Obxbrides.com Live Chat w/ Shirley Cook of Sugar Snap Events.
Hi Everyone! Welcome, it's Shirley with Sugar Snap Events. I'm excited to be with you this evening. Feel free to fire away with your questions and I'll do my best to answer
Janet: What are the hot colors this season?
Shirley: Blue blue blue! Blue is in right now and I'm seeing blue with gold, yellow, or cream accents. But follow your heart. You know what colors you love. Remember this is a celebration!
Jen: I love blue with chocolate brown!
Leslie: I love blue but there aren't that many flowers in blue, right?
Shirley: Blue is a very tough flower color and the options are very limited because most are very seasonal with the exception of Hydrangea. If blue is a part of your color scheme look at other ways to pull it in- tables linens, ribbon, candles, etc.
Emma: I want to do some sort of lighting at my event who handles this? Florist? Dj? Site? Help
Shirley: Lighting for your event- check with the company that is providing your tent/tables/etc. Quite often they will have uplighting available. If not, seek out a company that specializes in this.
Kelly: I was wondering what is a timely response for a proposal?
Shirley: Every florist and designer work at different paces. I generally will turn a proposal around within two weeks because I'm excited about the process and excited for you! But sometimes we florists/designers are in the middle of preparing for a wedding which can occupy days at a time. So when interviewing potential floral designers ask this question so you know what to expect.
Jen: I have always LOVED gardenia's. Is it true that they will turn brown by the end of the night?
Shirley: Gardenias will tend to turn brown by the end of the evening. They do not have long stems and do not stay hydrated very well. They are lovely but are not my personal favorite for wedding work. If you really want to use them consider having them float in bowls of water with floating candles.
Emma: Great IDEA! I LOVE when Gardenia's fill a room with smell... So if they float in water they don't turn brown?
Shirley: Hello again- technical difficulties. Ok, Gardenias- yes, if they are floating in water they will stay hydrated and fresh. Just don't put strong smelling flowers near food. The scent will mess with your palate.
Leslie: Hi, can we use our bouquets for other purposes at the reception? Got any ideas?
Shirley: Yes, please reuse those bouquets! There is nothing sadder to me than to see a bouquet just laying on a table or cast aside after the photos. You can use them as centerpieces or accent other areas (buffet tables, gift tables, restrooms, etc.). Not only is this more environmentally friendly, but it's a little easier on your pocketbooks (that just might bring a smile to your dad's face!)
Leslie: Does the florist provide the vases for us to put the centerpieces in, or should be bring our own?
Shirley: Most florists can provide rental vases for you with no problem. The only catch- they are rentals and guests seem to want to take flowers at the end of the reception. So either make sure everyone is aware that the vases stay or find some on your own and give them away as gifts at the end of the night.
Maddie: If I end up with rental vases for the centerpieces, what would be a good idea to have at the end of the night to pull the flowers out, and give to people? Sand pails? Plastic bags? What could we use?
Shirley: Most florists can certainly help with non-floral decor options. I think it's nice to mix things up a bit!
Shirley: Maddie,just have some ribbon on hand or pick up some vases from the dollar store so you can send the flowers home with everyone.
Wendy: Should there be an additional charge for multiple location drop off? What is the norm?
Shirley: Delivery charges- each company is different so this is a great question to ask. Sugar Snap charges based on location, as well as whether pickup is necessary. For us, we will drop-off/pickup at two locations. Any other stops incur additional fees.
Cindy10: Hi, just got on a few minutes ago. Shirley, do you deliver as far south as Hatteras Village. Is there extra fee for that if you do?
Shirley: Hi Cindi10- yes we deliver to Hatteras. If you'll send me an email through our website I'll be happy to forward our paperwork with all of the pricing breakdowns.
Hammers2: Ocracoke?
Shirley: Ocracoke deliveries- yes. And of course you always have the option of picking up your order. Keep a little money in your pocket for the honeymoon!
Mindy: I am curious do you charge extra to go to 4 wheel drive territory?
Shirley: Mindy- the four wheel drive area has been factored in to our delivery fees. If you are interested please contact me through my website (www.sugarsnapevents.com) and I'll be happy to provide you with customized proposals.
Babs: I really like your work, but in this economy I need to make sure I am getting the best bang for my buck. How can I bid out the floral order fairly and what do I look for other than price?
Shirley: Hi Babs! I completely understand the importance of budget. When gathering proposals, ask about the size of items and if they can be scaled back. Consider using alternate, more budget friendly flowers that still give you the look/feel you desire. Reuse bouquets as centerpieces. Move ceremony decor to the reception.
Sara: My fiancee doesn't want to wear a boutonniere because it will ruin his Tommy Bahama shirt. Any ideas?
Shirley: Hi Sarah, boutonnieres really don't work well on Tommy Bahama shirts or thin linen shirts- they are too weighty. If you really have your heart set on one, consider something very light weight- perhaps a starfish with a magnet back.
Sara: Hey Shirley, are you available Sept. 18th, 2010?
Shirley: Hi Sara, unfortunately I'm not in front of my calendar right now. Please contact me at shirley@sugarsnapevents.com and I'll be happy to let you know about my availability.
