When using this technique, and if you use flowers or an item that has been dyed, be sure to do a test run, or design it as close to the event as possible.  Some flowers can cloud the water pretty quickly, and some products aren’t dye-fast, so they’ll turn the water into a color.

    You may be wondering, how do I choose my material?  The floral artists at Dahlia choose their material, used for submerging, based on the message they are trying to convey and their passion for creating art.  The artistic message is a combination of what our customer wants it to say, what the occasion is, and how the flowers “speak” to the designer.

     I know that sounds like a lot, so my advice to you, is to breathe, and don’t think with the head, just have fun and listen to your heart!

1.  ROSES.  Believe it or not, roses still won out!  I believe roses will always be a top choice, thanks to history and fragrance.  Poems, stories and legends abound about roses.  And on top of that, their fragrance is divine. 

          TOP TIP: Not all roses are fragrant, but the ones that are, don't last as long.  However, the Mohanna Rose ( a gorgeous yellow rose) is long lasting AND fragrant.

2.  HYDRANGEA.   A southern tradition came in a close second!  Just drive around any Greenville neighborhood to agree with this result.  Their large, drak green leaves frame the fluffy blooms nicely.

          TOP TIP:  Hydrangea need lots of water.  If buying cut stems, make sure to shave away a thin layer of the outside bark about 2" up from where you cut it, for maximum water intake.

3. & 4.  LILIES AND DAISIES.  These two favorites tied for 3rd place.  Both blooms are impressive in size, and are shouting, "Hey, look at me!"  Some moms love lilies for their fragrance, and of course, daisies are the happiest of flowers.

          TOP TIP:  A great way to create an impressive arrangement for your mom is to combine lilies and daisies together.  Why?  Because of their contrasting shapes;  One is star and trumpet like, and the other is flat and round.  Combining the two allows for a very dynamic arrangement.

5. & 6.  TULIPS AND CALLA LILIES.  Another tie!  Tulips and Callas remind me of 1920's Hollywood classic women, with their long, elegant sillouettes.  With both of these flowers, less is more.

          TOP TIP:  Tulips grow about an inch a day, and towards the sun.  For this reason, recutting the stems and turning the vase around daily will keep your tulips from getting out of control.  Calla lily stems will become mushy if in too much water.  They only need a couple of inches of clean water to stay hydrated.

7.  PEONIES.  Mostly in shades of pinks, peonies are famous for their abundance of fluttery petals.

          TOP TIP:  Peonies are appreciated by gardeners and floral designers alike, because their season is short lived.  So when a mother receives peonies in her bouquet, she knows that you are giving her something truly special.  When designing a flower bouquet, mix peonies with longer lasting flowers to maximize the life of the arrangement.

8.  ORCHIDS.  Orchids come in so many varieties, and some are really fragrant.  Orchids are another bloom that stands well on their own.  We are in luck, here in the south, because orchids love high humidity.

          TOP TIP:  Dendrobium orchids as a cut flower stem are actually at about the same price as a rose.  For a truly elegant arrangement, a few stems of orchids added can definitely impress your mom.

9.  TRADITIONAL DAISIES.  These are the field daisies, with the yellow center.  They mean innocence, cheerfulness and beginnings.  A classic flower that has a long vase life.

          TOP TIP:  Daisies mixed with delphinium, larkspur and bells of Ireland create a true wildflower arrangement.  Add natural raffia or burlap as the bow, and your mom will feel loved!

10.  ALL OTHER FLOWERS:  Iris, sunflowers, gardenia, lilacs, foxglove, daffodils and zinnias all made the list.  Moms definitely have opinions on flowers, but all moms agree, that they love ALL flowers!

          TOP TIP:  When ordering Mother's Day flowers, ask the professional for advice. An example would be that some mothers love bright colors, where others prefer pastels. It's our job to ask you the right questions, and to create a custom bouquet that will make your mom smile. 

Imagine gorgeous dahlias, callas and gerberas arriving right at your doorstep through out summer.  Go to our SHOP FLOWERS(www.dahliaonline.com/pages/shop/detail.aspx ) page for more info.

Order online here, or call us at 864.232.0112.

This would make a perfect Mother's Day present, or Teacher's Gift!

Or, how about reminding your Sweetie all summer long, how much you love her. . .

It's all about FUN, FUN, FUN!

Also, this picture is from today.  We are the florist for Moonlight and Magnolias, one of the biggest national fundraisers for The American Cancer Society.  See the rest of the pictures on our flickr photo album.

Plant your trees by April 15th.    Greenville's freeze date is April 15th, and after that, everything really needs to be established to have the best chance of surviving our hot hot summers. 

Tips on planting trees and shrubs:    Dig a hole about double the size of your root ball.  Fill the hole with a some of your new potting soil.  Before you place the root ball, make sure the roots are combed out, so they don't continue to grow in circles.  After placing the root ball, pour in the rest of your new potting soil.  Sprinkle a bag of mulch on top.  Oh yeah, make sure the top of your new plant is not below the surface of your yard (you don't want to create a place for standing water).  Water generously and watch it grow.

Dahlia was a part of "Spice of Life".  I had three willing participants create a flower bouquet, using Dahlia's " Seven keys to unlocking your creative spirit".  They were great sports, and each arrangement turned out completely different from their neighbor.  I think the audience was really intrigued, as well.

Dahlia is also working on the very exciting project of revamping the our store front!  You'll see the progress through out the coming weeks, and hopefully we'll be completed by Mother's Day.

I spent Saturday building my first ever raised vegetable and flower garden.  I was pretty much all thumbs, but with my Jamie's help and patience, we were able to complete the structure.  Imagine not having to bend down to pull weeds!  Also, if this works well, I'll build more for the store and we'll grow our own flowers, including dahlias, of course.

 Why?  Because it falls on a TUESDAY, which means your sweetheart will go to work on Monday,with anticipation, wondering all day what awaits her. . . And then, on Valentine's Day - Tah Dah!  She receives the coveted Dahlia Artist's Choice Bouquet or the Dahlia Color Palette Dozen Roses, that is the envy of all her coworkers.  She will be grinning from ear to ear, knowing how SMART and FANTASTIC her sweetie is!  She may feel a tinge of guilt, making her coworkers bummed, but she instantly dismisses it, because today SHE IS LOVED BY YOU!!!!!!! 

Space is limited, but we have NOT ONLY stocked up on drivers to expedite deliveries, but we are ready to work relentlessly through the night, in order to serve you, so order ASAP.  We can't wait to make your Valentine's Day a success.

