Sunday, August 12, 2012

What are the meanings of flower colors?

If you're choosing your wedding colors and at a fork in the road.... think about what colors mean:




Black depicts formal, modern, sexy, and sophisticated;





Blue calls for calmness, tranquility, truthfulness, nobleness, and faithfulness;









Brown makes you feel comfortable, warm, and cozy;




Green represents wealth, money, nature, environment, fertility, growth, re-birth, victory, healing, abundant, and renewable;





Orange stands for energy, sun, warmth and comfortable;










Pink symbolizes the femininity, admiration, love, pretty, spring, gentleness, harmony, fidelity, and sensuality;






Purple shows nobility, royalty, luxury, authority, creativity, inspiration, and spirituality;







Red symbolizes love, passion, sex, and power;




Yellow is a happy, joyful, cheerful, and hopeful color










So, whatever your color... your passion.... it's your wedding... make it your color!


Friday, August 10, 2012

Classic Black and White

Classic white and black with a hint of red can bring elegance to a wedding.









 


 
Baccara Black Roses, Red Roses, Oriental Lilies, and Ivy had the bride saying "Yes - Yes - Yes"

Monday, June 25, 2012

Woodland Fairies flitted in delight at this wedding!


Woodland Wedding in Dollar Bay, MI





A beautiful setting on Lower Pointe Mills Road outside of Dollar Bay, MI was perfect for this beautiful wedding! The bridal couple wanted rustic with peach added to natural colors. The sun shone like only it can in the U.P. on Michigan and the magic of the woodland forest came alive....




 Beautiful green hydrangeas and hypericum with peach roses and billy balls accented with the bridal white roses, statice, and stock. The green pitt used throughout the wedding, and wispy bear grass make for the perfect woodland bouquet!



A corsage for mom or grandma - very pretty and feminine, yet rustic enough for a fairy! The green hydrangea, pitt, and peach sweetheart roses paire perfectly!


And the boys had fun with peach-colored billy balls, pitt, bark covered wire ringlets and a hand-tied fly from the groom!







Mason jars of stamp sand and votives hung with mason jars of bridal flowers to welcome the couple ito the bridal area. The arch, made of logs, by the groom, bride, and their family was a great bonding experience for them.







Lining the way to the arch, stumps big enough for a fairy or elf to hide behind to catch a glimpse of the beautiful bride, were decared with flowers and floating candles in mason jars!  




 Simple fallen logs made a great pathway to the ceremony.
Whether green pit and white lisianthus or peach roses, hydrangea, and bear grass, the path to marriage was beautiful!




Even a bird of the forest left a nest for the young couple to begin their life with a home! (Thank you DJ Davey for allowing us to include it in the directions. You made a great find!)



If you're thinking of a woodland wedding... perfect for any fairy princess... give us a call to help your day be magical!
(906) 482-2060








Monday, June 18, 2012

Wedding Ceremony Flowers

Whether you're getting married in a church or at the beach, the place where you say "I do" should be special to you.

Remember, a lot of photos will be taken on your special day, and over half will probably be at this location!

If your church of other location already has a lot of decorations, (statues, railing, trees,) you may not want a lot of  arrangements.

However, a couple plants or vased bouquets, can tie in your color and themes for the ceremony.
Think simple, tasteful, and within your budget!


However, if where you are getting married is dark and plain, dress it up with flowers, ribbons, and/or candles. Remember to keep the arrangements oversized to fill in empty spaces.
If your budget is limited, think tuling and bows or plants that you can use in your home or plant in your garden.



For an impressive display, think tall and wide.








The use of many blooming plants can also add beauty to the ceremony.








Think about what your theme is and choose your decorations to match.

Give us a call and let us help design your wedding flowers!
906-482-2060






Monday, March 12, 2012

Wedding Budgets

Wedding Budgets.... a tough thing to figure and stay within? Not at all. Find out what you actually have available to spend, and then portion it.

First:  Talk with your parents, grandparents, your fiance, and find out how much you have to spend. Then subtract $2,000 for "last minute" changes/essentials that you forgot. You're probably thinking... what? Those last minute "gotta have" nylons, or late decision to have a pedi and mani cure, a thank you massage for your mom, a bouquet of flowers that the fiance' have delivered to you to the salon the morning of the wedding, extra bevererages at the reception, gassing up the car for the wedding night.... etc.... Don't plan without knowing who is chipping in how much for this exciting event.



Second: You and your fiance need to communicate what is most important to you both (it's your wedding.... not GreatAunt Elle's.)

The average for a Copper Country wedding costs somewhere between $15,000 and $27,000 for 100 - 150 guests.

