We are so excited about Liza and Kendra’s Wedding Wrap-up!  This is a new blog feature in which our illustrious wedding director, Liza Isacsson, and celebrated wedding coordinator, Kendra Koenig, sound off about their favorite features of recent Los Willows weddings.  We hope you are inspired!

Sunday, January 15
Couple: Debbie & Josue – This was the amazing wedding for wounded Marine Josue Barron.

• Surprise cocktail hour dance by the Los Willows staff
• A gorgeous custom black and white wedding cake on our silver cake pedestal
• Touching presentation by Al Ransom, retired Marine Colonel and owner of Los Willows
• Photo booth fun

As Los Willows Wedding Estate prepares for Josue and Debbie’s wedding, we want to acknowledge all warriors who have put themselves in harm’s way to serve our country and protect others.  We just cannot thank you enough.  To the men and women who are learning to move forward after life-changing injuries, you are a profound inspiration.  Your story will keep changing lives as long as you are willing to tell it.  Please keep pressing forward and please keep telling your story.  You are a warrior, and we need you.

If you are (or think you will be) kicking off the new year as a bride-to-be, CONGRATULATIONS!!!  If you are planning to get married in 2012, then you will want to start researching wedding locations right away because January and February are major booking months and there will be a lot of competition for the most desired dates in 2012.

Saturdays are the most coveted day of the week for weddings because it is traditionally a non-working day (except for some people, including those of us who are actually in the wedding business) and there is traditionally no work on the following day (Sunday) so the bride, groom and wedding guests will be able to fully enjoy and recover from all of the partying before the new work week begins.  If you have a Saturday in mind, then you will definitely want to start researching wedding venues early in booking season before the Saturday inventory dries up.

You should also give Fridays and Sundays consideration.  Here is what Premier Bride says about those two days …

For Friday or Sunday weddings … photographers, video producers, musicians/entertainers and limousine services are much more willing to negotiate in order to reach a price that suits your budget. Vendors tend to see Friday and Sunday as bonus days, a time when they can earn income. Savings on these services can really add up, making this option a great way to save money without having to sacrifice the quality of your wedding.

On a Friday, you’ll probably have your wedding in the evening, which means that the ceremony is followed immediately by dinner. This means that you will avoid the extra cost and hassle of a one-to-two-hour interim reception or cocktail party …  Additionally, a Friday/Sunday wedding frees up at least one day of the weekend, generally making your family, friends and guests more appreciative of the extra time, especially if they are traveling.

Planning for a Friday or a Sunday wedding makes it much more likely that you will be able to reserve services on the date of your choice.

So what about a midweek wedding?

Recycled Bride founder Tracy DiNunzio of Santa Monica, CA said: “Mid-Week weddings were among the top 10 sustainable wedding trends … She says, “The Times Are A-Changing.  Saturday night weddings aren’t the only game in town. Brides and grooms are scheduling their nuptials on weeknights and even early mornings in 2010. It’s less expensive to book  a venue or caterer on “off days”, and as telecommuting becomes more popular, guests are gaining flexibility in their schedules. Weddings we’ll see this year will include sunrise affairs followed by romantic brunches, and chic mid-week dinner parties.”

Worried about your guests approving of a mid-week wedding?  Although you might hear some moaning and grumbling about having a mid-week wedding, most of your guests will understand and accommodate your decision.  They will definitely appreciate the extra spark that a midweek wedding will add to their work week.

From the article, “Top Ideas for Planning a Memorable Wedding”

Author: Graham

When it comes to getting married, location is a key factor. For couples that have chosen the San Diego area, there are plenty of venues, catering services and other options to choose from that can make this event one to remember. With the right planning and preparation, any couple can have a memorable wedding that they’ll be able to look back on fondly in the years to come.

Idea #1: Behind-the-Scenes Video

Instead of showing your guests a video montage of pictures of you and your sweetie from childhood to adulthood, why not break out of the mold and so something more interactive? Hire a videographer to capture the moments that led up to the wedding. This behind-the-scenes look is a wonderful way to show your guests a candid look into the process and is sure to entertain them. Additionally, it gives other people in your wedding party a chance to make a cameo.

Idea #2: Bust a Move

If you’re the type of couple that tends to think outside the norm, then prove it! Skip the traditional slow dance routine and instead perform your own choreography together to your favorite song. Such a performance is sure to be the talk of the town. If you really want to wow your guests with your performance, get your bridesmaids and groomsmen into the act as well. Practicing your choreography ahead of time as a group will not only make the final performance a success, it gives everyone in the bridal party a chance to get to know one another, if they don’t already.

