Sweet Pea Wedding Services & Floral

FALL - Contrasting Colorful Bouquets

2011-11-30T19:43:00.000-08:00

Okay, this is more contrasting in texture but I couldn't help but add it. I made this bouquet for our very own Wedgewood girl, Roxanne, who was married in September.

2011-11-14T07:41:00.000-08:00

On Facebook - Sweet Pea Wedding Services & Floral

Touch of Chandelier in the Gazebo

2011-09-28T12:50:00.000-07:00

2011-09-28T11:59:00.000-07:00

Personalize with your style - Tea pots, books and vintage!

Personalizing Your Aisle

2011-08-10T12:39:00.000-07:00

Sometimes to keep the ceremony aisle simple is by doing nothing...but then again it can still be simple by adding a few chair decorations or florals, however, the key is to personalize it. The small cluster of flowers on the chair will pop with a wide sheer ribbon tied on. The aisle runner doesn't have to be just WHITE but instead BLUE. Maybe the runner is "bedazzled" by the bridemaids. Or the pomanders on the shepards hooks have crystal garland swagged between them.

The point is to personalize the ceremony aisle in your style - simple to bedazzled.

2011-07-13T07:15:00.001-07:00

Chances are, you’ll be the only one to notice if a flower is out of place or the best man dons the wrong shoes, but wedding guests everywhere agree that the following blunders make for a painful wedding experience…

8 Wedding Guest Complaints (Source - eleGALA.com)

1) Bad Timing – Long pauses between the ceremony and reception are generally a bummer. If you cannot book the ballroom immediately following the ceremony, arrange for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at an adjacent space.

2) Cash Bars – Sorry, a cash bar is never an acceptable money-saving solution. Swallow that expensive pill by thinking about this: You would never ask guests to pay for a cocktail in your own home; your wedding should be the same. Consider simply serving wine, beer, and a signature cocktail to cut costs. If you’re on a budget, a full bar isn’t necessary.

3) Stranded Dates – Don’t create a painful experience for your attendants’ dates. Speed up the marathon photo sessions and seat dates together with the wedding party at the reception.

4) Stranded Guests – If your wedding reception and ceremony locations are far apart or far from accommodations, you should provide guest transportation. Besides the obvious safety concerns of drinking and driving, your guests should remember what a lovely time they had at your wedding – not what a pain it was to get there.

5) Unaccommodating Accommodations – Failing to provide information for convenient and affordable accommodations for long distance guests never goes over well. Don’t force guests to be their own travel agents, and don’t secure the only room block at a five-star hotel unless all of your guests have five-star budgets.

6) Silent or Tardy Dinner Bell – If your four hour reception falls during meal time, understand that your guests will be expecting just that – a meal. And they’ll expect that meal during normal lunch or dinner hours, so don’t wait until 10 pm to serve dinner.

7) Ungracious Hosts – Failing to acknowledge any gift or thoughtful gesture with handwritten, personalized thank-you notes is always an etiquette faux pas and never a breech that goes unnoticed. Suffering from writer’s block? These useful thank-you note examples will help you get started.

8) Just Plain Tacky – Ok, let’s get it out: When it comes to money dances, novelty songs (hokey pokey comes to mind), or singles dances, most guests are in agreement that it’s a little out of date. Of course, there will always be those who find these acts acceptable and those who don’t – but as host/hostess, your job is to make guests feel at ease and comfortable, so consider your audience as you decide on the evening’s events.

2011-06-27T16:42:00.000-07:00

Check out the blog of Mattias Photography who shot a recent wedding of Tahnee & Necip on May 29th at Wedgewood at Eagle Ridge, Gilroy. I honestly have to say their wedding really captured the feeling of Eagle Ridge with the grassy hills and huge oak trees. Tahnee's personal touches and attention to every detail just makes it so special; you have to love the ladybug theme.

A monstrous thank you for allowing me to be a part of it.

2011-04-13T18:16:00.000-07:00

SPRING IS IN THE AIR!!!

And lavender is BACK...and lilac, wisteria, smokey anethyst!! Here are a few examples of the Wedgewood @ Eagle Ridge package centerpieces.

2011-03-30T18:33:00.000-07:00

Wedding Flower Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Not seeing the big picture.
Mistake 2: Not trusting your florist.
Mistake 3: Not reusing some ceremony arrangements.
Mistake 4: Booking your florist last.
Mistake 5: Ruling out pricey blooms.
Mistake 6: Refusing to compromise.
Mistake 7: Not communicating with your florist.
Mistake 8: Using only one color.
Mistake 9: Choosing strongly scented flowers.
Mistake 10: Not taking care of your blooms.
Mistake 11: Forgetting to budget for flowers.
Mistake 12: Taking on too much DIY.
Mistake 13: Ordering your flowers too late.
Mistake 14: Choosing an oversized bouquet.
Mistake 15: Overlooking the reception table linens.