Average percentages for a wedding budget:
  • Wedding and Engagement Rings (15%)
  • Wedding Dress and Veil (5%)
  • Reception (Site and Catering) (35%)
  • Photographer/Videographer (10%)
  • DJ/Band/Entertainment (4%)
  • Invitations/Stationery (4%)
  • Flowers (10%)
  • Cake (3%)
  • Wedding Party Gifts (2%)
  • Rehearsal Dinner (2%)
  • Officiant/Ceremony Fees (1%)
  • Decorations (3%)
  • Limo/Bus/Car (2%)
  • Tuexedos (1%)
  • Pre-Wedding Parties (3%)
Third: Now that you know where the money is coming from and what is the most important items to you both, you can build the budget. For some, the ceremony is the most important part of the day. Emphasis should be on the flowers and musicians. For others, the dress and photographer are more important.

Remember, that just because something is the national average, does not mean that it is the right amount for you - you need to decide this for yourself. Take your top two or three items that are important and merit them a slightly higher percentage. For every percentage point you raise, you will need to lower something else by the same amount. In the end, your percentages should add up to 100 percent.

You must also keep in mind that the national averages do not take into account:
  • Honeymoon
  • Marriage License
  • Soloists/Musicians
  • Dress Alterations
  • Favors for the Wedding Party
  • Jewelry
  • Stamps for Invitations and Thank You Notes
  • Hair/Nail Appointment
  • Dry Cleaning of Wedding Gown and/or Preservation

  • Fourth: Find out what costs are not negotiable such as the marrage license. The church, museum, or park that you are hosting the wedding/reception at is sometimes negotiable by choosing a different date or location. If you have to change your percentage here, you'll have to change it elsewhere to keep that 100 pecent.

    Fifth: Be honest with your professionals. Don't take their time looking at $6,000 wedding dresses when you know that you have only budgetted $2,000. Before you book hair styling for the wedding party, decide if you can afford it or if the wedding party has the option to pay/go someplace else that they prefer/can afford. If you have a $250 budget for your wedding party of 8, ask your professional florist how to best to stay within the budget. They can offer "substituting" other flowers that look like or are the same color as, what you want if you need to trim the budget. Friends may be able to dj all or half of the reception if you need to adjust that portion. Rehearsal dinner can be a simple as hosting a party in the family backyard or local park. Think about your wedding party when you ask them to pay for the dresses, tuxes, etc. Can they afford it? Would it be more affordable if they had dresses that they could later alter to wear to other occasions or tuxes that are suits that they could wear at another location? Think outside the box.

    This is a good start for planning your wedding.... ask family, friends, and other vendors who/what they'd recommend for ideas for your wedding.  However, in the end, make it YOUR special day!

    Give us a call and let us help you stay within your budget for wedding flowers!

    Jen
    Kukkakauppa Flower Shop
    906-482-2060





    Tuesday, February 28, 2012

    Copper Country Bridal Expo 2012

    Bridal Expo 2012

    Join us for the Copper Country's only bridal show...  prizes ... refreshments and vendors showing their wares for your special day! It's this Sunday, March 4th, 2012 1-4 pm at the Finnish American Heritage Center on Quincy Street in Hancock. Tickets are available at the door $5.

    At our Kukkakauppa Flower and U.P. Gift Shop booth we'll have fresh and silk bouquets, drawings for prizes (you could WIN your wedding bouquet), and lots of ideas for your special day!




    Thursday, February 23, 2012

    Small Weddings in the Copper Country

    A “Small Wedding” may mean something different for each bride. Some couples feel a “small wedding” refers to the number of guests (less than 200 may seem small for some and less than 50 is small for others.) For others “small” may refer to the bridal party, where only a few attendants (or none) are included. Either way, a “small wedding” also means that you may be able to do some special things that other brides & grooms cannot do.
    Since what constitutes a "small" wedding varies, and the formality may vary as well, some of the tips below may be more or less appropriate for your “small wedding”.  Either way, it will offer you a “cozy and intimate” exchange of vows. Invite who you want to be there.
    Strong reactions to your “small wedding” will be mixed.  Some of the reactions will be supportive as some of your friends and family may have had a positive experience with a small wedding or were part of a large wedding planning and are envious of your wisdom.
    Negative reactions may range from those being left out of the “small wedding,” to those that think you’re naïve in believing you can actually have a small wedding, to family members who want to show their style to all their friends and colleagues.
    It’s your wedding… do it your way!  It’s only natural that people close to you may feel some ownership in your wedding, and bring their own expectations to bear. However, that doesn't mean that you can't have a small wedding!

