Ideas in Bloom – Wedding Flowers made easy

 Flowers are one of the most important aspects of a wedding. In fact, aside from the bride and groom they are just about the most photographed item of the entire event. They add color, vitality, and aroma to a wedding. To make the impact you desire, you need to make some smart choices early on but, before you even consider talking to a florist, book your venue so the florist knows what they are dealing with and help you make well-informed decisions.

#1 – Decide on a budget. It has been said over and over and over but, I’ll say it again: Choosing flowers that are in season during your wedding could save you literally hundreds of dollars.  When you plan your budget, keep this in mind.

#2- Do your background work. Ask to see photos, ask for references, ask if you can drop by one of their events so you can see firsthand what kind of work your florist is capable of handling.

#3- Trust your florist.  Once you have selected  your florist and  assuming you are not a trained florist  yourself,  use their expertise to help guide you through critical decisions. If you insist on something the florist opposes – there may be a solid reason.

#4- DIY is a big mistake. Many brides think they can go to a flower shop and put together professional bouquets and centerpieces from scratch. This is a big NO-NO! You will have a hundred things to think and worry about before and on your big day, don’t make this mistake. And by the way,  even if your favorite Aunt insists she does great table decor for the holidays doesn’t mean she can handle a task of this magnitude. Hire a professionally trained wedding florist!

#5 – Think Big. Huge blasts of color are a beautiful thing – just make sure it doesn’t clash with the decor of the venue or the table linens or the attendants’ gowns. Remember to keep the larger picture in mind : “How will the overall room look  in pictures?”

#6 – Don’t overdo it with the aroma. Its okay to use the strong smelling flowers for bouquets but, for the church and reception  it is best to use flowers that do not give off a strong smell. This will certainly prevent any of guests who are allergy sufferers to opt out of the reception early. The only exception is an outdoor venue.

#7 -Communicate. Always keep an open dialogue with your florist. Every single problem or question should be answered up front. Get everything in writing and make sure you know what you are paying for before you sign on the dotted line.

Call 847-428-3320 or log on to www.bridalshowexpo.comtoday to get tickets to our next show where you can meet some of Chicago’s best wedding florists and see their work first-hand!

– Penny Frulla for Bridal Expo Chicago

Bridal Expo Chicago Coming to Belvedere Banquets Elk Grove

The last few weeks have been bustling at Bridal Expo Chicago’s corporate offices in spite of so many brides and vendors being on vacation. (July is usually the slowest month of the year for retailers)  We are looking forward to our next show coming up on Sunday, August 8th at Belvedere Banquets in Elk Grove.  Located minutes from the Streets of Woodfield in Schaumburg, this venue always delivers a highly engaged crowd.   The venue is simply gorgeous and their staff mirrors the quality and attention to detail one would expect to witness at The Ritz Carlton Chicago or The Four Seasons.

The pace of this luxury event is a tad slower than others we produce in Chicagoland, but its none the less a highly successful show with lots of connections and serious bridal consumers. Vendors usually do extremely well because attending brides have immediate needs for their fall weddings and they are giving up a valuable day of the week to immerse themselves into all things bridal-a Sunday. We’ve heard success stories from some of our vendors that they actually contract with brides on the spot.  Show hours are from 12p-4p and the comprehensive 45 minute fashion show presentation starts at 2p.

It’s a win-win for both brides and exhibitors.  So if you are an area to-be-wed, we encourage you to pre-order tickets on-line at www.bridalexpochicago.com prior to Thursday, August 5th, otherwise tickets are $15 per person at the door.  And while vendor space is nearly booked up, their still remains a few great spaces inside the retro-glam ballroom at Belvedere Banquets.  Call 847-428-3320 while space is still available.Layout 1