Terin: If I have a maid of honor and matron of honor, are their flowers the same? Do they match the other maids?
Shirley: Hi Terin, it is completely up to you as to whether your maid/matron have flowers that match the other girls. They can be the same but larger, the same but with a different wrap, or different all together. The possibilities are endless.
Mindy: My mom wants me to use silk and I want fresh... what is your take on this?
Shirley: Ahhh silk vs. fresh. Personally, I'm a fan of fresh. But there are some really nice silks out there. The key word in that last sentence was NICE. If you're going to consider using silk, prepare to spend just as much money as you would on the real deal.
Mindy: Thank you! I can now tell my mom that we won't save money by doing silk and to go for real... that’s what I really, really want.
Jen: What about a toss bouquet? Should I toss mine or maybe my maid of honor?
Shirley: Toss bouquet- this is completely up to you. Your bridesmaids may want to keep their bouquets so ask them before tossing. If you don't want your bouquet then toss yours. And if you do want to keep yours then have your florist provide a small toss bouquet (small ones prevent injuries- hee hee).
Heidi: I have decided to have my colors be black and white... other than white roses what other flowers are white?
Shirley: Heidi, there are sooooo many white flowers- hydrangea, roses, orchids, peonies, mums, daffodils, tulips, waxflower. I could go on for days.
Heidi: Thank you for all the suggestions on white flowers. I feel more confident in my decision to go all white. I plan to have all the guests dress in white and tan so the whole wedding looks uniform. But I wanted to have some variety in the flowers. Thank you.
Maddie: And one last question: if I wanted flowers on the wedding cake, who puts them on the cake? And can the florist just leave them on the cake table? Or does the cake person need them ahead of time to put them on prior to delivery? I keep getting mixed answers from the cake person and the florist.
Shirley: Maddie, your florist can certainly provide flowers for your cake. When one of my bride's needs them, I'll contact the baker to find out how many will be needed. I'll also find out if they want to put the flowers on (it is their art work after all) or if they want me to.
Kristin: I want to come up with an overall floral theme... will you help me with that? I have this idea that has not only flowers but fabric and ribbons and stationary to match... Does my coordinator do this or my florist?
Shirley: Hi Kristin, I would love to help you come up with your overall theme. Wedding flowers and decor are truly my "happy place". Some coordinators will help with this aspect of the wedding too. Ladies, PAY ATTENTION- there are no bad questions, assume nothing, always ask because everyone runs their businesses differently.
Deb: About how many different types of flowers go into a typical bouquet? As the bride do I have to know what kind of flowers I want or do you as my florist help me with this decision?
Shirley: Deb there is no right answer on how many flowers go into a bouquet- it depends on the style and size that you want/need. A good florist will help you explore your options so you can make the best decision for you.
Deb: Do you have options for favors too?
Shirley: Deb, some florists can help with favors- it depends on what you have in mind.
Mindy: If I do a black and white wedding will it be boring without a pop of color... help... I want simple and elegant but I am afraid I will have boring.
Shirley: Mindy, consider having one other color- it will make a big impact without taking away from the elegance of the black/white color scheme.
Maddie: Will the florist help me if I really don't want flowers as centerpieces? I really want lanterns, shells, candles, or something like that, but don't want it to look bare or boring. Any ideas?
Shirley: Maddie, most florists can certainly help with non-floral decor options. I think it's nice to mix things up a bit.
Cape1990: Are there particular fresh flowers you recommend for use in up-dos? My wedding is in May. Thanks.
Shirley: Cape10- I'm a big fans of orchids for use in hair!
Wendy: Which is better for my mother and grandmother, wrist or pin-on flowers?
Shirley: Ok, the wrist vs. pin on question- ask your mothers and grandmothers what their preference is. Pin-ons are no good for spaghetti strap dresses or dresses with sheer material. Don't forget that these fine women in your life can also carry a single stem or a few stems tied together.
Babs: Who gets flowers? Do all the parents and grandparents? Aunts and uncles?
Shirley: If following tradition, the parents and grandparents. When you start getting beyond that, it can become a slippery slope because you don't want anyone to be offended if they didn't get flowers. I've found that quite often the moms and grandmother may not even want flowers. Ask their preference if you're unsure.
Erica: I like so many styles-how will I ever decide what works best for me?
Shirley: Wedding decisions in general can be overwhelming. My best advice on settling on a style is this-start going through your wedding magazines and tear out pictures that inspire you at that moment. After a while sit back and compare the photos and I'll bet you will find a pattern emerging. Perhaps you'll see the same colors popping up, or you may find that you're drawn to particular shapes. Then share those images with your florist and they'll help you with the creative process.
Babs: I am so excited you are here to help us... if I am having multiple colors in my wedding and each girl is wearing a different dress, do all their flowers have to match?
Shirley: Here is the beauty of getting married today- almost anything goes. Consider having your bouquet be a mix of several flowers and then have each of your bridesmaids carry a single type of flower. Or if you opt to, have them carry a mix of flowers. Do something distinctive and personal with each of the wraps.
