The Top Ten Floral Names For Baby Girls

In Victorian England, beginning around the middle of the 19th century, little girls were routinely named after flowers. The flowery nature of that era ? which gave rise to countless Violets, Hyacinths, and even little Buttercups ? extended into the early 20th century, after which time, both in England and the United States, floral baby names faded from sight almost completely.

In the England of the Industrial Revolution, perhaps as a way of maintaining a connection with a fast-disappearing natural landscape, house plants were introduced into homes, and floral names were bestowed on girls. Names such as Blossom, Dahlia, Marigold, Primrose, Posy, Poppy, and even Daffodil, are all recorded in the authoritative Dictionary of First Names, by Hanks and Hodges, as having been popular girls' names in Victorian England. Their popularity extended beyond the turn of the century, and a few, such as Poppy, stayed in vogue even until the 1920s. After that time, the use of floral names tapered off considerably. The most notable exception is the name Heather, which was not really a Victorian favorite, but surprisingly, was extremely popular in the United States in the 1970s through the 1980s.

Today, while floral baby names are still unusual, they retain a special niche, and in some cases are enjoying a resurgence. In the past year alone, at least five celebrities have used the name Rose for their daughters. Inexplicably, as if they liked the name "Rose" but lacked confidence in their choice, the name was used each time as a middle name! The actress Anna Gunn, of HBO's Deadwood; the English soccer star John Terry; singer Melissa Etheridge; actor Jon Favreau, and comedian Jon Stewart all bestowed the name Rose as a middle name on their newborn daughters.

This list of today's top ten floral names is based for the most part on data from the Social Security Administration's Baby Names website. The number ten name, Marguerite, is ranked number ten based on its most recent census ranking, because like many floral baby names, it does not appear on the Social Security Administration's top 1000 list, and thus its exact ranking is not known.

The list is a purely floral list, meaning the names that appear are either the names of flowers, or have a close association with a floral term. Specifically, the list does not include any of the beautiful baby names that are actually plants, shrubs or trees ? names such as Holly, Willow, Juniper, Fern, and so on. Beautiful as these names are, they do not truly belong on a baby names list based on flowers.

As of 2005, the top ten floral baby names in the United States, in order of popularity, are:

Jasmine Lily Daisy Heather Rose Iris Violet Rosemary Yolande Marguerite

If Rose is the hot new middle name, there are four other names in this list that are increasing in popularity. Daisy, Jasmine, Lily, and Violet have all become more common in the last decade or so. In the case of Daisy and Violet, it represents a return to an earlier popularity: both were in the top 100 girls' names in the United States a century ago. The names Jasmine and Lily are extremely popular in the U.S. today, and may just connote a new interest in the rich choices of floral baby names.

Neil Street is co-publisher of Baby Names Garden, a website dedicated to helping prospective parents choose a baby name. He has written about floral baby names and many other aspects of baby naming, including popularity and trends. He is also the editor of the Celebrity Baby Names Blog.

Floral Arrangements - A Hobby That Can Make A Flourishing Business As Well

Arts and crafts are a hobby for millions of people. More and more are trying their hand on floral arrangements.

Floral arrangements have a way of making people feel more serene, and some arrangements say, "I love you". There is no manual what to use for a floral design, it depends on what you want and what occasion you want to give one. The possibilities are limited only by your imagination.

There are different materials that you can make your arrangement out of. If you are giving your arrangement to someone who has a hectic or busy schedule, or is forgetful, you may want to consider an arrangement made out of silk. They are beautiful, and can be refreshed for months of beauty. You can even scent them to give the appearance of real flowers.

There are different types of arrangements. If you want to give someone you love one of these arrangements, consider a Korean floral arrangement. It is made of delicate flowers and is arranged in a dainty pattern. Or you could also go for the ever popular Japanese style of Ikebana.

When you give a floral arrangement of carnations and roses, you are saying I love you to anyone you give it too.

Your creations are only limited by what you can envision. There are thousands of different types of flowers to use to create the perfect flower arrangement.

