Understanding some of the terminology used in obituaries can help elevate some of the questions people have concerning funerals and what is appropriate. As Central Square Florist explains the term “in lieu of flowers” gives you the option of sending a donation instead of flowers – it is acceptable to give both, flowers and a donation. This phrase, however, does not state that the family does not want flowers. If flowers are not wanted at the service, the term “please omit” will be used.

Flowers are one of the most thought ways to express your sympathy, but ordering funeral flowers can be a frightening experience for some. Not all families deal with funerals the same way. When I was growing up, my parents didn’t believe that children should be exposed to funerals. As a result, I was unprepared the first time I needed to send flowers to a funeral. I was in college and a friend was killed in a car accident. I remember calling the local florist shop; I rambled on about needing flowers, not knowing what was appropriate or what information the florist needed; luckily the florist was very patient – walking me through all the steps and making suggestions. It would have been helpful to have some kind of guide.

As always, Flower Shop Network tries to give it’s reader pertained information about anything concerning flowers. In fact, the FSN Funeral Flower Etiquette newsletter discusses everything from the types of funeral flowers to the appropriateness of sympathy flowers based on culture. Although the newsletter is very helpful, I found that InLieuOfFlowers.info had a couple of really neat tribute guides. The Tribute Preference by State lists five types of floral sympathy categories (baskets – sprays – arrangements – wreaths, hearts & crosses – green and blooming plants) and then lists the categories in order of frequencies for each state. The Tribute Guide by Relationship lists the type of floral piece and which is appropriate to send by relationship.

So although “In Lieu of Flowers” is an option when you need to convey your sympathy remember it doesn’t mean no flowers. Flowers truly touch the heart and give comfort, so don’t be afraid to send flowers. If you are unsure of what kind of funeral flowers to send,

Talk to a local florist, read the FSN newsletters or check out the sympathy guides at InLieuOfFlower.info. If you have funeral flower questions, I’m always here to answer them. Remember, the funeral flowers you send will give convey a message of comfort and support in a difficult and emotional time.

Taken from: http://www.flowershopnetwork.com/blog/category/funeral-flowers/

PS – Happy Thanksgiving!

Red – The undeniable, undisputable color of love. If you’ve been bitten by the love bug, shot with cupid’s arrow, or just really want to let her know how much you care you can not go wrong with the Lovers rose.

White – Nothing says purity and innocence like the white rose. Therefore, it is customarily associated with marriages or new beginnings. The white rose also conveys a sense of reverence and is often used as an expression of remembrance.

Yellow – With its warm and sunny appearance, the yellow rose most often associated with friendship. A true friend brings happiness and joy to our lives, what better way to evoke those feelings with  this truly luminous rose.

Pink – When I think girly I think pink. Pink roses are  known to express a sense of elegance, refinement and an overall joyfulness. Whether they’re a soft and graceful pink or a sassy hot pink number, pink roses are sure to impress!

Orange – Desire and passion can all be summed up with this fiery rose! It’s bold color stirs of feelings of excitement and enthusiasm. What better way to spice things up?

Purple – Such a rare and magical rose, how could one not be enchanted by these purple beauties? No wonder they’re often coupled with love at first sight.

When you think of the different roles wedding flowers play through out your wedding, I like to put everything in perspective by remembering that bridal bouquets are captured in photographs that will last a life time, wedding ceremonies last on average half an hour, and wedding receptions can last the entire evening. So when you start thinking about where to allocate your wedding flower budget remember that your guests will be looking at your table centrepieces throughout the entire evening.

The general rule of thumb is a centrepiece costs on average the cost of a plate at your wedding reception. Of course, there are fluctuations either way depending on the flowers that you choose to go with. The Bride is the show stealer, it is the couple’s day so I always encourage them to go with what they really have there heart set on. And, proportionately the wedding flower budget should reflect that.

If budget is your guiding principle when it comes to deciding on your wedding flowers and the types of flowers are secondary; make sure you are upfront with your florist. You will be amazed what your florist can come up. Provide a colour scheme, an approximate budget and allow your florist to come up with a few scenarios for you. The other consideration is if budget is your main concern, then you may want to consider vase rentals or supply your own vases and ask your florist to design your centrepieces in the containers you provided for a small fee. Alta Vista Flowers does provide vase/ container rentals.

Karen LeRoy is the owner of Alta Vista Flowers as well as a certified floral designer CFD, (AIFD) and wedding coordinator (WPIC). Karen can be contacted at karen@altavistaflower.com and Alta Vista Flowers can be found at www.altavistaflowers.com on facebook.com/altavistaflowers and Twitter avfflowers

This article will be posted online in the Ottawa Wedding Magazine website soon, www.ottawaweddingmagazine.com

Flirtatious Honeysuckle is a feel-good hue that brings a festive sense of playfulness to this season’s palette. This vibrant pinkish-red for both apparel and cosmetics makes consumers feel alive, and is a perfect post-winter pick-me-up.

Spicy, gregarious and persuasive describe Coral Rose, a sophisticated orange that, much like Beeswax, a warm, honeyed yellow, conjures up feelings of faraway lands and locales. Pair either of these piquant hues with a cool, refreshing color-wheel opposite like Regatta for a vibrant color combination that will add zest to any wardrobe. Romantic, fanciful Lavender implies sensuality with its subtle hint of red undertone. Combine it with Beeswax or Coral Rose for a unique counterpoint.

Alluring Blue Curacao evokes thoughts of tropical destinations and pays homage to the 2010 Color of the Year, Turquoise. Practical consumers can continue to incorporate enticing Caribbean blues into spring by pairing Blue Curacao with warm, complementary colors like Honeysuckle or Coral Rose. Peapod, a fresh yellow-green, brings an organic element to the palette and is reminiscent of the green shoots that signify change and new beginnings traditionally found in spring.

Trans-seasonal neutrals ground this season’s palette and provide a stable backdrop for all the other colors. The so-called “nude hues” are represented in the range of ethereal Silver Peony to dramatically deep Russet. Another dependable background color, Silver Cloud, is the quintessential neutral that consumers can rely on to coordinate with everything in their closet.

All flowers have a varying shelf life, which can be prolonged, provided you look after them well. Roses can last for up to 14 days and some exotic blooms can remain vibrant for even longer if kept in a warm environment. Here are some useful tips in getting the most from your arrangements.

1. Always keep flowers in a cool spot, away from direct sunlight – with the exception of exotic flowers, which can survive in warmer conditions. Never place vases on top of radiator covers and keep them away from air conditioning units and ceiling fans.

2. For vase or hand-tied arrangements, top up water daily adding the food supplied. Floral food helps nourish the flowers and keeps bacteria out of the water, extending the life of your arrangement. But be careful to follow the instructions given on the packet, as too much can also do more harm than good.

3. When the water becomes cloudy, remove the flowers, wash out the vase and replace with clean water and food. Re-cut the stems at an angle removing about one inch with a sharp knife. Never use scissors as they crush the stems.

4. If your arrangement is in floral foam, keep it soaked in water, adding the floral food supplied.

SPRING GARDEN

The miniature foliage plants — ivy, maidenhair fern and cyperus club moss fern — can be replanted for lasting enjoyment after the fresh flowers have faded, making this a delightful gift that keeps on giving.

The design ring can be prepared with the plants and moss ahead of peak production time, with fresh flowers added at the last minute. The root balls of the plants are individually wrapped in plastic to keep them moist and out of the arrangement’s water reservoir.

Email for source information.

I will be setting up a separate company that will operate out of my home office.

Karen LeRoy