    Well meaning friends may even say, “You won't get all those great gifts!" That may be true…
    however, with the money you save on a small wedding, you can buy yourself what you really need/want!
    Your small wedding setting can be at your church, synagogue, restaurants, gardens, bed & breakfast, historic inn, museums, historic home, your own home, on a boat, or in a courthouse. Some of these places may not advertise for weddings, but that's because they too don’t think about the “small wedding.” Consider yourself lucky--you have some unique options that the average bride doesn't have!! Just ask.
    A small intimate wedding may make it easy for you to consider having the wedding, the reception, or both in your own or a relative's home. If you’re choosing the locale for cost, remember that you may need to rent chairs, tables, catering supplies, table cloths, portable toilet, tents and heaters, and other items for your wedding. This may add up more quickly than anticipated. 
    Superior Rental    www.renttheevent.com
    A destination or mini-vacation wedding for you and your guests to the Copper Country may be feasible for your small wedding party. You can honeymoon at the same spot after your guests depart, or move on to yet another place.
    Keweenaw Mt. Lodge www.atthelodge.com
    Hancock Beach  cityofhancock.com
    Calumet Golf Course calumetgolfclub.com/
    Porvoo Park   cityofhancock.com


    A small wedding also offers you the ability to customize your service. In such a setting, you can
    *Allow guests to mix and mingle before the service over wine and hors d’oeuvres and begin the wedding with a toast
    *Give each member of your families a flower. As you walk down the aisle, have them each hand you their flower that you can hold as your bouquet. The groom can take a ribbon to match your dress and help you wrap it together as a symbol of your union.

    *Have members of your family do the readings and sing

    *Ask older family members if they had any ethnic or family traditions that they used at their wedding, and incorporate those in yours.

    *Be your own "ushers" at the end of  the service by greeting each guest as they leave their pew.

    *Encourage each guest to use an entire page of your guestbook to share advice to the new couple!  

    *Use the mat around a photo of the wedding couple for guests to sign.

    Your flowers can be as simple or extravagant as you want. From a full bouquet (round, cascading, or loose style,) to a single stem, the size and amount of flowers can match even the larger weddings. You can offer corsages, boutonnieres or bouquets for those attending. You can also have reception flowers or plants as gifts for those attending. Six or eight singles sticks of bamboo gathered in the center of the tables can given as a thank you to guests for sharing your special day.

    Kukkakauppa Flower Shop  http://www.coppercountryflowers.com/
     
    Wedding photography can be from a professional or a family member or friend. Don’t forgo this option just because it’s a “small wedding”.  A photo to look back on when you’ve been married 50 years will be appreciated.
     
    Teresa Stachowiak
    Madions Nicole Photography


    A special program with notes of who is invited, why they were invited, (Thank you Aunt Ellen for letting me borrow your handkerchief; Thank you Cousin Mary and Uncle Joe for using your talents and taking our wedding photos, etc.) You can even include photos of the couple at special stages in their relationship in the program.

    A wedding reception can become a “wedding supper” at a restaurant. You can make it as simple or as lavish as you prefer. (Let the restaurant know how many will be attending so they can have enough staff to handle you.)
    *Consider renting a trolley for transportation.
    *Have your photographer take photos of all your guests and you can send them a copy with their thank you!
    *If the reception is in a historic home or museum, have a tour guide on hand to answer questions.
    *A local string quartet, harpist, or other unique musical performer can offer the background music you desire. Your own computer with speakers can also offer your favorite tunes.
    *Take advantage of the smaller size group to mingle. Large weddings do not always offer this opportunity.

    Library Restaurant and Brew Pub
     https://www.facebook.com/pages/Library-Restaurant-Brew-Pub/120802791337831

    Nutini’s Supper Club 
    https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nutinis-Supper-Club/344152372007?ref=ts&sk=wall

    Copper Island Beach Club
    https://www.facebook.com/pages/Copper-Island-Beach-Club-Inc/111636968875364


    Throwing a bouquet is acceptable or the bride can hand all of the single women a single flower from her bouquet. Throwing a garter  is also acceptable or you can share a toast with all the single men.

    A wedding cake can be tiered or a sheet cake. Cupcakes, a pie, or cheesecake is also acceptable. The couple should decide what they like and go with it! If you have extra cake, you can always make arrangements with a nursing home or shelter to drop it off to share your love with others.
    Roy’s Pasties and Bakery (Elaine)  www.sheldonsbakery.com


    Make sure the wedding is what you want and can afford. It is your day – do it your way!