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More than once a week I get a call from a bride looking for “seasonal flowers,” hoping to be able to save money on her overall flower budget. Every time I field this question, I answer with saying, “Other than peonies, lilacs, and lily of the valley, there really is no such thing as “seasonal flowers.” More and more resources online and in print tell brides to pick blooms in season in order to be budget conscious.

However, florists get their flowers from all over the world, many from South America and Holland. These blossoms include some of the most popular flowers available: roses, hydrangea, calla lilies, tulips etc. These flower farms grow specific types of blossoms for extended longevity and consistency.

Here are some photos of individual flowers and if they have a particular season I've mentioned it. Otherwise, you have free reign on all of these throughout the year.

Hydrangea- available all year, depending on color. Antique Green is available in the fall when the nights get cooler, although you can get a hold of it in the spring when it's a light pink and green combo which is also beautiful. The periwinkles, purples and hot pinks are great in the summer, but are available for the most part year round. Mini green and regular green shouldn't be a problem either. Photos from Sierra Flower Finder

Blue Hydrangea

Hot Pink Hydrangea

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Junkin' is one of my favorite pastimes. I head out to resale shops once a week looking for vintage treasures. And now that garage sale season is heating up - look out!

I love the idea of giving used items a second life. Besides, I‘m the sentimental type and I love finding things that bring me back to my childhood. Over the years I've collected children's books, toys (just the other day I got my hands on the original Fashion Plates for $3!), games, linens and cookware - all for nostalgia's sake.

Resale shops and garage sales are also great places to shop for your wedding - especially if you are going for the shabby chic look. Online stores like Etsy and Ebay are also great sources of previously loved items.

And if you are looking for vintage or used wedding dresses and bridesmaids gowns - there are sites like Vintageous.

Let's take a look at some of the wonderful ways you can have a green wedding with recycled items.

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Looking for DIY wedding programs that are lovely and easy to make? Look no further. Amanda Colyer from Della Stella has created this wonderful step-by-step tutorial for making wedding program fans.

Amanda Colyer: For our DIY wedding programs, I wanted to keep it simple and inexpensive, but still provide my guests with some entertainment. I decided on fan programs — with a fun twist — after seeing some great examples on the web.

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This is the final part of the series “Rainy Day Weddings.”

Photographer Kim Chapman

Don't be afraid of the rain! They can be some of the most spectacular shots! Do be prepared with several matching umbrellas for the wedding party! Be daring! Run out into the rain! Catch the rainbow if you can!!

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Every once in a while I get a request from a bride about an outdoor wedding, and she says she doesn't like or want a tent. My first response is usually “are you from the West Coast?” as many weddings happen successfully without tents in California, where the weather is much more predictable. This got me thinking about tents in general, so I thought I would share some of our favorite tent photos as well as some insight into tents.

In no particular order…

1. If you’re having an outdoor wedding, you always need a tent, no matter what time of year you're getting married.

2. You should plan on getting the next size up in your tent if you are planning for an outside ceremony or cocktail hour. If it starts to rain, you can always have the ceremony in one section of the tent and wall off the reception area with some fabric. This is a very cost effective way to ensure a rain plan.

3. If you can afford it, floor your tent. There's nothing worse than a guest ruining their shoes in the grass, or dealing with uneven surfaces to place your tables. Not only will your guests appreciate sitting or standing on an even surface, but your florist will love you even more because they'll be placing centerpieces on level tables. There's nothing quite like a tall centerpiece leaning to one side filled with water and flowers….yikes.

4. A tent is a completely blank canvas, so you can add design elements as you please, without worrying about the space dictating your color scheme. There are lots of design elements that will add to a tent, such as:

• uplighting and washing the ceiling with LEDs
• addition of a fabric liner or chiffon panels to soften the ceiling and make the space more intimate
• chiffon side tent panels to soften the perimeter of the tent
• addition of lights to the poles in a number of different ways

Photos by KPW

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I have a lot of brides who cringe when I ask them if they'd like to see their groom before the ceremony. “It's tradition. I don't want to jinx anything,” is a common answer. Do you know how this tradition came about? Kate Mann looked into it and found this excerpt from Emily Post:

Can't I see my fiancée before the wedding on the big day?

Q: My mother insists that I not see my bride-to-be on the day of the wedding until the ceremony. Is this customary in today's weddings?

A: Most couples today have disregarded the musty old superstition of the bridegroom not seeing his bride before the ceremony on the day of the wedding. The superstition stems from the days when marriages were arranged and the groom might never have seen the bride. There was a chance that he might take one look at her and bolt – so it was often safer for them to meet for the first time at the altar! This, of course, is a custom that these days certainly does not need to be followed, unless of course it's something you both feel strongly about.

So, since that really isn't the case too often anymore, why not consider this taboo? Not only is it a great way to schedule your photos and ensure you enjoy your cocktail hour, but the moment when you first see each other is always magical- beyond words actually.

That's why I asked three fabulous photographers in New England to send me some of their favorite “First Moment” shots. Take a look and tell me you wouldn't love to experience this yourself?

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This is part 2 of the series Rainy Day Weddings.

Photographer David Murray:

If you know inclement weather is coming, one of the biggest pieces of advice I can give is that the bride and groom set the tone for the day. If they're enjoying the rain and having a great time, then your guests will enjoy the day as well. For stylish and classic outdoor photos, consider buying a few white umbrellas.

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Saturday's wedding was another beautiful, joy-filled celebration. I'm excited to share a little sneak peek with you all.

The event took place at the elegant Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills. The property has a lovely garden setting for the ceremony and one of the most well-appointed, neutral ballrooms you will find in Southern California. I can't tell you how many times I've gone into a luxury hotel ballroom only to find a hideously patterned bright blue or hunter green carpet. Bleh!!

The Four Seasons Beverly Hills has a ballroom done up in elegant shades of champagne and blush, with lovely light fixtures and a very inoffensive carpet. Beyond all of that, the food is phenomenal and the service top-notch. I had the most fabulous experience working with Pete Alles, the catering manager. He is absolutely one of my favorite venue coordinators ever. Pete was always upbeat, resourceful, helpful and fun! He took excellent care of my couple and the vendors. If you're looking for an amazing spot for your wedding, I highly recommend the Four Seasons!!

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A lot of brides are concerned with the one thing they have no control over -the weather. For outdoor weddings the weather can certainly put a damper on things, but if you plan ahead and have a great “rain scenario” it won't matter what the sky is doing.

I thought it would be a good idea to show some of the images that are captured from rainy day weddings and to ask some of my favorite photographers to give a bit of advice concerning the subject matter.

Photographer Amy Salerno:

On rainy days you get really wonderful light that makes the photos soft and moody, and I think it's really romantic. Besides, what's more romantic than holding your sweetie close while sharing an umbrella?

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Some brides come to us with the vision of a traditional wedding which includes the classic wedding cake, complete with a topper and cutting ceremony. Others ask for the exact opposite, serving simple pies and bunt cakes. Brides are also looking for alternative desserts, either to replace the wedding cake or to add to it. I have compiled some images from vendors we've worked with in the past, showcasing desserts from the traditional to the over-the-top!

The classic wedding cake…there are so many styles to choose from -fresh flowers, sugar paste, fondant and buttercream. Check out these incredible designs! Cakes by Something Sweet By Michelle.

Custom shaded purple fondant with a shimmering overlay. Sugar paste flowers and ribbon draping complete the look of this unique creation.

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