Idea #3: Picture Perfect

Even though a wedding is all about the bride and groom, why not allow your guests to share a bit of the spotlight as well? One way to accomplish this is by doing a San Diego photo booth rental. This type of booth lets guests conduct their own mini photo shoots and is ideal for singles, couples or even group shots. The most advanced photo booth San Diego rental companies offer not only the ability to take and print pictures, but allow for video messaging, custom graphics and layouts and even the opportunity to create a special photo album, which guests can sign.

Using a San Diego photo booth is the perfect way for every guest at your wedding to create their own memories of your event that they will cherish forever.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/beauty-articles/top-ideas-for-planning-a-memorable-wedding-4746541.html

About the Author

For more information on photo booth San Diego, such as booth options, FAQs, pricing and image galleries, couples can visit:

http://www.starlightphotobooth.com/

From the Article “2012 Wedding Dress and Hairstyle Trends”

Author: osaki raysor

2012 is going to be a year of ultra-romance and vintage charm when it comes the design trends in every aspect of weddings, including the wedding dress, accessories, hairstyles, wedding cake and more.

In this competitive market, wedding gown designers are becoming more creative in their designs, making a unique gown for just about every bride. We all have our own vision of what the perfect wedding dress looks like, and chances are, with all of the new designs coming into production, you’ll be able to find it!

Here are some of my personal favorite new wedding trends for 2012:

• Gold accessories are going to be more popular, especially for a fall or winter wedding. Things like gold hair brooches, gold shoes, gold jewelry, and even golden hued wedding gowns. The key to choosing gold accessories with a timeless look, is to choose only one or two that you love. This will keep your look from being too over-the-top.

• Big layered sheer skirts with lots of interesting details in materials such as chiffon, organza, lace, batiste, crepe, and tulle. Instead of the dress designs you’ve seen in the past using just one material, dress designers are now incorporating many different materials into one dress, making each one unique.

• I just love the new corset style bodices with lacing down the back. This is a very sexy yet sophisticated style that goes well with a large ball gown skirt. You’ll see a lot of these with intricate detailing using things like beadwork and lace.

• Vintage inspired wedding gowns with a modern touch. Just choose your favorite era, whether it’s the roaring 1920′s or a dress inspired from the 1950′s, perhaps the dress Marilyn Monroe made famous. I’ve found a vintage inspired wedding to be a lot of fun! This is your one special day, why not make it your own?

• Detachable bridal belts can add a unique look to any wedding gown, making it easy to customize the wedding dress you’ve chosen. Instead of just the colored sash that we’ve seen on the runways in the past, you now have options in belts that look more like jewelry. They’re stunning!

• Loose and simple hairstyles. Instead of the up-do that looks like it took many grueling hours, styling tools and hairspray to accomplish, think of a more natural look, with loose waves pinned back low on the head or even off to the side.

• Large hair accessories, such as a gardenia, sparkling brooch with feathers, or a birdcage veil are becoming more popular, but keep your other accessories to a minimum, and let the hair accessory that you have chosen be the focal point.

• When you think of a pony tail you might think of a more casual affair, but not if you do it right! Low side pony tails look stunning with a one-shoulder wedding dress. This look works best for brides with long hair. Part your hair off to one side and put lots of loose curls in the pony tail. Choose an accessory to go around the band for that finishing touch.

Just remember, the only opinion that matters is your own. Try to keep your stress levels low and just go with your instincts. Choose the things that you love, and you shouldn’t go wrong.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/weddings-articles/2012-wedding-dress-and-hairstyle-trends-5425930.html

An exerpt from the article “Wedding Ceremony Fainters”

Author: Maureen Thomson

Any professional wedding officiant with a substantial level of experience can share a story or two of wedding ceremony fainters. My personal favorite is the wedding I performed where the maid of honor saw the best man starting to wobble and subsequently executed a perfect swan dive between me and the couple to catch him as he went down.

While fainting episodes make great material for the bride and groom to tell their grandkids someday, most people would like to avoid being the faintee on such an important (not to mention well-attended) occasion.

