Wedding Flowers: Local or Internet?

Flowers can either be a girls best friend for the wedding or her worst nightmare. In my case, it's both. I am in love with flowers all shapes and sizes and colors (and prices). I worked for one of Nantucket's most amazing and talented florists for a few years and saw some of the most magnificently decorated weddings I'll probably ever see in my lifetime. She would use everything from pink peony, antique hydrangea, green carnations (yes, GREEN), deep purple cala lillies, spiky things that I can't remember the name of, succulents, and even an occasional artichoke or two. The French garden-y style is beautiful. Yet expensive. I keep reading over and over again that brides #1 thing they spent more than they wish they had on was their flowers. Then there's the allergies. And the petals. And the water and potential spillage.

But how can you say no to these?

 

However. Comma. Pause. Peony are some of the more expensive ones. I would say roses but I know there's an allergy in my family and I don't want anyone to be miserable huffing and puffing and sneezing at the wedding.
So perhaps something less fragrant? There's always the local fare here on Nantucket:

(Cue the poppin' pink hydrangea) The coolest thing about these is that I think my family and future-family members with allergies will be okay. Plus, they are hardy, and you can find them just about anywhere on Nantucket in the summer. I may even end up clipping some out of our garden for the sake of saving some $. There's also farmers markets and local farms that carry them in regular supply throughout the summer months. Hopefully mine will be available in the end of June.

The last thing I would say I'm down with is Calalilies. They are soft, elegant, and singular. (Or can be bunched)

I've decided to utilize a local farm (Moors End Farm, right down the road from where the wedding will be) because, frankly, flowers, like food, are much better when accounted for locally. If something dies, or if I want to preview it beforehand, I can do it down the street. I don't have to take a chance at hiring some off-island vendor for something that could potentially expire.

I did strongly consider buying flowers online, especially for the pricing. The winner, by far, is Grower's Box (www.growersbox.com). I had a few people who used them tell me they were awesome. And I still may for an assortment, but as for my bouquet, I'd like to have that arranged locally. I think it makes it that much more personalized and special. I will say it over and over, there is NO HARM mixing and matching vendors within one category to save a few bucks. If you have one caterer who can also do your alcohol, but it's cheaper to go with hiring your own bartenders and getting your own booze, then I say do it. After all, it's your day (disclaimer here is the insurance and venue issues when it comes to pouring alcohol, use your discretion and education with that one. I'll post about those issues some other time when I feel like talking about something a little heavier than flowers).

Back to your regularly scheduled program:

We've pretty much decided to keep flower arrangements minimal. There's the beach theme (shocker) but nothing too crazy or ornate.
Here's an idea of a cool, floral incorporated (but not saturated) table arrangement. (Thanks Angelica for finding this!!)

Of course, I'm going to have darker sand, and pink hydrangea. Might throw a few candles around it for effect with a mirror underneath to create a nice, romantic feel come nightfall.

Here's another idea I ran across for a beach theme/greenry incorporation:

A little less on the greenery, a little more on the sand. Luckily, living on an island, sand isn't very expensive (hardy har har). And the vases you could scoop up at the dollar store or ebay.

Until next time!

Liz

Wedding Day Shape: Living on this Island

I'll be the first to admit I need to be in better shape. My weight has fluctuated from 107 lbs to 155 lbs in the last 7 years. I'm 26 (about to be 27) and I know I could take better care of myself. There are so many fad diets out there it's hard to decipher what's legitimate and what's not. I think the biggest thing for me is to know that I'll have the endurance to go all day long on the big day. I don't forsee myself wanting to take a nap or anything, but I certainly don't want to feel burnt out by the time I say "I do."

The biggest thing I keep reading EVERYWHERE is to drink enough water. Raise your hand if you don't drink enough water *raises hand*......yea......I know I need to get better about that.
Also, another key thing that is everywhere is eating enough fruits and veggies. Like you can NEVER have enough fruits and vegetables. No one out there will tell you to put that carrot stick down, or don't eat that apple. But of course, someone out there should be slapping that pizza slice or french fry out of your hand. Not all of us have someone that will do that to us. (Lord knows if Jason tried so much as to touch the french fry in my hand I'd snarl or something crazy like that....)

Above all else, it's about making a CONSCIOUS decision every time you eat.

And then there's exercise. If you're like me on this island as a year-rounder, you probably work like 2,3,4 jobs just to survive (and pay for the upcoming wedding). And as much as I love the amazing people who run the Nantucket Health Club, I don't have it in my budget a year in advance to get a membership. However, if you can afford it, I say go for it. They are all really awesome people over there and offer a lot of great classes, advice and help. Another place I adore is the Nantucket Yoga Room.

They have classes every single day of the week for all levels, year round. I am a huge fan of yoga and will find that $15 for the class when I have time (I think that's what they're still charging per class, you can also buy cards) The $15 to me = peace of mind and a healthy body.

In the summer months on Nantucket we're fortunate enough to have beautiful bike paths to be able to walk on. If you've got dogs, that's an added plus. There's also Tupancy that allows dogs, and our dogs LOVE going out there.

Best part about those last couple - they're all free. And if you have a bike or a buddy to go with, even more of a reason to go. And if you don't know where Tupancy is, here's a link.

There's a few things out there to help you out that I am a huge fan of:

• For an online resource to count calories, track exercise, and keep motivated (kind of like Weight Watchers, but FREE) there's Sparkpeople (there's also a free app for them for the iPhone) 
• For healthy recipes from the same folks that you can plug into your daily routine there's Sparkpeople's Spark Recipes (an app is available for free with the iPhone a well)
• Daily Mile (iPhone app)
• Calorie Counter (iPhone app)

Another thing I forgot to mention is, if you've got Comcast's On Demand service, there's a TON of exercise TV things out there. I'm a fan of the 10 lbs to Lose series. I did the Vinyasa Yoga the other day and I felt like I'd been to a yoga class. It was pretty awesome.

Until next time.

Liz