Another popular trend in flower arrangement is to work with artificial flowers. These flowers are often made of silk or other such material .The best thing about these arrangements is that they are long lasting hypoallergenic for those having allergies. Besides they look natural and beautiful as well.

Whether you use real flowers or artificial, any arrangement that you can make will be incredible.

Creating your arrangement must be done with the utmost care in order for it to last for a long time.

Floral foam will assist you in a lot of different ways. However, before using it in your arrangement, you will need to soak it in water. Put the foam in a bucket of water. It is not advisable to pour water over the foam because it could miss spot and take away from the life of your arrangement.

Flowers need food, even in an arrangement. There is special food for cut flowers. This type of food dissolves easily in water and can be fed to your flowers daily.

When you are making a flower arrangement for someone, take into consideration the type of person and use the appropriate flowers.

An important thing about this wonderful art is that you can convert it into a flourishing business. You can earn good money by starting your own florist shop. You can either choose to become a wholesale florist or a retailer. You will soon find that there is no business like flower business!

Summary:

Making a floral arrangement can tell someone that you really care. When you take the time to do it yourself it shows a personal touch that a professional cannot match.

Brooke Hayles
Check Out More Helpful Information About Floral Arrangement For FREE!
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Namaqualand: The Floral Kingdom of Africa

Foreigners and locals return time and again to this wonderland of colour. The miracle of a parched landscape slowly evolving through the seasons into a huge carpet of wild flowers is breathtaking. The best time to view this unique floral display is from mid-August to October.

To do Namaqualand properly, one would take a leisurely drive through the fields of flowers, stopping off at the nature reserves and charming towns along the way. Bear in mind that accommodation in the region is often booked out a year in advance as more foreigners hear of these wildflowers, which are unparalleled anywhere.

To view all the different species of flowers in the region, get The Botanical Society of South Africa guides to Nieuwoudtville SA Wild Flower Guide and Namaqualand SA Wild Flower Guide 1. There's also Freeman Patterson's Garden of the Gods and Fynbos by Richard Cowling.

Towns Along The Way

Kamieskroon
The locals in this area are as impressive as their colourful surroundings. They are helpful and offer advice on where the best flowers are. The reasonably priced Kamieskroon Hotel, the town B&B's and the neighbouring farms all offer splendid accommodation. Contact the Namaqualand Tourism Centre for your pick of places to stay. Roads leading out from Kamieskroon go up into the hills to the town of Leliefontein where you will find an enchanting old mission. It's worth travelling further afield to the rugged west coast of stormy seas and rocky outcrops at Hondeklip Bay and Groenriviermond.

The 50 000 hectare Namaqua National Park is a botanical and ecological conservancy whose friendly conservationists will gladly answer questions on the flora and fauna of the area. The reserve stretches roughly from the town of Garies northwards to the towns of Springbok and Steinkopf. The areas most visited are round the towns of Springbok and Nababeep. The Spektakel (spectacle) ridge is a must see with its profusion of flowers. The further north you travel from Kamieskroon to Springbok, the more spectacular the display of species in a good season.

Nieuwoudtville
The town of Nieuwoudtville is a geological treasure situated on the Bokkeveld escarpment. Within the surrounds of just 20 kilometres the plant life changes from fynbos, to Renosterveld, to Karoo. It has the richest bulb (geophyte) variety in the world. Species include the famous spring daisies, the forget-me-not family, Pelargonium (with its bizarre shapes), Heliophila (Sun lover), Vygies (little figs), and the Iris and Rose family.

The town has its own wild flower reserve; there is also nearby Oorlogskloof Nature Reserve, a giant plain of wilderness rock formation and rock art. You can view a 90-metre high waterfall in an ancient Gondwanaland geological fault. Visiting the nearby 'secret' forest with its kokerbome - strangely shaped trees with weird arms coming out of their trunk - makes you feel like you're inside 'Lord of the Rings' territory. The private farms in the area are open to the public and often have the most spectacular array of flowers. There are a couple of farms that manage to combine commercial farming with the cultivation of floral wealth.

