This week, The Bliss Blog is bringing you a list of seasonal flowers to make the decision making process just a little easier. Each day, we will feature a collage of seasonal beauties, a list of what is available and an estimated cost level. What flowers will you be using for your event?

Today, we are featuring Winter blooms, to keep you warm in the cold months!

$ = Low Cost, $$ = Moderate Cost, $$$ = Higher Cost

Amaranthus $$$

Calla Lily $$$

Chrysanthemum $

Forsythia $$

Freesia $$

Holly Berries $

Hydrangea $$$

Iris $

Lily $$

Orchid $$$

Rose $$

Stock $$

Tulips $$

Photo Credit (Left to Right): types-of-flowers.org, fabiovisentin.com, flowersatyourdoor.com, easytogrowbulbs.com, andymckay.net, gstuff.co.nz, florovivaismo.regione.marche.it, slrobertson.com, ridgeroadgardencenter.com, jewelrybyrhonda.com, imnopoodle.files.wordpress.com, valleyflowers.com, freewebs.com, viable-herbal.com, mooseyscountrygarden.com, thrumylens.net

This week, The Bliss Blog is bringing you a list of seasonal flowers to make the decision making process just a little easier. Each day, we will feature a collage of seasonal beauties, a list of what is available and an estimated cost level. What flowers will you be using for your event?

Today, we are featuring Autumn blooms for your Fall wedding!

$ = Low Cost, $$ = Moderate Cost, $$$ = Higher Cost

Amaranthus $$$

Call Lily $$$

Chrysanthemum $

Dahlia $$

Daisy $

Freesia $$

Hydrangea $$$

Iris $

Lily $$

Orchid $$$

Rose $$

Safari Sunset $$

Stock $$

Photo Credit (Left to Right): types-of-flowers.org, fabiovisentin.com, flowersatyourdoor.com, easytogrowbulbs.com, andymckay.net, gstuff.co.nz, florovivaismo.regione.marche.it, slrobertson.com, ridgeroadgardencenter.com, jewelrybyrhonda.com, imnopoodle.files.wordpress.com, valleyflowers.com, freewebs.com, viable-herbal.com, mooseyscountrygarden.com, thrumylens.net

This week, The Bliss Blog is bringing you a list of seasonal flowers to make the decision making process just a little easier. Each day, we will feature a collage of seasonal beauties, a list of what is available and an estimated cost level. What flowers will you be using for your event?

This week, we are featuring Spring blooms!

$ = Low Cost, $$ = Moderate Cost, $$$ = Higher Cost

Amaryllis $$$

Apple Blossom $$$

Calla Lilly $$$

Chrysanthemum $

Daffodil $

Daisy $

Freesia $$

Heather $$

Hyacinth $$

Hydrangea $$

Iris $

Lilac $$

Lily $$

Orchid $$$

Ranunculus $$

Sedum $

Stock $$

Tropicals $$$

Tulip $

Viburnum $$$

Photo Credit (from left to right): vernabob.com, netstate.com, milan.milanovic.org, bharathorticulture.com, blog-bandwagon.com, alysialawrencephotography.blogspot.com, desert-tropicals.com, region-celle.com, gardensablaze.com, aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu, arboretum.harvard.edu, free-slideshow.com, allposters.com, rhs.org.uk, virginia.edu, pbase.com, cottagehillfloral.com, freedigitalphotos.net, findmeplants.co.uk

A few weeks ago, the amazing West Park Photography sent me some beautiful photos of River Birch Lodge in Hartland, Michigan. They were sweet enough to send me some really gorgeous photos, since I am coordinating a wedding there in May for Tamara & Bart. If you are looking for a unique and rustic venue, this is a great choice. The grounds are beautiful and the home itself is a sight to see. Enjoy the photos of the venue and of Erin & Ian’s beautiful December wedding! I will be sure to post a link to River Birch’s brand new website as soon as it is launched. Stay tuned.

Disclaimer: Please make sure to keep your chin away from you keyboard as you read. This post may cause severe drooling and cravings.

First of all, I should explain that my love for chocolate is almost as intense as my love for coffee. If you are anything like me, this post is just enough to get you drooling. Last week I had the amazing opportunity to try, quite possibly, the best espresso truffle I have ever had. I am not exaggerating, not even a little. The girls over at Vita Dolce Chocolates know what they are doing. They have created the most gorgeous and delicious treats. Please do your taste buds a favor and head over to their adorable website. These sweets are perfect for wedding favors, gifts for your bridesmaids, mother’s day, birthdays, rainy Mondays…. just about any occasion! Their artisan chocolates are beautiful bite-sized masterpieces and the packaging is the perfect mix of fun and fresh. Vita Dolce is truly “chocolate for the sweet life”. Based out of Grand Rapids, they also ship nation-wide. Go ahead and order a sample. You know you want to!

Last week, I ventured over to the West side of the state to attend the West side’s Michigan Wedding & Event Professionals event with Dustin Francis. I was able to meet so many new members and chat with some of my old favorites! A huge “THANK YOU” goes out to everyone who was able to attend Especially Dusty Brown Photography for taking these perfect pictures and Lil’ Miss Cupcake and Vita Dolce for sharing their wonderful treats!

We also had our East side event last week and it went just as well as the West! I am so happy that we are able to welcome so many new members! June’s meeting is sure to be another great success.

