Philadelphia Flower Show 2011- Paris

This Sunday is the opening of the 2012 Philadelphia Flower Show which I am excited to go see while I am home over Spring Break. Last year was the first time I attended and I hope to make it a regular event on my spring calendar. The theme in 2011 was Paris which was depicted throughout all of the displays including a wedding display. There were also individual flowers that were given awards and a whole host of vendors.
Here are some pictures from the show last year to help inspire you to go to the current exhibit.

Peacock made from flowers and wire.

This room won best of show.

Beautiful Arrangement

This was actually an opening out of the display that looked like the mirrors in the room.

Lavender display.

Tour de France display

I believe these were supposed to be hot air balloons. Part of the American in Paris display.

<3 these lamps of flowers. Also part of the American in Paris display.

This reminds of Starry Night; not sure of that was the point or not.

Can Can Dancer made out of cans

Bathing Beauty

Love glass bottles hanging from trees

Wedding Ceremony

Wedding Reception

To see even more pictured you can check out my Facebook album click here.

Paperwhites

 I wanted something that I could grow inside my apartment during the winter that was cheap, easy to maintain and beautiful to look at; so I decided to go with some paperwhites.The paperwhite or narcissus papyraceus is a perennial bulbous plant that grows well in groups and is very fragrant. The thing that I like most about these plants are that they don't need to be planted in soil; just place them among some rocks, add water, and watch them flower. This is an easy DIY for anyone to do, even if you don't have a green thumb.
Below I have some pictures of my little display chronicling the growth of the flowers.

My paperwhite bulbs.

I bought the paperwhites at a garden center in October for less than 1 dollar a piece. You are supposed to keep them closed in a paper bag in a dry place until you are ready to plant them. Even though I kept them in the bag the whole time you can see that some shoots are already coming up.

Container with rocks

Next take any type of container you want; something clear is preferable because then you can see the green stalks and rocks. I picked a low round bowl but something tall could also work. I added some some small pebbles for the roots to grow around and some large rocks to keep the bulbs in place.

Bulbs in the container.

Place the bulbs however you wish in the container as long at the shoots will grow straight up. Then add water to just cover the small pebbles. Since this is in my bathroom I don't need to water it as much since the steam from the shower adds moisture to the air.

Stalks growing rapidly.

Only a week later and already the shoots have grown into tall green stalks. I have no real method to watering the bulbs; only when it looks like there is no water left in the bowl.

First flower.

A few days later and the first flower appears. You can see how one of the stalks is bent over but it righted itself again in a few days. I think this because of the amount of sun coming in the window and the temperature outside.

Lots of flowers

 About two and half to three weeks later all of the bulbs have now flowered. Again some of the stalks have gone sideways but I was able to right them all.

Bright and cheery for the winter

Paperwhite Flowers

Hope you learned how to bring something beautiful and easy to do into your own home.

Katie's Wedding Flowers

So on Saturday night my friend Katie got married in the beautiful Landis Valley Museum. I must begin by saying that this was one of my favorite weddings that I have ever attended. It was in a great location, the set up was beautiful, the bride was gorgeous and the whole thing was very Christ centered. The flowers were all very natural and set around the ceremony and reception in really interesting containers. Giant hydrangea were added to the grapevine and white lights that surrounded the trellis the couple was married under. The father of the bride did all the decorative flowers, which is a huge money saver but also added to the more personal feel of the wedding. Katie carried a huge bouquet of sunflowers and wildflowers made up the boutonnieres and bridesmaids bouquets. I took a  lot of pictures that night but here are a few of my favorites.

Ceremony set up in the Firehouse

Different bottles make great vases

Snap dragons

 Buckets of flowers were placed at the end of every other row of chairs along the aisles. By using the same type of flowers in each container a look of abundance is created.

Baby's Breath

Beautiful Katie walking in with her sunflower bouquet.

Centerpieces at my table.

 Using a mix of buckets, fun containers and old books really gave this reception a personal feel; capturing the personalities of the bride and groom. I was told all of the different containers were found at a local farmer's market in Lancaster; I always love being able to help support the local economy.

I love the small green bottle; the mother of the bride actually let me take it home!

Head table

Wildflower Bridesmaid Bouquet

Katie's Bouquet with the K.

One of the groomsmen boutonnieres

Watering cans make a great way to display flowers

Another cute watering can on the guest book table

 Hope you thought of some new way to display flowers and create centerpieces!

Melissa's Wedding Flowers

On Saturday the 20th my childhood friend Melissa got married in the Philadelphia area to her now husband Caleb. The decorations were mainly flowers and candles used around the church and the reception hall. The bridesmaids carried hot pink and white flowers that really popped against their turquoise dresses. Melissa's bridal bouquet was composed of white and light pink flowers with lots of greens. More hot pink flowers were used in vases as decorations to add some bright splashes of color.
Here are some pictures enjoy!

Set up of the church; hot pink roses in glass containers with candles and lanterns.

My table, light pink rose petals surround a fish bowl with floating candles.

Pink flowers within a lantern make up some of the other table centerpieces.

Bridesmaid's bouquet

Bridal bouquet

Roses from the church brought over the reception set on the cake table; this is the extra sheet cake in addition to the three tier wedding cake.

What are some of your favorite flowers that you have seen at weddings?