Having flowers doesn't mean having to break the bank

As much as I would love each and every bride out there to spend a gazillion dollars on her wedding flowers, I know it can never happen.  And you know what?  That is ok.  I LOVE flowers and I would never spend a gazillion dollars on flowers.  Maybe you don't like flowers, maybe they are something less than an after thought when planning your wedding, or any event for that matter.  Maybe you just can't afford one more thing.  Still ok.

Any florist is happy to help you plan the perfect flowers for you wedding, party, bridge club, etc.  A good florist will listen to what you want, will work within your budget and will sweat bullets to make it look beautiful no matter what.  A friendly florist will give you ideas even if you don't end up hiring them.

If you just find it impossible to fit in yet another expense, there is always the DIY method.  There are pros and cons to doing your own flowers.  Fresh flowers cannot be made months or weeks in advance, they are most definitely a last minute detail.  If you don't enjoy crafting while stressed, you might want to step away from the flowers.  If you find great relaxation and joy in getting your hands a little green days before the party, then pick up some flowers and go!  Maybe you have a talented friend, or group of friends?  Buy a bunch of supplies and let them decide how they should work.  It might mean you will have to let go of the details (so hard!) and allow them to do what they think is beautiful, but in the end you will have a unique part of your wedding, lovingly crafted by people who mean the world to you.  Who doesn't want that?

Two weddings that have caught my eye recently - very recently, just a couple days ago! - are the weddings of Elsie + Jeremy at A Beautiful Mess.  You can click on over HERE to see how she made her own bouquet, but I would strongly recommend a perusal of the whole site.  The decorations and flowers and unique touches from beginning to end speak to joy and happiness and love.  (and my Josie is lobbying hard to get her hair dyed blue like one of the bridesmaids)

Maybe you are not looking for so much color and would prefer a more traditional white wedding.  With a twist.  You could take your cue from Erin + Jason at 100 Layer Cake.  From beginning to end it was hand made and lovely.  Her flowers were white, but with a twist.  Go HERE to see all the little details that added up to a beautiful and memorable day.  I love the hanging tin cans, what an interesting backdrop, while giving a nod to tradition.  Groupings of small vases are big this year, you could stay all one color, as Erin did, or go colorful.  Did you see her ball jar chandelier?  I hope Ball jars never go out of style!  And lastly, the cake table.  She asked women in her family to bring their favorite cake, frosted white.  What a lovely way to include family and make your wedding your own.

Cheers to both couples!  We wish them many happy and creative years together!

Just a reminder to you.  You can do whatever you want.  You can have lavish traditional bouquets, you can have small and simple bouquets.  You can make your own, you can hire a florist.  Be sure it is a good fit for your event and your personality.  Cheers on your day!

for next year's father

I wish I had seen THIS sooner, I would totally have made one!

Happy Father's Day to all you dads!

At the wrong time

The problem with funerals is that they never come at the right time. You never feel as if you were able to adequately say good bye, you feel as if you only had had a few more days, months, or years, you could have told that person exactly how much you loved them and exactly how much they meant to you. Just a little more time and you would be ready to say good bye.





But of course, no matter when we lose someone we love, we feel we never had enough time.
We are not ever ready to say good bye.
Any time there is death we want to do something, anything. We want to yell our love for that person, we want everyone to know just how great our loss is and how very much they meant to us.

Too often, a lovely expression of sympathy can become more than what it should be. We order extravagant arrangements in hopes that we can express that last moment of love. Of course we miss them. Of course we wanted more time together.

Of course they knew we loved them.

So before you send flowers for a funeral, think about the person you have lost.
What kind of person were they?
Were they bold? Larger than life? Exciting? Colorful?
Send something that speaks to their nature.
Send something bold and big and colorful and exciting!

Were they kind, gentle, demure, sweet?
Send something delicate and sweet.

Did they have favorite flowers or a favorite color?
Make sure the flowers reflect those preferences.

When you think of what you would like to send, think of what is most appropriate for your relationship with the person you loved.
Think about what made you both happy together.

And send what makes you smile.

Is this thing on?

So! By the looks of my last post it has been almost a year since I've been on this little Sugarfield venture!

It has been a while, hasn't it?  Let's start over, shall we?

wild raspberries beginning

I do still love flowers quite a little bit.  I took a break for so many different reasons, not least of which we had an elderly lady live with us for a year, and all of my attention was given to keeping our house running in a way that helped all of us thrive.  The kids needed attention, the husband needed attention, the elder needed attention, and well, so did I.  Our elderly friend does not live in our house any more which leaves me with ever so much time on my hands.  Back to you, dear Sugarfield.

I love the purple/green combination, don't you?

We took a jaunt to one of our favorite spots - the Watershed - yesterday.  You will be seeing quite a bit of this lovely landscape, seeing as how it is so close and changes every time we visit.

smelled like wild onion

It was chilly, so we stayed a very short while, but we are looking forward to many picnics, scooter rides, and walks at the watershed.  It is a beautiful place all year around.
 

Reminds me of gorse growing wild in Scotland.  I'd be happy to go back and compare the two.

What was happening while I navel gazed took these lovely flower photos?  Well, a little of that:

And a whole lot of this:

 

It is good to be back.  You can look forward to a few things here in Sugarfield land. I will be unveiling a new website - please be kind, I am new at this - offering some classes, and in general sharing what I do with all of you.  I hope to see you all back here in the future.  

 

*Disclaimer*

No actual children were harmed in the writing of this post.  In the playing of monster, maybe, but not in the writing of this post.