Tips on planning your Flower Escapade
Flowers are best viewed from 11:00 to 15:00 on a sunny day

A cool box is essential for informal, off-road picnics

Don't forget comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen, binoculars and insect repellent

Most of the flowers are so tiny that you won't be able to see and appreciate them from a moving vehicle. It's perfectly safe to get out the car and view close-up

Take your flower guides, so you are up-to-date with the names of flowers you are viewing

Self-drive holidays are so popular because driving in South Africa is easy, safe and exposes you to some of the greatest attractions that you would never see on a package tour. iDrive, Southern Africa car hire, has developed a range of self-drive, travel products from our many years of travel experience in South Africa and its neighbouring countries

Floral Arrangements

Floral arrangements can be an impulsive bunch of field flowers or an elaborate, multi-textured presentation soaring up to the ceiling. Pit all of Nature's fresh flowers against mankind's ingenuity and nimble fingers. Arrive at arrangement ideas that challenge and delight the imagination.

A flexible and endearing art, floral arrangements adapt to a very personal approach or a chic, florist exercise. On the broadest of terms, floral artwork is for outdoor, indoor or personal human adornment. Perhaps the most readily accessible of decorative matter, flowers can adorn a crib, a crypt, banquet or boardroom with perfect ease and appropriateness. Flower styles can be European, Asian, country-style, tropical exotica or individual picks and flicks.

Open-air arrangements are many. The natural flower garden, landscaped to individual tastes, climate and land contours. To green house cultivations, flower bowers, poolside arrangements and rock gardens that need constant supervision. In clusters or all by themselves flowers can festoon arches, porches, pillars and other outdoor venues as well.

Indoor floral displays offer more opportunities for creativity and variation. From the front door to the staircase, hall or basement, bedroom or bathroom, wall, window, floor or ceiling, flowers decorations can be placed anywhere, to appeal everywhere. Used furniture and cutlery, old teapots, family trophies, baskets, cans, stands, trays and fishbowls take on charming new tones when adorned with flowers. And when combined with greenery, fruits, vegetables, nuts, berries, pinecones, ribbons, paper, taffeta, faux flowers or silk flowers, flowers exude extra life and room appeal.

Simple arrangements require basic flower sense. Organize flowers by appearance into the brightest, biggest, most exotic blooms, to the lean, straight-looking ones, rounded ones, forms other than round, and finally, feathery, filler flowers. But florists can be your ideal mentors. Drop by at the store to get a feel of the flowers, style alternatives, arrangements and price options available. Browse flower design books for more ideas. Discuss with the florist, the occasion, your recipient's age, personality, home d?cor and your relationship, before picking on the right flowers. Decide on the budget and then ribbon-tie, cello wrap or customize the selection.

Taking flowers out from their natural ambience into other areas of human proximity calls for skill and expertise. Fragile shelf life imposes precise timing and clarity of purpose in the use of cut flowers. Heat, weight, moisture, packaging and deft handling can all dictate flower longevity.

Dabble with flowers, and spend a lifetime learning new things. Topiaries, spool wire, puff, acrylic paint, pothos, floral frogs, foam, adhesive, sheet moss, Spanish moss, moss wheat grass, beet, cattails, decoupage, greening pins, wilt-proof spray, watering spikes, pour spouts?and you thought flower arrangements just happened.

Flowers provides detailed information on flowers, flower gifts, flower delivery, floral arrangements and more. Flowers is affliated with Discount Flower Delivery

Florist Cards - The Perfect Accompaniment

Just as strawberries are perfectly accompanied by cream, so in most cases you would not dream of sending out a bouquet of flowers without some form of message or greeting card. They go hand in hand meaning literally thousands of card changing hands every year.

With a peak periods of Valentine's and Mother's Day just around the corner, the demand for cards is all set to rise, with this year predicted to be a bumper one for customers looking for the special card to accompany their special gift. And, with stories of customers even buying bunches of cheap flowers from supermarkets and popping down the road to their florist for the luxury message card, money is to be made from selling them.

