How to hire your wedding florist

Hi I’m Jeremy and I do a lot of the sales at Bride Candy. I love doing it, I love talking to people and hearing about their love stories, some of them are really amazing. I also love being able to put together a perfect package for someone.

People come to me with all kinds of different approaches: some couples know exactly what they want, others are just starting out. No matter where you’re at in your process, I know I can help you.  I also know that you’re probably getting quotes from other florists too, and that’s totally understandable. But how can you be sure you’re getting the most out of your sales process while you’re reaching out for floral quotes?

Do your Homework

Before you reach out, make sure you’re at the right stage of the wedding planning process to get floral quotes. The means you should have a firm wedding date and venue. Right now our calendar for this year is pretty busy so we need to know your date to tell you if we are available or not. And your venue is important because it influences what flower designs you might select. For example, if you’re having a beach wedding you might have to consider wind. Or if you’re having a wedding at a venue with a fountain for example you might want us to decorate it. Knowing your venue allows us to create a design that’s practical, affordable, and beautiful and that fits your venue.

Find what you Like

A lot of people go on Pinterest for this, its easy to create a board of things you like and Pinterest will recommend even more inspiration as it learns from you. Or maybe you’re the kind of person that you don’t really know what you want, or you feel like your style is all over the place. That’s no problem, its still helpful for you to create a Pinterest board of what you like and send it over. We’re good at reading between the lines to help you find your wedding style and help you pin point it. Once you have a Pinterest  board or some inspiration photos saved, you’re almost ready to get floral quotes.

Think about your budget

A lot of times I’ll get sent celebrity wedding inspiration, and I get it - they’re beautiful weddings. Who wouldn’t want a wedding like Kim Kardashian? But can you imagine how much they spent on their wedding flowers? If you’re sending these photos to me and telling me that you want this, I’m always going to ask “what’s your comfortable investment?” Because when you’re looking at big celebrity weddings, the sky is the limit. But for most people money is a concern. I can help get you there, I can give you suggestions for something that is very beautiful that’s in a comfortable investment while staying true to the spirit of your vision.

If you’ve already started reaching out to florists for quotes, you already know that wedding flowers can be more expensive than you think. It’s not like going into a supermarket and getting all of these basic flowers, we don’t source from the same places. When I order something for your wedding, I’m placing a special order just in your color scheme. And you might be asking me for flowers that may or may not be in season, which of course affects the cost. We also use premium flowers that are typically not available to the pubic. All of these factors are things I consider when I’m quoting things out for you.

If budget is the most most important thing to you, make sure to tell me that when we speak. If you tell me what you’re comfortable with, I’ll prioritize that when I’m putting together a proposal for you. I can make suggestions on how you can get the most for your money while still having something very beautiful. Or if you have wiggle room, tell me that too! That way I can lean a little more into your vision and give you upgrade options that I think you’ll love.

make your decision

When we create your proposal, we’re mostly focused on making sure that we get close to your vision and that you’ll understand where pricing will be. Your vision will likely continue to evolve as your wedding date approaches, and that’s okay! We can make changes to the design even after booking and can do it in a way that won’t affect pricing too much. So when you’re reading quotes, remember that they’re just that: estimates focused on pricing, and not your final design. If you choose to work with us, we’ll have a Final Design Call one month before your wedding where we will talk about your design in detail and make final selections. So please don’t feel pressure to have all of the design finalized when you’re getting quotes.

At the end of the day, we are not a perfect fit for everyone. Maybe it comes down to budget, or perhaps you feel like our styles don’t match up. And that’s totally okay! If that happens, please let us know, I promise we’ll be cool about it. It’s even better if you tell us a little bit about why you made your decision. I am always trying to figure out how to be a better person and salesperson and learn how I can better support you. Telling me a little about your choice can help me improve our process for future clients.

If you haven’t already inquired with us, don’t wait too long! Our dates are filling up. We love making wedding dreams come true, and we’d love to talk with you.

