Pantone Reveals Color of the Year for 2011:



Below is the official press release from Pantone:



PANTONE 18-2120 Honeysuckle

Energizing Honeysuckle Lifts Spirits and Imparts Confidence to Meet Life's Ongoing Challenges

CARLSTADT, N.J., Dec. 9, 2010 – Pantone LLC, an X-Rite company (NASDAQ: XRIT), and the global authority on color and provider of professional color standards for the design industries, today announced PANTONE® 18-2120 Honeysuckle, a vibrant, energetic hue, as the color of the year for 2011.

While the 2010 color of the year, PANTONE 15-5519 Turquoise, served as an escape for many, Honeysuckle emboldens us to face everyday troubles with verve and vigor. A dynamic reddish pink, Honeysuckle is encouraging and uplifting. It elevates our psyche beyond escape, instilling the confidence, courage and spirit to meet the exhaustive challenges that have become part of everyday life.

 “In times of stress, we need something to lift our spirits. Honeysuckle is a captivating, stimulating color that gets the adrenaline going – perfect to ward off the blues,” explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “Honeysuckle derives its positive qualities from a powerful bond to its mother color red, the most physical, viscerally alive hue in the spectrum.”

Eiseman continues, “The intensity of this festive reddish pink allures and engages. In fact, this color, not the sweet fragrance of the flower blossoms for which it was named, is what attracts hummingbirds to nectar. Honeysuckle may also bring a wave of nostalgia for its associated delicious scent reminiscent of the carefree days of spring and summer.”

Honeysuckle is guaranteed to produce a healthy glow when worn by both men and women. It's a striking, eye-catching hue that works well for day and night in women's apparel, accessories and cosmetics, and in men's ties, shirts and sportswear. Add a lively flair to interior spaces with Honeysuckle patterned pillows, bedspreads, small appliances and tabletop accessories. Looking for an inexpensive way to perk up your home? Paint a wall in Honeysuckle for a dynamic burst of energy in the family room, kitchen or hallway.

A well established Colorado wedding planner once told me that our area, Rocky Mountain West, is about 2 years behind when it comes to wedding trends and colors.  If that is the case, this year for brides the color should be Mimosa?

As far as I can tell, so far anyway, the color for 2011 Colorado brides is PURPLE, Purple and more purple!!Either that or bunches of bright multiple colors.  It's all about color this year which I think is great!  A bride in white, the girls in black and bouquets of hot pink or...Honeysuckle?  Pops of bright green, blue, purple and orange. 

 Whats the color of your day?

 

Traditional Jewish Wedding at Green Gables Country Club

When I first met Hila & Mike I knew I would love working with them! 

She had very sweet way about her that went hand in hand with her simple, classic taste  She knew exactly what she wanted! Roses, roses and more roses.  In white, white and white! Oh and stepahnotis with some sparkle, not too much but just enough!  (Mike, was on his cell phone so didn't have much input!) 

Hila wanted an all roses, all white bouquet.  She said that her future mother in law insisted on a touch of pink so she compromised and added a touch at the reception. 




Here is the moment where they are just about to see each other for the first time! 

I can only image how excited they both much be feeling at this moment!  I know it's not the tradition some are used to, seeing each other before the ceremony, however some couple have chosen this order of things to get a lot of photos in prior to the wedding.  This being a traditional Jewish wedding, there were many traditions that were to take place prior to the outdoor portion of the wedding, under the chuppa.

 So here is her bouquet!  I suggested that we used 4 different "white" roses and some spray roses to give it depth and texture.  We used Akito (true white)  Sahara (sandy beige), Vendela (true ivory) and Tahlia (off white with a hint of pink in the center) with a few touches of fern as a collar. We also added the stephanotis she loved so much with pearls and some hints of "bling" for some sparkle.  Mike wore a single Sahara rose, a single stephanotis and green hypericum berry accents.

They made such a lovely couple, with a wonderful sense of humor and fun! 

 It's lovely to see that reflected in the photos.