And, for those who want a "behind the scenes" sneak peek into the artists who will be assisting you in this perfect Valentine's Day. . .

     Eddie will be handling your bouquet as if it were the last of it's kind, and delivering it with the not to go unnoticed presentation it deserves.

      Andrea, who designs like a tight rope walker making it look easy, will be placing flowers in a vase like a greek god adding stars to the sky.

      Nancy will be adding her sweetness and sincerity to every bouquet, for that athenticity Dahlia is known to achieve every time. 

     Stephanie, like a dragon fly , is happily darting from design room to processing room to check out counter, intuitively choosing the blooms that will go in your custom bouquet.

     Zac is meticulously writing down all of the specifics of your custom bouquet, and helping you envision and create the perfect bouquet to WOW her.

     Anna is calm, cool and collected on the outside, but being an over-achiever (for your benefit) on the inside, by designing the most amazing bouquet you've ever seen, just for YOU.

   And, me?  Well, I'm being thankful for your recognition that something really magical is happening, here, and I'm LOVING EVERY MINUTE OF IT. 

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Sincerely,

Kristin Rene Kimball Podsiadlo

I met with over 300 brides, and gave each one a hand-tied bouquet of dried lavender.  Not only do I see lots of brides, but I enjoy catching up with vendors, too.

Favorite bouquets?  Well, definitely the bolls of cotton tucked into a hydrangea, the classic calla lilies, blue orchids and the "pink mink" protea bouquet were the hit of the day.  Because the overall wedding theme for the show was "Candy", I added a pink vanilla candy fountain, which was fun.

Want to see more pictures?  Go to our photo album here: flickr.com/dahliaonline

Back in September, TALK magazine contacted me for this article.  I had to get into the holiday spirit, and pull some of my favorite items together for the photo shoot.  I have seen many women photographed by TALK magazine's photographer, Josh Norris, and always thought how beautiful they looked.  So, I had total confidence that he would do a great job.  Now seeing the pics, I'm very pleased, but wish I would have worn a glittery red turtleneck, to tie in the look, but it was so hot that day!

In the photo shoot, I was surprised at how efficiently Josh and his assistant worked!   They breezed in, took about 25 shots, and called it a day.  Of course, I planned ahead of time what I wanted them to take pictures of, to make sure the article gave you, the reader some great tips.

Click on this picture to be taken to the TALK magazine's article!

We have been up to lots of things in the mean time:  Decorating BMW's tree for the St. Francis Festival of Trees, going to clients' houses to decorate, hosting Sugar and Champagne at the shop, and conducting wreath workshops for Smoak Public Relations in Patrick Square in Clemson.

Regarding St. Francis Festival of Trees, make a note that it is predominantly at the Marriott at the Parkway, due to renovations at the Hyatt.  Our tree this year is very glamorous!  I was inspired by the Whitehouse's lobby trees, which gets double the reflection from the lights, because it is placed on a reflective marble floor.  I ran with this idea, and placed mirrors and silver wrapped presents underneath the tree for that added OOMPH!   The tree is full of red garden roses and aluminum wire sphere.  I carried the mirror idea by adding mirrored garlands down the tree.  You may need your sunglasses to look at it, fair warning!

Regarding Sugar and Champagne, it was so much FUN!  Since I had guests RSVP, I hid presents from Santa around the store with their names on them, so not only did they shop in every nook and cranny, they had to find their gift.  Also, Soby's really came through for me on the sugar.  I spoke to pastry chef, Michal, and inspired her with my album of inspirational candyland pictures. 

As for the wreath decorating class, the biggest tip I can give you is to "think in triangles".  Our eyes naturally try to put like things together.  This could be shapes, colors or textures.  By keeping this in mind, create as many triangles as you can in your wreath.  The more triangles you have, the more interesting your wreath will be!  And one step further, your triangles should be as BIG as possible.  In other words, don't group 3 red ornaments in a small space, but keep them as spread out as possible, for the biggest triangle.

Custom trees are limited. . . so call us and order now, before they disappear. . .

The trees look even better and so much more exciting when placed near a wall with a candle close by.  The wall turns into a haunted forest!   OOOOOOoooooooOOOOOOOoooooo!

Notice the painted and decoupaged clay pots, with Spanish moss bubbling over the edge.  The sticks are painted black (but we could do any color).  I really think purple would be a great contrast to the orange, being that they are complimentary colors on the color wheel.

One of my favorite things about Halloween is a chance to be silly.  Since the decorations we put up, are going to come down quickly, there's no pressure to be PERFECT.  Just have fun and enjoy the festivities!

I was so inspired by this Candy Tree project, that I painted my version of a flower still life (of course, glitter was added). Deep red dahlias, green and red apples and golden sunflowers nestled together in a compote really say fall, to me.  Why not take apples, hollow out the center, and insert a votive candle?  THEN, place them in a metal tub filled with water.  They float!!!!  This is the adult version of bobbing for apples.

Bottom line, breathe in the clear cool days.  And, smile!

Carrie and Lauren, over at the Peace Center, asked us to come up with some designs that had an African theme, without going to silly.  We used lots of African pods and grains inside the vases, which I love!  Being that the colors evoke a sunset, this worked well with this time of year.  We even included a flower call "Lion's tale", which was just awesome.

I love to put flower "nesting" in a collar of Spanish moss!  Some of the food table arrangements included hanging Jinga pods, straight from Africa.  The green privet berries came from my yard.

   These amazing garden roses do not last as long as a typical florist rose, however, they are much hardier than the ones you'll pick from your garden.  And the scent is to die for!!!!  Of course, by the picture you can see that the shape is more like a peony, than a rose:  flat head, and the petals actually are shorter on the inside of the rose, giving it a pillow feel.  

I am in love with these roses, and really want to see them in high demand at my shop.  Stop in, anytime, for a FREE SNIFF!!!!

  This week, Dahlia has a lot going on...

DAHLIA DESIGN ACADEMY

     Three wonderfully talented artists have found their way to Dahlia, and we couldn't be more thrilled.  Zac has lots of stories to tell about acting try outs and living in NYC, Stephanie loves working with pastels, and Anna is right out of college, ready to take on the world with her artistic point of view.

    With them bringing so much enthusiasm and passion to Dahlia, and took the opportunity to conduct a two day intensive design workshop, held at a flower wholesaler, to personally show them what Dahlia is about, and what our raving fans expect.     

    We worked on the 7 Dahlia design elements in as many ways as possible, so they can hit the ground running.

Here's our youtube video.  Warning: this is my first attempt at making a video....I have renewed respect for all of our video/ camera businesses out there:)

     Hopefully, you'll see in this video, and it will inspire you to do something crazy fun and creative!