To read more about the 15 Wedding Flower Mistakes to Avoid, go to www.the knot.com.

2011-02-27T10:34:00.000-08:00

Come meet the vendors!

On Sunday, March 20 from 11am-4pm you can meet and chat with the Wedgewood @ Eagle Ridge vendors.

2011-02-27T10:31:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to our very own Eagle Ridge DJ, CJ Wallace for winning the Wedgewood vendor award for BEST DJ in 2010!

2011-01-13T17:13:00.001-08:00

TRENDS in floral design for 2011.
According to an article in the January Florist Review, many consumers are "simplifying" in 2011. Where lavish is out. Some gliz will remain but the large compact arrangements of the past few years are looser, with fewer flowers. The controlled grouped and gathered looks are steering towards more free, open, and natural designs. The emphasis is more on the flower or the container itself.

2010-12-28T14:31:00.000-08:00

Appointments, Appointments, Appointments...

Once again it is 'tis the season for scheduling your floral appointment.

Flowers accent your wedding colors and style, and the flowers you choose months before may change as your wedding planning progresses. Decisions like what colors you want to work with, bridal & bridesmaids dress styles/colors, linen style/color, seating style, estimated guest count, and what you want and can spend for flowers should at least be addressed before you meet with the florist.

Start a floral "wish list" and put everything you wish to have in your wedding from bouquets, boutonnières & corsages, to ceremony decoration and entry arrangements. This list is a starting point and will help keep your thoughts organized and determine what your budget will cover (or not cover).

Typically I meet couples about 3-5 months before their BIG DAY. My appointments with Wedgewood-Eagle Ridge clients are typically held at Eagle Ridge during weekends and scheduled for one hour (you can start to have that "glazed" look after an hour of flower talk). I can also arrange meetings during the week or in conjunction with the house baker, Debbie of "I Do" Wedding Cakes, located in Morgan Hill. So please feel free to inquire if a certain day or time is available.

2010-12-28T13:47:00.000-08:00

COLOR & GLOW was the theme for many of my fall weddings. Monochromatic hues with a punch of Kool-Aid color uplighting (ask CJ about adding uplighting to your package) and the romantic glow of amber candles (everywhere) were the height of Fall 2010.

2010-09-29T15:37:00.000-07:00

Keeping it simple.

Email is great but talking with a person is always better!

I like email because you can quickly jot your thoughts down and send it off any time. But some times the details get lost in the typing or the email never arrives, so I highly recommend a follow up phone call.

2010-09-15T18:32:00.000-07:00

These are some of my favorites from this summer. Even though I seem be focusing on a lot of PINK, I did my fair share of the rainbow, especially dark purple/eggplant.

Again, a huge thank you to API and AMB Photo Company for allowing me to display my work so artistically.

2010-05-19T19:42:00.000-07:00

THE FINAL DETAILS

Finalizing your wedding details can either be a simple or a complicated process. You are either confident with the style of your wedding or you're still contemplating about your choices such as the linen color, flowers or room layout. Whatever it may be, these are decisions that can stop a bride in her bridal shoes, thus, stopping the process for many vendors to finalize and proceed with their services.

Many vendors like to confirm their work orders at least a month before, including the florist. Sometimes at the initial meeting items like the type of flower for the boutonnières or corsages are not selected or the availability of a flower is not known until closer to the date. These are items which need to be addressed and answered. So take a moment to review your work order to determine what items are still unanswered either by you or by the florist.

REMEMBER, the sooner you finalize the details of your wedding the sooner you check off all your "to do" boxes!

2010-04-22T17:17:00.000-07:00

All natural gazebo decoration - April wedding.

2010-01-18T17:55:00.000-08:00

Appointments, Appointments, Appointments...

Once again it is 'tis the season for scheduling your floral appointment.

Flowers accent your wedding colors and style, and the flowers you choose months before may change as your wedding planning progresses. Decisions like what colors you want to work with, bridal & bridesmaids dress styles/colors, linen style/color, seating style, estimated guest count, and what you want and can spend for flowers should at least be addressed before you meet with any florist.

Typically I like to meet couples about 3-5 months before their wedding date. My appointments with Wedgewood-Eagle Ridge clients are typically held at Eagle Ridge on weekends - when available - and scheduled for one hour (you can start to have that "glazed" look after an hour of flower talk). I can also arrange meetings during the week or in conjunction with their house baker, Debbie of "I Do" Wedding Cakes. So please feel free to inquire if a certain day or time is available.

