The Lakeland FREE Wednesday evening Design Clinics continue in 2010 several with an all new option

HANDS-ON

Each of the Wednesday Clinics presented the last Wednesday evening of each month January-September feature a particular subject relevant to the time of the year.

New this year for several of the Wedding related classes, is a Hands on option

You have the choice of just watching the Symposium style design presentation

OR

Participating in a hands-on format, actually constructing the design of the evening and being able to carry your design home

The fee for this option is $50.oo paid in advance of the class.

Pre-registration is required  and please bring wire cutters and ribbon sheers

Call 952-944-5160, 800-999-9443 or ask for Richard for further details.

January- "Elegant Timeless Perfect" Wedding Bouquets (Hands-on Option)

February - "The Little Ones" -Flower Girls and Ring Bearers

March - "The Maids and Matrons" - Attendants Bouquets (Hands-on Option)

April - "A Glass Act" - Reception decor in Glass

Wedding and Bridesmaids Gown Trends

Floral Embellishments

Floral accents are sophisiticated and sweet. Bridal wear designers are adding eye-catching rosettes to couture collections, placing buds at the hip, neckline and shoulder. There is great versatility with this trend in that brides can pull off the look in a formal church ceremony, or a beachside wedding.

Pockets

While the style was introduced a couple of seasons back, its presence in Spring 2009 bridal fashion still has us enamored. Pockets in the bridal gown and even bridesmaids dresses are a perfect place for the lip balm, tissues, etc... But not the cell phone.

One Shoulder

Toned arms and delicate are ideal for sporting a spring 2009 gown that dares to bare one shoulder. The bride and bridesmaids want all eyes on them without a doubt. The one shoulder gown is great for destination weddings, beachfront, marina or outside. It's simple and no fuss, and definitely not boring.



Ruffles and Layers



Whether its tiers of silk, organza, whispy tulle or feathers and chiffon, ruffles are a definite "I do" for the bride who loves fantasy and lots of romantic elements. Ruffles are architectural and adds volume to an otherwise basic skirt. This style is for the bride who wants to make a dramatic statement on her way down the aisle.

Colors

Orange

Brown

Yellow

Pink and Yellow

Purple

Black and White



Fashionable flowers, colors and styles which brides are clamoring for.

Most Requested Flowers:

Calla, Carnations, 'Casablanca' Oriental Lilies, Dahlias, Gardenias, Hydrangeas, Lilacs, Lily-of-the-valley, Orchids, Ranunculi, Roses/Garden Roses, Stephanotis, Sweet peas, Tulips.

Centerpiece Styles

INDIVIDUAL LOOKS-Each table makes its own statement, but all come together for a stunning overall appearance.

MIXED COLLECTION OF VASES-Asian: an assortment of sleek glass vases, bowls and thin cylinders; traditional: collections of small trumpet vases, silver bowls and/or jewelry boxes; Baroque: gold boxes, urns and bowls sitting on gold trays.

STREAMLINED FLOWER CHOICES-One kind of blossoms for a chic contemporary feel, or many different flowers in one color.

CANDLES ADD DIMENSION, HEIGHTS AND SPECIAL EFFECTS-Votives hung with ribbon or wirelike hangers from cherry blossom branches, or small floating candles in tall cylinders filled with colored water to match the wedding pallet.

GLASS OR LUCITE CONTAINERS ADD HEIGHT WITHOUT BLOCKING VIEWS-Short square and tall rectangle cases spaced evenly down a banquet table for interest and function.

LOW CERNTERPIECES HOLDING ONE TYPE OF FLOWER- Subtle, plus sensitive to dinner conversation.

10 Flower Trends

1. Bold Bright color is in, including royal purple and deep lilac tones. Focus on color with one dramatic hue and varying types and textures of flowers. Or choose polychromatic pairings with vivid hues; blues and lavenders, or bold, almost electric hues of scarlet, orange and fuchsia.
2. Bling in bouquets, such as brooches and pearls, adds sparkle and makes wonderful keepsakes for bridesmaids. For the bride, a family heirloom becomes "something borrowed"
3. Creative Wraps on vases or bouquets adds personality. Go rustic with tree bark. Add winter elegance with plush velvet ribbon. Achieve a modern edge with metallic cold, silver or jewl-toned wires. Get personal with a favorite scarf.
4. Fruits & Vegetables add fun and splashes of natural color for a festive and sumptuous feel. Use berries, pink grapefruit, lemons, blueberries, raspberries, figs, champagne grapes, pears or peaches.
5. Natural items plucked from the woods, pastures and meadows give dimension and structure while adding a warmer, more comfortable appearance. Lavender contributes sophistication, and rosemary symbolizes "remembrance".
6. A progressive color pallet starts with an all-white ceremony transitioning into pale hues during the cocktail hour and exploding with rich color for the reception.
7. Steel Gray becomes the accent color. Pair it with butter yellow, bright aqua, rich eggplant or pale pink.
8. All-white makes a comeback Think of tall, glistening glass vases overflowing with white phalaenopsis orchids and soft baby's breath. Rose-colored metallic accents add sophisticated glamour to the look.
9. Show stopping floral arrangements benefitting Marie Antoinette move wedding florals toward French opulence. Towering centerpieces include numerous blossoms, candles and even feathers.
10. Long dramatic banquet tables replace round ones for more intimacy. They also allow for more inventive centerpieces.