In order to create "street floral art", I called the city to see what permits we needed.  Will said, as long as we didn't take tips, we were ok.  If you want to take tips, you need a permit.  I

You see, I was out of town for a couple of days, so tired and exhausted from delayed flights, etc. I found my car unharmed at gsp airport, threw in my luggage, and headed homw.   When I pulled into our driveway, and opened the garage door, like I've done a million times before, I was stopped short.  In the middle of the garage was a large garden pot, with a blooming vine.  What a wonderful surprise!

Then, when I inspected the flower, I was even more taken back:  This is the craziest bloom I've ever seen.  I remembered admiring this bloom at a floral convention, so a pulled my notes, and saw that it is called The Passion Flower.  And, yes, it is the same vine that produces the passion fruit.

And not only is the flower memorable for its look, it has medicinal qualities, and the story behind its name is interesting, as well.

As Wikipedia, and many other websites state:  The "Passion" in "passion flower" refers to the passion of Jesus in Christian theology. In the 15th and 16th centuries, Spanish Christian missionaries adopted the unique physical structures of this plant, particularly the numbers of its various flower parts, as symbols of the last days of Jesus and especially his crucifixion

• The pointed tips of the leaves were taken to represent the Holy Lance.
• The tendrils represent the whips used in the flagellation of Christ.
• The ten petals and sepals represent the ten faithful apostles (excluding St. Peter the denier and Judas Iscariot the betrayer).
• The flower's radial filaments, which can number more than a hundred and vary from flower to flower, represent the crown of thorns.
• The chalice-shaped ovary with its receptacle represents a hammer or the Holy Grail
• The 3 stigmas represent the 3 nails and the 5 anthers below them the 5 wounds (four by the nails and one by the lance).
• The blue and white colors of many species' flowers represent Heaven and Purity

 Stephanie, one of Dahlia's artists, said that she has seen this vine growing wild in Fountain Inn.  With her help, I hope to get some of those blooms, so I can pollinate my new friend, and share  passion fruit smoothies with all of our customers.

 So, what does the husband of a florist give instead of flowers?  The craziest plants he's ever seen, or sometimes he plucks blooms from our yard, so I remember to appreciate the beauty that's around us every day. 

 If you have a passion flower vine, or know about them, please contact me.  Have a blooming day!

Kristi

Tomorrow, we are decorating for the Peace Center's Season Announcement party.  Yippee!!!!  And, then, on Thursday, Kristi will be holding another flower workshop at Coffee Underground.

Stay tuned for more upcoming Dahlia surprises. . .

 This weekend, Dahlia will be creating the over the top florals for Moonlight and Magnolias this Saturday, April 10th, at Zen.  The theme is "The Great Gatsby".  We are using hundreds of stems of locally grown snapdragons, parrot tulips, and California grown, fragrant lilacs!  We will be using our special LED uplighting trays that add a glow to the vases.  We hope to see you there!

To this arrangement, we've added a vintage tie, instead of a bow, which is so cool!  We will be delivering to Father's everywhere, through Saturday.  We can, also, create a "Dad Basket", which can include items unique to your dad.  Such as, we can include a CD from his favorite musician, which we'll pick up from Horizon Records.  Or, if coffee is his thing, we can get a mix of his favorite coffee beans at Coffee Underground.  Or, how about some of his favorite magazines from The Open Book?  

We LOVE to not only be creative, but make things really personable!  Put it in our excellent Dahlia Designers' hands, and we'll make you look like the number one child you are.

This weekend, ARTBOMB, has their 10th year anniversary, and an art show!  www.artbombstudio.com/home.htm

Other recent events, for all of us at Dahlia, include.....

Draping fabric for Katie and Brandon's wedding.  More Artisphere pictures.  Centerpieces and lots more for the Poinsett Club's Navy Seals Dinner.  And, the super duper fun Dahlia Flower Workshops!

A crazy fabulous lily wedding!

You can add a gift certificate for one of our awesome flower workshops, or you can give your mom the "Flower of the Month" gift, where we will remind her every month that you're thinking about her.  Call the shop for more details....

  And, if you are a mother, Happy Mother's Day!  

Location for ALL classes:  Coffee Underground (1 East Coffee Street)

Thursday evenings at 7pm:  April 21^st and 28^th, May 5^th,     12^th, & 19th, June 2nd and June 16th.

Friday Day Classes at 11am:    June 24th.

Cost of Class:  $37.00

Space is limited, so please call ahead to reserve your spot:  864-232-0112 (Dahlia a Florist)

Bring 3 friends, and yours is FREE!

Private parties and individual sessions are available

These are NOT  floral design classes, but better!  They are creativity workshops, where you can express yourself and learn more about who you are, and in the process have a really good time.  The only rule is that you must have fun and think outside the box.  I'll supply the flowers and you supply your unique gifts, and the finished product will be your completed floral art that will not only surprise you, but enlighten you, too.

Read more about them  here.  Or call us at 864-232-0112.

 Next  workshop is at THE CAZBAH , Thursday March 17th, 6:30pm.

     Once we got on the plane, that same young woman was sitting a couple rows ahead of me.  I saw that she gave that same yellow rose to a woman sitting next to her!  Who knows who ended up with that rose in the end. . .
      As for the second yellow rose, it ended up falling to the bottom of my hand bag.  Once I landed in Charlotte, I grabbed a fruit shake at jamba juice in the terminal.  The girl who waited on me was so sweet.  I changed my mind, twice, in the middle of my order (anyone who knows me, isn't surprised by this).  The girl just giggled, and even sincerely tried to help me weigh my options, and decipher what I truly would be happiest with.  While my shake was being prepared, I remembered that poor squished yellow rose, and with an apology to her for how it looked, handed it to her.  I half expected her to be offended or at the least confused at this gesture by some random lady.  
     To my surprise, her eyes lit up like she had just won the lottery and her complete focus was on the beauty of the rose.  She stuck her nose into the fluffy petals and inhaled deep.  It wasn't that I gave it to her, or the gesture that mattered to her.  The rose was talking to her, and she was enjoying taking in its remaining beauty.  She had a large smile on her face, and before I could blink, she had tucked the rose somewhere so none of her team members could claim it.
     The first rose was about connecting with others in a positive way.  The second rose was something more;  I witnessed someone experience the undiluted, unfiltered emotion of joy.