How to Choose Your Miami Wedding Venue

You’ve decided you want to tie the knot in South Florida. And why not? It’s a beautiful place, perfect for a celebration with your family and friends. But do a quick search for “Miami Wedding Venues” and you’ll see right away that there’s limitless options. How do you know the right one to choose? As one of Miami’s top wedding florists I’ve seen many of them, and I’m here to help! Here’s how to choose a venue that’s perfect for your style and budget in South Florida.

Large or small?

The number one factor in choosing a wedding venue is to make sure that your guests fit comfortably. There’s hundreds of venues in South Florida, but only some can accommodate weddings of more than 150 guests. If you’re having a very large wedding it’s always best to hire a wedding planner, they will know the perfect venue for you. Or if you’d prefer to search on your own, good places to start are large outdoor venues such as Vizcaya, The Ancient Spanish Monastery, or Curtiss Mansion. 

You’ll have many more options with a smaller wedding, so your choice will likely come down to other factors than capacity. But don’t wait too long! Remember that there’s a backlog of couples looking to get married after the freeze of 2020, so if you find a favorite venue you should jump on booking it right away!

Are you a beach bride?

Maybe you’ve always dreamed of getting married with your toes in the sand, with the sun and the sea as your backdrop. That’s definitely possible in South Florida! We have many beach venues to choose from, most of which are hotels. That’s not a bad thing: beach weddings are logistically difficult and hotels will manage much of it for you. Some of our favorites are National Hotel, The Palms Hotel and Spa, The Confidante, and The Edition Miami Beach. 

One thing to remember is that Miami Beach is a public beach. So there’s no way of making sure your ceremony on the sand is 100% private. If you’re looking for fully private beach ceremony options there are a few resorts in the Upper Florida Keys that you might consider such as Baker’s Cay, Playa Largo, and Pierre's Restaurant at Morada Bay.

Worried about blowing your budget?

You’re not alone. The number one question I get from my couples is how they can stretch their budget a little further. Making the right venue choice is important here: many venues provide just the event space. If budget is a concern, look at venues that come with other services like day-of-coordination, basic furniture rentals, and included food and beverage. Or if you prefer to source those services on your own, it’s usually best to look at venues a little further from the city center to save some dough. Consider looking at venues around Homestead, FL or the Redlands, about a 45 minute drive from South Beach. 

What about the weather?

We may be in the Sunshine State but anyone who has spent time in Miami will tell you that it rains A LOT. Mid-May to mid-October is our rainy season, and you can count on frequent afternoon and early evening thunderstorms. That makes outdoor summer weddings difficult here (but not impossible). If you’re considering a summer wedding, look for a venue that has a rain plan or that allows you to bring in a large tent. And if you do decide to tent your wedding, you’ll need a tent with sidewalls. There’s nothing worse than rain blowing into a tent in the middle of a reception. Or just avoid an outdoor wedding entirely to take the stress out of planning around weather.

When your wedding is a destination

Let’s face it, Miami is a popular destination for just about everybody. If most (or all) of your wedding guests are flying into town, it makes sense to look at venues that are easy to get to. Make sure to choose one that’s close to the city center so your guests don’t have far to travel (Miami Beach, City of Miami, Coconut Grove, and Coral Gables are central). Or go for one stop shopping by choosing a hotel for your destination wedding, it’s so much easier to have all your festivities in one spot. Some of our favorites for destination weddings include:

• W Hotel Brickell

• W Hotel South Beach

• National Hotel

• The Palms Resort and Spa

• Marriott Stanton South Beach

• The Edition Miami Beach

• Mondrian South Beach

• 1 Hotel South Beach

• The Confidante

Making it count

It’s a big choice to make, but choosing the right venue will make sure that the rest of your Miami wedding planning goes smoothly. And of course it’s important to choose a vendor team that has worked in your venues before and knows how to make it shine. We’ve made hundreds of couples' wedding dreams come true. Get in touch today to learn how we can help you tell your love story with flowers.

The 4 best beach wedding venues in Miami and the Florida Keys

Are you a beach bride and looking for the perfect wedding venue in South Florida? Here are some of our top beachside wedding venues we love to work in.

