SIMPLY INSPIRATION + FLORALS: Unique Flower Containers

I am a lover of anything that's a little different and outside the box (well okay no I like boxes as shown below..) But anyway, I love things that are a little different especially when it comes to things to put flowers in. Who says flowers always have to go in clear glass vases? I mean seriously. Why not have a little fun and put flowers in something a little different. Here is some Monday inspiration for you all... so next time instead of going to the trusty glass vase... why not try a box, recycled tubes, lightbulbs, dresser drawer anyone...?! Enjoy! Now I am off to a busy Monday catching up on e-mails after my e-mail free weekend I spent in Atlanta with friends!

{Photo Credits} Floral Printed Box Vase via 100 Layer Cake, photography by The Weaver House // Wooden Box of Flowers via Bash, Please, photography by Annie McElwain // Blue + White Tubes via 100 Layer Cake, photography by EP Love // Flowers in Light Bulbs via Style Me Pretty, photography by Carla Ten Eyck // Flowers in Lanterns via Green Wedding Shoes, photography by Twentytwenty Studios // Flowers in Dresser via Green Wedding Shoes, photography by Jen Wojcik // Pink Flowers via Ruffled, photography by Page Bertelsen // Flowers in Vintage Vase via Green Wedding Shoes, photography by Sabine Scherer

SIMPLY FLORALS: Spring Bouquets

Flowers, flowers, flowers. There is nothing that naturally puts a bigger smile on my face than fresh cut flowers that I get to be play with. I don't have a story of this being something I grew up loving, blah blah, it's much newer. I really do have Layla to thank for it to be honest. I loved watching her put together bouquets and arrangements and loved how creative she was and knew that I wanted to do that exact same thing. Now I don't have any formal education in flowers (is there even such a thing? I'm sure there is...) But I did learn the basics from Layla. And I asked lots of questions. Like, how do you get that succulent to stay in that bouquet even though it doesn't have a long stem? And I take the time to be that person who looks at wedding bouquets in magazines and I literally read every single type of flower that is in that bouquet so that I can learn the different flower names. Then I go online and I research everything I can about those flowers, what time of year can you get them, tips for putting them in floral arrangements, etc. This kind of stuff really excites me. And not just that but it just naturally puts a big smile on my face. I can still remember the first time I went to the wholesaler and bought a bunch of flowers, just because I wanted to play around with some arrangements... I smiled literally the entire day.

Now that wedding season is finally in full gear for us right now I am so excited to announce that we will be doing the flowers for our first wedding this weekend! I cannot wait! I am beyond excited!! A little nervous, but mostly excited and anxious that they are happy with the outcome! And then... double bonus... I am putting together all the flowers for our styled shoot on Monday with Shannon Christopher. This is kind of a big deal because I had full freedom to completely design the flowers, the colors, etc. I cannot wait to share everything with you all!!! Follow me on Instagram and Facebook for some sneak peaks along the way!!! That being said, I am getting so excited for spring and with spring comes gorgeous flowers! Here are just a couple bouquets that I love for a spring wedding!!!

{Photo Credits} Blush, blue, and green bouquet via Style Me Pretty, bouquet by Cecily F Grand, photography by Stephanie Kapra // Bride on wood floor via A Military Story, bouquet by JM Flora, photography by Jodi Miller // Mostly pink bouquet via Ruffled, bouquet by Sweet Sunday Events, photography by EE Photography // Bouquet with anemones via Grey Likes Weddings, photography by Christian Oth Studios // Bouquet on blue chair via Ruffled, bouquet by Pamela Castleberry, photography by Krystle Akin // Groom holding bouquet via Elizabeth Anne Designs, bouquet by Rooted Harmony, photography by Connie Lyu // Colorful bouquet via 100 Layer Cake, bouquet by Bows and Arrows, photography by N Barrett // Bride holding bright bouquet via Ruffled, bouquet by Tinge Floral, photography by Lora Grady

