The LAT schools us on a new trend -- flower arrangements in oversized vases.
"THERE has been a very big European trend to have oversized vases and create arrangements inside of them," says Paula Pryke, a London-based authority on all things floral and author of the new book "Table Flowers: Innovative Floral Designs for Entertaining." For a smart, sophisticated and simple-to-make variation on the current trend, Pryke suggests suspending orchids in glass. "You don't need a lot of flowers," she says. "It does last a couple of weeks." All you'll need are two or three stems of cymbidiums (phalaenopsis also will do), a 3-foot glass vase and aluminum floral design wire, available at craft stores. Pryke matches the color of the wire to the nose of the cymbidiums.But I guess you can thank them for directions on how to do it.
Here are some professional applications of the "new trend."
Above, the table arrangement from my friend Cathy's wedding -- back in June 2006.
Also, another display of - gasp! - four such arrangements at the Glendale Hilton, from November 2006.
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But the place is AMAZ-ZA-ZING. (Sorry, 
Inside, the layout was actually quite cozy -- there weren't too many tables that you felt lost, and everything was very laid back. Each of the tables was named after a tree and the colors brown and purple surprisingly went well together. (It so happens I was wearing a plum dress while my husband wore a brown shirt and tie -- go figure!)
Tall centerpieces are always nice -- they help keep the flowers above the heads of the seated guests, so as not to impede on conversations. I liked these arrangements -- the colors, the flower choices and the stands themselves. I knew Nicole would not disappoint me in this department. Heheh. Nicole's flowers were done by 
The cake table, carrying precious cargo. That was some yummy cake, yo. Not too elaborate, although, I think that's a petal stuck to the side, there.
The requisite sweetheart table. ^_^ I don't think my mom or myself can take credit for the sweetheart table concept, but it sure has caught on.
Decorating this wedding was particularly challenging because of many factors. First off, we had to deal with a blockade of firetrucks and officials who at first wouldn't let us drive our van full of equipment and flowers up the hill because of a brush fire in the hills behind the Castaway. There was the fact that my mom had put together a lot -- WAY MORE than usual -- displays for this wedding, so there was of course way more equipment than usual. Then there was also the fact that my husband and I were attending the wedding, and had to leave early to shower and get dressed for the reception -- we were too busy decorating to attend the church ceremony, unfortunately.
By the time I got to Pasadena at about 2 p.m., I had already been up since 7 a.m. and walked at least two miles all over the Long Beach Convention Center, for the 
This is what the ballroom looked like by the time were done with everything. However, I have to note that we did not provide those seat covers - those came from another vendor that presumably has a special contract with the hotel, since those square-backed ballroom chairs are unusual.
But I think I still managed to hit this one out of the ballpark -- or, considering its Grand Prix day, left this one in my dust. So to speak. OK, its late and I'm tired, my similes are less than stellar.
My mom does these tropical displays for folks she really likes. Heh. They always include the faux palm trees, a couple of tropical arrangements and Philippine display - this one has a 
I absolutely love this arrangement. Yes, that is an eggplant hanging from the arrangement, along with string beans. I was so tired from running around the Grand Prix that I looked at the arrangement and asked with a bit of incredulity, "is that eggplant?" Yes. I was very astute that day.
And I love them mini pineapples. I wish they could be used in every arrangement.
I love this photo. I was initially irritated that the guy got in my photo, but I realized that his presence gave scale to my mom's huge flower arrangement adorning the entrance.
The purple (not the pastel type, but a jewel purple) looked really good with champagne.
But the really exciting thing was that my mom used cherry blossoms in these arrangements.
And here's a picture of my mommy!
Look. Do us all a favor. If you're having a big party, choose one color. If you like pink, go with pink. Or, if you like baby blue - go with the baby blue. Both are great colors. But the two should never be paired together outside of a nursery, but maybe not a personal nursery, since that baby may not know if s/he is supposed to be aligning him/herself with the pink or the blue. Anyway, just choose one, especially since the hotel may not have napkins that are your exact color of pink or blue.
There was a lot to work with here. Check out the huge fireplace...
...and the amazing scenery...
With all our stuff, can you imagine what we could do with this place? Well, I suppose you don't have to imagine.
I couldn't seem to stop taking pictures of this place. I mean, not only was it a beautiful day, and not only was the place gorgeous, the colors of the wedding were perfect - a light, yet high-impact champagne color that was more an elegant complement to the scenery, as well as the room where the reception was held. Plus there were those huge, bay windows - absolutely beautiful. The Friendly Hills Country Club really turned out to be a hidden gem.
Ducks, unfortunately, don't love me. I kept trying to get closer to take their pictures, but they kept waddling away from me.
Oh, but of course that's not it. I saw this sign as I was on my way out to my car. A unicorn crossing sign. I love it. I love it! A place that has a sense of humor gets high grades.
I forget exactly what was going on this day, but I believe there was some sort of function going on in the rooms before the actual reception. So all of the table arrangements were outside, waiting, but ready to go.
Of course, the requisite happy couple pictures on display, plus my mom's oh-so-fabulous arrangements.
I really wish I had been able to do more for this wedding, since the bride was my second cousin, Vanessa, below. She has really turned out to be a hottie! I couldn't even stick around to see her in her bridal gown, but ah well - I know I left her wedding behind in good hands.
Above is the bridal bouquet and my mom's brightly flowered blouse. Every bouquet is different, so while the long, trailing ones look pretty, they're murder to carry all day, so keep that in mind, all you brides shopping around for ideas.
I remember when we used to have to use those 
I'm proud to say I assisted my mom with developing her system of organization for bridal flowers. Remember - when you have a florist doing bridal flowers for you, make sure she labels everything so as to head off any fights. Heh. No, that hasn't happened on my watch, but I can just imagine a bunch of perfectly-coiffed, satin-draped bridesmaids, flower girls and sponsors fighting over....well, you know what I mean. Anyway, I helped my mom by first printing out each of her labels. My printing is very neat, but I got tired of it, so I began using computer labels, and a trend was born.
Putting baby pictures and portraits of the happy couple out for entering guests to peruse is no new thing, but my mom now likes to make it a big display. It's kind of a cool trend, but not one for my own personal preference. I do love those arrangements, though.
The backdrop - but instead of using the usual wedding color, which was green, with a compliment as the backdrop, I was given two types of silver to augment the very green arrangements. Different.
Most sweetheart tables are either round or half-moon. I prefer half-moon. This happens to be a piece of a banquet table, I believe. But it was not an unpleasing effect - at least the newlyweds don't have to scrunch their dinner settings together on a round table that's too small. Plus, I ended up getting a lot more real estate with which to work with.
