INSPIRED BY | HONORING LOST LOVED ONES

While weddings are a joyous occasion, it can be difficult to fully embrace the day when someone important to you is missing. Despite all the joy surrounding the day, it's normal to feel the absence of a friend or family member that has passed. If you're looking for ways to honor your lost loved ones at your wedding, we've rounded up four ways to pay homage to your people.

Bouquet Pins

Reserved Seating

Photo By | Reigh Walker

Photo By | Stephanie Nelson

Heirloom Engagement Rings

Photo Galleries

hHPhoto By | George Street

Photo By | Katy Lynn Photography

How did you honor your lost loved ones at your wedding?

INSPIRED BY | FLOWERS

This week we're all about flowers, a wedding essential! A wedding without flowers is like vows without an "I do" …well not exactly, but they are one of our favorite things. We're always so inspired by our couples' floral choices and how they integrate their style into their bouquets. Some are chic and trendy. Others are classic and traditional. No matter the decision, flowers are a focal point on your big day.

As a celebration of all things floral, we've rounded up some of our all-time favorite boutiques, prepare to fall in love with these beautiful blooms.

Photo | Ashley Rhian

Photo | Shay & Olive

Photo | Jessica Quadra Photography

Photo | Christina Childress Photography

Photo | Apryl Ann

Photo | Chelsea Kaye

Photo | Adria Lea

Photo | Outland Weddings

Photo | Jennefer Wilson

Photo | Cara Elizabeth Photo

Photo| Lauren Reynolds Photography

Photo | George Street

Photo | Joseph Mark Photography

Photo | Diane Keathly

Photo | WilderLove Co.

Photo | Chelsea Q White Photography

Photo | Cottonwood Road Photography

Photo | Christina Childress Photography

What’s your dream bouquet?

TOP 5 | WEDDING BOUQUETS

Happy Wednesday everyone! We're back with another exciting round of TOP 5, but we have to be honest with you, this list is never the same for long and  depending on our mood [or the season], we could easily pick a whole different set of favorite bouquets on any given day. This set seems to be an extension of last weeks post on spring pastels. Can you tell we're not ready to say goodbye to those soft gorgeous tones just yet?

While this list may always be changing, the one constant we can both agree upon will always be our first floral wedding with Taylor + Collin (pictured first). How can you not be obsessed with that color palette? We love when brides trust us to bring their designs to life. 

PHOTOS | 1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5

TIPS | SAVING MONEY ON FLORALS

Summer is here, and we’re ready to talk flowers! This week we’re sharing some advice on saving money on your wedding flowers. Everyone planning a wedding knows how expensive a beautiful bouquet can be, but they don’t have to! Here are four tips on how to get the best bang for your budget.

Stay In Season

This tip is tried and true. If you want peonies in the dead of winter, you're going to be paying a pretty penny. Ask your florist for recommendations on flowers that fit your season and aesthetic.

Photo by Avery Earl.

DIY Does NOT Mean Easy

I always say you can DIY anything, just not everything. Flowers are something that I am very hesitant to encourage brides to do themselves for a few major reasons.

You must do a test run! This is non-negotiable! Give yourself the opportunity to try floral arranging a few months ahead of time and determine if it’s really something you feel you can tackle the week of your wedding. You might find that you love it, and making centerpieces is calming! You might also find that it’s not your thing and doing 20 centerpieces and ten bouquets two days before your wedding is more stress than it’s worth. Either way, you’ll feel good about your decision!

Flowers are perishable. IE. You can’t do them more than a day or two ahead of time. So on top of your family coming into town, last minute appointments, rehearsal and rehearsal dinner, etc. you’ve got to find time to arrange flowers.

You have to buy much more than just blooms. In pretty much every wedding, we use pins, ribbons, shears, floral tape, wire, foam, vases, etc. It’s not that these things are complicated or challenging to track down, but these things can add up if you have to buy everything at once!

Photo by A Sea of Love.

Be Upfront With Your Budget

When you meet with a potential florist for the first time, come with a number in mind. Nothing is worse than a client coming in with all of these gorgeous inspiration photos, not knowing what they want to spend, and receiving a proposal from their florist that is way way WAY more than they wanted to spend. Flowers can be beautiful on any budget (seriously)! And there is absolutely no need to feel embarrassed by yours. Say it confidently and ask your florist for any expertise they can offer to maximize it!

Hire A Florist You Trust

If you hire a florist you trust, you can give them your color scheme, style, and budget and let them work their magic! If you trust your vendors, your wedding day will be stress-free because you know you've got a team working to make your day magical!

Reuse, Reduce, Recycle

Another piece of advice we like to give is if you want floral arrangements for tables, but don't want to spend the extra cash... use the bridesmaids' bouquets! Set some pretty vases on the tables, bars, or anything you want to decorate and ask the girls to place their flowers in the vases when the ceremony and pictures are done. Two birds, one stone! And honestly, no one will even notice.

A budget and a creative florist will make all your floral dreams come true!