Green Wedding Shoes

Succulents

Get To Know a Flower: Succulents

Thursday, May, 3, 2012 at 11:34 am

get to know a flower succulents

I’ve wanted to start this new column for some time, but we were so busy on the new site that it had to wait a bit. I’m SO excited to finally start it off today!

In Get to Know a Flower I’ll spotlight a flower, give you information to consider if you’re planning on using it in your wedding or photo shoot and share some of my favorite examples of how it was used in past weddings. Then, in Part 2 (coming later today!) of the feature, I’ll feature an exclusive shoot that showcases the featured flower. Today I’ll be sharing a beautiful succulent shoot by the ever-so-lovely Janie of The Bride’s Cafe!

I hope you all love this new feature, find it helpful and discover some new flowers. I couldn’t think of a better flower to start with than succulents. They’ve been one of my favorites for a while now and were one of the first features I blogged about when I started Green Wedding Shoes back in 2008! Plus, I have my own succulent garden at my home and just love all the colors + textures they come in. :) It’s pretty amazing to see how popular they have become in weddings – especially here in SoCal.

Pleased to meet you Succulent! (what you need to know)

Succulents are are available year round, so they don’t present any seasonal concerns for your wedding! They work great for a winter wedding or summer wedding as you’ll see below.
They’re eco-friendly and can be replanted after the wedding – big bonus here!
Bouquets and arrangements can be made from several types of succulents (there are so many varieties) or you can simply select your favorite and mix it with other pretty blooms as you’ll see below in my favorite picks!

Where to buy them:

If you are working with a florist, they will surely be able to get them for you. If you are doing some DIY elements yourself, I recommend Googling your local area for locations. Here in Los Angeles, Home Depot has a great selection as well as The Marina Del Rey Garden Center in Marina del Rey (great selection + my personal fave since it’s close to my house) and of course the LA Flower Mart in downtown LA. You can also find them online if you aren’t seeing any near you. Here are some great resources:

succulent flowers bouquets

Top bouquet by Penzi Weddings, photo by This Modern Romance // 1. bouquet by Jesi Haack, photo by Sarah K Chen // 2. bouquet by JL Designs, photo by Birds of a Feather // 3. photo by Erica Velasco // 4. bouquet by Craig and Co. from this wedding we featured by Benj Haisch // 5. bouquet by JL Designs, photo by This Modern Romance from this feature // 6. bouquet by La Partie Events // 7. bouquet by Holly Flora, photo by Focus Photography from this feature // 8. bouquet by Soiree Floral, photo by Clayton Austin from this feature // 9. bouquet by Bloom Custom Floristry & Events, photo by JAC Photography

succulent flowers centerpieces

succulent flowers favors

10. floral design by Chestnut & Vine Floral Design, photo by Jose Villa // 11. DIY by bride, photo by Ashley Rose from this feature // 12. Sugar and Fluff Design House // 13. florals by Florali from this feature // 14. boutonniere by Primary Petals // 15. boutonniere by sarah winward // 16. favor idea photo by Erica Velasco via Style Me Pretty // 17. cork vase with succulent favor DIY // 18 + 19. both cakes by Sweet & Saucy

So, I’d love to hear from you! Who will be using succulents in their wedding? And what flowers would you like me to spotlight in future Get to Know a Flower posts? We have a few lined up, but would love to hear your requests too! :)

click to add this post
to your wedding faves

I Heart This

Interested in advertising with us?

contact advertise@greenweddingshoes.com
for our current rates!

Banksy Inspired Wedding: Mary + Clay

Thursday, April, 26, 2012 at 6:15 am

banksy wedding

Mary + Clay really wanted to have a wedding “on their own terms” and although it may have seemed insignificant, the street artist Banksy was a good reminder for them to not get caught up in the institution. Since they knew they wanted to design the invitations themselves, Mary wrote the text and Clay found the perfect Banksy design to bring it together – his famous Balloon Girl. :) They even continued the red balloon element throughout their wedding day and I just love that Mary wore bright red lipstick with her white dress – which was her mother’s handmade japanese gown.

