Have you always dreamed of walking down the aisle carrying an all-white bouquet?  Or maybe you are considering carrying something with a little more drama?  Whatever your preference may be, there are a few words of wisdom when it comes to selecting the perfect hue for your aisle accessory.

While an all-white bouquet can be ultra chic in person, an all-white bouquet doesn’t show very well in photos against a white dress.  One suggestion is to add a few light hues of creme, or a beautiful rose such as the ‘Sahara’ to give contrast against your white gown.  Adding another hue gives contrast, depth and interest to the white palette you already have going.  Something as subtle as silver foliages or a naturally found green accent would also give the perfect contrast and compliment to your white florals.   You may also consider collaring off your bouquet with sleek leaves or scented geranium {one of my favorites!}  Some florals such as freesia, veronica and tulips show a bit of green naturally in their blooms, so you can also get contrast right from these blossoms.  Whatever option you choose to go with your white hued bouquet, make sure you take into consideration how your white blooms will show in photos.

For more drama you may be considering carrying a bouquet full of color.  Whether it be monochromatic {all one color} or a variety of colors, there are some do’s and don’ts when it comes to colorful bouquets.  A monochromatic bouquet to me says high drama!  The new popular trend of having matching colored shoes to your floral bouquet is quite stylish too!  You really can’t go wrong with a monochromatic bouquet, it is very classic.  When it comes to multi-colored bouquets, you want to make sure there isn’t too much going on.  No bride wants guests to be distracted by a bouquet that takes away from your natural beauty on your special day.  Keeping things simple with colors, and adding textural elements within your color palette will help avoid these wedding day don’ts.

No matter what you hue you choose to carry, you will be the center of focus, so make sure your florals compliment your look.  As a seasoned wedding florist, we are able to come up with the perfect florals, color palette and style to make you look your best!

Photo By: Botanica Floral Designs

This white toned bouquet also has some very light peach tones in addition to green accents found in the flowers themselves.  See how the bouquet shows against the white gown?

Photo By:  Element Studios

This bouquet features not only white florals, but a taupe colored roses as well.  The green calla lily stems add contrast as well as movement to this piece.  Large pearls tie in the color from the ‘Sahara’ roses to add a bit more elegance.

Photo By: Kristy Huston Photography

This monochromatic yellow bouquet is created with yellow ranunculus and is collared off with scented geranium.  The all yellow hue has contrast against the white gown, and shows in this Sacramento bride’s photos.

Real Weddings Magazine is calling all local brides out for their annual cover model contest!  Three lucky girls chosen as finalists will get pampered for an all day photo-shoot, and get their photos in Real Weddings Magazine!

If you are interested, you can download an entry form, but make sure you complete it soon, as the deadline ends January 31, 2010!  Make sure to let your personality shine through with your answers!  Also, make sure you read the rules to ensure you are eligible to enter.

To read more about Real Weddings Magazine, log on to http://www.realweddingsmag.com.

Above: Winter 2010 cover featuring cover model winner Kimmi Armstrong.  Photo by Jodi Yorston Photography, dress from The Bridal Box, flowers by Botanica Floral Designs, hair and make-up by Image Provocateur/VIP-CAT Academy.

If you are a Sacramento bride looking for the perfect Sacramento wedding venue, take a little trek just past Auburn where you will find Winchester Country Club.  For a nature lover as myself, I instantly fell in love with this truly gorgeous property!  Surrounded by lush forests, and a legendary golf course there’s no shortage of beautiful scenery.

Winchester Country Club can accommodate an intimate gathering of guests as well as up to 400 people.  With various options for ceremony and reception set-up as well as fine cuisine and an “all-inclusive” package, who wouldn’t want to tie the knot at this luxurious site?

Here are a few photos from their website, but to get the whole effect, you must go see!  You will enjoy working with Darcie Carrier, the on-site wedding and event professional who will guide you throughout your planning at Winchester Country Club.  Darcie can be contacted via phone at 530.878.3015.

If you haven’t already picked up the “hot off the press” Real Weddings Magazine, you’re missing out!  Featuring real Sacramento weddings, this publication is loaded with awesome ideas for the Sacramento bride getting married.  You’ll also see some of our very own work, including the deep red bouquet we created which is featured on the cover of the Winter Issue!

You can also see more of our work featured on pages: 47, 50, 51, 52, 139.  One of our Real Weddings from last year, Nicole and Raymond, were also a featured Real Wedding in the publication, page 76 & 77.  Make sure to check out the style files where you can also see some of our trendy ideas to use for your wedding!

So, if you haven’t gone and picked this magazine up already, make sure you do so!  We think you are going to like it!

Cover Shot Taken By: Jodi Yorston Photography

One of my favorite Sacramento weddings of the year was Mindy + Matt’s Italian inspired wedding which took place at Young’s Vineyard in Plymouth, California this Summer.  It was also just recently featured on weddingchannel.com!

Catriona Arcularius of Arcularius Events helped Mindy + Matt plan their wedding, and no detail was left untouched!  From sandals for their guests to lounge in, to sparklers to finish off the evening…. the attention to detail didn’t go unnoticed.  { I just LOVE it when brides really shine their personality through from start to finish!! }

Mindy’s colors were cornflower blue paired with peach.  The wedding ceremony featured a burlap lined aisle with brown cones filled with flowers.  Guests enjoyed cocktails amongst wine barrels, mason jars filled with flowers and specialty drinks focused on Italia!