Some tips for staying upright:

• Eat. This is not the time to save your calories for the reception.
• Drink water. Staying hydrated will prevent light-headedness.
• Sleep. Don’t party the night before until the cows come home. It’s a recipe for disaster.
• Avoid a lot of alcohol before the ceremony. A glass of Champagne might calm your nerves momentarily, but too much (especially on an empty stomach) will leave you woozy.
• Keep the temperature of your ceremony location cool and comfortable. Think about this when choosing a ceremony site. If your wedding is to be in July in Arizona, you’d better opt for an indoor, air-conditioned location. And if you have your heart set on getting married outdoors, but wake up on the day of your wedding to 90 degree temps, you will want to opt for an air-conditioned Plan B. It’s not just rain that should move your ceremony indoors; heat should be considered as well.
• If you’re the type to get nervous when the attention is focused on you, take a few minutes before the start of the ceremony to do some anxiety-reduction exercises. Breathe deeply, meditate, visualize, do jumping jacks–whatever it takes to keep you calm.
• Don’t lock your knees when you’re standing during the ceremony. Doing so means an increased risk of hitting the ground.
• Remember–fainting does not generally strike from out of the blue. You won’t be standing upright and feeling fine one second and then “BAM!” hitting the floor the next. If you’re going to take a dive, it will definitely sneak up on you gradually. So, for heaven’s sake, if you’re in the wedding party and feel yourself start to sway, get lightheaded, experience a feeling of vertigo or your vision starts to blur, you’re sweating profusely, you feel nauseated or just “not right” then discreetly hightail yourself out of the line of sight and sit down. Barely anyone will notice if you quietly step aside during the ceremony and take a seat, but trust me, EVERYONE will notice if you take a swan dive off the altar.
• If it’s YOUR wedding day and you’re in front of 200 of your nearest and dearest proclaiming your lifelong commitment to your beloved (no pressure!) then the only thing you can do is call a temporary halt to the proceedings, take a breather and return somewhat refreshed. It’s rare for the bride or groom to be the fainter, and you can certainly minimize the chances by following the tips outlined above.

Perhaps one of the biggest decisions an engaged couple can make is what venue to book for your wedding. Sometimes choices can seem overwhelming, but have no fear: there are, in fact, some easy ways to narrow down your choices. The size of your planned affair can determine where you book your wedding; however, most venues can accommodate more intimate weddings in addition to larger, more elaborate receptions. However, knowing how many guests you plan to invite is a good first step in determining where you’ll host your wedding. Further, location, atmosphere, budget, and, of course, availability can also contribute to your decision. Most venues—especially the more popular ones—recommend you book your wedding as soon as you set a date. Wait too long, and you just might miss out on the wedding of your dreams—or at least the venue you had your heart set on. Book your wedding as early as possible.

How Do You Choose A Wedding Venue?

When you choose a wedding venue, it’s a very personal choice for the bride and groom. If you live near the ocean, do you want a lakeside wedding? A garden venue is popular, while some couples would rather hold their wedding at a location with overnight accomodations. Where you have your wedding will help you set the theme for your event. It’s also important to have your reception at a location that is used to having weddings. Putting on a wedding reception is not for the faint of heart; it requires knowledge, patience and experience. Wedding receptions need to work like clockwork, and venues that have years of experience, like Los Willows, will help the bride and groom to relax, rather than worry about minute details. If you want your wedding reception to go off without a hitch, then it might be best to choose a wedding venue that has several years experience.

How To Choose Between Two Venues You Love

Believe it or not, if you have to choose between two venues, Liza Isacsson, Wedding Director at Los Willows, says price should not be the deciding factor. Other factors are far more important than price if you are between two venues you love. For example, many large venues will have more than one wedding going on at a time. Or they might be hosting a birthday party for a teenager, a retirement party or a corporate event at the same time that they are hosting your wedding. You should not only know if there are other events booked, but what they are so that they don’t interfere with your wedding. Do you really want to hear a hard bass beat in the background while you’re dancing to “Daddy’s Little Girl” with your father? If this is a concern, it might be best to select a venue that holds only one event at a time and isn’t a “reception mill.” If you have to choose between two venues, pick the one that puts you first.

Look for a Wedding Venue With Experienced Management

People will remember your wedding—don’t let anyone convince you that your wedding venue and who is handling all the details at your reception isn’t important. It is. You are going to spend thousands of dollars, invite the people you love most in the world, and you not only want them to have a good time, you want them to think back on your wedding as a joyous occasion that was amazing. While of course budget must be a consideration, other factors are actually more important. And experience is perhaps the most important one of them. Will the management at the venue work with you? Do they return phone calls? Will they take your concerns and worries seriously? Are they willing to work with you? Do your personalities mesh? When choosing a wedding venue, it’s important to look at the little details that will make the big “wedding” picture they way you want it to be.

