As couples gear up for their 2024 weddings, a trend is emerging: emerald green bridesmaids' dresses. This rich, jewel-toned hue promises to be a stunning backdrop for both the bridal party and your chosen floral arrangements.

From a photographer's perspective, emerald green offers a subtle blend from the traditional black suits worn by groomsmen, allowing for more dynamic portraits. And speaking of flowers, event florists are absolutely thrilled to have such beautiful background canvas to work with! Emerald green provides the perfect contrast to make those blooms truly pop.

But where does this deep green fit into the rest of the wedding décor? This is where things get interesting. While incorporating emerald green can be breathtaking, it's important to consider its impact on the overall color scheme.

Here are some questions to ponder:

• Do you go full emerald? Emerald tablecloths can create a dramatic, immersive atmosphere, but may feel overwhelming in certain settings.

• Play with contrasts? Black tablecloths with emerald green napkins offer a chic, modern vibe, while cream or white linens contrasting with emerald accents exude a garden style vibe.

Remember, green doesn't always have to be confined to fabric. Lush foliage can incorporate the emerald hue beautifully,  whether woven into hanging installations, adorning floral centerpieces, or simply gracing the surrounding scenery like in plants.

Ultimately, the key is to balance boldness with harmony. Embrace the beauty of emerald green while ensuring it complements the rest of your chosen palette. After all, your wedding day should be a reflection of your unique style and love story.

As a floral event designer, I'm constantly exploring the intricate world of floral wedding dreams. What colors, textures, and arrangements will paint the backdrop for your most cherished memories?  While many brides have Pinterest boards brimming with inspiration, translating those dreamy images into reality requires a clear understanding of vision and budget. 

This is where my expertise comes in. I don't just see flowers; I envision the entire scene – the colors dancing with the light, the blooms echoing the style of the venue, the fragrance weaving its magic through the air. It's about creating an impactful experience that resonates with you and your guests, and it all starts with a thoughtful conversation.

• I prioritize understanding your budget and wedding vision from the outset. It's my goal to tailor a proposal that reflects your dreams without exceeding your financial limitations.

• If there's a slight variance, I offer creative alternatives to achieve a similar look within budget. We can focus on statement pieces like the bouquet, boutonniere, ceremony florals, and sweetheart table that will shine in photos and enhance the atmosphere.

• When budgets are tight, we can get creative! Repurposing ceremony florals to the sweetheart table after photography is a popular option. It adds a touch of personalization and saves resources.\\

• To ensure a smooth transition, working with your wedding coordinator or helpers for this shift might be ideal. Our team excels in fast-paced setups, but for such a short window, coordinating with existing personnel can be more cost-effective.

• Remember, you're not just investing in flowers; you're investing in our expertise. We bring arches, candles, stands, lighting, and even disco balls to life, creating stunning visual displays onsite.

• Every week, we transform spaces into unforgettable experiences, and we're passionate about making your wedding day truly magical.

We are local experts in Yosemite, Sonora, Pinecrest, Murphys, Arnold and Bear Valley.  Tuolumne and Calaveras Counties hold no secrets for us. This is our backyard.  We've set up in countless open spaces, off the grid and on, and understand the unique restrictions and enhancements of each venue. But our deepest knowledge lies in the landscape itself.  We know how flowers and setups will thrive in our climate, ensuring your vision flourishes amidst our picturesque surroundings.

 This, truly, is the greatest advantage of living and working where we do.

It has been a rough year.  In the last 7 months, we created florals for so many weddings.  This past year 2021, our season officially began May 1st and did not end until November 27.  For most of those weeks, we worked straight through without a single day off.  Often, we never knew who would show up for work.  The core was always here, but the extras, we just never knew.  Not being able to predict the every changing climate, we just dealt with weddings on a weekly basis.  

I understand that was not the best way to conduct business, but we dealt with weddings that downsized from 150 to 30 guests; some switching to just an elopement, but so many weddings went ahead and had outdoor events for 150.  Then of course there was the hot weather and the fires.  We just never knew if there was going to be another last minute change.  We were just happy to get through another week.

•  First and foremost, I have a great core staff.  They cared so much about our work, completing the order and giving whatever extra we can give.  We all wanted the wedding day to be so pretty and happy and beautiful.  

• Second I have the best wholesalers that just kept feeding me with supplies. We kept going every single week! My wholesalers, North Bay Farms, never missed a beat! Often, they were pushing me to get my order in, so they can fulfill my requests. On my part, it was usually last minute and I hate operating that way. I gotta hand it to those guys, the flowers and foliage arrived without a hitch. So many florists complained about flower shortages; but I never felt the sting.

As a result, we were able to deliver the florals to all our brides on a timely manner. I realize now, after this season has settled down, we were among the few vendors that survived this year pretty unscathed. So many of my fellow vendors are leaving or left our industry to move in another direction. Some are regrouping and reorganizing to better compete. Many are retiring and closing up shop. I will miss my friends.

I hope, next year is better.  I hope to be better organized.  I hope to provide the same quality of flowers, design work and service to all our customers.  I hope the same core staff comes back next year. 

I hope we all do better in health and well being.