2009-09-01T10:31:00.000-07:00

UP LIGHTING IS HERE!!! Check out the dramatic difference! Wedgewood at Eagle Ridge now offers this up lighting throughout the room. I find it very effective behind the cake table - see for yourself!
Your color choices are almost endless...please contact the Wedgewood Sales staff or CJ Wallace, the DJ 408-644-0948, eagleridgedj.blogspot.com for additional information and pricing.

2009-08-26T11:37:00.000-07:00

BOUQUETS are as unique to the bride as they are to the wedding dress. Have your bouquet reflect your personality and your dress; it should be a compliment and not a distraction.

2009-08-25T12:32:00.000-07:00

COMING UP ROSES...in the classical sense. Mixed Black Bacarra, Sahara & white roses have a dramatic affect, yet simple and timeless. Add a personal favorite flower like an anemone for a little more dimension.

2009-07-27T09:58:00.000-07:00

This is one of the hottest (PINK that is) weddings I've done so far. Thank you Yolanda for sharing them with me.

2008-09-22T12:45:00.000-07:00

WEDGEWOOD CEREMONY DECORATION

Remember to take in consideration the elements of Mother Nature - wind, heat, direct sun, and rain when designing the look of your ceremony. I've seen aisle runners taped down to just be blown like a sail over the gazebo. Morning weddings seem to fair much better because the wind is light, the sun isn't full strength or directly in front of the gazebo. INCONTRAST, the afternoons can be breezy,warm, and in full-direct sun. I recommend laying down any rose petals 10-15 minutes before the ceremony start - (1) to keep them looking fresh & (2) to keep them from blowing away. There is nothing worse than spending your money and time just to have the petals scattered about the grass and not down your aisle.

2008-06-02T10:08:00.000-07:00

This last Saturday, 5/31, I got to work with my favorite photographer and personal friend, Annie Rowland. www.akrowland.com It was a beautiful setting at the home of the groom's grandmother located on Redwood Retreat in Gilroy. The fires were out, the sun peeked through the canopy of lush forest and it was just heaven. Thank you Kerri and Dan for allowing me to be apart of your special day, and big thank you Annie for sharing your fabulous photos with me . . . you always make me look good.

2008-02-23T07:27:00.000-08:00

Sweet Pea Weddings is published in the Fall/Winter 2008 publication of Today's Bride, log on to www.aboutweddings.com and click on Real Weddings, October 6, 2007

It's a beautiful day in early October, 2007 at the Brazil Ranch which is just outside Big Sur, and Casey and Jessie are gettin hitched!
I did the bridal flowers and Steve presided over the ceremony which took place along the mountain side over looking the valley and the Pacific Ocean. The home once belonged to Alan Funk of the 70's "reality" show "Candid Camera." The reception was held down in the valley in the cleaned out and deck up horse barn. Photography by JillJohnsonPhotography.com

2008-02-23T07:18:00.000-08:00

2008-02-09T20:36:00.000-08:00

This is an example of "grouping" which is by definition a collection of same flowers and it can create a monochromatic look such as this of green kangaroo paw, hydrangeas, dendrobium orchids, and anthuriums.

2008-02-09T20:27:00.000-08:00

2008-01-16T16:32:00.000-08:00

House Florist

2008-01-11T18:41:00.000-08:00

Sweet Pea Floral has agreed to be the "house florist" at Eagle Ridge Golf Club, here in Gilroy. Wedgewood Wedding & Banquet Center is now managing the facility and offers all inclusive wedding packages including centerpiece, head table, and gazebo decor. My fellow vendor, Debbie Hernandez of "I Do" Wedding Cakes will be the baker and you won't be disappointed.

For more information please contact, Katie Rodgers, Catering Sales Director at 408-846-5165.

http://www.wedgewoodbanquet.com/
eagleridgesales@wedgewoodbanquet.com

Bridal Readiness

2008-01-10T14:15:00.000-08:00

Check us out at the up coming Bridal Shows in the South Bay:

Sunday, January 13, 2008
11am-4pm
Camelot Wedding Extravaganza
Gilroy Hilton Garden Inn
Gilroy, CA

Sunday, Janurary 20, 2008
11am-4pm
"A Day to Remember" Bridal Show
Monterey Conference Center
Monterey, CA

Saturday, February 9, 2008
12pm-4pm
"Vintages & Vows" Bridal Boutique
Hecker Pass Winery - La Vigna Event Center
Gilroy, CA