The Palms Hotel & Spa

The Palms Hotel is a beautiful hotel on South Beach. It has has multiple ceremony areas and reception spaces. My favorite reception space for weddings is the back patio veranda where it has a (beach vibe) look to the space. This area also leads you out to a courtyard where there’s a beautiful gazebo filled with bougainvillea. This is where many ceremonies take place and sometimes ceremonies are done on a nearby beach. If a ballroom reception is your style they have one as well, all white inside with mirrored columns perfect for any style.

The National Hotel

The National Hotel has a Gatsby-style lobby, perfect for wedding photos. Located in South Beach, there’s two options for a reception space. There’s a room with a similar feel indoors. Another reception area is outdoors near the pool that creates a romantic beach destination feel. Ceremonies are sometimes done in front of the pool. Another beautiful location for ceremonies on the property is directly on the beach , which makes the prefect backdrop for weddings.

Baker’s Cay Resort

Most ceremonies at Baker’s Cay are done on their private beach. There’s a beautiful tree framing the ceremony area and it is surrounded by lush tropical gardens. The hotel aesthetics is very classic and lavish. The reception area is upstairs in a white ballroom with gold modern chandeliers. This area is perfect for a summer wedding because it is indoors and air conditioned. Baker’s Cay is located in Key Largo which feels a world away from Miami, Florida.

Pierre’s Restaurant at Morada Bay

I call Pierre’s the Vizcaya of the Florida Keys. Pierre’s is a high end restaurant in Islamarada on an beautiful beach side property. It features fresh white sand and enchanted water perfect for ceremonies and reception. At night the building of Pierre’s lights up and is one of the most romantic places to get married in South Florida.

No matter where you have your beach wedding in South Florida, I can help you make your wedding dreams come true. Tell me all about your vision and I’ll help you craft your beach fairy tale.

5 Best Wedding Flowers For Every Season

Nothing complements a white wedding dress better than a colorful bouquet. Florals enhance the ceremony with color, fragrance, and all-around elegance. Whether you prefer cultivated blooms or wild, environmentally-friendly flowers, celebrate your nuptials with nature.

Check out these five wedding flowers for every season.

Spring

Spring may be the easiest season to select wildflowers for your wedding. You'll see tickseed, purple coneflowers, and beach sunflowers everywhere you look. But if you're looking for flowers that scream "romance," be aware it's not always easy to grow the cultivars in Southern Florida’s heat zone. That's where The Bride Candy comes in, providing the flowers that symbolize love and romance. 

1. Roses are a symbol of beauty and love. Roses blooming in South Florida during the spring come in many shades and colors. White roses enhance your bridal bouquet with a fresh look.

2. Carnations come in many natural colors, and can be dyed to match your wedding décor. Carnations make hardy floral arrangements.

3. Dahlias make nice centerpieces for buffet and guest tables. Heat-tolerant varieties like “Elsie Huston” can hold up well in outdoor weddings, but they do need to be kept moist.

4. Proteas do well in the Florida heat, and hold up well in outdoor weddings. “King protea,” “blushing bride,” “pin cushion,” and “queen protea” are tropical beauties that won’t tucker out in extra-warm temperatures.

5. Tropical greenery is popular these days, and it handles the Florida heat well. Ranunculus, orchids, and ginger highlight foliage from palms, vines, and groundcovers placed on serving tables and laced through bouquets.

Summer

From spring to summer, these hardy blooms can handle the Miami heat. 

1. Astilbe is a hearty stem in either pink, crimson, mauve, or white. Its feathery look is suitable for boutonnieres.

2. Orchids make stunning wedding bouquets in shades of magenta, purple, deep blue, yellow, red, and everything in between.

3. Anthuriums spice up a wedding bouquet with color and texture. Green heart-shaped leaves with white, red, or pink blooms will handle the heat of the day.

4. Pink roses look great in bridesmaid bouquets or floral arrangements. With so many varieties from which to choose, The Bride Candy can help you decide the type for your nuptials.

5. Tulips withstand heat quite well, and because they grow in so many hues, you can order them year-round for any color scheme.