Los Willows Has Been Hosting Weddings for Over 20 Years

The wedding coordinators and staff of Los Willows, a luxurious wedding venue in San Diego, have a great deal of experience with wedding planning. The ceremony and reception garden estate can provide the picturesque backdrop for your future perfect wedding. Contact Los Willows today for more information!

How to Properly Integrate Wedding Lights into your Special Event

Author: Kathryn Dawson

On the big day, it seems that everything needs to be perfect. The littlest thing wrong with a wedding day can throw the bride, or even the groom, for a loop because they have waited so long for this day to arrive. Lights can add a sparkle and ambiance that cannot be achieved by flowers or other backdrop accessories. Any kind of atmosphere can be created by lighting specialists, and you can even add your own unique touch if needed to make that day exactly how you always wanted it to be. Sophistication and luxury are key to most weddings, and the perfect lighting can sometimes be the key to making your wedding the definition of class.

No part goes unnoticed during a wedding, and everything will be looked at and gazed upon for hours by the guests before the festivities actually begin. The backdrop of the wedding ceremony and reception are the focal point for the big event because that is what will be behind the bride and groom as they say. It needs to be able to perfectly captivate the moment and let it live that way forever through pictures and videos.

The lighting can control the mood of the wedding, so after the deep, romantic moment of the actual ceremony is over, brighter and more colorful lighting can be used at the reception. This is a route that has been taken many times at many weddings over the years, and has been proven to create the right moods for each part of the day. There does not need to be any worries about what specific ways the lighting should be used because each wedding needs to have its own unique flavour. With a lighting design coming from the bride or groom, the atmosphere will be sure to be a unique one for everyone involved.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/interior-design-articles/how-to-properly-integrate-wedding-lights-into-that-special-event-4194552.html

About the Author

Kathryn Dawson writes articles for LDJ Lights, an expert in fairy lights. LDJ Lights only supply lights that have been inspected and tested to the same rigorous standards as those used in major commercial displays. All their lights offer a decorative sparkle for any occasion. Every party needs christmas tree lights or wedding lights to enhance the mood, which you can find from the comfort of your home and have them delivered right to your door step.

Fall And Winter Offer Both New And Timeless Wedding Color Schemes

Author: Roger Ghost

Fall and winter weddings are often overlooked. Spring and summer weddings offer the common theme of birth and renewal and the opportunity for bright color schemes. Fall and winter weddings, on the other hand, provide wonderful opportunities to enhance your wedding with color schemes and themes ranging from serene to glittering.

Fall wedding color schemes and themes are as varied as the falling leaves. There are plenty of attractive combinations to evoke the appropriate atmosphere for your wedding.

Traditional fall themed weddings often look to the fabulous bounty of the harvest for their symbolism. Use the spectrum of fall’s natural world, with variations of bright yellow, orange, reds, and warm browns with greens to engender a bright, cheery ambiance. Dahlias and anemones, separate or combined, make great bouquets for traditional fall themed weddings.

Gentle alternative fall wedding colors are also popular. You can look to classic warm brown and cream colors, with a hint of pastels in blue or pink, for a gentle touch that highlights other aspects of the celebration. Create whatever theme you like to attach to these gentle and attractive color combinations. Because they have no special emotional associations, they’re a blank slate.

Winter and its universal association with white allows wide latitude in themes and colors. Traditional winter wedding colors combine white with Christmas reds and greens, and themes often highlight poinsettias, pinecones and snowflakes. But that’s just one way to go. Lots of new winter wedding ideas are popping up lately.

Winter is a great opportunity for glitter in your wedding. Indoor ceremonies are a great chance for a glamorous black tie affair – a memorable event to be certain. Combine white with crystal goblets and black trim for an elegant and dazzling theme. And white flowers with a hint of black make a stunning winter wedding flower bouquet. Hydrangeas are a great choice.

If glitz and glamour aren’t for you, there are still plenty of great color schemes for a wedding in winter. Trimming with just one of the colors of Christmas provides a hint of the season without overpowering the deep significance of your ceremony. White with red trim is attractive and evocative.

Another way to go is to subtlety utilize the familial themes of the Nutcracker, which are powerful symbols of children, home, joy, comfort and warmth – perfect for a couple planning a family. Trim with black and red and decorate with themes of angels, sugar plums, drummers and snowflakes.

Say “I Do” by March 31 and save!  Check out the Los Willows WINTER SPECIAL!!!

