The Radiance of a Sunflower Wedding

The Sunflower signifies the end of summer and start of fall in my mental calendar when I start seeing their bright and large blooms fill bouquets at the local farmers market. All though the flower is now widely available all year long the growing season is typically July to September in the US. If you are an eco-minded bride and want the shine of these flowers in your wedding consider timing your nuptials with the sunflower growing season. 

The Sunflower is a wonderful choice for a wedding flower and ultimately, a theme. Mini sunflower blooms range in width from 1.25 inches to 3.5 inches, while large sunflowers range from 3 to 5.75 inches. If you are looking for a dominate flower and are on a limited budget, consider the sunflower for it's strength, beauty, and of course relatively cheap price. Stems run from $3.50 down depending on how many you order (whole sale prices from Whole Blossoms 9/2011). The great thing about a large flower is that it takes less blooms to make a statement in a centerpiece or bouquet. 

Are you a DIY bride? Make sure that the sunflowers have plenty of water. The article titled "How to Arrange Sunflowers" gives some great tips on how to preserve cut sunflowers up to two weeks. http://www.ehow.com/how_5108149_arrange-sunflowers.html

My inspiration board takes advantage of the early fall season to incorporate the golden beauty of the sunflower with dark sage green, and brown accents. Sunflowers and barns go hand-in-hand in my head so a rustic, barn reception complete with tubs of beer gets the party started! 

Photo Sources

1. Sunflower Wedding Party

2. Rustic Barn Open Bar

3. Sunflower Bouquets with Twine

4. Sunflower Table Settings

5. Sunflower Cupcakes

6. Simple Sunflower Cake

7. Sunflower Bride's Bouquet

8. Moss Wedding Initials

9. Bridesmaid Attire

10. Sunflower Invitations

11. Sunflower Boutonniere 

12. Sunflower and Candle Centerpiece

13. Sunflower Place Card Decor

14. Sunflower Couple Photo

15. BBQ Buffet Line 

Late Summer Peach: as seen on WV Weddings Blog

Find this inspiration board at the WV Weddings Planners' Palette Blog 

Need a little wedding inspiration? Your simplest pleasures can be your greatest guide. This board of Peach, Orange, Pink, and Ivory was inspired by enjoying my mother's summer peach cobbler. 

The tastes, the colors, and the smell took me back to my years in West Virginia when September brings the end of  peach season and the Appalachians begin to change color. Thus the idea for  a peach inspired theme was born; one last hurrah for summer and a season opener for fall. 

Serving Bellini cocktails, peach tarts, and a peach inspired wedding cake create for a sweet start to a peach-themed wedding celebration. Bountiful crate centerpieces filled with peaches, orange spray roses, ivory garden roses, and  pink and deep orange dahlias accented by terra cota pots lend bright, rustic charm to each table setting. 

The gown is a throw back to a vintage era with a high lace neckline and belt, made modern by the addition of deep pockets and pleated ball gown. Dresses for the 'maids are a simple and flattering v-neck dress in hues of peach, pink, or light orange. 

Send guests home with market bags of local West Virginia peaches or homemade peach preserves . Yum!

Do you love peaches or perhaps you grew up with an apple orchard in your back yard? Whatever the passion or experience, think about what really pleases you and your significant other. Getting inspiration from your daily pleasures is a way to make your wedding a uniquely personal celebration that you and all your loved ones will never forget.  

Sources:

1. ETSY Necklace

2. Simple Invitation

3. Bouquet

4. Orange Spray Roses

5. Rings on Peaches

6. Peach Place Setting

7.  Flower Girl's Dress

8. Heart Shaped Cookies

9. Bellimi

10. Pretty Peach Heel

11. Peach Colored Rose Cake

12. Peach Crate Centerpiece

13. Peach Colored Bouquet 

14. Lace Detail Cakes

15. Vintage Wedding Dress

16. Bridesmaid Dress

17. Peach Cupcake

18. Peach Tart

19. Peach Accents

20. ETSY Peach Colored Rose Necklace

21. Groom's Attire

22. Peach Favors

Friday Favorites - Simple, Unique Wedding Cakes

I really enjoy baking, decorating, and eating cake. But I am not a big fan of huge, overly perfected cakes. Why? Because they just don't taste as good. I don't like the taste of fondant and prefer the homey look of a whipped buttercream iced cake. 

The trend of having multiple small cakes of different flavors appeals to me as well. Guests can pick and choose, and guess what? So can you! I can never ever decide between a good dense lemon cake with thick lemon icing, the airy yellow cake with decadent chocolate buttercream, or a good red velvet with homemade cream cheese icing. I'll take all three! 

And I must mention that I adore cake stands. I like flea market finds and the adventure looking for a specific item leads you on is always zany and entertaining. 

Wedding Cake Photo Sources:

1. Homemade Vanilla Cake

2. Fluffy White Icing

 3. Three Yummy Cakes 

4. Flavor Variety is Always Good 

5. Martha Stewart Single Tier Initial Cakes - my personal favorite

6. Vintage Green Cake Stands 

7. Plain Jane and Delish 

8. Multiple Pastel Cakes 

9. Swirl Iced Cake 

10. Vintage Cake colors, wedding cake toppers, and stands

11. Tall Iced Single Tier Cake

12. Coconut Wedding Cake