     Once we got on the plane, that same young woman was sitting a couple rows ahead of me.  I saw that she gave that same yellow rose to a woman sitting next to her!  Who knows who ended up with that rose in the end. . .
      As for the second yellow rose, it ended up falling to the bottom of my hand bag.  Once I landed in Charlotte, I grabbed a fruit shake at jamba juice in the terminal.  The girl who waited on me was so sweet.  I changed my mind, twice, in the middle of my order (anyone who knows me, isn't surprised by this).  The girl just giggled, and even sincerely tried to help me weigh my options, and decipher what I truly would be happiest with.  While my shake was being prepared, I remembered that poor squished yellow rose, and with an apology to her for how it looked, handed it to her.  I half expected her to be offended or at the least confused at this gesture by some random lady.  
     To my surprise, her eyes lit up like she had just won the lottery and her complete focus was on the beauty of the rose.  She stuck her nose into the fluffy petals and inhaled deep.  It wasn't that I gave it to her, or the gesture that mattered to her.  The rose was talking to her, and she was enjoying taking in its remaining beauty.  She had a large smile on her face, and before I could blink, she had tucked the rose somewhere so none of her team members could claim it.
     The first rose was about connecting with others in a positive way.  The second rose was something more;  I witnessed someone experience the undiluted, unfiltered emotion of joy.

     Once we got on the plane, that same young woman was sitting a couple rows ahead of me.  I saw that she gave that same yellow rose to a woman sitting next to her!  Who knows who ended up with that rose in the end. . .
      As for the second yellow rose, it ended up falling to the bottom of my hand bag.  Once I landed in Charlotte, I grabbed a fruit shake at jamba juice in the terminal.  The girl who waited on me was so sweet.  I changed my mind, twice, in the middle of my order (anyone who knows me, isn't surprised by this).  The girl just giggled, and even sincerely tried to help me weigh my options, and decipher what I truly would be happiest with.  While my shake was being prepared, I remembered that poor squished yellow rose, and with an apology to her for how it looked, handed it to her.  I half expected her to be offended or at the least confused at this gesture by some random lady.  
     To my surprise, her eyes lit up like she had just won the lottery and her complete focus was on the beauty of the rose.  She stuck her nose into the fluffy petals and inhaled deep.  It wasn't that I gave it to her, or the gesture that mattered to her.  The rose was talking to her, and she was enjoying taking in its remaining beauty.  She had a large smile on her face, and before I could blink, she had tucked the rose somewhere so none of her team members could claim it.
     The first rose was about connecting with others in a positive way.  The second rose was something more;  I witnessed someone experience the undiluted, unfiltered emotion of joy.

The first part. . .

http://www.wyff4.com/video/26850157/detail.html 

And then the second segment. . .

http://www.wyff4.com/video/26850142/detail.html

Thanks, Myra, for showing off how beautiful flowers are, and how a timeless tradition can make an otherwise over-commercialized holiday really special!!

If you want something different. . . 

Shop after hours right here, under "Shop Flowers"!!!  

Valentine's Day Shop Hours:

          Saturday 10am - 5pm

          Sunday    12pm - 5pm

         V-Day, MONDAY   9am - 6pm

Flowers for people born under this sign enjoy keeping fresh flowers in their home, since they tend to be more introverted.  Or, they may be avid gardeners, because they enjoy having their own space, and communicating with nature.

I don't know about you, but anything that has to do with a cute, soft bunny looks like a good start, to me!

Happy 2011, to all of our Dahlia Ambassadors!!

     I really enjoyed seeing the snow, and the different perspective it put on everything.  I noticed buildings and shapes I hadn't seen before.  How about you?  Here's a picture of Rembrandt, my bichon who is also the Dahlia mascot!  And, the video of him being at his cutest.

   There were kids sledding down our steep road, which was really hilarious to watch!  I had to get out there and try it myself.  Yes, the bushes did stop me from going all the way to the creek.  What a blast!!!!!

Just because we can't work with flowers every day, doesn't mean we aren't creative on our days off.  Yesterday, I made my 6 year old cousin, Rylee Ann, Panda cake pops.  She lives in Atlanta, and is anxiously waiting for the birth of a panda at the Atlanta zoo.  How cute are these?

Your flowers and decor can really set the tone of your wedding.  My advice on how to choose what flowers are right for you?  Have a "Tear Out Session"!  This is where you go through all of those stacks and stacks of magazines you've been given, and have impulsively bought while standing in line at the grocery store, and rip out your favorite pics and your least favorite.  Create 4 piles: one of pictures that are about colors you LOVE, one of pictures that are about textures and the look you LOVE.  For the other two piles, do the same but with what you DON'T love.  

   If you're still confused, keep going!  Can't decide between 2 color themes?  Keep ripping those pics out, until you have more of one look, and it becomes obvious.

And, most importantly, have FUN with it!  Planning your wedding is a once in a lifetime process, so don't forget to take a step back, and remember what's really important:  You are marrying the man of your dreams!

Your flowers and decor can really set the tone of your wedding.  My advice on how to choose what flowers are right for you?  Have a "Tear Out Session"!  This is where you go through all of those stacks and stacks of magazines you've been given, and have impulsively bought while standing in line at the grocery store, and rip out your favorite pics and your least favorite.  Create 4 piles: one of pictures that are about colors you LOVE, one of pictures that are about textures and the look you LOVE.  For the other two piles, do the same but with what you DON'T love.  

   If you're still confused, keep going!  Can't decide between 2 color themes?  Keep ripping those pics out, until you have more of one look, and it becomes obvious.

And, most importantly, have FUN with it!  Planning your wedding is a once in a lifetime process, so don't forget to take a step back, and remember what's really important:  You are marrying the man of your dreams!

Your flowers and decor can really set the tone of your wedding.  My advice on how to choose what flowers are right for you?  Have a "Tear Out Session"!  This is where you go through all of those stacks and stacks of magazines you've been given, and have impulsively bought while standing in line at the grocery store, and rip out your favorite pics and your least favorite.  Create 4 piles: one of pictures that are about colors you LOVE, one of pictures that are about textures and the look you LOVE.  For the other two piles, do the same but with what you DON'T love.  

   If you're still confused, keep going!  Can't decide between 2 color themes?  Keep ripping those pics out, until you have more of one look, and it becomes obvious.

And, most importantly, have FUN with it!  Planning your wedding is a once in a lifetime process, so don't forget to take a step back, and remember what's really important:  You are marrying the man of your dreams!

Talk about texture!  If you look closely, you can see what looks like feathers, are actually petals from a flower, the pink mink protea.  Here's a picture with the whole flower in it.

