangement of smaller, monochromatic containers with scaled down arrangement of flowers. This is opposite of the traditional single, large centerpiece and gives a more eclectic and visually interesting look to a table.

A different variation of this trend is having only a single stem of flower and greenery in an even smaller “bud vase.”

Jen Hunt Photography

This is a bud vase with mini tree trunk candle sticks with tea lights inside.

Another great way to add flair and color to your wedding, is to hang the vases on the perimeter, or line a walkway.

Please be sure to read next Friday, for our next trend in this series.

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Look Ahead: Floral Trends of 2010

For the next three weeks, we will be having Floral Friday featuring our new series of floral trends. Please check back on Friday for this week’s!

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The Art of Weddings

The Art of Weddings is a collaboration of Atlanta’s top wedding artist and designers. These artists and designers are donating their time and talent to raise awareness for children with life-threatening medical conditions in Georgia and Alabama. Created by Project Runway alum, Heidi Elnora, The Art of Weddings is a way for Heidi to showcase her talent while giving back to her community. Since starting her brand in 2006, Heidi has designed and produced over 5 runway shows, each benefiting children through non-profit organizations in her community. This years’ show will showcase not only Heidi’s 2010 bridal collection but also the design talent of Atlanta’s top artists, chefs, event designers, florists, make-up and hair stylists, musicians, models, and photographers.

Tickets are $15 for pre-sale, $25 at the door, $50 VIP — 100% of ticket sales will go directly to Make-A-Wish Foundation of Georgia and Alabama.

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ONE FREE VOTE = $1 FOR DMD RESEARCH

HUGE UPDATE IN THE CHASE COMMUNITY GIVING CHALLENGE…Starting NOW (at around 11,200 votes)…
…the Ginder Family of Gainesville, Florida, will match every free vote (up to 20k votes) cast for Darius Goes West with a $1 donation to Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) research! This generous gesture is being made on behalf of the Ginder’s adorable son, Dale (we call him “Little D”), who, like Darius–and one in 3.500 boys–was born with DMD.

That’s right! A mere two seconds of your time will raise $1 for the number one genetic killer of children in the world…AND it will boost Darius Goes West’s chances to win up to $1 million for DMD research in the Chase Community Giving Challenge. DGW is currently in 11th place…but with your help, we can climb to the top.

Please Vote for Darius Goes West!

Haven’t voted yet? Click here to vote now. Two free clicks will raise $1 for DMD research and put DGW in the running for $1 million more. (Second through sixth place gets $100k).

Already voted? Click here to share this awesome news with friends, family, and co-workers and encourage them to vote. Every person you convince to cast a free vote means another dollar for research, so recruit, recruit, recruit!
Remember, voting ends this Friday (January 22) at 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time.
Thanks for your continuing support!

Message Provided by: Chase Community Giving

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Groom’s Cakes: Unleashing Creativity

Groom’s cakes are an old southern tradition, where the bride surprises the groom. The cake used to only be served at rehearsal dinners or as a favor to guests leaving the wedding. Now, it is being served at the same time as the wedding cake.

In the past, groom’s cakes were seen as a good luck charm to single women; they would put the cake under their pillow and dream of the man they will marry.

Below are some of our favorites.

The groom’s cake is usually more fun, and is often related to his favorite sports team, place or hobby. It comes in a variety of flavors and is placed on a separate table from the wedding cake.

GOOOOOO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For the Fishing Fanatic

Cecilia Villaveces Cakes in Athens, GA is the provider of Epting Events’ cakes.

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Look Ahead: Groom’s Cake

Creative Ideas for the Groom’s Cake… Coming Friday

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Having Trouble on What to do for a Favor? Donate to a Cause in Your Community or Abroad

Wedding favors have been around for centuries. French and Italian aristocrats began the tradition by giving their guests a bonbenniere, a small porcelain box with sweets insides, at the end of a party.

Now, in 2010, favors are still a big part of weddings. Brides put hours of thought and effort to come up with the perfect favor; ranging from homemade preserves, to luggage tags, to Lee’s famous pralines. Along with the décor, the food and the time they spent with the bride and the groom; the favor should be one of those lasting memories that guest leave with.

In lieu of a tangible favor, several of our brides have opted to support a cause that is important to them–donating to a local charity or preserving a piece of land in honor of their guests. This new trend is a great way give back to your community.

Here in Athens, GA, there is a local charity called Athens PBJs, which provides meals along with friendship to Athens’ homeless. The group was founded by the brother of one of our grooms, so in order to show their support and let their guests know about this great cause, we packaged mini peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in white bags that were sealed with a sticker mentioning a donation made in their honor. They were a huge hit!

The table is topped with the PBJ favors and the description of the charity. Thanks to Jason Trasher for these photos.

One of our recent brides came up with an idea after having much difficulty coming up with the perfect favor. She and her fiancé spent a summer together in Argentina, and felt the need to help a cause in the country. The couple decided to protect a piece of the land in the Argentinian rainforest in honor of their guests. The land was donated in the La Esperanza area in Argentina, where the World Land Trust is currently working. At the wedding, there was a large sign staged at the entrance to the dining tent, mentioning the donation and showing the location of the land for guests to read as them made their way to dinner.

The newlyweds displayed this sign informing guests of the donation to the rainforest habitat.

As always, the possibilities are endless. Choose a favor that reflects you, your fiancé and your wedding, and you can’t go wrong!

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