Mix it up with these color combos sure to please:

-All tones of deep red-not for the faint of heart but sure to be a show-stopper

-Red, plum & grey-sleek; perfect for an elegant evening

-Red & turquoise-unexpected and modern, mixes well with base colors such as black or white

When you think of red flowers what do you think of?  Ah yes, the red rose;  it has received a bad wrap but there is a reason it is classic.  But rather than doing an entire bouquet or arrangement in roses, mix in calla lilies, tulips, protea and orchids.  Our only request is no baby’s breathe please.

Caution-Red, black and white can be cliché and overdone.  If you MUST go with this option, pick a dominant color, such as the black, and let it be the main focus rather than trying to incorporate each color equally.

ceremony, dress

-Green, orange & brown-Perfect fall pallet

-Green, ivory & black-chic with a hint of youthfulness

-Varied shades of green-natural and full of life

Of course the bouquets always end up with green leaf filler, but we want you to know there is way more out there.  Roses, orchids, spider mums, hydrangea, berry, and the list goes on.  But don’t stop there; go bold by adding in broccoli or artichokes which are sure to keep your guests in awe.

Caution:  When using a variety of greens, try to stick with a neutral or soft green linen if your bouquet is going to be mostly greens.  This prevents the reception from becoming too much for your guests to bear.  Instead, put your bridesmaids in green for plenty of color in pictures.

bouquet, table design

Navy goes great with any wedding year round depending on the pallet you choose.  You can also use navy instead of black or brown to make your wedding stand apart from the rest.  Here’s what to pair it with: 

-Navy, green & champagne-sophisticated and perfect for late summer/autumn weddings

-Navy, plum & ivory-casual or refined, this pallet can be done a million ways

-Navy & gold-classic and timeless with a fresh feel

Unfortunately in the flower world, navy is not a natural occurring color.  If you are looking for a blue tone, search out cornflower, iris, hydrangea, or delphinium.  And don’t fear, almost any other color of flower looks great with this hue so feel free to mix up your bouquets.

Caution:  Navy works well with black and other dark tones of color when paired correctly, however, make sure to edit in order to prevent your wedding from feeling too dark and heavy.  Rather than choosing a black tux with navy accents, go with an all navy suit that is sure to inspire.

flowers, invitation

As if this color needed any introduction at all, pink may very well be one of the most common colors associated with weddings.  From soft blushes to hot look-at-me shades, pink is versatile. 

There are a ton of tones and shades to make your pink stand out.  Here are three of our favs:

-Pink & Mauve-a nice alternative to the traditional fall tones

-pink, coral & yellow-An August favorite with a hint of the tropics

-pink & envy green-think spring and crisp white

Pink flowers are easy to come by; stylish stems include peonies, cherry blossoms, ranunculus and hydrangea along with the never to fail rose.

Caution-incorporating too much pink can lead to the assumption that Pepto Bismol became a sponsor of your event.  Varying the tones of pink to include light, medium and dark shades will help to balance out pink linens with pink flowers.

Centerpiece, Candy

In case your Monday starts off rough, we hope the bright sunshine appeal of yellow will help perk you up.  Bold yellow is a great way to make a statement and even if you think you are not a yellow person, we think we can change your mind.

Make your bright yellow work for you with one of these color combinations:

-Bright yellow, charcoal & black-bold and modern

-Bright yellow, soft yellow & white-perfect for an outdoor summer wedding

-Bright yellow & teal-fresh, with a hint of vintage appeal

For flowers, bright yellow is one of the easiest colors to find.  Take your pick of daisies, calla lilies, billie buttons, tulips, and the list goes on.  Even in the case you decide that you would rather keep the yellow in your wedding to a minimum, it is still a great accent flower to incorporate into your bouquets to add dimension and texture.

Caution-Be careful with this bright shade since not all of your bridesmaids may approve of wearing it for their dresses.  Instead, accessorize with the shoes, a clutch or a colored parasol.

centerpiece, shoes

Envision Wedding Studio and AC Ellis teamed up once again to bring us a fun feast for the eyes. They took this concept board and made it a reality on a local South Dakota farm, just outside of Colton, with the help of some South Dakota wedding vendors. The cupcakes were created by O My Cupcakes in Sioux Falls and matched the colors of the creation yellows, whites and browns. The ice cream for the parlor was made by the SDSU Dairy Bar in Brookings, SD. Another famous location from Brookings is home to the Buy ‘Em By the Bag burgers, Nick’s Hamburger Shop. The floral design was provided by Sarah from House of Green in Brookings, SD. Sarah chose flowers that fit the light airy feel of the concept well.