 Flowers Galore -I've chosen an award winning float from the Tournament of Roses Parade, in Pasedena, held on New Year's Day, 2011, as the headlining picture, to give you some insight into the flower world, right now. Millions of flowers are used (one website I found said 18 million), and the rule is, that all surfaces must be covered in natural materials.  No artificial flowers or plants may be used.

 Blog article to enjoy - One of my personal favorite California flower wholesalers was a major contributor to the parade.  I enjoyed reading their blog about it, and you can, too!  Also, Mike Rowe with the TV series, Dirty Jobs, had the opportunity to help break down the floats, which was very insightful (and funny!)

Your Local Artsy Flower Shop - From personal experience, even our little shop, Dahlia, feels the impact of this parade.  Right now, roses are hard to come by (and smaller in general), and January being in between Valentine's and the parade, the flower farms are focused on those two events, instead of us little guys.

Creativity Reigns Supreme - With all of that being said, we at Dahlia are still as creative as ever!!!   I suggest letting the amazing Dahlia designers come up with just the perfect custom work of art for you, since we know what is looking fantastic and really healthy.  In preparation for this crazy month and in honor of new beginnings, we do have Lucky Bamboo, while supplies last!

We have Lucky Bamboo!!!  Which can be included in flower arrangements, as well, so the recipient as something that will live on long after the floral artwork.

Did you know that Lucky Bamboo is not really bamboo?  It is a shrub type plant that grows in rainforests.  It's native to Cameroon in tropical west Africa.  It's Binomial name is Dracaena Sanderiana.  All of that information is rather dry, so let's talk about it in relation to Feng Shui, and why it is called "lucky".

     Along with its ease of growth, Lucky Bamboo has long been associated with the Eastern practice of Feng Shui - or the bringing together of natural elements water, fire, metal, wood and earth in a harmonious way. 

  Three stocks put together are said to bring happiness and five stocks bring wealth.

 Happy New Year to all of you, my favorite Ambassadors of Dahlia!

    It, also, helped that she chose a color palette I just adored: subtle shades of creams, ivories and blush, for everything except the bridesmaids' bouquets which were all about fall, with lots of deep reds and burnt oranges, for that seasonal touch. Anna gave me some pictures to be inspired by, and then, pretty much left it up to me!  

     I titled this blog Subtle Elegance, because everything about this wedding, including the flowers, the wedding vendors, and the wedding party, has a lot of quiet depth to it, which could be missed at first glance.

  I want to throw in a little event I witnessed at  just hours prior to the ceremony. Anna and her bridesmaids were all ready, and Lindsey, with Sposa Bella Photography, was taking lots of candid shots. The atmosphere was definitely heavy with anticipation, and you could see from the expression on Anna's face, that it hit her;  In just moments, she was about to walk down the aisle, and marry her true love. Her cute and cuddly smile turned to one of seriousness, and on the brink of tears. Lindsey saw this, and softly said, "hey, why don't all of you do something funny for me." That wasn't her exact words, I just remember, the mood in the room taking a 180 degree turn from somber to lots of giggling.  And, it was at that moment, that I realized how important it is to hire a sensitive photographer, that can read these moments and do the right thing!

Here's the sweet couple, Lindsey and Craig Mahaffey, that took all of these amazing pics!  Visit their website, Sposa Bella, HERE.

Back to the flowers. . . You can see that no greenery was used in these florals, because that would have introduced another color, which would've taken away from the subtle nuances of color.

Even the gorgeously statuesque cake was dark ivory and creme.

With the venue of Ryan Nicholas Inn, combined with these oppulent florals, it takes you back in time.

The bridesmaids' bouquets were amazing with the mango callas, safari sunset and tiny brown birch sticks.

My two favorite things about Anna's flowers were the Quicksand roses, and the grey seeded eucalyptus and berzillia berries.

I could go on and on, however, it's time to start working on this weekend's weddings, a holiday design demo, and Dahlia's upcoming Sugar and Champagne event. So, Bye, for now!

 It will be December 3rd, Friday, at 1pm to 3pm.  This will be an event like no other.  Get inspired, see top design trends and materials, and be WOWED!!!!

Call 864-232-0112 to let us know you're coming, please.  We can't wait to share our excitement with you.

Here's a close up of some design secrets we used to make our tree really full and lush.  I harvested hydrangeas from my yard throughout summer, and once they were dry, I sprayed them with a touch of gold.  Next, we added packing material, yes, packing material, which we sprayed gold, as well.  This interesting texture was woven in and out for another added texture.  And, of course, there was lots of ribbon used.  The ribbon doesn't have to be top of the line, for this effect.  Just make sure to use lots of it, and really weave it deep into the tree, and then come out to the tips.

Here's the completed tree.  I created oversized poinsettias using fabric, wire, glitter and ornaments.  This gave the tree some focal points, and creates a lot of drama, which we can all get away with at Christmas time!

    It, also, helped that she chose a color palette I just adored: subtle shades of creams, ivories and blush, for everything except the bridesmaids' bouquets which were all about fall, with lots of deep reds and burnt oranges, for that seasonal touch.  Anna gave me some pictures to be inspired by, and then, pretty much left it up to me!  

     I titled this blog Subtle Elegance, because everything about this wedding, including the flowers, the wedding vendors, and the wedding party, has a lot of quiet depth to it, which could be missed at first glance.

  I want to throw in a little event I witnessed at  just hours prior to the ceremony.  Anna and her bridesmaids were all ready, and Lindsey, with Sposa Bella Photography, was taking lots of candid shots.  The atmosphere was definitely heavy with anticipation, and you could see from the expression on Anna's face, that it hit her;  In just moments, she was about to walk down the aisle, and marry her true love.  Her cute and cuddly smile turned to one of seriousness, and on the brink of tears.  Lindsey saw this, and softly said, "hey, why don't all of you do something funny for me." That wasn't her exact words, I just remember, the mood in the room taking a 180 degree turn from somber to lots of giggling.  And, it was at that moment, that I realized how important it is to hire a sensitive photographer, that can read these moments and do the right thing!

Here's the sweet couple, Lindsey and Craig Mahaffey, that took all of these amazing pics!  Visit their website, Sposa Bella, HERE.

Back to the flowers. . . You can see that no greenery was used in these florals, because that would have introduced another color, which would've taken away from the subtle nuances of color.

Even the gorgeously statuesque cake was dark ivory and creme.

With the venue of Ryan Nicholas Inn, combined with these oppulent florals, it takes you back in time.

The bridesmaids' bouquets were amazing with the mango callas, safari sunset and tiny brown birch sticks.

My two favorite things about Anna's flowers were the Quicksand roses, and the grey seeded eucalyptus and berzillia berries.

