How To Make A Candy Bouquet In A Coffee Cup

Oh No! Its your Aunt Sally's 60th birthday, and she's coming over to see everyone. Normally you would think this is good news, but no-one told you, and you don't have a gift for her!

Don't Panic! There's a simple gift you can make her that she will absolutely love... It's a candy bouquet in a coffee cup, and you can make one using a coffee cup, some leaves, and some flower shaped candies!

Step 1: Find a suitable coffee cup...

Most people have lots of coffee cups in their house. Maybe you have a cup from an old coffee set that got broken?

Try and find a nice looking cup, as it will ruin the effect of the candy bouquet if you use an old tacky, chipped cup!

Step 2: Prepare the coffee cup to hold the candy...

Take some dried oasis and push it into the coffee cup. If you don't have an oasis, you can stuff the cup with cellophane, but an oasis will work much better, as it will hold the flowers up much more firmly.

Before placing the oasis into the cup, place a square of cellophane in at the bottom. This will make it easier to clean later, as any flakes that fall off the oasis will be caught by the cellophane.

Step 3: Add the leaves for the candy bouquet...

Place some leaves around the outside edge of the cup. Make sure that the leaves overlap slightly as this will give a nice fanned effect. Try and space the leaves out evenly, but don't worry too much if the aren't spaced perfectly... it will make the bouquet seem more natural.

Step 4: Insert the candy flowers...

The next step is to place the candy flowers into the cup. Start in the middle and work your way out until all the candy flowers have been used. Depending on the size cup, and candy you are using, this could be anywhere between 5 to 11 candies.

Step 5: Fill the gaps with leaves...

When you give the candy bouquet to Aunt Sally, you don't want her to see the oasis inside the cup, as this will ruin the effect. So fill in any gaps where you can see through to the oasis, with leaves.

Step 6: Add some ribbon...

Personally, I like candy bouquets that have some ribbon. Place some ribbon around the cup, and maybe even add a figure-of-eight-bow to soften the bouquet a little.

That's it, all done! Very quick and easy, I think you'll agree! This Candy Bouquet looks great, and will make an ideal present for anyone, especially Aunt Sally! Just don't be surprised if it's half eaten next time you see it!

Peta D'Silva has been making bouquets for over 14 years. Her website at www.visionsofsilk.com has lots of free information on Candy Bouquets, including more details (and pictures) on How to make a candy bouquet in a coffee cup

Bridal Bouquets - Here's 5 Alternatives

Bridal bouquets are the most popular accessories for brides to walk down the aisle. But what if you want to be a bit different? Here are 5 alternative ideas that will work for both brides and bridesmaids:

1) Wrist Corsage

This is a small arrangement of flowers that is secured to the wrist. Roses, orchids and other small-headed flowers work best.

The great thing about a wrist corsage is that both of your hands are free - ideal if you're going to be hugging lots of guests.

Bianca Jagger looked very chic having chosen a wrist corsage instead of a bouquet when she married Mick Jagger.

2) Pomander

A pomander (also called a kissing ball) is a round ball shape of flowers that has a delicate ribbon handle. This is easy to carry as the ribbon just slips over the wrist. Roses are the most popular choice for pomanders but you could also use gerberas or carnations.

Pomanders are often carried by bridesmaids and flowergirls, but can look spectacular for the bride herself.

3) Hair Decoration

Hair decorations can be both elegant and stylish. You can choose one large flower such as a lily to form the focal point of your arrangement. This type of arrangement is worn on the side of the head.

Alternatively you could go for a circular 'halo' arrangement, such as Audrey Hepburn wore at her wedding. She had a halo arrangement of white roses that was worn on top of the head.

In addition to flowers, you can incorporate beads, jewels and feathers into your hair decoration. Have a quick chat with your florist and you could come up with a unique design that suits your personality and complements your bridegroom's boutonniere.

4) Prayer Book

Another choice instead of holding a bridal bouquet is to hold a prayer book or bible. Some brides like to decorate the prayer book with a small arrangement of flowers and/or ribbons.

