This photo shows the correct way to hold your bouquet for photos. The Bride is holding it right in the middle of her abdomen - not too high and not too low. This bouquet is accenting the Bride and not overpowering her or blocking the gorgeous dress. I realize that this is a cascade style bouquet, but the same holds true for a hand held or posy style bouquet. The top of the bouquet should sit just above your belly button.

If you have a good photographer, he or she will direct you accordingly and help you hold your bouquet so it looks natural (not awkward), and it should accent the overall composition of the photo, and not be the focal point.

The tricky part comes when you are walking down the aisle - processional or recessional. Many times Brides get nervous and "tighten up" - they seem to hold their body closer and bunch the bouquet up close to their chest - the bouquet ends up sitting too high against the body. It can hide the bodice of the dress and can make your photographer's job a challenge.

Heard this tip from a photographer....

Take some photos of yourself and fiancee, to your photographer during one of your meetings. Show the photographer photos you like AND don't like of yourself. This will be a clear indication to them of the types of photos and angles/lighting that best suite you in photos.

This is part 3 of 9 in the "Ceremony Series" - every Friday in April & May

The processional and recessional of your Wedding Ceremony are great photo opportunities (as your professional photography will already know). To capture the first moment of the Marriage as you turn to exit the Ceremony venue, after you have walked down the aisle will be some of the best shots of your Wedding day.

photo: Kim Christie

What some Brides do not consider is the background of the photos and how planning ahead with flower placement can be a nice accent to framing the photos. This is a finite detail I know, but I wanted to show some photos where the flowers helped to frame the focal point of the intended photo.

Here are some examples of how the placement of your Wedding Ceremony flowers can help to accent the photos.

photo: Tying The Knot

photo: Todd Duncan

photo: davidoffphotography.com

photo: Sweet Pea Photography

Check back next Friday for part 4 of 9 in the "Ceremony Series" - Entry To Your Wedding Ceremony - What Flowers Here ?
The Ceremony Series is every Friday in April & May.

photos by bloomroom.ca

I figure since spring is just a few weeks away, I'd get this post in just under the wire. I've had these photos sitting on my desk top for awhile now, and oops! just plain forgot about them. I have used both of these winter flower favourites in Wedding bouquets.

The first is Witch Hazel - it comes in this lovely orange, and two nice shades of yellow (not shown). Its flowers bloom before the leaves (similar to fruit trees), so the show of blooms is always a big focal point in my garden. The witch hazel is a woody branch which means if conditioned properly, they last a long time in water.

The second fabulous winter flower is the hellebore. Hellebores (sometimes referred to as the Christmas Rose), come in a range of whites/off-whites to pinks and purples and paler yellows. Mixing the open blooms with the buds makes for a nice texture in your floral designs.

Link: http://www.bloomroom.com/FWnoonehchris.html

Check out the link to my website to see fabulous photos from Chris & Nooneh's wedding.

Lovely Laura at Magnolia Photographic was the great visionary behind the lens.

http://www.magnoliaphotographic.com/

Bride and Groom, Nooneh & Chris were favourites of mine (and of Laura the photographer). Thought I'd do a post to honour the safe and healthy arrival of little Ethan - congratulations Chris & Nooneh!

This is a great example of when the color of your sash goes well with your Bride bouquet. Fuscia pink and turquoise are a classic pairing that exudes fresh, sassy and fun. If the blue were navy, it may still look okay, but the "pop" of the visual would be compromised.

If you are having a sash (or your Bridesmaids or Flower Girls), take a fabric sample to your floral designer.

Happy Robbie Burns Day!

One of my favorite poems by Mr. Burns is below to help ease you into the transition to Valentine's Day!

Enjoy your haggis stabbing and the lovely photo here of winter heather cuddled into a tartan pashmina...
(oh, and excuse the tip of my pink holey shoe in the foreground - woops!)

O, my luve's like a red, red rose,
That's newly sprung in June:
O, my luve's like the melodie
That's sweetly played in tune.
As fair art thou, my bonie lass,
So deep in luve am I:
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
Till a' the seas gang dry.
Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear,
And the rocks melt wi' the sun:
I will luve thee still, my dear,
While the sands o' life shall run.
And fare thee weel, my only luve,
And fare thee weel awhile!
And I will come again, my luve,
Tho' it were ten thousand mile.