This was my first time to provide flowers to a wedding at The Green Gables Country Club. The interior is gorgeous and there any many great architectural accent areas to photograph.

The outside patio area is very large and could easily hold 300 guests!  Or you could set up an awesome lounge spot with some cool furniture out there away from the main reception ballroom.

Here is a close up of Hila's bouquet, the color variations of the 4 shades of "white" roses show up well in this light.  Even if you want one color in your bouquet or arrangement, just a slight shade off makes for a much more interesting look.  This was a very large bouquet and heavy!  Roses are very heavy and I used at least 30.  I recommend adding hydrangea, mums, carnations (fluffy and very nice smell) or some other matching filler flower to make it still large and full without the weight.

 

Here is the ceremony site and huppa.  A huppa or chuppa (I cant find anything that tells me that either spelling is preferable) is a Jewish wedding tradition that simulates the couples home or roof over them as they become husband and wife.  If any of you would like to educate me on the details of this tradition, I would love to be educated.

Below are more photos of the ceremony site.  Hila wanted to have a lush covering of petals and the aisle blocked for guests so that only she and her groom had the honor of walking down the aisle.  We made small accent bouquets for the chairs which adds a very elegant touch for your guests who are sitting in the seats. 

These bouquets are quite affordable at $15-$25 each. They can either be placed on the first few reserved family rows or used on every other or every 3rd row etc. They also will be moved into the reception area and used again along the bar, buffet table or food stations or along the head table. Pink Posey Design always designs ceremony decor with the idea that it will be used again or recycled for the reception.

 

Hila found a photo of centerpieces in a book I had and chose small wreaths with a candle in the center for her tables.  They were all white flowers and ivory candles...except for the sweetheart table.  Her new mother in law insisted that she and Mike had pink flowers and a heart shaped wreath for their table.  It was a sweet idea and I think it looked nice.  I added some greenery garland to the front as well. 

This final photo below is one of my favorites from all weddings!  We were not sure if this little girl was going to perform her flower girl duties and so we prepared a basket of petals for her, just in case. 

As you can see, she did go down the aisle however I doubt any petals got dropped!

A note about Flower Girls:

I have some books on the "duties" of a flower girl that are available to borrow.  I think we forget that these little ones have no idea what it means to be a "flower girl" or even what a wedding is all about. 

 The idea sounds fun, getting to wear a big fluffy dress and all, but when they see all those face sitting there and having to walk down all by themselves it gets to be a bit frightening to them.  I just suggest that all the details are explainged to them so they understand what it's all about.  Having 2 flower girls, especially an older girl (above 6) can also be helpful.

Military Wedding Giveaway - Winners Announced! Wedding 1/27/11

I am proud to say that Pink Posey Design is donating ALL the flowers for this wedding!

A Memory Lane Events is the organizer and main sponsor of this event.  Here is a quote from the description:


"In recognition of our men and women who have served our country, we are giving away a wedding ceremony for an active service member"

This truly is an all inclusive wedding valued at over $55,000!  Up to 75 guests including rehearsal dinner and hotel accommodations, wedding rings, dress, bridesmaid dress, honeymoon and so, so much more!

Now that is a dream wedding! 

The winners are both in active duty.  The husband to be is currently in Iraq and due back hopefully abbut 3 days before the wedding.  The bride to be is due to ship out to Iraq about 3 days after the wedding.

This really will be a dramatic and emotional wedding.  I wish I was able to show you their faces but because of their active status, we will not be able to do that.  I will however be able to keep you all posted with photos (from the neck down), and first names.

I met with the bride and her maid of honor the other evening and I also got to see the gorgeous gown she chose!  Wow, amazing with all the Swarovski crystals!

The color scheme is going to be all shades of blue and purple. 

The bright one shoulder full length gown for the maid of honor against this color scheme with some touches of white hydrangea is going to be phenomenal!

We will be providing all the floral items and these will include hydrangea, delphinium, anemone, roses and orchids!  Boutonnieres of bright purple orchids and royal blue delphinium.  I can't wait to show you the photos, these colors are going to just glow.