But why are cards such a fundamental part of floristry? It is simple. Sending card with flowers personalises them. Flowers are a generic gift, so adding a card with a message makes it more special and allows those all important personal sentiments to be conveyed.

One of the tougher questions facing florists though is what cards to carry, how much variety they should offer customers and how many designs there should be. The answer varies from shop to shop, but cards should be able to cover the usual range of reasons as congratulations, funerals, thank you, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, birthday, anniversary and the like.

However, they don't have to actually have these words on the cards. A range of blank cards with simple designs, can offer the spectrum of reasons to send flowers. It is probably better to have a selection of contemporary and traditional cards to please all clients.

To find out more about modern, eye-catching greeting cards and florist cards designs I would recommend visiting Lotus Art Studio website.

Choosing Flowers Made Easy With Florists

In United States, flowers, gift baskets or jewelry are popular choices for gift ideas. Most people purchase gifts that are thoughtful and appreciated, that gift is flowers.

If you are getting married soon, you are going to find out that silk wedding flowers are the new and improved flower to have at any wedding. Do it yourself wedding flowers are also offered in large quantities. Spring wedding flowers are flowers used for weddings that occur during the spring time. One of the most popular flowers are the spring time flowers, the petals are delicate and the colors are bright and they are used for bouquets. When planning for a wedding choosing the flowers can be fun for you and your bridal party and they might even come up with great ideas that you would have not of thought of. When choosing flowers it is a good idea to work with a florist, they are able to show different displays and arrangement that can stimulate ideas that can turn out to be very unique which in a lot of situations fits into the budget you are working with.

By adding cut flowers to your arrangements from various plants can really spruce up the arrangement. Moreover, their arrangements change from time to time; you can always expect something new. Choosing between silk flowers and real flowers is a sometimes a difficult task because silk flowers look so real today. Most people opt for real flowers because real flowers have a beautiful aroma while silk flowers do not. Flowers symbolize many different things so be careful when choosing them. Garden basket types are one of the most popular arrangements you can find in the market.

Most florists and garden centers carry delightful little blooming plants in 4" pots that are surprisingly inexpensive and can add color and charm to any desktop or vanity. There are many online sites that offer many different choices plus you are able to get the flowers at a discount most of the time.

To buy sympathy flowers, you can access a flower delivery service by telephone or the internet, or you can go directly to a flower shop and place an order for future delivery. These flower shops also offer delivery of their products. So how do you know which online florist to choose and trust for superior product quality and top delivery efficiency?

There are many flowers stores that offer the same day delivery service, but check with the store because sometimes there is a distance restriction. They should offer a guarantee for delivery on the date specified, and use an encryption system for processing credit card payments online. There are also discount flower delivery services available on both the national and local level.

Doesn't matter why you are purchasing flowers, you are able to arrange and order the flowers to project and say the right saying. There are so many different occasions you can by flowers for anniversary, birthday, I'm sorry, new baby and get well flowers.

Looking for flowers that are unique or a designer flower arrangement you can save money by not adding as many flowers and replacing the missing flowers with baby's breath. There are so many options to choose from when trying to choose a floral arrangements they are only limited by the imagination, and floral arrangement can be made to fit your budget. A good florist will understand your budget and will think of creative ways to keep you within your budget.

Melissa Fishman and David Marc Fishman are the owner of www.mailordermommy.com Mailordermommy sells party favors

Floristry As A Career

Being a florist can be a very exciting and challenging career.

Many people of all ages, from other working backgrounds are being retrained and entering the floristry industry.

If you are considering a career in floristry, you should enjoy working with flowers and be willing to learn all aspects of the floristry profession.

You will need to be able to arrange flowers in an attractive manner and be a reasonably quick worker.

As a florist is dealing closely with the public, you should have a genuine liking for people, and have a pleasant and helpful manner.

Flowers touch the emotions of other peoples' lives. Customers ordering funeral tributes are often relatives or close friends of the deceased and may be emotionally upset. As a florist, you will need to be sympathetic and understanding.