For those of you who didn’t know, I started a group called MWEP (Michigan Wedding & Events Professionals). I am loving how the group has grown and can’t wait to see what the next year brings for the group. Early on, I asked Aletha, from Pearls Events, to handle the events for the West side of the state, while I focus on the East Michigan events. Aletha has been great and I am grateful for all of her hard work! There are thoughts of extending the group to include more areas of Michigan in the very near future!

MWEP has been fantastic for all of the companies involved. Personally, I would not know as many amazing individuals without this group. It has been a great resource for Bliss, and everyone else involved. It gives us all a way to maintain working relationships in a very fun and entertaining way. You don’t know crazy until you have been in a room with over 50 wedding & event pros! :)

So, as most of you know, the pre-season craziness has begun! This is one of my favorite times of the year. We are wrapping up all of our Spring & Summer weddings, getting everything prepped for a crazy fun season and filling up our calendars with lots of fun meetings!

Two weeks ago, I had the amazing opportunity to attend Eventology: The Science of a Wedding Business in Indianapolis. I have one word to explain this event. Fantastic! Not only did I learn a lot, I came home with a whole new outlook on Bliss. It was a little strange (in a VERY good way!) to finally meet some of the wonderful wedding planners and vendors that I have been speaking to for years through various social media outlets. I can’t even explain how great it felt to finally put a face to their names. The magnificent speakers (Lienne, Saundra, & Terrica) really knocked it out of the park and Katasha did a fabulous job pulling it all together. Bill from Fabulous Events and Deborah from A Bride’s Choice Florist did an amazing job decorating for the luncheon. I can’t wait for next year! Below are some photos from the outstanding JK Photography. Thanks Jen! (Click on them to see them larger.)

Click HERE to see more photos.

The number one issue facing majority of my clients is the dreaded budget. I am sure if we all had the money to spend, we could come up with some amazing decor ideas, but what can we do to SAVE money? There a million little ways to dress up your event without breaking the bank. The following are some of my favorite touches that can create, what I like to call, a “champagne” look on a beer budget.

1. Nix the flowers! There are so many options when it comes to planning your centerpieces. Flowers can be one of the largest portions in your wedding budget. Why not try candles to create a romantic glow or granny smith apples to brighten up your tables? A bowl of fruit can create a fresh and chic look and is always very affordable. How can you beat $5 for a dozen lemons? Another great idea is wheat grass or potted plants.

Photos courtesy of: Martha Stewart Weddings, Wedaholic.com and Smileyme.com

2. Double the use of existing items. Use your bridesmaids’ bouquets to dress up the head table or the altar arrangement on the gift table. A great way to reuse items is to utilize them in the ceremony and also in the reception. The Unity candle that you lit during the ceremony would make a great addition to the escort card area, or the pew decor could look great on the stairway leading to the reception location. Put your mind to work. What can could you use in both spaces?

All items are from Real Bliss Weddings

3. Want the look of a fancy wedding cake, but can’t bear to see the price tag? Do what a lot of couples today are doing. Create a “fake cake” with one real layer for cutting and store sheet cakes in the back. Your guests won’t know the difference, but your bank account will!

A Styrofoam cake with and without decoration. Can you tell the difference?

What ways have you cut the costs for your reception? Send us a comment and let us know. You could be sharing ideas that no one else had thought of and we’d LOVE to hear them!

Just a reminder, Bliss Weddings was nominated as the BEST wedding planner in metro Detroit. The contest ends soon so vote today! Click the photo above to be directed to our voting page. We are so happy that so many of you have voted so far. We are very lucky to have such amazing clients and friends! Thank you.

{Photo taken by Anne Ruthmann}

Here we are again! In the midst of Bliss Weddings’ busiest time of year! August always seems to get super crazy, but I seriously live for this stuff! I wanted to fill you all in so that you don’t feel neglected when I don’t post for a couple days at a time. This week I am guest blogging for Aletha at Pearls Events, so don’t forget to check it out!  Today I posted about 4 of my favorite Detroit area photographers and tomorrow will be a fun post about fabulous cakes!

We have three fabulous couples tying the knot over the next four weeks! A gigantic congratulations to Kayu & Shannon on August 17th (our “Love Story” contest winners), Kelly & Bruce on August 24th and Ivana& Landry on August 31st! These are going to be some fantastic weddings and I am super excited to blog their photos and details as soon as I can! Mix these big days in with the unbelievable amount of consultations and meetings, full to the brim Inbox, and countless vendor meetings and you have one very busy little planner! (No worries… I still have time for a little more!)

I am also working on our special new page, which will be added in the next few weeks. This is going to be seriously awesome!

I will also be hosting another give away next month! We had such a great turn out for the first one, so I can’t wait to offer another really great prize!

I am hoping to get back to the vendor spotlights with a few new and fresh faces to the Michigan wedding scene. So keep an eye out for them!

Okay, back to the good stuff! I have found a few really great new posts from some of our all time favorite bloggers. Enjoy the great reads!

If you still haven’t checkout the ultra fabulous DIY Bride, head on over to her site and congratulate her on being featured in Modern Bride!

Are you known for not coloring inside the lines and thinking outside the box? If so, I have the perfect place for you! The wonderful Offbeat Bride has some really great posts about brides who don’t follow the “rules.” I love the creativity that these brides exude!

Today’s photo of the day comes from a brilliant photographer who constantly displays the emotion and indescribable joy that her clients share. Say “Hello” to the uber talented Amy Carroll!