DIY Herbal Wedding Boutonnieres

The lovely ladies of Once Wed have created a beautiful herbal boutonniere, perfect a Spring wedding!
Herbs are casual and aromatic and perfect for a late summer or fall wedding. As far as ingredients go, the sky is the limit! Here I’ve incorporated blueberries with lavender thyme, oregano and sage and wrapped them with a sweet dotted ribbon for contrast. The best part is that the boutonnieres could be dried and used for cooking later, making them completely Eco-friendly!

You will need:

13 small stems of herbs (choose varying colors and shapes)

3 stems of small berries

floral tape

narrow ribbon

1: Start with a leaf stem like sage to be the backbone of your boutonniere. This leaf is just for support.

2. Place taller, lanky herbs like lavender and rosemary on top of the leaf. It’s OK for them to sit higher than the first leaf.

3. In front, place smaller rounder, herbs like oregano or thyme blossoms or fruit like blueberries. Heavier items always look nicer at the bottom with the leaner stems poking out the top.

5. Secure with floral tape,

6. Wrap the ribbon around the stems several times to disguise the floral tape while leaving a length of ribbon free to tie up the ribbon at the back of the boutonniere.

Project created by Chelsea Fuss

Photography by Lisa Warniger

Invitation to Festival of the Brides

Don't miss one of the best bridal shows around! Festival of the Brides will be held this Sunday at the beautiful Terranea Resort. Please contact us for complimentary tickets.

Traditions: The Thirteen Gold Coins (Trece monedas de oro)

There is some debate about where this custom originated, some site Spain, but it's a traditional in Latin and Filipino weddings!
The madrina de arras holds the 13 coins the bridegroom presents to the bride. The coins, or arrhea, was a Roman custom of breaking gold or silver, one half to be kept by the woman and the other half by the man, as a pledge of marriage.
The groom gives the bride thirteen gold coins as a symbol of his unquestionable trust and confidence. He pledges that he places all of his goods into her care and safekeeping. Acceptance by the bride means taking that trust and confidence unconditionally with total dedication and prudence.

The custom of the coins originated in Spain. Thirteen coins are given to the bride by the bridegroom, signifying he will support her. Often presented in ornate boxes or gift trays, this represents the brides dowry and holds good wishes for prosperity. These coins become a part of their family heirloom.

The number 12 represents Christ and his 12 apostles. The coins are presented to the priest by a friend or relative (usually the purchaser). The priest then blesses the coins and hands them to the bride who places them in the groom's cupped hands at the beginning of the ceremony. The coins are then placed on a tray and handed to an assistant to be held until later in the ceremony. Near the end of the ceremony the box and coins are given to the priest who places the coins in the box and hands them to the groom.

The groom will then pour the coins into the bride's cupped hands and places the box on top. This represent his giving her control as his mistress of all his worldly goods. (Sometimes their hands are tied with a ribbon for this portion of the ceremony.)

Image & Article Via: Wedding Details

Fashion Fridays: RIP Alexander Mc Queen

Bring Relief to Haiti

If you book before March 1st 10% of your package will be donated to Doctors Without Borders fund for Haiti.

What's the difference between a Wedding Coordinator and a Catering Manager/Venue Coordinator

This question comes often. A catering manager is employed by the venue and primarily specializes in food and beverage sales for the venue. They are usually there on your wedding day, but often depart after the first course is served. A wedding planner is your personal consultant that interfaces with ALL aspects of the planning process and, without hesitations, will mediate, negotiate and co-create with you and for you. Bottom line: you employ the wedding planner and you do not employ the catering manager. Knowing who will provide you with each of these services throughout the planning process will ensure no last minute surprises, and keep you “duty free.”

Your Catering Manager will

• Provide a personalized tour of the venue
• Act as a menu consultant for all food and beverage selections
• Detail your banquet event order (BEO) and catering contract, outlining event specifics, and ensure that the information is clearly communicated to the operational team of the venue
• Create an estimate of charges outlining your financial commitment to the venue
• Arrange and attend your menu tasting
• Oversee the ceremony and reception set up, food preparation and other venue operations
• Act as on site Liaison between your Wedding Coordinator and venue operations staff
• Ensure a seamless transition to the venue’s Banquet Director/ Captain once the grand entrance has occurred (that is typically when the Catering Manager
• leaves the reception)
• Review your banquet checks and billing for accuracy prior to your receipt of
• the final bill

Your Wedding Coordinator will:

• Assist with etiquette and protocol for invitations, family matters, ceremony and toasts
• Create a comprehensive timeline for your wedding day, including the ceremony and reception
• Work with you to organize and coordinate your ceremony rehearsal
• Create floor plans for your function spaces and assist with seating arrangements
• Remind bridal party of all pertinent “call times” and “don’t forgets” on the wedding day
• Confirm “call times” and details with all vendors prior to the wedding day
• Be available to have conversations as needed, including weekends and evenings (depending on the coordination package that is chosen)
• Act as liaison between your family, bridal party, band/DJ, florist, photographer, videographer and other vendors to create a seamless operation
• Assist the bride and bridal party with dressing
• Ensure that the ladies have their corsages and bouquets, etc., and assist with the pinning of boutonnieres
• Deliver and arrange ceremony programs, escort cards, place cards, favors, reserved seating for the ceremony and handle any personal items
• Coordinate your actual ceremony including line up of bridal party, and assisting with the bride’s dress
• Coordinate your reception (grand entrance, first dance, toasts, cake cutting,etc.
• Collect any personal items you may have brought at the conclusion of the reception.

Heart to Heart

The symbol of the heart has become synonymous with Valentine's Day! This anatomically correct heart by J.Lingnau Jewelry is a modern, chic twist to the traditional heart charm. Simply Natural Events has an exclusive 20% off J. Lingnau Jewelry for first time buyers. Discount code ‘Shine’.

Sustainable Garb

Upcycled, sustainable, eco-friendly materials; feminine + flattering styles; very reasonably priced custom/handmade dresses. win, win, win.

Ethereal, flowy & elegant. A custom made dress in sizes small to 3x with the softest, most beautiful sustainable knit fabric- bamboo or modal- in a variety of colors. A flattering fit for lots of body types from small to plus sizes.

It's lovely for a more casual-minded wedding party, your rehearsal dinner and also for everyday wear. Available in both modal or bamboo knit in a variety of solid colors. Shades include white, black, red, earthy browns, pale tones & saturated colors.

Check out thegarbologistswife.etsy.com