You could use a cherished bible that was given to you as gift, or you could buy a new one as a symbol of your new life and how you plan to lead it.

5) Lantern or Candle Holder

These are great for church weddings, especially if it is an evening ceremony. Candles are very romantic and will add to the ceremony. Use non-drip candles and a lantern design that fully encloses the naked flame to reduce the risk of an accident.

The base of the lantern or candleholder can be decorated with a small arrangement of flowers to match the colors of your wedding theme.

Paul Ajao is co-founder of wedding florists Pure Botanics. For great ideas on creating beautiful bouquets, centerpieces and boutonnieres for your wedding, check out his website at http://www.wedding-flowers-guide.com

Crystal Wedding Bouquets And Boutonnieres vs. Flowers

Swarovski crystal bouquets and boutonnieres are the ideal way to do something that is different and incredibly beautiful on your big day. They provide a perfect way to extend the theme of crystals or pearls that are in your dress and jewelry throughout your entire wedding party and d?cor.

The benefits of choosing crystals over flowers for you wedding day are endless. In my personal opinion, the number one reason to choose a crystal bouquet is the sheer impact of the sparkle that will catch your guests eyes as you walk around the corner. The first thing that you do is not only shine, but you will twinkle. The bouquets will fill rooms with rainbows if they are in natural sunlight and are unbelievably sparkly and bright even in candle light.

I have learned recently that not all women are head-over-heels for flowers. If you happen to be one of these, whether it is due to allergies or simply personal preference, don?t worry because you have an alternative to traditional bouquets and boutonnieres (see link below). You can choose crystals for your entire party or you can decide to set yourselves apart from the rest and just you and your groom can carry and wear them, this is up to you.

Another benefit of crystal bouquets and boutonnieres is that that they can be shipped very easily. Since destination weddings are very popular these days, you don?t have to worry about not being able to meet with a local florist before your wedding date. You can purchase your bouquets months ahead of time and take them with you.

Preservation of floral arrangements can be very pricey if you decide to pay someone to do it for you, yet very tedious and frustrating if you try to do it yourself. With Swarovski crystal bouquets and boutonnieres you don?t have to deal with any of it, the arrangements will look exactly the same as they did on your wedding day eternally, and you don?t have to do a thing. When you think about it, they are heirlooms from the day they are purchased.

The arrangements can also be customized to coordinate with your color scheme by using any of the myriads of colors, or combination of colors, that you have to choose from in Swarovski crystals and pearls. You can also match the colors of the ribbons to your bridal party?s dresses and tuxedos, the possibilities are endless.

 Penny Olson is the owner and designer for http://www.brilliant-wedding-jewelry.com Crystal Wedding Boutonnieres: http://www.brilliant-wedding-jewelry.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1 Crystal Wedding Bouquets: http://www.brilliant-wedding-jewelry.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2<

How To Hire The Florist For Your Wedding

You have bought your bridal gown; you have reserved your reception venue, what?s next? Decorating your reception venue is an important task that you can?t start early enough. Your first step in decorating your venue is to find the right florist. It sounds simple, but it takes a lot of work.

When you interview florist make sure you don?t just take their word for it. You should see their previous work. An experienced bridal florist should have plenty of pictures in her portfolio. If the florist is unable to show you pictures of her previous work, you should walk. Decorating is too important to leave it to an inexperienced person.

The right florist is not only making sure the right flowers are delivered and arranged on your wedding day. A really good florist is an advisor about the overall decorating of the venue. Florist should have an eye for making any location look its absolute best, and it goes beyond arranging the flowers. Florist should be involved in selecting the right flowers, lights, candles, linens, decorative linens, and more. Of course, it doesn?t mean you have to agree to every suggestion. But, it certainly helps to get suggestions.

You can?t start soon enough for the right florist. It is certainly an essential part of your wedding planning project, and you should not leave it to the least minute. You should start interviewing florist as soon as you have reserved the reception venue. If possible, invite the florist to visit the venue with you to make suggestions about colors and decoration in general.