From Mary, “People say that planning a wedding is stressful for the couple, but I felt like it brought us closer together and fostered trust in our relationship in a way we hadn’t been through before. I loved it!” So great to hear Mary + congrats to you and Clay! Big thanks to Morgan Trinker for the lovely photos.

banksy wedding invitations

silver bridal shoes

banksy wedding tote

bride getting ready

bride wearing red lipstick

first look

bride and groom

white and green bouquet

bridesmaids wearing blue dresses

green and white bouquet

Processional: Bridal Party: Which Way Your Heart Will Go by Mason Jennings; Bride: Cupid by Otis Redding

Recessional: Just Like Heaven by The Cure

First Dance: Only You by Yazoo

smog shoppe ceremony

Neither of us likes to be the center of attention, so walking down the aisle and reading our vows in front of a whole lot of people, on top of the build up from the whole morning made me pretty nervous. I remember not being able to look at anyone but clay as i walked down the aisle. I just wanted it to be him and me. But the moment it was over, we ran outside together to take a few photos and i just remember being SO HAPPY. I was with my husband. We relaxed for the first time. It was truly the best moment of the day.

bride and groom banksy wedding

banksy inspired wedding

wedding menu

banksy wedding red balloons

We tried to make each thing personal to us or handmade. We took things we love, like the san bitter bottles, and added lavender to make the name place cards. The gifts we gave were peanuts from Clay’s hometown and maple syrup from mine.

wedding favors, peanuts

first dance banksy wedding

My advice would be to figure out what's most important to you. We cared A LOT about the venue, the food, and the photographer so this is where we wanted to spend our resources. We knew that we'd have to cut corners in other places, but luckily it worked with what we wanted...hand making a lot of things, doing a DIY photobooth, using recycled wine & perrier bottles for vases, and not spending a lot on decor (although the venue was so beautiful we didn't have to).

Also, take the time to remember the little things. It's easy to get wrapped up in all of the many things you have to do when planning a wedding. Clay and I made a point to check in and ask ourselves if we were getting caught up in the madness and series of check lists, or if WE really wanted something. (*PS we were THRILLED to discover that our FIRST CHOICE photographer was not only affordable but more affordable to fly in than hiring local. that's what you get when you live in LA...)

photography: Morgan Trinker Photography // venue: Smog Shoppe // floral design: Saint Germain Flowers // wedding dress: vintage (mom’s handmade japanese gown) // shoes: vera wang lavender // hair + makeup: Melissa Christine // groom suit: Ralph Lauren black label suit // invitations + paper goods: design by the couple, printed by Cards and Pockets // catering: Loteria! Grill // cake: homemade by our moms! (wakako’s cheesecake with blueberry jam & lynda’s brownies) // music: david azzoni AKA dj tkat from brooklyn, NY

click to add this post
to your wedding faves

I Heart This

Posted In: Handmade Wedding // Real Weddings // Whimsical Wedding // Balloons // California // Los Angeles // Smog Shoppe // Succulents Comments: 24

Interested in advertising with us?

contact advertise@greenweddingshoes.com
for our current rates!

Bohemian Wedding Inspiration

Friday, April, 20, 2012 at 6:00 am

bohemian styled shoot

Today’s inspiration seems perfect for a Friday! Dreamy + romantic Bohemian inspiration outdoors in the middle of nature. :) Tons of wild flowers + succulents in mismatched vessels and vases to compliment the beautiful surroundings made by Art with Nature Design. The letterpress wedding suite by Dear Lola was designed to be a modern twist on a traditional Kilim rug. The tent and other amazing props were added by Found Vintage Rentals and different fabrics were layered throughout for that true Bohemian vibe. The bride wore a pretty vintage lace dress and it was all captured by Katelin Wallace Photography.

bohemian wedding invitation