The reception took place under an open air tent { my favorite new spin on the traditional tent} accented with long king’s tables topped with burlap runners.  Table numbers featured Italian cities, custom created by the bride herself.  It was the perfect touch! Centerpieces in wooden wine crates were filled with peach blossoms as well as blue flowers.  Flowers used included: peach roses, peach stock, dahlias, delphinium, jasmine vine for a bit of fragrance and hydrangeas.  We added a variety of greenery to add to the outdoor-rustic feel.  The centerpieces were tied together with smilax vine lined with votive filled mason jars.

Mindy’s bouquet was created with peach garden roses, tuberose to add a tinge of peach color, green helleborus {so gorgeous!}, calcynia, freesia and a brooch from Mindy’s family.

Guests enjoyed great wine, a cool evening from the warm day, tunes from Joe with Extreme Productions DJ’s and a star filled sky!  Congratulations Mindy + Matt!

Here are some images captured by Ashley Forrette Photography.

About a month ago we were hired to do the flowers for a local wedding which will be featured on the WE tv series, “Platinum Weddings.” The crazy part of this whole story is that we were hired less than 36 hours prior to the wedding!  Considering that clients normally hire our services a year to nine months in advance, this was a rare occurrence, especially for a wedding to be featured on reality tv!

With six hours to meet with their wedding planner: 2 Chic Events and Design, put a floral order together, and make it to the S.F. Flower Market, we were extremely lucky that we got all of the necessary items needed….the day before the wedding! {FYI,  we normally place our floral orders with much time in advance so that we can guarantee the availability of the flowers, get in any specialty items and special order hard-goods. }

Frank and Charity were married at the St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Rocklin, with a reception followed at the beautiful Arden Hills Resort.  Their style:  Modern Elegance.

Charity’s bouquets for the bridal party and herself were created with ‘Vendella’ roses along with ivory spray roses.  Each bouquet was collared off with ostrich feathers.  Charity’s bouquet was finished off with the most gorgeous Swarovski crystal band, simply amazing!  The simplicity of her bouquet was the perfect compliment to her custom-made couture gown created by Miosa Couture.

For the church decor, each pew end had a pillow of roses with long ivory hanging wide satin ribbon.  At the altar, two full arrangements of roses framed the couple.

We can’t wait to share more of the details, especially the stunning reception, so stay tuned!

Photos By:  Christopher Kight Photography

Well, were you able to  make it?  We had a blast at the most recent Alfred Angelo Bridal Salon Girls Night Out!

Gift bags with loads of savings were given out to each bride in attendance.

Yummy treats from Hannibal’s Catering!  From dark chocolate to white chocolate dipped, these were delectable!

Sweet Cupcakes from none other than Lisa Marie with The Sweetest Things.  She makes the best cakes for any occasion!  Always fresh, and never frozen!

Amy with Mary Kay Cosmetics provides complimentary consultations for any bride or girl in need of some glam!

You can contact Amy at: 916.792..1180

Dominic with Extreme Productions provided the awesome music for brides trying on dresses.

Florals provided By: Botanica Floral Designs.  We went for a pink theme for Breast Cancer Awareness month.

Sarah + Chris were married at The Citizen Hotel located on downtown J Street.  It was a gorgeous afternoon on the terrace for a wonderful ceremony!  Sarah’s colors were Fall inspired with red tulips, burgundy dahlias, orange rose hips, black annual scabiosa, miniature calla lilies, and chrysanthemums.  Photos By: Jodi Yorston Photography

Who:  The Alfred Angelo Bridal Boutique will be featuring some of the areas premiere vendors including: Extreme Productions, The Sweetest Things, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Hannibal’s Catering, and Yours Truly, Botanica Floral Designs.

What:  GNO aka Girls Night Out this month is benefiting Breast Cancer Awareness month.  Girls, bring your bridesmaids for an evening of pampering and browse not only the beautiful gowns, but also meet some wonderful local vendors for your wedding.

When:  Wednesday, October 14th  6-8pm, but you can stop by anytime during the day.

Salon hours are 11 am-8:30 pm

Where:  Alfred Angelo Bridal Salon

1208 Galleria Blvd
Roseville, CA 95678

We are excited to announce that Botanica Floral Designs has been asked to join the Style Me Pretty’s Little Black Book of Vendors!

Style Me Pretty is an ultra-chic blog maintained and created by the very talented serial blogger, Abby Larson.  With featured real weddings, including inspiration boards guests can create themselves, any bride planning a wedding is bound to have traveled and scoured this site for inspiration!  Noted as one of Martha Stewart’s favorite blogs, and taking notice in the Wall Street Journal’s  Blog Watch, Abby and her talented staff are on the cutting edge of everything new and modern.

The Little Black Book simply put by the Style Me Pretty website is:  ”filled to the brim with vendors that we’ve handpicked…those that are the most innovative, the most chic and the most approachable in their industry.”

We are honored to be a part of such an inspirational and recognized blog within the wedding industry, and look forward to continually exceeding our clients expectations and raising the bar with each event we so lucky to participate in!