Fall

Autumn flowers make a nice wedding theme, but they’re tough to find in Florida. Thanks to The Bride Candy, they’re easy to order from other parts of the United States.

1. Lilies, asters, chrysanthemums, gerbera daisies, marigolds, and zinnias add to the bold rich colors of your autumn wedding décor.

2. Color up outdoor garden weddings with toffee or cappuccino roses.

3. Amaranthus feature rope-like flower stalks. Choose from magenta flowers on “love-lies-bleeding,”or “Joseph’s coat,” -- no flowers, but this plant has colorful foliage in shades of orange, red, or green.

4. Sunflowers scream “fall” with bright golden petals and brown seed centers.

5. Fall dressingsof curly willow, fig branches, Indian corn, pinecones, gourds, crabapples, and pumpkins dress up wedding and reception venues.

Winter

White and ivory are popular hues for winter weddings, but you can spice things up a bit with brilliant colors of red, purple, blue, and pink.

1. Christmas collections of mistletoe and “snow” tipped pinecones bring elements of a cold-weather winter to your warm Florida wedding.

2. Holiday flowers like red Asiatic lilies, holly, juniper, and anemone are perfect for bridal bouquets and centerpieces.

3. Dusty Miller blends into just about any color scheme. Silvery leaves pair up nicely with blue and purple flowers, but also work well with orange and hot red blooms.

4. Tweedia covers the “something blue” aspect of your wedding, and you can add these fragrant blooms to the bridal and bridesmaid bouquets.

5. Mixes with gardenias, spruce, eucalyptus, red amaranthus, jasmine, orchids, poinsettias, roses, camellias, and narcissus are perfect for winter weddings -- blend these colorful blooms into backgrounds of ivory and frosted white.

Flower Power

Don’t underestimate the importance of flowers on this special day. They’re more than just an accessory. Florals are an essential part of the bride’s outfit, and often set the scene for the ceremony and reception. Maybe the flowers won’t last forever, but the photos and memories will last a lifetime. 

Ask your floral and event designer for advice on how to arrange these flowers to make your dream wedding into reality.

Kim Hess is a nature lover and wedding planner who enjoys incorporating a hometown feel in the ceremonies and receptions she designs. She also enjoys tasting food at venues around the country, so she can recommend the best wedding day feasts. (Hey, somebody’s gotta do it!) 

Creating Gorgeous Save the Date Cards

One of things I was most excited to do when planning my wedding was to send out save the date cards. I couldn’t wait to officially announce my upcoming wedding to the people I love. But when I got into the process of making the save the dates, I realized that there’s a lot more to it than I thought. I won’t lie to you, planning a wedding is hard – there are lots of times when it feels a little less than fun. If you’re like me, the tasks that are the hardest to check off the wedding to-do list are the ones where there’s a ton of details to consider. But with a little bit of preparation and the right tools any wedding task can be easy. Here’s how to print custom save the dates the easy way from start to finish.

Get your details ready

In order to send out save the date cards, obviously you will need to know your wedding date! But make sure that date is completely confirmed. Remember that the purpose of the save the date card is to remind your guests to request time off of work, think about attire, and start to make travel plans. So if your details change, it could cause a lot of trouble for your guests. 

How do you make sure your date is totally confirmed? If you’ve got a signed contract and made a deposit payment on your wedding venue, you should be good to go. If you’re getting married on private property (like a relative’s house), make sure to get written permission from the owners with some general guidelines. And if you plan to tie the knot in a public setting like a beach, be sure to check out permits to ensure date availability.Doing a little bit of work up front can save a big headache down the line.

Create a guest list

Now that you know your details, you need to create a list of recipients. The big question is who should get a save the date card? That’s really a topic for a whole separate blog post. But a good guide is to make a list of close family on both sides, then add in friends that you’ve talked to in the past year and wouldn’t mind spending a couple of hours with at a dinner party. Remember that you can always invite more people later.

