The new address is http://blog.soireefloral.com. Please update your bookmarks, RSS readers, etc.

Thanks for keeping our information up-to-date!

More often than not, our couples have a special place in their heart for their 'furry friends' (aka kids to a lot of them). Their pets are as much a part of their family as anyone else. Depending on where we are working, there are different guidelines on how these four-legged friends can be involved in the big day.

Over the years, we have had many different requests - floral collars, floral necklaces, flowers for a little red wagon their pups can sit in. We have had some fun with these requests. Often times, churches and/or hotels won't allow pets on the premises. When that's the case, our couples rely on their planners to have the pets on hand for a photo op after the ceremony and on their way to the reception.

A few times over the past few years, we've had couples who were having destination weddings and bringing their furry companions just wasn't an option. We've had brides contact us to recreate their beloved pet out of flowers. Talk about FUN. It's a lot of work to get them to look just right, but we love a challenge. Seeing the couple's face when the 'dog' is revealed is well worth the cuts and scrapes from moulding just the right features out of wire, foam, and blooms.

To get more creative ways to incorporate your animals, check out this recent article in the Nantucket Independent.

Here are some of our favorites from past seasons.
Cheers,
Dawn


photo by Claudia Kronenberg Photography




photo by Claudia Kronenberg

Labels: flowers, pets, reception, wedding ceremony

In today's world, we are all trying to find ways to 'be green.' We make it a point to do our part to leave less of a footprint while we are busy running around doing our jobs. Buying local blooms, recycling all of our cardboard, re purposing wood pieces in to frames, tables, and cubes. Composting our organic materials, printing out documents only when necessary, and watering the plants outside our studio with our cooler buckets. Every little bit helps. What things do you do in your business and personal life to leave this world a little better at the end of the day?


photo by Claudia Kronenberg Photography

Labels: earth day, recycling

I have been lucky enough to participate in many photo shoots over the years - both for magazines and with vendors who collaborated together to bring a concept to life. It really is a great way to meet people you haven't had the opportunity to work with before, to try an idea that you know a client will never let you do (although I firmly believe if you can show them, they can be open to it), try a wild color scheme that you have had in your head forever...you get the idea. I've sat with vendors, chatted on the phone, answered questions about how did we do that, why did you try this, did it work (not all ideas work, that is why this creative process is GREAT!).

Inspire. Collaborate. Achieve is a workshop that has been a work in progress for the last five years. We are bringing this to life in May, in Maine and plan to have a LOT of fun. Check out the website to get more details, and don't hesitate to email or call for more scoop.

I hope to see you there!
Cheers,
Dawn

p.s. - nothing makes my heart sing more than hearing a new friend talk about how participating in something like this has been such a positive experience. Thanks Meg Simone, you are a true inspiration!

"I can speak from experience that Brea and Dawn are so open, genuine, sincere, nice and overall AMAZINGLY INSPIRATIONAL. I have learned a ton from them and have to credit recent press to their help and education.

If you have ever wanted to know more about "Inspiration" like shoots - this is a super cool, local workshop!" - Meg Simone

Labels: workshop

With the start of spring, FINALLY a little sunshine here on the east coast, and a holiday weekend coming up - we thought we'd share some spring inspirations as some of you color eggs and eat chocolate bunnies.
Enjoy,
Dawn




photos by Zofia Photography

Labels: wedding flowers

Today I'm writing about something I care about very much. It is a huge thorn in my side. I hate when I'm driving along (especially on I-95) and I see people talking and/or texting while driving. Call me crazy but how one thinks they can drive and text at the same time is beyond me. I get we are all busy, I know we always feel like we don't have enough hours in the day. But what are you going to do when you create a fender bender, cause an accident, or even worse - you hurt somebody? Today, I took the pledge - the Oprah No Phone Zone pledge. And I will be asking my worker bees to the do the same. Jump on board and and create your own no phone zone pledge. This is one band wagon that is worth jumping on. No excuses - just do it! Follow this link to Oprah, it takes 5 seconds of your time.



On another note, we are working on a new aspect of our business, called Studio Soiree. This will be a collection of tailored packages geared toward brides who don't need the fuss of a tailored proposal, meetings on the little details, and still want that designer flair. I look forward to introducing this and rolling out the Studio Soiree designs in the coming weeks.

Labels: no phone zone pledge, oprah

We thought we would have some fun with green colored bouquets today in honor of St. Patrick's Day. We've noticed over the last few years that brides are getting bolder when it comes to the blooms they carry down the aisle. Yes, we still do the amazing all white/ivory bouquets and they look romantic as the bride floats down the aisle. Some brides, however, are choosing to show their personality by adding color and texture to what we consider to be one of her most important accessories on the big day.




Which bouquet shows your personal style? Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone.
Cheers,
Dawn

Labels: bouquets, green, wedding flowers

Some brides we work with have a clear vision of their style, and how they want that to translate over to their wedding day. We had the pleasure of working with Marc and Christine for their October nuptials at the beautiful Sankaty Club in Nantucket, MA last fall. Christine was one of those bride's who knew what she liked, had a great list of descriptive words and images, and completely trusted her vendors to carry out her vision.

For this wedding, everything grew organically from the escort table. Christine loved nature, wanted some of those eclectic elements of mixing old and new and we knew we wanted to showcase that from start to finish. From the bark tendrils and fiddleheads in the boutonnieres, to the bird's nest escort cards, and the feather collars on the bouquets, this wedding had details galore from start to finish. We were lucky enough to have this wedding win best overall wedding design and it is being featured in this month's issue of Florist Review. Pick up a copy today to read more behind the scenes and some of my favorite tips and tricks.


A big thank you to Christine and Marc for allowing us to be a part of their big day.
Huggs,
Dawn

all photos by Zofia Photography
head shot in 'meet the winner' by Brea McDonald Photography.

Other Vendors involved in this wedding
wedding planner - Unique Nantucket
rentals - Placesetters, Inc
venue - Sankaty Club

Labels: details, event design, nantucket weddings