| A few months ago, I was talking with a | | | | |
| bride-to-be who was lamenting the fact that | | | | 1) Those garden and decorating magazines |
| she could not find the exact look she wanted | | | | might help here as well. |
| for her wedding and wedding reception. None | | | | |
| of the flowers, floral arrangements or | | | | 2) Again, visiting model homes might help. |
| decorations that she had found in her colors | | | | Or, does your town have a design center where |
| were what she really wanted to use. I asked | | | | all kinds of local remodeling contractors, |
| her where she looked for ideas, and she shot | | | | designers, and construction type vendors have |
| back a look at me that seemed to say, "Well | | | | showcased their ideas and wares in one |
| aren't you stupid." Of course she had poured | | | | location? Some towns have these, and they're |
| over bridal magazines and consulted a florist | | | | great places for finding ideas, samples and |
| and even a wedding planner and bridal | | | | color swatches. |
| consultant. None of that had helped in her | | | | |
| quest for what she considered the perfect | | | | 3) And regular women's magazines - the ones |
| flowers and decorations for her wedding. | | | | usually read by your mother, your aunts or |
| | | | grandmothers and found near the grocery store |
| Perhaps she wasn't really asking for my | | | | check-out line - often have decorating ideas |
| advice. After all, it had been many years | | | | in them. Who knows? You might just find |
| since I had a huge formal wedding. But since | | | | something there. (You don't have to admit to |
| I have planned many large events myself over | | | | finding what you want in magazines whose |
| the years - for church, for clubs and for | | | | readership is over 35!) |
| sales organizations - I couldn't help but | | | | |
| offer these ideas for finding the right | | | | Still not finding what you're seeking? How |
| flowers or decorations. | | | | about contacting a local art school and |
| | | | asking for some help? The teacher might |
| To find flowers: | | | | recommend a student who could sketch a few of |
| | | | your ideas, and that would help you present |
| 1) Look through seed catalogs. The pictures | | | | them to your florist or wedding planner. |
| there are always great places to find what | | | | |
| flowers might be available. | | | | Just remember this: |
| | | | |
| 2) How about garden magazines? They always | | | | 1) Bridal magazines and bridal consultants |
| show all kinds of plants and flowers and how | | | | are not the only sources of information about |
| they might be used inside and outside the | | | | flowers and decorations for weddings or other |
| home. | | | | celebrations. |
| | | | |
| 3) Decorating magazines or regional magazines | | | | 2) It's your wedding, and that means you're |
| often have floral arrangements in the | | | | the one(s) who should have the final say |
| pictures of dining or living rooms, or even | | | | inwhat flowers and decorations you use, even |
| in the bathrooms. Have you looked at those? | | | | if it means doing something no one else has |
| | | | ever done. |
| 4) If you have time, why not visit a few | | | | |
| model homes? Their designers often have | | | | Haven't found what you want for your wedding |
| created some beautiful arrangements. | | | | décor? Well, where have you looked? |
| | | | Don't give up until you've looked everywhere! |
| To find other decorations: | | | | |