I could go on and on, however, it's time to start working on this weekend's weddings,  a holiday design demo, and Dahlia's upcoming Sugar and Champagne event.  So, Bye, for now!

How about inspiration boards?  I've made a couple for our brides, and they are so much fun to create!!!!!

Bring this board, plus your paint chips and fabric swatches, and of course, that purple shoe that was the inspiration for everything, to your next vendor appointment, and you're wedding will stand out from the rest.  I used the Dessy website to create this inspiration board - you can even add your personal  pictures to the grouping.  Sweet!!!!

Today, we had a wedding with Picasso callas, wrapped with twine.  This look speaks volumes, as to what type of Bride and wedding it is a part of!  

Bre's bouquet includes loops of curly willow for a rustic touch. The phaelenopsis orchids had to be glued in just before she walked down the aisle!

Bre carried the rustic, chocolate touches through out her table centerpieces using these awesome lanterns. You may notice that NO greenery, not a single leaf, was used in her ENTIRE wedding.

Here are Bre's lanterns lined up, still at Dahlia, ready to be the stars of the reception!

This Pennsylvania bride, Ashley, brought her very  own, favorite apples from a PA farm. We filled the bubble bowl vases, then tucked in lots of  "sprouty" materials

Sorry for the out-of-focus shot, but I think these are so fun, and really embrace the season!

  The other wonderful aspect to this bouquet is the peacock feathers.  We have seen the feathers paired with pool blue, green and teals, but the dark wine/ burgandy color is a great transition for fall.  For more pictures of Jamie's wedding, go to our flickr album!

Wire spheres, magnets, wood strips, midollino sticks, matsumato branches and colored reindeer moss were the highlights of the presentation.  At Dahlia, we have put all of these featured items on a featured table, so you can pop in anytime, to see and learn about these great finds!!!!  See you soon!!!!

Want to add a pop of color to your plants?  Add reindeer moss in trendy colors!

Love it!!!

 My new best friend: Wire Spheres

Lots of fun uses....

 Funky, natural elements

  This picture is the beginning of the table, set for the Children's Museum Tea Party, to launch the Alice in Wonderland exhibit.  Today, they will have crouquet, and REAL pink flamingos!!!!   Girls get to paint their handmade roses red, and everyone enters the exhibit through the rabbit hole!  We donated the flowers for the event, which was quite an honor.

Other donations, this week, included the Symphony's session at The Woodlands, and the Mayor of Dahlia (from www.foursquare.com)  received Complimentary bouquets for her vow renewals, at Larkins on the River.  What's Foursquare?  It is a new application, you can easily, and freely, download onto your phone, and as you go places, you check in to the store (it uses your GPS).  The more visits you have to a location, you receive badges, working your way up to Mayor.  So fun, and it really tells a story about what places you like to visit, or if your friends want to know where you are, they can find you that way, too!

Dahlia is a very community oriented business, and I want to know of all of the great things going on in the community, so please let us know!

One last thing, North Main Yoga has opened a 2nd location on Augusta Road.  In honor of the opening, and to support "Yoga Month", they are offering FREE classes all weekend!   Your body will thank you!!

I am headed to Charlotte to teach a day long floral design class to intermediate designers at the Southern Retail Florist Convention, Aug. 27th-29th.  It's called "Consistently Different".  Yippee!!  I will be working with fantastic flowers and "hot off the press" new design materials, which will assist me in putting on a fantastic, inspiring class.  

     I look back at this picture, and laugh, because I still feel like that awkward, yet optimistic, kid, searching for the next new cool thing.  Instead of cherishing my cool McD's lunch box and sparkly red, white and blue banana seat bike, and my best friend, Tony ( who, that year, outgrew hanging around a girl), I am still cherishing cool stuff and fun friends, with an optimistic heart, it's just different stuff.

The Dahlia Team will take great care of you while I'm gone, for the next two days, I'm confident of this.  Andrea just received notice that she is accepted to become a member of AIFD, the most prestigious floral design organization in the world.  She had to undergo a rigorous floral design test in Boston, and only 47 of the 106, that took the test, passed!  Greenville (and Dahlia) is lucky to have such a talented designer among us.

Well, good-bye, and enjoy these first crazy weeks of Back to School mayhem. . .

Now, in this picture, this is obviously more than one flower.  Nothing excited me more than getting the opportunity to create tall, full arrangements with gorgeous hydrangea and roses.  We tinted a few of the salal leaves gold, to tie in with the room, without being over the top.

  I believe the wedding planning process, leading up to the big day, is just as important as the wedding day, itself.  Ten years ago, when I first started out, I would excitedly go to the bride's dressing room, on her wedding day, and proudly present her bouquet to her.  She would look at it, and be really happy, but I could tell her focus, as where it should be, was on marrying her true love!  So, I quickly changed the presentation to a few days prior to the wedding, which actually, has been a great way to "kick start" a bride's exciting weekend.

Dahlia sets the tone for your wedding week, by giving you a personal flower tour.  You will leave Dahlia, knowing that your flowers are even better than expected, and it will put your mind at ease, knowing your florist is doing their job, and you don't have to worry about a thing!

The AIFD Symposium was very exciting this year for so many reasons:  Friends/Connections, Trends/Ideas/New product releases, Testing, and Updating Skills/Applications.  But, most importantly, for Dahlia, this symposium was the first time that Dahlia sent a designer, other than myself, to take the national accreditation test.  Andrea, Dahlia’s lead designer, has been working up to this test for over 3 years, and has spent the last 6 months seriously preparing for the intense test.  Dahlia may have sponsored Andrea to take the AIFD test and given her the support and resources needed to prepare to take the AIFD test, however, the practicing, studying, giving up of her time and preparation was solely done by Andrea.

            Andrea went into the test knowing what was required of her, and the slim chances of passing her first time out.  Besides meeting all of the application and online test deadlines, there’s the hefty nonrefundable entrance fee, travel expenses, and allocation of time.  There’s an average of only half the designers who take the test that pass, and out of those, the majority of them have taken the test more than once.  We spoke to many well-seasoned, even floral shop owners/ designers who had taken the test 3-5 times before passing.