Brides who like to be on the cutting edge of the latest trends are lucky if they live in California. That’s because one of the biggest crazes to hit the wedding industry is the catering truck. This is not your father’s “roach coach” that has a selection of rubbery hotdogs and greasy sausage, but rather a gourmet restaurant on wheels offering such diverse foods as BBQ and vegan cuisine. Many San Diego wedding venues are catching on, too, by allowing brides the choice of having one of these new catering trucks supply the food at the reception. While many venues do have a wide variety of meal selections, the catering truck simply gives brides more choices in terms of the food offerings and their budget. If you’re about to become a bride and live in the San Diego area, be sure to ask wedding venues if catering trucks are an option you can take advantage of should you choose to their venue.

Another Wedding Trend with California Roots

Of course, like any wedding trend that starts in California, the rest of the country catches on pretty quickly and it’s likely that even if your wedding isn’t in LA, you have some alternatives. However, LA caterers pretty much have this down to an art, and the variety out there is impressive. Any trend in food can be easily translated into a catering truck—after all, it’s a lot easier to launch a truck than it is a restaurant. Find a food trend and you can probably find a catering truck that already is serving up that food. There are well over 200 different catering trucks in the Los Angeles area alone—many of which will cater a wedding. Wedding sites in San Diego will likely have lists of catering trucks that are popular at receptions, so be sure to ask what the venue recommends. Because the trucks are so specialized, you could have a salad truck, main course truck, and a dessert truck.

How to Find a Catering Truck For You Wedding Day

Another way to find the right truck for your wedding day is to head to the annual LA Street Food Fest held in July. Since most weddings take about a year to plan, make this stop one part of your overall plan for your wedding. Not only will you get to see what many of these trucks offer on their menus, you’ll actually get a chance to sample their food. The variety of trucks and the huge diversity of food they offer is truly impressive. Bring your friends along and make a contest of it by rating each truck—the winner gets to cater your wedding. If you’re environmentally conscious, you could opt for a “green” caterer—one that uses vegetable oil to run its truck, uses solar power, offers organic foods, and doesn’t use any plastics. You can make your wedding day make a statement—about your taste and food or how you feel about saving the planet. Another option would be, while scouting out reception venues in San Diego, to simply ask at every venue what food trucks are popular. By the time you have been to multiple venues, you should have a comprehensive list of popular food trucks!

Things to Remember If You Hire A Caterer For Your Wedding Reception

The first thing you need to do if you want to hire a caterer for your wedding reception is to make certain your venue will allow you to bring in food from an outside source. Most wedding venues in San Diego will be accommodating when it comes to this. While more and more venues are allowing this—or at least considering these requests—not all do. If you have your heart set on a specific venue, keep in mind you may not be able to bring in a catering truck. Also make certain the truck has all proper and current licensing. In California, catering trucks are so popular that in 2010, Los Angeles created its first Mobile Food Truck Task Force. Catering trucks are currently regulated, which has created a long list of regulations catering companies must adhere to.  Perhaps most important is to sample the truck’s food. You don’t want the first time you eat their food to be at your wedding reception.

Learn More About Los Willows

Los Willows is a luxury reception site nestled among rolling hills in beautiful San Diego, California. We offer affordable, diverse wedding packages that provide a multitude of menu options. Contact Los Willows today to learn more!

Here in San Diego, locals and out-of-state residents alike often take advantage of the rolling hills, temperate weather and beautiful views when looking to host memorable events. San Diego is especially popular for weddings – the most memorable of memorable events –due to the California city’s high concentration of quality reception sites. However, despite the beauty and serenity of the locale, you won’t be surprised to find out that even San Diego brides can be subject to stress when it comes to planning their weddings. Ideally, every bride and groom should be able to relax and enjoy their wedding day, but too many times, stress can become more of a part of a wedding than enjoyment. This stress manifests and can even become magnified for a variety of reasons, some of which surround the creation of the guest list. The “perfect” wedding and reception are possible, but having perfect people attend that perfect wedding is not. There is no way to please everyone, and brides and grooms will come to learn that to eliminate stress, they need to find a happy medium. What can a bride and groom do to deal with such wedding day stress, and how can they find a happy medium? Many San Diego reception sites will have onsite wedding planners and coordinators who can provide tips for dealing with such common issues, but we have included some more general words of wisdom here for those in need of a quick fix to their wedding bell blues.