A florist has the pleasure of helping a bride-to-be select just the right flowers and type of bridal bouquet for the most important day of her life - her wedding day.

The florist shares the joy and excitment when a proud new father comes in to order flowers for his wife in hospital.

Floristry is not all glamour. There is a lot of hard work and long hours involved. The duties in a florist shop will include:-

Unpacking stock as it comes into the florist shop

Conditioning flowers and watering plants

Pricing merchandise and displaying it attractively

Attending to customers

Answering the telephone

Completing orders and making up designs for the shop

Making sure the florist shop is clean and tidy

Keeping book work up to date

Changing the shop window display

Working in a Florist Shop

You will need to be able to work efficiently. A typical day in a florist shop could include ten wreaths for an early morning funeral, several arrangements and posies. Often a posy or a sheaf of flowers will need to be made up while the customer waits.

A good employee has common sense, a positive attitude, is honest and a willing worker who sees what needs doing and does it in a cheerful and efficient manner.

An employer will appreciate a capable trustworthy employee who has the employer's interest at heart and will co-operate and help with any duties involved in the running of the floristry business.

Applying for a Position in a Florist Shop.

You should present yourself favourably, be well groomed, polite and have an enthusiastic manner.

If you have any references from previous positions, report cards or personal references, take these with you.

You may like to take samples or photographs of your floral designs with you.

Naturally, any photographs or samples should be of a high standard with the flowers arranged attractively and colours blended tastefully.

Any wiring and taping should be neatly done.

The florist may ask you to make up an arrangement, posy or a sheaf.

You will be expected to choose suitable flowers and foliage in colours which blend well together and make up a professional looking design in a reasonable amount of time (approximately 15-20 minutes for a standard arrangement).

Do not worry if you are a bit nervous. Florists are usually understanding people and will make allowances for this. It is far better to be a little nervous rather than have an over confident and "know it all" manner.

A few years ago a position was advertised for a junior in a very busy florist shop in a leading shopping centre in Melbourne.

There were over forty applicants, but one of our students was successful because she could show the florist she was capable of creating attractive floral designs.

After the interview is over thank the employer for seeing you, and if the position offered appeals to you, you could say "I am very impressed with your shop" or "I would really like the opportunity of working for you".

An employer would much rather employ a person who really wants the position in preference to someone who is indifferent.

OWNING YOUR OWN FLORIST SHOP.

Many people find the idea of going into business for themselves very tempting. You may want to open your own florist shop, but you should be fully aware of all the facts before you make a decision to start up or buy into a business.

HOW TO DECIDE IF YOU ARE THE RIGHT TYPE OF PERSON TO GO INTO A FLORIST BUSINESS FOR YOURSELF.

Advantages

You will have a feeling of fulfilment of being involved in such a creative industry such as floristry.

If you run a successful florist business it can be far more rewarding financially than working for wages.

There is a feeling of security in owning your own successful florist business.

You will find running your own florist shop is never dull. You will never know what each day will bring. Working for yourself is far more exciting than going to work in an often dull routine job.

You will meet some very interesting people through dealing directly with the public. This can often develop into lasting friendships. You will be providing a real service to your customers. The skilled florist is always appreciated and will have a secure life-long career.

Disadvantages (You will find it helpful if you do this questionnaire)

As floristry is a lot of hard work and often long hours are involved, do you have the necessary health and energy to run a business? Yes / No

Do you have enough money to start a florist business? Do you have another source of borrowing money if necessary? Sometimes you will need to inject extra funds into the business Yes / No

Are you self motivated and have enough discipline to be able to organise yourself to see what the most important tasks are and to see each one is carried out? Yes / No

Are you a reasonably quick worker? Yes / No

When a problem arises, are you the type of person who can come up with a solution? Yes / No

If you have a family, do you have someone you can rely on to help with the children? Yes / No

To stand a good chance in a floristry business you should honestly be able to answer "Yes" to all the above questions.

How successful you are in Floristry, as in anything in life, will depend on how much time and effort YOU are prepared to put into it.