The bride is so humble and sweet about it all and never once mentioned using expensive flowers but the designs just call for orchids so that is what they will get!

So below is the colors we are going to use, a example of a similar bridesmaid gown and a bouquet the bride liked the colors of however she will be carrying a cascade style bouquet down the aisle.  Much larger, more elegant and more lush with flowers!












Color Palette

So, we will be posting the fast approaching news and information as it comes in and hopefully photos of the big day by valentines day!

Thank you to all of our service men and women, if we could do this for all the couples out there, Pink Posey Design surely would!

Cheers!



Rustic Charm, Boettcher Mansion Sarah and Mike august 2010

The past, the present and into the future... 

Boettcher Mansion.  Another Colorado historic location.  One of those true "Colorado" venues.  The location, the grounds, the mansion itself, everywhere you look there is just so much personality. 
A casual, rustic yet wedding location. 

Sarah and Mike must have agreed as they chose it for their August wedding.  When Sarah's mom, Rene first contacted me she was a bit stressed and had been told by several other florists that there was nothing they had to offer them within their budget. 
Pink Posey Design has the creative ability and the empathy to work will all budgets and happy for the challenge!

I will take what you have to work with and give you your options.  Obviously you are not going to get 4 foot tall manzanita and orchid centerpieces, but you can have a few colorful stems in a cute vase as you see we did for Sarah's tables.  I believe you do need flowers at a wedding.  Not only are they expected, they transform an event into a wedding.

Look for a post soon all about chic, elegant flowers and designs for any budget.  Just open your mind to the possibilities.  You can have a gorgeous wedding with Flowers on every table without using carnations!

I love using orchids in small budget weddings.  Believe it or not, a little can go a long way is you are using them as accents.  These were buffalo orange mokara orchids.  Orchids make great boutonnieres as well.

I love using "Billy balls".  Those round yellow happy things you see in the bouquets. There is nothing like them and they add a smile to the bouquet!

We used "royal sunset"  asciatic lilies for the bridesmaids bouquets.  We had not discussed making "composite" bouquets.  (Each petal is removed and glued together on one lily base to creat one large lily out of several)  however as I started ont eh first bouquet, I realized that might be the best option.

You can do this same style with a very different result using roses; calla lilies; gladiolous etc.

This minister was very funny and quite  "hip" for his age.  As I was inside decorating tables during the ceremony, I could hear everything and he made me giggle a few times. I don't think couples really understand how much the officiant has to do with the whole tone of their ceremony.  You want someone who can lighten the mood while still saying appropriate things for the day. 

We discussed having an arch with some flowers or greenery or maybe stands on either side with arrangements on top. 

This is the sort of natural back drop where the decisions not to add ceremony flowers makes perfect sense!  Plus, if yo notice, the bride keeps her bouquet.  That adds a nice pop of color to the photos.

I just LOVE how these colors pop against the natural background of the trees.

I bet those girls were very happy with Sarah's fashion choices.  Flats and pockets!!  I don't know if anyone has ever actually "worn the dress agian".  But this is a style you might!

Sarah wanted many, many different flowers in her bouqet and her bridesmaids, just the opposite.

Sarah's bouquet includes:

2 types of daisy mums, button mums, mambo spray roses, mokara orhchids, sea star fern, peruvian lily, billy balls, royal sunset lilies, gerbera daisies, orange pin cusion protea and a mix several different grasses. 

I am especially fond of bunny tail grass personally!



      

I just love the little vintage post cards used as table markers!

They were the perfect fit with the tiny bud vases Sarah's mom had already purchased!



I love how the clean fresh colors on the tables contrast with the old stone and wood structure of the mansion.  

I love the photo booth with the funny props, it give the guest something to do and gives you some great photo memories!

Sarah, thank you for taking the time to be sure I received a copy of your photos.  You and Rene were fun to get creative with. 

I hope you and Mike enjoy happily ever after!