After you have your guest list, it’s time to get addresses. This took me a lot of time when I was doing my save the date cards because I didn’t have a lot of that info and it took a lot of phone calls to get it. Luckily there are tools that can help you with this, like Basic Invite’s free address collection service where you can request your addresses. You share a link via social media or email, collect addresses, and even get free envelope printing. Get started at the Basic Invite website: https://www.basicinvite.com

Eye on Design

Now it’s time for the fun part, designing your save the date cards. Some couples choose to DIY this or hire a calligrapher, but there are even easier options where you can print custom save the dates online. If you’re not a graphic designer or super artistic then this is definitely the way to go since you can start with a design template that you like then customize it to your wedding colors and style. I like Basic Invite’s ability to completely customize the color of any template down to the littlest detail with 180 unique colors. They also provide matching invitation suites and envelopes in 40 different colors so after you customize your design it looks cohesive with all of the other printables at your wedding.

It’s important to order a sample so you can see the colors and the quality of your save the date cards. This is the first impression your guests will have of your wedding styles so the details need to be perfect. If you choose to print custom save the dates then you should always request a custom sample (Basic Invite does this too).

Send them out

Now all the hard work is done! Once your custom save the date cards are printed the last step is to assemble them – put your card in the envelope, secure it with a sticker, and add postage. Make sure you’re using enough postage for this since save the date cards and wedding invitations tend to be heavier than standard first class mail. You can go to the post office to order the wedding stamps they have available or make your own custom ones online. 

Once you’re ready, drop off your save the date cards at your local post office then set back and wait for the compliments to roll in.

Extra credit

Congrats, you just sent out your save the date cards! To make things even easier, you can make your wedding invitations at the same time and print them out a little later on. Most couples choose to send the formal invitation 3-4 months before the wedding.

This is also a great time to get started on your wedding website. Your website will be the place where your guests will get all of the wedding-related info they need, like hotel and travel info, the list of events, maps and directions, and a link to your registry. It’s best if your website mirrors the design of your save the date cards and wedding invitations, so if your card printing company allows you to host your website with them it’s a good choice for this (Basic Invite does).

Don’t worry, it seems like getting out save the date cards and invites is a lot of work but with the right tools it can be pretty easy. And when it’s done you’ll have a major task to check off of your wedding to-do list. It’s also the start of your process for starting to look for your other vendors. If you’re wondering where to start with decor, we can help! Ask us how The Bride Candy can help you make your wedding gorgeous and romantic with flowers. 

The 3 things a Bride forgets on her Wedding Day

A wedding day can be extremely stressful especially if it’s under the blazing South Florida sun. Stress might cause you to forget a few things even after months of planning the wedding of your dreams. From the day of your engagement to the wedding day, you’ll be preoccupied with picking out bridesmaids to finding the perfect dress and venue. But you may have overlooked a few little things to be 100% prepared for your wedding day. Here are three things that will save you from a wedding day headache.

Eat!

The preparation before a wedding is pretty intense. And one thing is for sure: you’ll won’t want to face the day on an empty stomach! Make sure to arrange for you and your bridal party to have breakfast and lunch as well as snacks throughout the day. This can be arranged by just asking someone to pick up food. This simple task saves everyone from frustration (and hanger!) later in the evening. It’s also really important to remember to stay hydrated. Drinking plenty of water will allow you to be a happy bride under Florida’s intense heat.

Bring extra comfy shoes!

Your heels may be gorgeous, and I know you want everyone to marvel at them and their gorgeousness. However, your heels can also be very uncomfortable and cause pain and blisters later in the night. Remember to bring an extra pair of flats or sandals – anything that you may find comfortable to ensure you will be able to dance for your entire wedding! The good thing is that your gorgeous gown will take all the attention and no one will notice that you slipped into comfier shoes. If you absolutely, positively can’t part with your wedding shoes, make sure to break in your heels prior to the wedding or use a shoe insert to enhance the comfort of your heels.