Make sure to have an idea of what you want by the time you hire the florist. Bring as many pictures, magazines, and catalogs you can to describe your requirements to the florist. It helps them too to understand exactly your likes and dislikes.

You should work within your budget. Make sure your florist understands how much you have allocated to flowers and decoration. When both you and your florist understand your budget, you don?t have to worry about surprises.

Ask for references, and check references. It is not enough to ask for them, so take the time and call the references and ask detailed questions regarding budgets, timeliness, customers service, quality, etc.

Put everything in writing, and be very specific. Make sure the name and color of the flowers, the time of delivery, the location of the delivery, and guarantees are part of the written contract. Always have a written and signed contract in place. It protects you and the vendor.

Wedding Favors Beach wedding favors, personalized wedding favors and bridal shower gifts.

The Elegant Calla Lily Wedding Bouquet

Few fresh cut flowers offer the elegance and versatility of the calla lily. If you are designing your own wedding bouquet, centerpieces or arrangements, the calla lily will provide all of the style, color and beauty you require.

The white calla lily is recognized immediately as the traditional wedding flower. For a simple bridal bouquet, tie ten to twelve calla lily stems with floral tape approximately six inches below the flower. Next, using ribbon that matches your wedding theme's color, cover the tape and tie a simple bow. Your walk down the aisle will exude class and understated sophistication with this beautiful, and simple to make, calla lily wedding bouquet.

If you prefer more color variety in your wedding flower arrangement, consider using the mini calla. A slightly shorter cousin to the standard calla lily, the mini calla offers tremendous color selection and versatility, often available in shades of white, pink, yellow and red, depending on the season.

Open the palm of your hand and place five standard length, white calla lilies flat in your hand. Arrange the flowers so that the middle flower is the tallest and the others slightly lower, roughly forming an arrow shape. Next, add eight mini calla lilies of pink, yellow or red and continue to fill out the arrowhead shape. Gently close the palm of your hand to solidify the wedding bouquet's shape and tie with floral tape. Finish once again with the ribbon of your choice.

Calla lilies work wonderfully with other fresh cut flowers as well. Roses are a great compliment to a calla lily wedding bouquet or arrangement.

Alternate roses and calla lilies while designing your next wedding bouquet, posie or nosegay. The differences between the flowers' shapes and contours will fill out your bridal bouquet, and add depth, dimension, shape and color.

Once again, don't be afraid to experiment with color. Pink roses and white calla lilies create the soft, pastel atmosphere of fairytales. Green roses and white calla lilies will announce your modern and stylish approach to life, while dark red roses and white calla lilies create a dramatic presentation that will catch the eye of every guest.

Be sure to incorporate calla lilies into your table centerpieces as well. Mini callas are great for table arrangements that don't force your guests to stretch their necks over towering designs that block everyone's view. Plus, with the wide color selection available, you are sure to find the perfect combination for your event's style and theme.

Calla lilies have much to offer and deserve their place in your next wedding bouquet or fresh cut flower arrangement. With style, elegance and a variety of colors and sizes, you can't go wrong.

Christopher Yow is the CEO of Sun King Wholesale, a provider of fresh cut, wholesale flowers to florists, event planners, business owners and the general public.

In addition to overseeing the daily operations and marketing efforts of Sun King Wholesale, Mr. Yow also travels to Colombia, Costa Rica and Ecuador to inspect fresh cut flower quality, as well as strengthen relationships with the international business community.

Christopher Yow lives in Miami, Florida with his beautiful wife Diana Ochoa.

http://www.sunkingwholesale.com

Online Florists & Flower Delivery - Surprise Someone You Love With A Gift From An Online Florist

"I can't believe my parent's forgot my birthday," pouted a teenaged Molly Ringwald. "They live for this stuff." Ringwald's Sam may have had a better Sixteen Candles if her parents and grandparents had lived in 2005 instead of 1984. What to get for the sixteen year old that has everything? How about a birthday tin of assorted popcorn to share with that handsome senior? Or maybe a Lenox watch? Maybe your sixteen year old likes to luxuriate with bath balls and massage scrubbers in a hot after dinner bath. You can get any or all of the above delivered straight to her door through an online florist.