Focus on the Beautiful View of San Diego from Your Wedding Venue, and Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

For the bride and groom, it’s best to focus on matters you can control when planning a wedding and try not to be affected by the things you cannot control. For instance, you absolutely cannot control the weather (though in San Diego, the generally temperate climate can certainly work in your favor). You can control the wedding venue (in the sense that you choose it, of course!), but you cannot control the weather on your wedding day. If you choose an outdoor wedding venue with a spectacular view of San Diego, you inherently take the chance that it may rain. With this chance in mind, you should build a contingency plan, or ask your chosen venue if a rain plan can be put into place, in order to keep your wedding day stress at bay. However, if you think the possibility of rain during your outdoor wedding could make your stress levels shoot up, it might be best for you to go with an indoor wedding venue, of which there are many across San Diego. After you choose your venue and whether your reception will be indoors or outdoors, there are many other elements you can control and therefore do not need to stress about: your dress, what flowers you order, what food you pick for your reception, and who you hire for a DJ or band. If you’ve planned well, then that means there are many aspects of your wedding that will go smoothly. Planning a wedding down to the most minute details—and also following up on those plans the month before your wedding date—can go a long way toward eliminating the stress that can tend to build on the big day.

Tips for Reducing Stress on Your Wedding Day

Like we mentioned above, many of San Diego’s finest wedding halls will provide in-house coordinators who can help you navigate the stressful process of wedding planning. However, for those brides and grooms who wish to plan further ahead of time, or who are looking for even more tips about how to eliminate stress from the process, here are a few tips for reducing stress on your wedding day:

• Make a list and check it twice. If you’re not a list-maker, become one. The more organized you are, the less stress you’ll feel on your big day. Nothing reduces stress like knowing everything is taken care of.
• Delegate. You’re only one person and you can only do so much. Assign people, including the groom, tasks to complete so that you’re not overwhelmed come your wedding day. Even the most organized person on earth needs help—especially on his or her wedding day.
• Focus on the good things. Enjoy the spectacular view offered by whichever of San Diego’s popular wedding halls and reception sites you have chosen. Breathe, and remember the purpose of the day: you are marrying someone you love. You’re making a memory today, and you don’t want it to be fogged up by stress!

Learn More about Los Willows

Los Willows is a luxurious San Diego wedding venue situated among rolling hills and beautiful greenery. Along with its affordable wedding packages, Los Willows offers the help of wedding-day coordinators as well as wedding planners that can help you, step-by-step, along in the process of planning your memorable event. Contact Los Willows today for more information!

Flower Preservation Tips: Learn From Professional Florists How to Get the Most Life From Your Flowers

Author: Lauren Mamane

Although many people are not aware of this fact, plants don’t die the moment they are uprooted. They are alive for quite a long time after and may be replanted, as long as the roots are kept intact. Moreover, if they are kept moist, preferably their roots waterlogged, they may survive for quite a long time.

Flowers have the same tendencies. If they are kept moist or wet, they can remain fresh for 4-5 days – sometimes for even as long as a week or two. The length of time they will remain fresh depends on the species of flower, as well as way the flowers are cut.

Los Willows is offering FREE FLOWERS IN FEBRUARY!!!

If the flower has a long stem, it will likely remain fresh for almost as long as it would have, if it had not been removed form the plant in the first place. In fact, roses can survive for almost a week if its stem is kept waterlogged for the duration.

The reason for this is that the stem of the flower contains the Xylem, which is the plant tissue responsible for carrying water through the plant. When the flower is connected to the plant, the Xylem is continuous and draws water from the root. If the flower is cut and the Xylem is kept dipped in water, it will continue to draw water to the flower naturally, keeping the flower fresh as if the flower remained attached to the plant itself.

This is why professional florists mount the flowers and leaves on a sponge when making a bouquet. Many people don’t even realize that many boquets have the sponge inside the packaging.

In this manner, you can just water the sponge on which the flowers rest, ensuring that the base of the stem can continue to collect water for transport to the flowers.

At home, you could fill a vase with a little bit of water and place the flowers into it. But, it would be much better to place a small sponge at the bottom of the vase, and embed the base of the stems into the sponge just the way florists would do. This method though efficient, cannot be expected to keep the flowers fresh forever. There are limits…

Buying or plucking the flowers just before your special occasion will keep them fresh for the occasion. But, if you need the flowers to last a bit longer, the sponge and flower vase method will serve you best.

Without constant contact with water, the flowers will generally dry up and wither away in just one or two days.

You should always strive to pluck or purchase your flowers just before the main event or your special occasion, if at all possible. Fresh flowers are just always best.

But not everyone has the luxury of being able to buy flowers freshly cut. Sometimes the sheer scale of an event or a wedding will require flowers to be cut and delivered hours or days before the festivities begin.