Have an Emergency kit

This kit can include anything that you feel will be needed throughout your wedding. A hair and makeup kit are necessary. Your hair and makeup squad may have made you look stunning throughout your ceremony, but now it’s time for your reception. From the sweat to the tears (sweat is inevitable under the South Florida sun) throughout your wedding, there comes a point where you and your bridesmaids must touch up. This kit may include eye lash glue, samples of the makeup used by your make-up artist, hair spray, etc. You should also have a separate kit for wardrobe malfunctions. This kit may include band-aids for blisters, a needle and thread, deodorant, etc. Band-Aids are a must as blisters on your wedding day are dreadful.

Throughout all the craziness you may endure on her wedding day, always remember that the most amazing part about a wedding is that every person in the ceremony is there to celebrate your relationship! It is important to create the most memorable experiences throughout your wedding. Remember to appreciate every moment! So with a little extra preparation, you’ll be sure to have fun!

The Bride Candy can make your special day extra beautiful. Ask us how we can make your wedding dreams come true.

The 3 Bridesmaids Every Bride Should Have

Friends – what would we be without our friends? Those people who are your family and chosen family. They will hold your hair up when you’ve drank too much, hold you when you cry. There are friends you vent to and surprise you on your birthday. We have a lot of friends, cousins, sisters, brothers, high school friends work friends etc. but there are 3 essential friends you need in your bridal party. Let’s see what The Bride Candy has to say (and by the way I’m naming each paragraph after my Bridesmaids).

The Sister Bridesmaid (The Jaja)

Your first bridesmaid is usually the person you’ve grown up with. You’ve known for years they would be your bridesmaid and usually become your maid of honor. They can be your biological sister or chosen sister you’ve been friends with forever. This bridesmaid has known every stage of you, there are secrets you have together you will take to your grave. You both nurture each other because you know that in the end, you’ll always have each other. This bridesmaid knew he or she was the one and if all fails will climb a mountain to save you. You’ve watched each other grow, experienced some of the most beautiful moments in your lives together and also the darkest. Brides need this person in their life always because they are your family. This bridesmaid is named after my maid of honor and sister Jaja, which is what I called her when I was baby.

The Wise Bridesmaid (The Jeff)

We all have a wise friend. Someone who calls you out when you are wrong and gives you advice when you need it most. They come from a place of love but yet make you see the other side of things. You trust this person because you know they are smart, loyal but know what’s best for you. They remind to keep your cool and every so often you get into trouble together that you somehow get out of. This bridesmaid is named after my bridesman Jeff, who is the brother I never had.

The Ride or Die Bridesmaid (The Nelly)

This bridesmaid is always down to have a drink with you – and trust me there will be a few times you’ll have one too many. They will defend you till the end and always be on your side. Loyalty is the name of their game and anyone who crosses you should watch out. This friend is tough but not when it comes to you. They will drop anything to lift you up, and you can drive to their house in the middle of the night when things are tough. This bridesmaid is named after my Miami sister Nelly.

All your bridesmaids are important, and each bring different qualities who have made you, you. It’s important to have them by your side especially on such a momentous occasion. I have been blessed to have amazing friends who would life me up when everything felt like it would crumble and fall. They filled my happiest of times with even more joy and love. I don’t know what I would do without them. I feel so blessed to have these amazing people by my side. I know for those of you who are reading this, whether you are married, getting married or even single, know who these people are in your lives. We all have them, and our world wouldn’t be the same without them. To my bridesmaids I love you so much, thank you for being my rock.

Creating a Storybook Wedding Invitation

When planning our wedding, my fiancé and I really cared about our guest’s experience. Since I was very young I dreamt of a fairytale wedding and Jeremy was a history teacher and naturally loves historic venues. We wanted the invitation to echo the essence of our venue: The Ancient Spanish Monastery. I always dreamt of a book-styled wedding invitation and Jeremy, someone who has loved reading books since he was very young, loved the idea. So we put our heads together and came up with the perfect invitation for us. Read how we created our dream wedding invitations with the help of our friend Tasha from Tinta + Pulso.