Floristry Diploma Course

Our floristry diploma course covers opening your own florist shop, how to find a job in a florist shop and work from home.

Fay Chamoun

Fay Chamoun Principal of Floral Art School of Australia and International Floral Design School http://www.floral-art-school.com.au/

Choosing a Florist for Your Wedding

Have you ever wondered if what you know about wedding flowers is accurate? Consider the following paragraphs and compare what you know to the latest info on wedding flowers.

The florist that you choose for your wedding may play a significant role in your wedding so it is important to choose your florist wisely. Just a few areas where the florist plays a role in the wedding include the bouquets that are carried by the bride and her bridesmaids, the flowers carried by the flower gift the flowers the groom and his ushers wear in their lapels and the flowers that decorate the ceremony locations. In addition to all of that the florist may also design center pieces for the tables at the reception and decorate the cake with fresh flowers. The use of flowers throughout the ceremony and reception makes it critical that the couple exercise caution and choose a competent and creative florist.

One of the most effective ways to choose a florist for your wedding is to find a florist who is recommended by a trusted friend or family member. Wedding planners and others in the wedding planning industry may have a vested interest in recommending a particular florist for your wedding but a friend or family member makes their recommendations simply because they were happy with a previous performance by the florist. If you have been to a number of weddings in your area and were pleased by the floral arrangements you may want to consider contacting the host of that wedding to find out who they used as their florist. When it comes to choosing a florist, previous performance is the best indication of how the florist will perform in the future.

While the aesthetic appeal of the flowers is important, price will also likely factor into your decision to choose a particular florist. It is important to establish a budget for flowers before you meet with potential florists for your wedding. When you do meet with them get a detailed estimate and discuss what is included in the estimate that they have provided. It is also important to find out if there are any additional fees that have not been included in the estimate such a delivery charges and set-up fees. If possible try to negotiate having these fees incorporated into the estimate to avoid any unexpected charges.

Sometimes the most important aspects of a subject are not immediately obvious. Keep reading to get the complete picture.

It is also important to consider whether or not the florist specializes in weddings. A florist who regularly completes arrangements specifically for weddings is much more likely than another florist to be aware of everything that is involved with being a wedding florist. They will not only know all that is required of them but they will also likely have established relationships with local venues.

Another important consideration in choosing a wedding florist is how much support they are willing to offer. Some florists may simply deliver the flowers to the destination and will not take care of setting up the flowers. You will want to find a florist that is willing to send a representative along with the delivery to ensure that the flowers are set up correctly and that they look fresh and attractive. It is ideal to have your florist remain onsite throughout the wedding and reception to ensure that there are no issues with the flowers but if this is not possible you should have a florist onsite at the very beginning of the party as minimum.

The delivery system employed by the florist is also important in determining whether or not to choose a particular florist for your wedding. Many florists employ independent contractors to take care of their delivery needs. The delivery person drives their own vehicle and operates independently from the florist. While this situation may work out very well for the florist, it could be the recipe for disaster at your wedding. It is important to remember that if the delivery personnel are driving their own vehicles then it is likely that the florist does not have a backup vehicle in case something happens to the delivery truck. However, if the florist employs their own delivery personnel who drive company supplied vehicles then the florist most likely has a contingency plan for when a vehicle breaks down.

Choosing a florist for your wedding is very important. Seeking opinions of friends and family members is one of the most effective ways to choose a qualified florist. Careful review of recommendations is another important step in choosing a florist as is understanding their payment structure.

Knowing enough about wedding flowers to make solid, informed choices cuts down on the fear factor. If you apply what you've just learned about wedding flowers, you should have nothing to worry about.

James Mahony is the founder of The Wedding Handbook - A site dedicated to Weddings

The Wedding Handbook :: Articles for Website Content

The Tossing Of The Bridal Bouquet: A Tradition That Still Lives Today

Even though it is a well-liked tradition recognized at lots of weddings, tossing the cascading bridal bouquet is a tradition that you, the bride can choose to either have or leave out of your ceremony. Its representative custom says that the single woman who catches the cascading bridal bouquet will be the next to get married. Even if there are no guarantees, tossing the cascading bridal bouquet is an amusing way for one lucky guest to take home a one-of-a-kind cascading bridal bouquet memento.

