Napkin Treatments

Amy Child Marella — Fri, 07 May 2010 20:19:50 -0500

The key to beautiful tabletop décor is all in the details. There are so many decisions to be made: linens, china, silverware, stemware, centerpieces, candles, napkin folds, etc. With so much to think about it helps to imagine each place setting as a "hang out" spot for your guests. To make it feel special, like it is made just for them, I recommend napkin treatments.

What to do with Centerpieces after your Big Day

The Hidden Garden — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 13:46:09 -0500

Even though you hate the idea of your flowers being thrown away at the end of the wedding night, it's important to remember that they have been "opening" all week at your florist's studio so they are at "peak bloom" on the day of your wedding. They aren't likely to hold up more than 1 -2 days past the wedding at the most (best) but here a few options in case you are determined to save the beautiful arrangements:

Parasols

Amy Child Marella — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 19:26:16 -0500

The month of April means April showers, which must explain why I can't stop thinking about parasols! We recently changed our window display at The Hidden Garden to feature parasols and I think, just like flowers, they are beautiful wedding accessories.

Preserving Your Bouquet

Amy Child Marella — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 16:11:28 -0500

Flower arrangements are gorgeous any day of year and especially on your wedding day. A lot of time, thought and money is invested into a bride's bouquet. Not to mention, the sentimental value. So, it is not surprising that brides want to capture that moment for decades by preserving their wedding bouquet.

How to Add a Little Color to an All White Wedding

The Hidden Garden — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 12:20:30 -0500

White weddings will never go out of style, they are gorgeous and classic, yet many couples still want to mix it up a bit. An all-white wedding is classicly elegant, however when you consider you are planning decor for a ceremony, cocktail hour and a reception, there is an opportunity to add little accents to each that will make them unique and we can do this with little splashes of color.

Here are some ideas to add touches of color to your all-white wedding floral.

Back From Wedding 360!

Amy Child Marella — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 20:05:22 -0500

This past week I attended my first Wedding 360 Academy in San Francisco. It was a whirlwind of parties, showcases, seminars and panels - one of which I actually led. It was an honor to be a part of the inaugural Floral Summit with Sean Low and Nancy Liu Chin. So much inspired me while I was there, which will result in many blog posts for IW! I will leave you with pictures from a showcase designed by my friend and colleague Nancy Liu Chin.

Petal Patterns

Amy Child Marella — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:51:49 -0600

Brides (and florists) are always looking for great trends to dazzle the senses during a wedding ceremony. The latest trend that is literally sweeping down aisles across the country is petal patterns.

Leave It To The Professionals

Amy Child Marella — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 21:39:06 -0600

If you are a bride on a budget it might be tempting to hire a friend, or a freelance florist, to do your wedding flowers. There is no question that your friend loves you and would do his/her best, but there are certain challenges that arise at weddings best left to the professionals. A professional florist comes to your wedding prepared for the worst to ensure that you have the best.

How To Get Your Groom Planning

Amy Child Marella — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 18:52:19 -0600

Most likely your groom has not been dreaming about his wedding day since he was a little boy, but don't underestimate his willingness to get involved in the wedding planning process. Especially when you're engaged to the type of guy that enjoys throwing parties and likes to make things happen on a budget.

The Referral Process

Amy Child Marella — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 20:37:48 -0600

Planning a wedding can be an overwhelming process for brides and there is nothing like a vendor referral to put a bride's spinning mind at ease. We get recommendations from friends, family and colleagues all the time about which restaurants to eat at, hotels to stay at and movies to see and the same should go for wedding vendors. It's always important to get a reference whether it's from a friend, or another vendor.