Wedding Wednesday: Rain Plan

We hoped for sunny skies for last weekend's wedding in Bridgehampton but unfortunately mother nature didn't cooperate and we were forced to go for "plan B", the often dreaded rain plan.

What I realized is that while moving a beach ceremony indoors isn't ideal, the alternative of being caught in a downpour would be much less desirable. In our case the decision was made by a group of seasoned pros who knew that it was better to have a well thought out indoor plan than a chaotic last minute outdoor ceremony with the threat of rain literally looming overhead. And that's just how it happened. The final decision had been made, the stage had been set and as the bride arrived to take her walk down the aisle the rain began to fall outside.

My advice is to hope for the best but to realize that the alternative is definitely not the worst. A rain plan is just that, a plan. It should be well thought out and understood as a real possibility. The decor should be adaptable and your designer should be able to make a few changes for it to appear seamless. Your guests will never know that changes were made at the last minute and you will be just as happy walking down the aisle...even if it is "plan B".

Wedding Wednesday: Summer Wedding Flowers

After a few days of very hot and humid weather here in the city I started thinking of those summer weddings when it's just SO hot and sticky. Not only do you sweat and melt in the hot sun but the flowers you choose can wilt and burn under the sun too!

This is something to consider when choosing the style and design of the bouquets and centerpieces for your wedding as well as the flowers that you will use. This isn't only a concern for outdoor weddings but also for personal flowers including bouquets and boutonnieres that need to hold up in the heat. You definitely don't want wilting flowers in your pictures. [You may want to consider having two bouquets so you have a back-up.]

Tropical flowers are one of the best options for warm weather. Since they naturally come from warm weather climates they can withstand heat and humidity. There are endless varieties of orchids; cymbidiums, phaleonopsis, cattelaya and dendrobium just to name a few. Along with the flowers there are many tropical greens that would be perfect for a wedding. Amazing philadendron leaves, steel grass and monstera leaves are great as accents to the flowers or on their own. Pin cushion protea, lotus pods, air plants and succulents are alternative ideas that would be great for elements of texture.

For something a little more casual would be the abundant wild flowers that are available throughout the summer. While these won't work in every venue or for a more formal wedding they are perfect for an outdoor or more casual feeling. Sunflowers, campanula, zinnias, ferns, queen anne's lace, aster, mums and grasses are all good options.