The tradition of tossing the cascading bridal bouquet began with the early belief that good luck herbs were inside the cascading bridal bouquet. In an effort to pass her good fortune on to her wedding guests, the bride would throw her bouquet to one lucky female guest at the end of the wedding. Nowadays, that belief remains intact and so it is recommended that brides who plan to toss the bouquet should have a small, matching cascading bridal bouquet created especially for this tradition so that they can keep the original. I did it at my wedding.

There are more than a few options to consider when tossing the cascading bridal bouquet. If there is a special person that you wish to present the cascading bridal bouquet to, you can get her in private with you and offer her the cascading bridal bouquet memento. Another fun alternative to tossing the cascading bridal bouquet is the fake-out. You, the bride, would select a woman who you wish to catch the cascading bridal bouquet and aim your cascading bridal bouquet directly to her. Of course, the other choice is the fair toss.

Tossing the cascading bridal bouquet is a tradition that can be included in your wedding, but never feel as though you have to follow any rules. The loveliness of your wedding is that it is your special day and you can decide which customs to use and which others you would prefer to leave out. If you are planning to have a cascading bridal bouquet designed in particular for tossing, you may want to think about using silk flowers so that the woman who catches it will be able to preserve this precious memento. Of course, fresh flowers are beautiful, but they will not last. Superior silk flowers, however, will last forever if taken care of accurately. Also, silk cascading bridal bouquets can be arranged to look just as gorgeous as the real thing.

Bonnie Ray is an experienced wedding floral designer with more than seventeen years experience in the wedding industry. To learn more about the traditional cascading wedding bouquet visit her site at http://www.mysilkweddingflowers.com/cascading-bridal-bouquets.htm

Fruit Bouquets: How to make your Wedding Bouquet a Talking Point

Are you looking for something a bit different for your wedding day? Something that shows how trendy, fun-loving and interesting you are, without being tacky? Well instead of using a normal every-day boring bouquet of flowers, why not make yourself a bouquet made of fruit?
 

Yes thats right I said fruit!
 

Now you're probably thinking that a fruit bouquet would be interesting, but that it might not be quite the look you want for your wedding. In fact, maybe you're thinking a fruit bouquet would just look plain ridiculous!
 

Well, I think you'll be surprised how good a fruit bouquet can actually look. If you keep the bouquet small and prepare the bouquet carefully, you can have a really great looking wedding bouquet that will definitely be a talking point amongst your family and friends afterwards.
 

The trick is to not overload the bouquet with too much fruit. If you add too much fruit, it will start to look tacky, and you'll have trouble carrying the bouquet down the aisle!
 

So what fruit do you use in a fruit bouquet?
 

I suggest using a variety of small fruits like:
 

• Apricots
• Nectarines
• Mandarines
• Passionfruits
• Small apples
• Kiwi fruit
• Strawberries

One thing to be aware of when chosing your fruit, is that some fruits (like strawberries), will stain if you are not careful. Just wrap them in cellophane, and you won't have to worry about everything getting stained.
 

Make sure you use small pieces of fruit. This will allow you to make a fairly decent sized bouquet, without having to worry about your arm dropping off when you're carrying it!
Once you've chosen your fruit, you need to wire the fruit into the bouquet. You will need to use heavy gauge wire, which you can get from your local flower shop.
You can either put the wires straight through the fruit and then tape the wires, or you can wrap the fruit in cellophone first, and then wire and tape.
The next thing to do is add some leaves to the bouquet. I like to use big leaves, as they make it look like the fruit is hiding in the leaves. This make the fruit bouquet more subtle, and stops it from looking like a fruit basket.
You can also cut a bunch of leaves off a fruit tree and wire the fruit amongst the leaves. Make sure the branch is fairly straight. This will allow you to tape the branch, and will add a more bridal look to the bouquet.
Finally, place some ribbon bows near the leaves, to soften the fruit bouquet, and to add some elegance.
As you can see, it isn't too hard to make a fruit bouquet, and it's definitely something you should consider if you want something a little more interesting than a regular flower bouquet for your wedding. And there's the added advantage, that if you get hungry later, you've got something handy to eat!
Peta Fletcher has been making silk bouquets for over 14 years. She is the webmaster of http://www.visionsofsilk.com, a website with detailed, easy-to-understand articles about creating your own bouquets