While there weren’t models for this creation you can envision that the bride could wear either of the dresses from Interlude Bridal Shoppe. The short yellow dress is perfect for a small country wedding. Just in case the bride wants that long white dress the frills on this dress bring in the elements. Brides shouldn’t feel stuck to just one dress, how about they wear both. Grooms can also choose a casual outfit. Fergen’s Menswear contributed slacks and a shirt, a wonderful alternative to a tux. Although, they do have suits and tuxes at Fergen’s as well.

To view more images from this concept to creation watch the slideshow.

Sioux Falls Wedding Attire by Interlude Bridal
Brookings Wedding Attire by Fergen’s Menswear
Ice Cream by SDSU Dairy Bar
South Dakota Wedding Decor by Envision Wedding Studio
Brookings, SD Hamburgers by Nick’s Hamburger Shop
South Dakota Wedding Photography by AC Ellis Inc.
South Dakota Farm located in Colton, South Dakota
Sioux Falls, South Dakota Cupcakes by O My Cupcakes
Sioux Falls Wedding Floral by House of Green

Credits:
books, apples, invitation, chalkboard, bouquet, and dress

Etiquette and Thank You Notes

Here are some tips to make sending your thank yous a breeze:

• Send thank-you notes to acknowledge everything from place settings to gifts of time or talent. Remember: A separate, handwritten note must be sent for each wedding present or act of kindness.
• Start sending wedding thank-yous as soon as gifts arrive, even if it is before your wedding (but make sure to use your maiden name).
• Gifts that you receive on your big day should be followed up with a thank-you note no later than one month after you return from your honeymoon (now you can use your new last name).
• To ease the process, keep track of wedding gifts and thank-you cards on the same list of names and addresses used for your invitations.
• Personalize the thank-you cards by ordering them with your monogram or with a picture from your big day on the front.

Thank You Notes

Favor Bags, Boutonniere, and Cakes

Discover Your Style

Close your eyes and envision the perfect look to your wedding. Will it be formal or casual? Elaborate or simple? Bold or neutral colors? Are you a traditionalist in favor of roses or lilies, or do you favor a more contemporary floral theme incorporating grasses, fruits and herbs? Your wedding flowers are more than eye candy; they set the ambiance for the entire event. Knowing your wedding style is a start in the right direction, because you’ll want to choose blossoms that match the formality of your wedding day.

Pick Your Palette

Your color scheme should flow directly from your desired style. Today’s floral trends embrace an anything goes mentality, from wedding flowers in traditional whites and pastels to modern and adventurous dark hues and citrus shades. Flowers in matching shades or cool contrasts are breathtaking, but make sure they coordinate with your overall wedding theme. Choose your wedding colors accordingly, and your wedding will express your spirit. If you are still not sure where to begin, bring a bridesmaid dress fabric swatch when you meet with your florist and choose coordinating shades.

Seasonal Wedding Flowers

You know your floral theme and you’ve chosen your color scheme. When deciding on the specific blooms your want in your arrangements, be sure to consider the season in which you are marrying.

Hiring a Florist

Even the most creative and artistic bride will benefit from a florist’s professional capabilities. Your wedding day will be full of activity, and you won’t want to spend vital hours fumbling with the wiring of each bouquet. A florist is not necessarily a budget breaker; a good one should be able to work with any floral budget. We’ll teach you the ins and outs of hiring a florist that suits your needs.

Your Floral Budget

Let’s face it: Determining how much wedding flowers cost is probably not the aspect of your wedding you’ve been dreaming of since grade school. You may see your floral budget as the biggest nemesis between you and your wedding flowers. If you plan wisely, however, you should have enough money to create the floral theme of your desires. Expect to spend about 8-10% of your overall budget on wedding flowers.

Elegala.com, Bella Rosa Floral