            Why is this?  For many reasons.  One, no matter how much prep work you do ahead of time, a designer can’t fully understand it until they get in there and do it.  Two, the test consists of having to complete 5 surprise designs in 3 hours, so the time constraint really adds pressure.  Three, there is the challenge of showing advanced designer skills, but within the parameters of the fundamentals of design.  In nonfloral terms, it’s important to go a little crazy, without losing the overall structure.  An analogy would be a tight rope walker;  Just walking a tight rope is one thing, but adding a graceful jump where you successfully land, without wavering, back on your feet is showing an advanced move.  Some designers try to add a twirl, jump and spin, and end up unbalanced.  And lastly, the judges are human, so, no matter how hard they try to be objective, there’s always that subjectivity angel on their shoulder, trying to get its opinion voiced.  With all of those factors, it is completely understandable why even the best designers do not pass their first, or even second, attempt.  If you’re interested in hearing more about this fascinating process of becoming AIFD accredited, stop by the store, or visit the website, aifd.org, and we’ll share our stories with you.

            A very important part of the symposium is the connections and friends we make.  Where else can you go, wearing a fresh orchid and rose headpiece, and not be the center of attention?  We share our experiences, stories and problem solve with each other to learn how to better serve our customers, and ways to spread the word that flowers elevate any occasion. 

            There was a very informative presentation by  South Carolina’s own Ty Leslie on the history and traditions of flowers used in mourning.  Another wonderful presentation was by Petra, who is not a florist, but is an expert on customer service.  One of her accomplishments is her writing the customer service training manual for The Mall Of America.  She had some great anecdotes, like the employee who, applying her practices, agreed to watch a customer’s snake eggs while he shopped.  I totally agree with her summary, that we florists are in the business of SERVICE, first.  You, the customer, are trusting us, Dahlia, as the professionals we are, to do the right thing for you, and we are to “seduce you” with our service, which will make you want to be an ambassador of Dahlia!  I LOVE IT!!!  It’s true;  I could design all day, but nothing gives me more joy than seeing you, our customer “wowed” and grateful for our successful interpretation of your requests.

            A big topic of conversation was our industry being an Earth-friendly industry, by being proactive in buying local, sustainability, recycling and reusing.  We know our customers are making conscious efforts on this subject, and we as florists, are demanding these same requirements from our vendors.  The most fun example was the “Going Green” luncheon, where the centerpieces were made of recycled cardboard, overbearing weeds (like kudzu), lava rocks, low water plants and packing material.  Each lunch guest was given a menu on a can of food, which after the event was donated to the local food bank.  The pics I took will do a better job of explaining this, I’m sure.

            Another inspiring component to the symposium was the myriad of new products that are showcased and revealed for the first time.  This international group, with 67 total countries and states combined, is THE audience to present new ideas, because if they fly with us, the products will eventually be sold to stores worldwide.  Some new eye-popping products included a stargazor lily that blooms like a rose (it has multiple lily petals, all opening from the center), and the aluminum wire in all gages, including flat and round, used in so many ways, flowers flown in from the Tokyo Flower Market which I had never seen before, natural straw that has the look, color and feel of  aspidistra leaves, wired wool  creating innovative designs, and sustainable bamboo containers for very affordable, yet stylish, designs.

            Not only were new products shown, but new trends and ideas were all over the place.  One of Andrea’s favorite programs was the up and coming designers presentation, where fairly new designers from US, Mexico, Bahamas, and Korea were each given the same flowers, and given the opportunity to create their own floral work of art, and explain their thought process to all of us.  I think the newer designers in the audience enjoyed this program because the designers focused on combining innovation with design principles, just like the test she took.  The more seasoned designers enjoyed seeing the passion and light in the presenters’ eyes, like a child ripping open a present from Santa on Christmas day.

            One of the most important focuses of the convention is on trends.  We know that our custmers are coming to us because we have the newest and best products and ideas.  So, AIFD invests time and money researching these trends.  The floral industry is heavily tied in with the fashion world.  Trends in clothes, jewelry, furniture, rugs, house paints, etc. are all interwoven, and the floral industry is a part of that, too!  One of the best examples is a wedding, because the floral bouquets and centerpieces need to match the overall color theme of the wedding, and weddings are a leader in trends.

            Some of my favorite new trends in colors are the new hues of blues which include retro turquoise, icy steel blue and deep, luxurious cobalt blue.  I, also, loved the new shades of salmon, ranging from deep persimmon to antique peachy-pink.

            Last, but not least, the new skills learned are invaluable.  We have brought to Greenville, real-life applications that you will immediately see in our everyday design work, all the way to the grandest affair we’ll do this year.

            It is for these reasons that the Boston AIFD symposium was a once in a lifetime experience that will be invaluable to Dahlia and its ambassadors!

    A question a receive about hydrangeas, is about the price.  At Dahlia, we get in a really big, nice and poofy hydrangea, which obviously, cost a little more than small ones.  So, when you are calling around to price hydrangeas, keep this in mind.  Also, with price, colorful hydrangeas cost more, because they aren't produced as much as white ones.  

     Another question I receive is about the longevity of hydrangeas.  They are a very hardy flower, if processed correctly.  In my demonstrations, I show our customers how to properly cut in a hydrangea, to make sure it gets plenty of water.  When used in bouquets, I tend to protect the hydrangea with a collar of sturdy leaves, so even if they start to fade towards the end of the night, no one will notice!

What makes this floral centerpiece a custom Dahlia piece is the bear grass looped and submerged inside the vase.  We love the opportunity glass gives us, to add more dimension and textures to the piece.  Sieze that opportunity to add some details to your wedding.

     I love summer, because we don't have to be just elegant and perfect.  With this heat, almost anything goes, and it translates into flowers, too!

     If I'm designing an arrangement for an outdoor summer party, I love using blue water for a cool, as in cool temperature, look.  Floating blooms in your pool are very relaxing, as well.

     Have fun, and take all of the summer activities in!

I am a florist, thanks to blue delphinium.  The second day of my first florist job I saw Volkenfrieden, electric blue, delphinium for the first time, and I was hooked.  The color was so vibrant, it almost glowed.  If you look at the individual little blooms, you can imagine them being little hats for garden fairies.

Delphinium grows really well at high altitudes, which I have seen all over the Colorado Rocky Mountains.  I have seen it grow on our very own Paris Mountain, also.

This bouquet brings the adjective “pretty” to mind.  Pale blue, fresh green and clean white are a wonderful combination that suits any bride.  This particular bride’s wedding was outdoors, at Falls Park.

Below, I've included a short video of a really cool design, from a California florist.  I met them at the last AIFD (American Institute of Floral Design) symposium.  I love the use of black magic roses next to light pink flowers.   This arrangement is a good example of why I suggest letting your florist choose the colors and flowers for your order.  I am all for giving us guidance as to your likes and dislikes, but the designer, as the professional, will be able to use colors and combinations that doesn't sound appealing, but when put together, look remarkable!