If You Have a Favorite Bouquet

If you have a favorite artificial bouquet that is looking kind of weathered and worn it can be brought back to its former beauty with a little effort on your part, especially if it is a silk bouquet. These can last longer than any other artificial bouquet. All it takes is a little attention from you for 5 minutes every three to six months. As with anything in your house, silk bouquets get droopy and dusty and do need some attention now and then.

To clean your bouquet you can rice clean it. This can be done by placing your bouquet in a shopping bag along with a half cup of rice, twist it closed and shake it for about sixty seconds. What happens inside is the rice becomes loaded with static electricity and the dust will attach itself to the rice. In the past some people used to use salt, but it was found to be too harsh and would sometimes scratch the flowers, whereas white rice is softer and not damage your flowers at all.

After you have cleaned your flowers then you have to fluff them. This just involves turning your bouquet upside down and giving them three or four good shakes. This not only loosens the rice that's left on the flowers, but also fluffs up your bouquet to look like new again. After fluffing you have to arrange the flowers to their original position. Just use your hand go to the back of the plant and start pushing the stems toward the front. This is called plumping the bouquet. Once you have gotten all of them back to the right position you can do some teasing with the flowers to help them take their original shape this may involve some pulling and pushing.

The things you don't do to clean your bouquet is spray them with water. You may have heard somewhere you can do this but if you use this method the water mixed with the dust can stain your beautiful bouquet so that it will never look the same again so stay away from the water! Stay with the rice to have a long lasting bouquet.

For lots of information on bouquets and other related topics, visit The Flowers Guide at www.theflowersguide.com

Wedding Plans - Guest List, Caterers and Florist

When you prepare for your wedding, be assured that it will be an enjoyable but hectic and potentially difficult task. Therefore it is advisable that you make a list of all the important things to remember and accomplish, such as the wedding budget, the guest list, invitations, and the caterer, just to name just a few. Really itemizing the important things that concern your wedding will help get you go through the wedding process easier and without any hitch. Decide on your guest list, caterers and florist.

You should prepare the guess list preferably months before your wedding. When you prepare for your wedding, you must always prioritize the guest list. Planning this list can be difficult. But the one important thing to remember is to just invite the people that are closest to you. You do not need to invite all of the people in the company that you work for because most of them will not come anyway. And, how do you choose? You cannot choose one person without offending another and, of course, you cannot invite them all – that would REALLY blow your budget! You must likewise have the invitations ordered four months or so before the wedding - and you should mail these Invitations four to five weeks in advance. This is to make sure that the invitations get to the receivers on time. Also make sure that the invitations are sent with sufficient postage lest they reach the invitee too late for them to make appropriate arrangements – especially if they live a good distance away. Invitations do not have to be written by a pen – although it makes a nice touch. Some try to avoid computerized wedding invitations.

Choosing a caterer is another important task to do when you prepare for your wedding. It is imperative that before hiring your caterer, try and sample their food. If your caterer is a restaurant, then it is best to have dinner there – go incognito if you must! Food and reception is an important part of a wedding and if the food that is served is bad, then you will get some guests complaining which is not good for them and is not good for you.

What would a wedding be without flowers? Choose a florist who can deliver what you envision for your wedding. Again, if you are going to meet with a florist for the flowers, state your available budget. Also provide the florist important details such as the color and motif of the wedding.

Planning starts from the very moment you decide to get married. Adequate planning can reduce your stress and helps to ensure that you won’t find too many last minute hitches.

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