Perhaps you haven't forgotten a birthday, but you have received the shock that every man dreads: that sharpie ink in the shape of a heart on your desktop calendar. That's right, it's your anniversary, and you've forgotten to pick up a gift for your wife. Roses might do the trick, but toss in some chocolates or a back massager and you're golden. You'd be surprised how much variety can be found in last minute online gift shopping at a virtual florist’s shop.

Don't let the morning's discovery burden your secretary's day with running from shop to shop or frantic phone book flipping for the perfect gift. The virtual directory of your local online florist has everything from steak knives to Waterford crystal, and yes, even flowers. A lunchtime delivery gives the added bonus of coming home to a happily surprised wife. Today's online florists are like five shops in one. The convenience of being able to shop online for so many things in one place and pay for them all together could have you months ahead of your gift giving calendar. That way you never forget, and the gift doesn't sit in your trunk two weeks past the birthday it was intended for.

We don't always think of every occasion. Maybe your pre-schooler's graduation slipped your mind, but a friendly phone call from your spouse has you re-thinking the ice cream cake. A point and click will have a cap and gown clad teddy bear waiting for your toddler after his afternoon nap. National Secretary's Day wasn't on your calendar, but suddenly every assistant in the office has a new pencil sharpener. What do you do when the gift-getter needs a gift? A quick online search could have your trusted organizer up to their ears in chocolate or flowers by the afternoon rundown. Never let someone forget how much you truly appreciate them, when in the time it takes to worry about it, you can send a thoughtful, personal gift from an online florist. Now you have no excuse. With the built in ease of checking your email and automatic withdrawal from your checking via debit, it's like going to the mall without ever leaving your chair.

To view our list of our most recommended online florists, visit: Recommended Online Florists

Carrie Reeder is the owner of eZerk, an informational website with articles and the latest news about various topics.

Wedding Flowers - 3 Steps to Hiring Your Florist

Even if you plan to create and arrange your own wedding flowers, consulting with a florist first is still a good idea. A florist's first-hand knowledge and years of experience can prove extremely useful, ensuring that you don't overlook small but important details. Hiring a florist ensures your wedding flowers and floral scheme match your vision. Not sure how to even begin hiring a florist? Follow these steps, and you will be sure to find the florist that suits you.

Do Your Research

It is never too soon to begin exploring your options. If you don't already have a favorite florist, research and find local florists. Your wedding facility coordinator or recently married friends are a great place to start. Browse Elegala.com's directory of local florists for a complete list of preferred florists in your area. Once you have a list of local florists, make appointments to review their work and discuss your floral vision.

Meet with Potential Florists

Plan to review portfolios and discuss your overall vision during your first appointments with potential florists. Your florist's previous work should match that vision. Remember that these portfolios showcase their best work, so if you don't like what you see, continue shopping. When they follow-up with proposals for your wedding based on your discussion, you should be able to make a decision on which best suits both your vision and wedding budget.

Determine the Details - Pick your Wedding Flowers

Now that you have selected your florist, schedule planning meetings at the ceremony and reception locations to determine the wedding flowers you'll use and their placement (or provide photos so that the florist will have an idea of what the locations look like) Consider your wedding facility as a blank canvas upon which your florist will create his/her work of art. The look and feel of the setting will lead your discussions, determining both the wedding flowers you choose and where they will be placed.

For ideas and inspiration to help you plan your floral scheme, visit Elegala.com's complete Wedding Flowers guide.

Cori Locklin is editor-in-chief for Elegala.com and Elegala Magazine (and a recent bride!). Elegala is a new wedding planning resource offering the most comprehensive portfolio of superior wedding reception sites and wedding services, along with planning tips, photo galleries and checklists to keep brides in-the-know on today's wedding trends and styles.

For a complete guide to creating an elegant and memorable wedding celebration, visit Elegala.com, your ultimate wedding planning resource.