If you're planning a wedding, you're probably wondering what will be trendy and hip. There's no denying that 2009 Wedding Trends will be heavily influenced by two things:

1. The economy. It seems dreary to be constantly talking about how the economy will impact your life, but fortunately, we are seeing ways in which a smaller budget has inspired couples to have more creative, intimate, and personal weddings.
2. These weddings are benefitting from a heavy dose of style, influenced by many images and ideas circulating around the blogosphere. This CHIC STYLE will be the second biggest influence this year. Rather than huge weddings, where cost cutting means a lack of detail or fun, the 2009 Wedding Trends are full of fabulous details meant for smaller, affordable weddings.
 

Farm Weddings

This does not mean getting married amongst the combines, or having a cow doe your bridesmaid. But farms can be an affordable place to get married with a lot of charm. Several of them allow your guests to interact with the animals, while others just provide idyllic pastoral settings. Add some additional down-home touches like gingham tablecloths, antique quilts for the tables, natural grasses for centerpieces etc. Look for a farm that has a barn suitable for a reception.


Small Luxurious Weddings

Budgets might be tight, but that doesn't mean that that luxury and glamour are going away. Instead, couples are opting for intimate glamorous affairs. By having fewer guests, they have more opulent details, like elaborate favors, beautiful wines and gourmet tasting menus. With such a backdrop, it feels right to be in your tuxedos and gowns, surrounded by your truest friends and loved ones.

acaroones

The delightful french cookies not only have a delicious almond flavor and light texture but bakers have a tradition of making them in bright eye-catching colors, making them perfect for weddings. The newest trend is creating a tower of macaroons instead of a wedding cake.


Gray

For the past few years, chocolate brown has been the "It" color popping up in weddings as a hip neutral, and combined with bright pink or cheery yellow. While chocolate brown isn't going anywhere, the hippest new color for 2009 is gray. You may think of gray as too dreary for weddings, but on the contrary, it can serve as a foil to brighter colors. It's great paired with yellow, but perhaps the hottest combination this year will be silver and royal purple.

Affordable and Rewearable Bridesmaids Dresses

Forget the peach tulle atrocities of yesteryear. 2009 brides are considerate, and mindful of the economy, so they're looking for bridesmaids dressed that are truly rewearable, and that do not come with a sky-high price tag. For a beach wedding, consider telling your bridesmaids that they can wear a knee-length, spaghetti-strap dress in shades of blue. They'll not only be able to shop the department store sales, but your wedding will reflect the beautiful colors of the ocean. If you still want a unified bridal party look, consider gathering your maids together for a group shopping experience.

Vintage Fashion and Fascinators

Having a vintage-inspired wedding is a great way to add some style without adding a lot of cost. 1920's weddings will be especially hot this year. Especially look for brides wearing birdcage veils and fascinators. If you're a Project Runway fan, you'll definitely recall Kenley' fascinators -the feather charms that perch on your head. But many other designers also made a wide range of facinators. They look both vintage and modern, whimsical and classic, all at the same time.

As we approach 2009, we offer our perspective on the colors and trends we see emerging in design. Not only are these forecasts floral related, but the colors and trends that will directly affect home decor as well as fashion. Lakeland is always on top of these trends and we strive to present our products based on this information.

As design professionals, it is critical to have the earliest access to the leading trends information. It is our feeling that color combinations reveal color relationships seen in world wide design markets.

The first trend to watch is very natural in color, Original, Unfinished, Uncovered, and Uncoated- are just a few of the terms we might use to describe this look. We will see white on white using layering. Gray will begin to explode as we see its presence in variations of blues, reds, yellows as the parent. The sands of our universe will influence the tonal naturals from beige to almost black - undyed and unbleached.

Urban living is the second emerging trend. Nature's influence dominates this look especially in concrete forms with shades of green. We will see the look of stone, lichen and pearl as true accents. Metallic finishes will become even stronger with very industrial finishes polished to a high sheen.

The third influence strives to make the complex simple. This look will be more sculptural bringing order from chaos, Here we will see colors darkening with the dominant influence of black. Throughout each of these colors, gray plays a very strong role as well.

And finally, we each possesses our own identity. Private Identity is the simplistic beauty of the spirit.  Bright colors teamed with more subdued tints enhance unique pairings. The pop will be metallics- slick, shiny and modern in its presentation. Imagine the intense colors found in a Morrocan market accented with the polished brass.

It is easy to see that in 2009 the colors will reach each individual in their own personal taste while at the same time, allow them to explore new horizions.

We are pleased to introduce this very special inter-active vehicle created especially with you in mind!  It is our goal that you look to Designer’s Dialogue as your opportunity to pose questions on design, mechanics of design, trends or any floriculture related subjects.

All of us at Lakeland are dedicated to the continuing education of our customers. We are privileged to have two professional floral artists on our staff with over 75 years of combined experience. Their profound love of flowers as well as all natural materials, permanent botanicals and their life long dedication to education, provides a tremendous vehicle for you to find the answers to your design and product related questions.

We welcome the opportunity to visit with you through this Designer’s Dialogue or in person at Lakeland Florist Supply where you will find a vast array of product and design related resources.

All of us at Lakeland look forward to the opportunity of assisting you –

Richard L. Milteer AAF AIFD PFCI