SIMPLY FLORALS: Coral + blue

Is it just me or is this year moving at the speed of light?! I am loving it though! So many things are happening and quickly! I have been so busy finalizing details for our spring weddings that it's been hard to catch my breathe!!! On top of that I'm working with Love-Inspired to rebrand and redesign the website... and on top of that I will be attending Making Things Happen in a few weeks in Chapel Hill, North Carolina... and on top of that I have not one, but two upcoming styled shoots in March (one is very vintage + enchanted, the other is very dramatic + glam)... and on top of that I have lots of clients coming into town in the next few weeks/months to tour venues, meet with other vendors, food tastings, cake tastings... and the list goes on. But trust me, I am in no way complaining. I am as thankful as ever, because a busy Nicole is an extremely happy Nicole. And to be honest, the best way I relax is by blogging... or being busy... or doing something else I have fallen in love with lately...

Flowers. If you had asked me a few years ago I am going to be completely honest with you... I would have said flowers are dumb. They die. Can you buy me chocolate or cookies or something? And not saying I don't still love chocolate or cookies because I mean let's be real... if there are cookies in the house that is probably what I am eating for breakfast + lunch... and a snack and most likely dessert after dinner too. But going back to flowers. I have fallen in love with flowers + bouquets and more flowers + even bigger bouquets... It's just weird because there is something about flower arranging that just makes me smile. Probably the most genuine and real smile there is. Today was no exception. After picking out some fresh flowers at the wholesaler I came home, cranked up the Taylor Swift on repeat, and got down to it. I put together a bouquet mock-up for a March wedding and also made some boutonnieres and wristlet corsages. I am really excited about how they turned out!!!

Another highlight of my day that I just have to share... I had a phone meeting with a potential client and while she was describing her dream wedding and everything she wants there she added in something a little more unusual that she wants at her wedding... animals. And these are the thoughts that went through my head, "How in the world am I going to pull this off? Lions + tigers at a wedding?! At a wedding in SAVANNAH? Is there even a ZOO in Savannah?! Obviously there has to be a zoo in Savannah? Well maybe not!?! Maybe that's just a big city thing!? Ohhh of course, I bet Atlanta has lions + tigers! But does Atlanta rent out lions + tigers? No I doubt it, I bet we will have to order them from California?! They have everything in California... or maybe Vegas..."

She meant horses...........

:)

On that note, have a great evening ya'll!

SIMPLY FLORALS: Unique Fall Bouquets

When it comes to my taste in flowers I am exactly one thing... as far from traditional as possible. I love unique floral arrangements. Love bouquets with hanging elements, especially lamb's ear or ferns. I am obsessed. And anything with succulents I am obsessed too. Also a huge fan of the black and white anemones like in the 3rd bouquet here. And how cool would it be to put an artichoke in your bouquet? I think it's so gorgeous & such a unique touch! Do you have any favorite flowers? What's your floral personality? Do you like traditional arrangements like roses or daisies? Or do you like the unique arrangements like the ones below? Next weekend, Simply Savannah Weddings & Events will have a booth at the Brides Against Breast Cancer show & I really hope you all can make it out there to see me! Also, I personally will be putting together the floral arrangements for the booth so you can just imagine they will be filled with the most unique flowers possible that I can find in Savannah! :) I am off to a meeting with a bride this morning then a wedding this afternoon! Today we will be at Whitefield Chapel, one of my favorite quaint chapels in Savannah at the Bethesda School for Boys then at 10 Downing, an amazing restaurant in the heart of Savannah near River Street! Follow my Twitter for updates & some sneak Instagram peak photos! 

Unique Fall Bouquets

{Photo Credits} Centerpiece via 79 Ideas // Lamb's Ear Bouquet via Style Me Pretty, photography by Charlotte Elizabeth // Anemone Bouquet via Green Wedding Shoes, photography by Tyler Branch Photo // Artichoke Bouquet via Green Wedding Shoes, photography by Fresh in Love // Pinecone Bouquet via Style Me Pretty, photography by Max Wanger // Pink and Magenta Bouquet via Green Wedding Shoes, photography by Apryl Ann