Bright and Colorful Spring Garden Wedding

I am not sure you could ask for a prettier spot to be married!

This is one of the "Romantic Gardens" at Denver Botanical Gardens, May 30, 2010.

I was so excited to get these photos as I knew they would be spectacular.  

This was one of those situations where it all just comes together, a beautiful setting, gorgeous wedding flowers and a lovely couple!  Not to mention the photography, to hold the moment in time!  

Joyce Keum at JK Photography is the master behind these artful photos! 



I thought I'd start with the shots of the Gardens at this time of year, any of you in the planning stages, if your wedding will be in May or June and you want an outdoor setting, this site can't be beat!

This lovely couple contacted me just 17 days prior to their wedding!  They started planning not much earlier than that!  They had decided to just "get married" but soon realized they had enough of a guest list to have a full wedding the chose a date and venue and went from there to create a charming and truly lovely event!

I love this shot. It shows Jamie as she begins the short walk down the aisle when she first sees Adrian. What a sweet expression on her face.

Don't you just want to pinch those cheeks?  She is as just as cute as can be!

The maid of honor's bouquet had a bright and colorful handle made with high quality double faced satin ribbon and a bright green criss cross overlay.  I see she used the bow to hold Adrian's ring.

This was a fun bouquet to make!  Anytime I get to work with peonies I love it, plus all the colors and fresh ideas

A lush, full bright bouquet of coral peonies, green orchids, white and yellow freesia, a rare and unusual color of bright pink and bright green hydrangea with pink roses.  I had given her a good luck charm of a shiny brand new 2010 penny.  I collect them as I get change here and there and if I have one to give, I bring it with me t each wedding.  (along with a little packon monogrammed tissues)

 

So, as tradition goes, the bride puts it in her shoe for good fortune on her journey to her new life. 

Jamie attached it to her bouquet. Which you can see in the photo above. 

Below:

We hung 3 very pomanders (flower balls) made from carnations and mums, from the white arbor and as is always the goal of Pink Posey Design, we mad use of them at the reception. (see the photo further down in this post)

Most people beleive they do not like carnations.  They are actually very chic and modern if used the right way.  I even saw them used on an episode of "Platinum Weddings", except the florist kept calling them double dianthus.  Which is what they are, but more commonly called carnation!

Carnations, mums, roses, spray roses and hydrangea are flowers that can be used in pomanders.  All that I listed, except for the carnations, have a limitation or drawback. 

We hung glass vases with small arrangements of hydrangea, roses, dahlias and hypericum berries on stands in the aisle and re-purposed them on the tables at the reception.

Pink Posey Design is very creative in finding ways to stretch your budget by using flowers more than once. 

We love creating floral designs that can be used at both your ceremony and reception sites. 

I love how their happiness shines in the photos!



Adrian is an Englishman and English weddings are always so lush and full of flowers! He was very interested in the floral design process and flowers to be used.

You know, it takes a certain type of groom who can rock a peony boutonniere, I think he pulled it off nicely don't you?

This is just the prettiest little cake ever! I love how different it is, not the same old rolled fondant with ribbon and a few fresh flowers.  I think you should always break the mold and flood your wedding with you and your finace's personalities and commonalities as a couple.  It's actually a budget saver to use a theme for your wedding.

It does not need to look like a kids birthday party!  Just hire the right wedding planner, designer or florsit! 

Pink Posey Design can assist you in designing the entire decor of the day.  We work closely with companies that can provide you a tent, lighting, draping etc.  We are truely a one stop shop for a lot of your wedding needs.

Here you see how we reused the ceremony flowers. 

Using tall cylinder vases with submersible lights in the bottom we rested the 3 pomanders on top.  

We then added many sizes of pillar candles and votive's wrapped in coordinating ribbon and placed those around the room along with the vases full of flowers from the ceremony were the other centerpiece style used. 

Pink Posey Design always brings any rose petals left from the processing of flowers and we put those everywhere!

And into the sunset they went to find thier happily ever after!

The End