The first step: Story Books

The very first thing we needed was the actual books! It’s hard to find beautiful ornate books so we searched far and wide for a vintage book shop. We came across this book store called Dunbar Old Books. This hole-in-the-wall bookstore had everything we were looking for, beautiful books with ornate covers in different colors and styles. This part was very fun to do, we loved searching for the books and I love the smell of old library books. All the books varied in price from $10-$20. Some books were almost 100 years old! Once we purchased the books we knew exactly the size we needed the physical invitation to be. Each book was different which made all of our guests feel special and we picked each one especially for them.

Second step: The Invitation 

Now it was time for some professional stationary help. We contacted our friend Tasha from Tinta + Pulso who took our vision and designed these beautiful invitations that took my breath away. She asked me all the details of our wedding, which was very important so she could bring our vision to life. The theme was a storybook wedding but there were two very important elements. The ceremony was geared towards my love for flowers and my childhood of growing up in my fathers garden. The reception was to resemble a library where Jeremy spent a lot of his childhood with his head buried in a book. Tasha loved this idea and since the invitation already resembled “Jeremy’s library” with the book, she added florals to the invitation suite to bring in the “Christopher’s library” element. She presented us with a beautiful proposal. We also wanted a card catalog pocket in each book for the Details and RSVP cards. Tasha had the amazing idea of making them with a vellum material that made them translucent with a floral print, which was one of our favorite parts of the invitation! 

Third Step: The Assembly 

Once we received our beautiful invitation suites it was time to assemble them which was the most difficult and least fun part of the experience. With double-sided tape we attached the vellum packets and invitations to each book. We added a wax seal to the top of each invitation to make it look as if the invitation was secured by the wax seal. Next we added the ribbon strap which forced each guest to look at the inside front cover where the invitation was located. We cut a slit in the folding crease inside the front and back cover of each book, then used wire to feed a ribbon through the spine of the book. It took a steady hand and a lot of patience. We used brass buttons with velcro to close each ribbon strap. I wouldn’t recommend doing this if you have a big guest list. It took us lots and lots of time. Luckily we have a guest list of 40 which meant each household had one book each that equaled to about 25 books. 

With patience, some professional help and lots of wine our beautiful fairytale invitations were created. We wrapped each invitation in beautiful wrapping paper and added a tag with the name of our guests. We loved the reactions we received from our guests. It was the prefect prelude to our wedding and made everyone very excited. Our friends and family could see our personality in the invitation and are now curious to see the ceremony and reception areas we named “Christopher Garden” and “Jeremy’s Library”. I want to take the time to thank our friend Tasha for not only designing our beautiful invitation but for her exceptional customer service. Even during a pandemic she made our experience an amazing one.

My last piece of advice is to remember that your invitation is the first chapter in the story of your wedding. This is your opportunity to make your guests excited, to enhance their experience, and preview your wedding theme. I hope you guys enjoyed it as much as we did! Make sure to visit Tinta + Pulso on instagram for more wedding stationary inspiration!

5 Unique Ways To Use Flowers At Your Wedding

If you’re like us, you’re obsessed with flowers. They can make just about anything better! And a wedding isn’t really a wedding until you add lots of flowers to it. But beyond your bouquet and centerpieces, where else can flowers make a magical moment at your wedding? Here are some of The Bride Candy’s top picks for unusual places to use flowers at your wedding that will wow your guests!

Fountain Flowers

If your venue has a fountain, it’s automatically going to be a focal point of your wedding. Why not take it to the next level with flowers? You can always float some candles and petals in the fountain for a muted romantic effect, or you can choose to go large with floor arrangements surrounding the fountain and asymmetrical foam arrangements in the tiers. Flowers do great in fountains even in direct sunlight.

Staircase Garland

There’s nothing quite like descending a beautiful staircase to make a grand entrance at your wedding. If it has a railing, add a light garland and pillar candles to decorate it without breaking the budget. Or go all-in on a whimsical installation that climbs the banisters and adds a sense of floral drama. Beautifully decorated stairs are a popular photo and video spot, so it makes sense to do something special with them.