Flowers not only add softness to a table, they add pops of color, which can be achieved with even only a few petals scattered here and there.  If you use petals, keep in mind that on a particularly breezy day this idea may work better by having a single bloom at the base of the lantern, etc.  Just have fun with it, because the more fun you have, the more fun your guests will have!

This past weekend, we had a very good customer as us to design centerpieces for two tables, which she was responsible for, at an upcoming church party.  Each table had a theme, one was “the sea”, and other was “the garden”.  We used blue sand inside a very tall vase, and included pincushion protea (which looks like a weird ocean creature), as well as other accessories.  What I liked about the table themed “garden”, was the napkin rings, which were our corsage wristlets that we added flowers too, so it started out as a napkin ring, and the guests could wear them when they took it off their napkin.  What FUN!

Here are a few more bouquet pics from this weekend...This green rose, hydrangea and button mum bouquet looked elegant, stylish and modern.  The bride's dress was very couture, including black buttons down the back!  The addition of the black ostrich feathers, gives it an edge, without being too over the top.

Gerber daisies come in all shades and colors - Do you want a black center, or a yellow center for your bouquet?  Black is dramatic, yellow/green is a garden look.

Calla lilies with garnet snapdragons and purple lisianthus, for an outdoor wedding.

Not only are there many varieties to choose from, different farms roses will vary, even if it is called the same name.  Also, the exact color can vary, if the rose gets more sun or rain during its growth.

This same availability in variety is true with most flowers.  Sunflowers, gerber daisies, orchids, lilies, etc.

So, as the bride, your job is not to give us the variety you want, but give us a description of how you want the bloom to look and perform.  We’ll ask you about size, openness, and the look you are trying to achieve.

“The birth of her daughter was nearly fatal for both her and her newborn baby.  The next few days were critical.  The trauma on the now-weakened mother had resulted in blindness.  The doctors were not certain whether her vision would be restored.

     “The baby girl who was being closely monitored in the ICU had suffered massive bruising from the effect of the instruments that were necessary to force her from her mother’s narrow womb.  The father was never far away from either of his “girls,” praying for their very lives.  The dozen red roses that he brought to signify celebration sat unnoticed on the hospital nightstand, patiently waiting for  the appreciative smile of his wife.

     “It seemed like a lifetime, but on the fourth day, the father’s prayers were finally answered.  His wife, the mother of his child, was slowly regaining her sight.  As her vision improved, she longed to see her new baby.  She and her husband had long since decided to call the child Marilyn if it was a girl.  ‘Bring in Marilyn,’ she pleaded.  Baby Marilyn’s condition had improved enough for her to be placed in the loving arms of her mother.  The anticipation of the awaited moment could be seen in the mother’s strained eyes.  The precious moment arrived, and as she gazed upon the disfigured features of her baby, tears welled in her eyes.  ‘Oh, Marilyn, my baby,’ she sobbed and held her closer.

     “The attending nurse felt the mother’s deep disappointment and despair over the appearance of the tiny baby.  As she tried to find the words of comfort that would encourage her, she noticed the beautiful roses on the bedside table and suggested calling the baby Rose in the hope that the baby would grow to be as beautiful as a rose.

     “As her tears slowed, the mother gradually began to focus on her surroundings.  She looked at the beautiful arrangement of roses.  The gift from her husband once meant to congratulate now served to inspire.  ‘I will call her Rose,’ the mother declared.  ‘And someday she will grow to be as beautiful as the symbol of our love.’

     “The parents in this story are mine, and through their encouragement I have blossomed by becoming a floral designer.  Daily, as I create flower arrangements for my customers, I often think of the many symbolic meanings of the rose and try to use those meanings as my inspiration.”                               -written by Marilyn Rose Brosang

Go to our Facebook page to learn more about a Mother's Day Contest, inspired by this story!!! 

However, a barbeque calls for Sunflowers!  The golden yellow pops against the red checker tablecloths. The mother of the groom came up with these cute ideas. Be sure to fill galvanized buckets with ice and your favorite beverages.  Black chalk boards found at your local hobby store can be used to describe the sauces, types of food and drinks.  Also, create an inviting entrance with an oversized, colorful pinwheel and a sign that says “Thompson’s Pig Pickin’”.  If there’s a guest of honor(s), don’t forget to do something extra special for their chair, such as a monogram, or an extra sunflower tied with raffia.  These are easy and cost effective ideas that really set the tone for a great party.

We delivered these sunflower bouquets for a rehearsal dinner, thrown by the groom’s family, but at the bride’s parents’ house.  That is so nice to see the families already coming together.

At the reception, the guests were asked to write their sentiments and well wishes to the bride and groom on postcards with various pictures of Greenville sights on the front.  Now, the mother mails one of these to her daughter and son-in-law every couple of weeks!  It's a great way for mother and daughter to relive the wedding, as to remind them of their wonderful friends and family.

On a side note, the picture I have posted is one of my favorite bouquets, right now.  It includes ranunculas, dahlias and has a surprise. . . what looks like little fuzzy feathers are actually petals from a tropical bloom, called a pink mink protea.  We, then, took the petals and added them to one of our signature boutonnieres.  Really fun stuff!

This space can be rented, from the city, for all kinds of events: reunions, birthdays, anniversaries and weddings.

Take a moment to enjoy all of the blooming flowers around town, and enjoy nature.

This is one of those holidays, where the saying goes, "If you don't give them flowers from us, please, just give them flowers!"

Here's a link to my FIRST on air interview, eleven years ago.  It's very funny, and a little embarrassing.  Enjoy!  Click HERE

For Moonlight & Magnolias, we used 5 ribbons cascading from tall vases, and the ribbons included all different kinds of colors and textures.  I, also, loved how we just let the ribbons fall on the table, instead of trying to make them too neat.

     I will forever cherish this picture, because Jamie is a bride that had the perfect wedding, but after some really crazy, unexpected delays.  She was put to the test with her endurance, as all brides are, and she pulled through with unprecedented class.

    One of the biggest revelations I’ve had, in meeting with over one thousand brides, is that you, the bride, have to juggle everyone else’s wishes and preconceived notions of what your wedding should be.  Then, after you listen to everyone else, you take your dreams and passions, and make it fit within this construct.  I have seen the masterful art of making this all fit together, to create a memorable, beautiful wedding day.

     I would love to hear your inspirational story, on how you creatively endured the ups and downs of planning your perfect day.  Email me at dahliaonline@yahoo.com , and  I will compile all of the stories I receive to share with all Dahlia brides.  Congratulations!