If you have to bring the flowers in early, always use refrigeration to store them. It may be a bit more expensive to refrigerate the flowers, but it will extend the life and beauty of the flowers.

By utilizing these flower preservation tips, you will be able to get more life and more enjoyment from every set of flowers you grow or buy in the future.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/flower-preservation-tips-learn-from-professional-florists-how-to-get-the-most-life-from-your-flowers-932446.html

About the Author

Lauren Mamane is a full-time floral designer. Licensed by the State of Michigan, the Professional Florists Institute is a private Vocational School offering flower design classes, presented by professional florists. Learn to design flower arrangements at http://www.professionalfloristsinstitute.com/

For your convenience, here are a couple of local and professional flower preservation specialists in North San Diego County:

Bloomingly Yours
1036 Commerce St., Suite F
San Marcos, CA 92078
760.471.5247

Twice-Touched Treasures
Floral Preservation
1401 El Norte Parkway #132
San Marcos, CA 92069
619.442.7696

If you are aiming for a near-perfect wedding day, you’ll want to make sure you hire the perfect wedding planner for you.  Here are some things to consider:

• Do you need a full service planner? The answer to this question is often determined by your budget. If you hire a service to handle every detail of your wedding, it will cost you more money.
• Do you only need them to contact vendors and venues? Some services will offer packages that offer basic help, such as only handling basic needs, such as finding a DJ, venue, caterer, flower shop, etc.
• A “Day-Of” coordinator. This person simply makes certain everything is on track. They confirm everything for you and make sure all is in order 30 days out from your wedding day. Many venues have these types of coordinators on staff. Which leads us to the next important question to ask:
• Does your venue have an in-house wedding planner and/or coordinator?  Are their services included or do you have to pay extra?

Questions Brides Should Ask Before Hiring A Planner 

Brides are experts at creating checklists, so here’s yet another one: questions to ask a wedding planner during your interview:

• How many weddings have you planned? Can I see some reviews?
• What was your biggest disaster and how did you handle it?
• Are you a full-time wedding planner? Will you personally be handling my wedding or a member of your staff?
• What services and packages do you offer and what is the pricing?
• Can you handle a non-traditional wedding?
• How many clients do you have? How many weddings are you currently working on?
• Do you have a certification? Training? Did you intern with anyone before opening you own business?
• Do you have any conflicting weddings on my wedding date?

Hiring a wedding planner can be expensive, so don’t hire someone you don’t feel comfortable with. Even if they come highly recommended, if you don’t feel right about the service, then look elsewhere. A good wedding planner makes for a happy bride.

Los Willows Has Wedding Planners on Staff

A wedding planner can be integral to the wedding planning process, or even just to the smoothness of the event on the day of. The staff of Los Willows, a luxurious wedding ceremony and reception venue in North San Diego County, has a great deal of experience with wedding planning and coordinating. Contact Los Willows today for more information!

Photo Courtesy of The Knot

A new trend for weddings being seen at reception sites in San Diego and around the country is catering –not just by an outside company, but by that outside company’s truck. That’s right – a truck! Not all venues allow catering trucks to serve at their weddings, but it is a growing trend to which many venues are paying close attention. Having such a choice can allow a bride to have a specific menu not offered by her venue of choice. The number of catering trucks and the variety of food they specialize in is almost unlimited. For example, an environmentally-conscious couple could have a “green” caterer—one whose trucks runs on alternative fuels or is electric, and offers foods that are either entirely organic, vegetarian, or gluten-free. Some venues may not be able to accommodate such requests, which makes these catering trucks a good alternative. Your venue may not advertise this service, but if you have specific needs, it doesn’t hurt to ask if your venue is aware of and okay with this new wedding. Many venues want to take advantage of the new cutting edge trends in order to attract more brides – which is likely why catering trucks are taking reception sites in San Diego by storm!  Ask Los Willows about their catering truck upgrade for the Mini Reception package.

If you are planning a wedding in San Diego or anywhere else in the nation, then you probably know that one of the most important things to consider when picking among reception sites is the menu. Though it seems like a simple detail, the menu can actually determine the overall price of your wedding. The variety of foods now served at weddings is truly astounding—as are the ways the meals are served. Because of this variety, there are a great deal of options available to modern brides. It all comes down to what the bride wants for her wedding, the budget, and what the venue can offer. While some venues will have extremely limited options—fish, chicken or beef for example—other venues can create just about anything the bride can imagine. When picking a venue, this should be a huge consideration. Some venues will insist they prepare the food in their own kitchens, but other reception sites, especially in San Diego where new ideas pop up everyday, will allow the party to bring in more specialized food from elsewhere.