Semi-circle Wedding Altar

Wedding arches have always been a popular ceremony backdrop. But what if the natural background for your wedding ceremony is already beautiful? You can create a beautiful and intimate space to tie the knot with a semi-circle wedding altar. It looks especially stunning outdoors! And often these flowers can be repurposed after the ceremony.

Floral Chandelier

For a grand and opulent decor statement, it’s hard to beat a chandelier. And the way to make it even more romantic is to fill it with flowers! Add ivy and flowers to existing chandeliers to make them stand out. Or ask your florist about custom suspended installations to go over your tables or dance floor. It’s one of the most impactful ways to use flowers indoors or in a tent, and is sure to be one of your wedding’s WOW pieces.

Cake Flowers

It’s true that some wedding cakes can be stunning all on their own. But with trends leaning towards naked cakes and other minimalist designs, it’s a good idea to look beyond the cake topper when decorating a cake. Choose smaller and more delicate flowers that match your theme. The cake doesn't need a lot of flowers, so this is where a little bit of extra budget can really go a long way, especially if you’re having a cake cutting.

No matter where you choose to focus your floral energy, it’s always worth it to go over the top. We can help! Ask The Bride Candy about how we can create a standout floral experience at your wedding.

Best Places To Take Romantic Engagement Photos in Miami 2020

Miami is the perfect place to take your engagement photos. With lots of romantic spots and pretty amazing weather, it’s hard to go wrong! Here are The Bride Candy’s top picks for a romantic and tropical themed engagement photoshoot in Miami. 

Crandon Park Carousel

Once part of a since-abandoned zoo, the restored Crandon Park Carousel is a romantic and sweet spot for a quick engagement shoot. It’s also steps away from a beautiful beach, so you can do double duty with a more traditional beach shoot either before or after. 

Cape Florida Lighthouse

Did you know there’s a beautiful lighthouse on a natural Miami beach just a few minutes from downtown?  Hidden in Bill Baggs State Park on Key Biscayne, the Cape Florida Lighthouse is a beachy and romantic spot for your engagement photo session. Be sure to wear something light and flowy to take advantage of the sea breeze.

South Pointe Park

Situated at the southernmost tip of Miami Beach, South Pointe Park is the perfect place to watch the cruise ships go by and take in a stunning Miami Sunset. With views of both the ocean and the skyline of Miami, it also features direct beach and pier access. This is a public park, so you’ll be able to take photographs without limitations or fees. Try going at sunrise for the best shots.

Deering Estate

This charming 1920s estate near Cutler Bay is a top Miami wedding venue. But the Deering Estate’s most striking feature is its palm-lined keystone harbor on Biscayne Bay. If you’re looking for romantic tropical vibes without a beach, this is your spot. Photography permits can be purchased at the gate for $100.

Vizcaya

This is the larger and more opulent sister property of the Deering Estate, which were owned by brothers. An opulent Gilded Age estate, Vizcaya boasts an incredible bay view and Miami’s best formal gardens that are perfect for photography. Permits are required and will cost you $250-350 depending on the day of the week.

Ancient Spanish Monastery

Stepping into the Ancient Spanish Monastery in North Miami Beach is like stepping back in time. The gardens are lush and verdant, and there are many corners and nooks that make for a beautiful photo backdrop. But the most stunning feature is the 12th century stone cloisters - it’s the closest thing that South Florida has to a castle. If you’re going for a princess theme, this is the perfect place. Note that you’ll need permission and to pay a $200 photo fee to shoot at the Ancient Spanish Monastery.

Miami Beach Botanical Garden

This gem is steps away from South Beach but feels like a world away. From Japanese-inspired gardens to orchid-filled corners, this is a prime spot to find your perfect nature backdrop that’s easy to access. Photography is allowed but will set you back $50 an hour.

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

If you need even more gardenscapes for your photography session, check out Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, the largest garden in Miami. Featuring a butterfly exhibit, a hummingbird aviary, and a stunning greenhouse with Chihuly glass art, this is the crown jewel of Miami’s tropical vibes. Photography requires a permit and a fee.

More to consider

• Miami Skyline under MacArthur Causeway

• Wynwood Walls

• Little Havana