DIY Project: Turn carnations into peonies

Oh beautiful peonies! These gorgeous flowers are definately one of my favourites, but you will only find them in the late spring or early summer and the blooms only last for about a week! How can such a pretty flower last only a week?! If you love this flower as much as I do and want to see it in your late summer or fall wedding, I have the solution for you!
The English Rose will often be your florist's recommendation as peonies become less available. But if you are looking for a budget-friendly solution, carnations can also pass for peonies in a wedding bouquet or in a simple vase for a quick and pretty decoration at home. Here's the full tutorial to turn your inexpensive carnations into fuller looking flowers that ressemble the coveted peonies.

Awesome Bridesmaids and Groomsmen gifts under $55

Friends and family are a big part of your wedding day. Your girls will wipe your tears when you have too much on your shoulders and will do their best to throw you a memorable bachelorette party. The same goes for the groomsmen who will keep the groom relaxed the day of and will give him a tap in the back when his eyes get teary when he sees his bride walking down the aisle... It goes without saying that your wedding party does a lot for the two of you before and on the big day. So how can you say THANK YOU without breaking the bank?
On my last trip to one of my favourite stores (INDIGO) I noticed that these guys have put a series of awesome (and cheap) gifts that make perfect bridal party gifts. Here are my favourite items, all under $55, for both the bridesmaids and groomsmen (the hubby gave me his stamp of approval for the guys gifts - so we are good!)
The beauty with Chapters/Indigo is that you can order everything online, so if you have a large bridal party, this makes things much easier, especially for a bride with a busy schedule and many to-do's on her list...

Let me know below if you plan to gift your wedding party and the kind of gifts your had in mind, I would love to know :)

Bridesmaids Gifts under $50 (listed clockwise): 

2014 Wedding Trends

Oh May... the month when all things beautiful come back to life and also the month that sets off the wedding season! A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure to attend Wedding Bells & Mariage Quebec's special breakfast presentation in Montreal, where, surrounded by local florists and wedding vendors alike, we learned about the most popular trends of 2014, which I will be showing you my favourites below.

You will notice that this year, all things bridal have gone back to basics. Cakes are un-iced, bouquets are organic, brides sport natural make-up and flowers in their hair and there's even a touch of a bohemian vibe in the air. The 2014 wedding trends definitely celebrate the beauty of nature in its most authentic form.
I must say, I LIKE!

But when looking at these photos, don't think: "Oh gosh I need to follow all these trends to have a cool wedding!" Not at all! You wedding is YOUR DAY, and it must be a reflection of who you are as a couple. Follow your heart and fall in love with every decision you take; whether you are choosing your cake design or your groom's sock color. Trends are there to guide and inspire you, so have fun with it.

Let me know in the comments below which of these wedding trends are your favourite and which one(s) you would like to see at your wedding.

The little white dress: Perfect to show off those pretty shoes you picked up!

Radiant orchid - Pantone color of the year: a vibrant marriage between pink and purple.
(see more of this trend here: 2014 wedding color palettes)

Naked cakes: Crowned with roses and peonies, this cake is a statement of its own.

Flowers and tiaras: Whatever you choose, accesorize that hairdo!

Add a few succulents to your bridal bouquet and other flower arrangements for an organic feel.

Make your something blue, SOMEONE in blue!

Blush is everywhere! This color adds softness and femininity to anything it touches.
From bridal dresses to stationary, will you be a blushing bride?

Carnival themed wedding: kissing booth, cotton candy, lemonade, balloons, family and friends.
What more can a girl ask for?!

Photos credit: Pinterest

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Wedding Color Palettes 2014: Radiant Orchid

One of the first things you should check off your wedding-planning list is picking your wedding colors and style. Although it may be hard to make a decision, you should make your final choice no later than 6-8 months prior to your wedding. Remember that many details on your wedding day will include your colors and therefore, you will not be able to move forward without making this important decision.

But I get it! You may love 3 different colors that don't go well together or maybe your favourite color doesn't mix well with your venue. To add on to that, you may spend hours on Pinterest pinning all sorts of things with different color schemes... At the end of the day, you may find yourself overwhelmed with so many options.

Enters Pantone, to save the day! Every year, they launch a color that sets the trends for the new year.
If you like pinks and purples, you will be happy to know that the Pantone Color of 2014 is Radiant Orchid, a beautiful encounter between fuchsia and purple. It is definitely a color suited for a wedding, whether in the spring, summer or fall. Check out my 4 different color combos, pin them and tell me which one you like best below!

Photos: Pinterest