With A Wedding, Variety May Be The Spice Of Life

The best wedding venues have several selections to pick from, as well as a variety of ways to serve the food. In San Diego, food stations are popular among brides, who like to give their guests several choices within one certain type of food. The stations could be roast beef, salmon, pasta, etc., so that there is something for everyone. Brides can choose a buffet-style service or have meals delivered individually. The way the food is served, and the variety of dishes offered, can often set the overall tone of the wedding. For example, Los Willows, one of the top wedding venues in San Diego, offers brides a huge variety of dishes, providing everything from pasta to kabobs. The venue even offers picnic lunches for weekday weddings, a cost-effective and charming alternative for brides who are either on a budget or want a reception that’s a bit more low-key. Not everyone has an unlimited budget, notes that Los Willows Wedding Director Liza Isaacson, which is why the best wedding venues in San Diego and elsewhere should have less expensive alternatives for cost-conscious brides.

Next time: Catering Trucks: A New Trend For Weddings

When planning a wedding, the devil is in the details. There is just so much to think about, and with today’s couples who are juggling two careers and perhaps even children, planning a wedding is not for the faint of heart. That’s why so many couples—and parents who are just as busy as their kids—hire a wedding planner. It certainly makes sense to hire someone who has years of expertise to plan an event that is going to cost thousands of dollars. Most people don’t plan large parties for hundreds of people every day, so hiring someone to do it for you just might save everyone’s sanity. A good wedding planner will make the day go smoothly so that everyone from the bride and groom, to the parents and guests will be happy and be able to relax and enjoy the big day knowing everything is taken care of.

What To Look For When Hiring Your Wedding Planner

Where can you find these special event planners? Well, one option is to go with a wedding planner or coordinator who works at your wedding venue. Another option is to pay close attention to planners of other weddings that you attend. Obviously, you’ll want to hire a wedding planner who has experience, so if you’ve gone to a wedding recently that went smoothly or the bride gushed about her wedding planner, that’s a great starting point. Personal referrals are one of the leading ways people find firms to handle their weddings. But just because your best pal loved her planner doesn’t mean that’s the one for you. Your personalities will have to mesh—and mesh well—because you’re going to be spending a lot of time with this person. If you find that you’re butting heads along the way, that’s only going to add more stress in your life at a time when you just don’t need it. In addition to finding someone with whom you can get along, there is a list of other attributes your wedding planner absolutely must have before you sign any contract. Make sure your wedding planner meets your needs.

Next time: Tips To Make Your Wedding Day Perfect: Hire The Right Planner

There’s nothing stuffy about our elegant Los Willows B&B. Yes, you will enjoy five star luxury accommodations but you don’t have to put up with any snootiness. Your day is special and a time for fun and relaxation so let down your hair and let the good times roll!

Thank you, photographer Justin Hulse for capturing this moment.

Please contact us for packages and pricing:

http://www.loswillows.com/contact/

The Owner of Los Willows happens to be a retired Marine Colonel. Each chair set up for your ceremony is precisely placed as if they were soldiers on a parade ground. Nothing sloppy about Los Willows! We pay attention to the details so you don’t have to!

Thank you, photographer Justin Hulse for capturing this moment.

Please contact us for packages and pricing:

http://www.loswillows.com/contact/

Your wedding cake is a special part of your reception and how it’s displayed is equally important. We showcase your cake to its best advantage for magnificent pictures. Besides how delicious our cakes are, they are truly a work of art. Tell us you flavors, tell us your theme and our masterful baker will do the rest…and the best part of all, most cakes are included in our wedding package.

Thank you, photographer Justin Hulse for capturing this moment.

Please contact us for packages and pricing:

http://www.loswillows.com/contact/

Do you realize that on non-wedding days we have four dogs enjoying Los Willows?

Yes, our owners have two yellow labs, one brown retriever and a toy poodle. If your best friend happens to be a dog, then invite him/her to your wedding. We love animals and they can add such a special touch to your wedding. Dress them up as shown in the photo for the girls or select a tux for the handsome boys. Remember that at your wedding, it’s truly all about you, and we will do our best to make sure your wedding is the way you want it.

Thank you, photographer Justin Hulse for capturing this moment.

Please contact us for packages and pricing:

http://www.loswillows.com/contact/