Bella Blooms

Seems that here in Los Angeles the weather keeps trying to fool us about Spring and the upcoming summer wedding season. Last night as we left the birthday celebration of one of our amazing assistants we were blasted with an unseasonably cool night. As I start doing prayers and chants to improve the weather for our upcoming weddings, thought nothing could get me more in the mood than with another iconic Spring flower. Lilac, how I love thee! I just wish I had a great place to plant you so that I could enjoy you in my own personal floral haven, and wish you lasted longer than a few short weeks!

Lilac bouquet courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings

Lilac images courtesy of Hidden Gardens


Bouquet image courtesy of Brenda's Wedding Planning Blog

Be sure to check out some great tips on enjoying lilac to it's fullest from Tik Tock Couture Flower blog here.

Check out Amy from the Hidden Garden's behind the scenes visit to a local lilac farm on her blog here.

Bella Blooms

There are so many reasons that I LOVE hydrangea...let me count the ways. I must have upwards of 15 plants throughout my front and backyards and in pots on my patio. I can't wait till they all begin to bloom in the next few weeks.

My love affair must have started when I was 7 or 8 years old, the house where we lived at the time had the most gorgeous blue hydrangea bushes that were taller than me and bloomed more profusely than anything I have seen to this day.

The hydrangea could be one of the most versatile wedding flowers around, the range of colors that the hydrangea comes in and the fact that is available year round makes it perfect compliment to many other blooms.

Courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings, this is a great image showcasing hydrangea bloom colors.

Love the lilac purple hydrangea in this bouquet, courtesy of Martha Stewart Weddings

Photo courtesy of Meg Smith Photography, floral design by Ariella Chezar

Photo from Project Wedding

Photos courtesy of MiBelle Inc, floral designed by The Hidden Garden

I have been addicted to reruns of Jeff Leatham's Flowers Uncut on TLC, and it might just be how he incorporates hydrangea into so many of his amazing designs.

Just stunning

One tip when using hydrangea in your bouquets and boutonnieres, keep in mind the weather as hydrangea doesn't hold up well out of water on hot days. Be sure to discuss with your floral designer to ensure no surprises on your wedding day.

Bella Blooms

What a glorious Sunday we had in Southern California, after yet another day of rain, Sunday opened with clear blue and sunny skies. I knew it was the perfect time to pick up my gardening tools that have been hibernating all winter. As I began to prep my flower beds and vegetable gardens for spring plantings, I was disappointed when I realized that none of my tulips had bloomed this year. The hyachinth, daffodils and many many more were there, but no tulips. Paying homage to one of my favorite spring bulbs, I leave you with lots and lots of lovely tulip images.

Ah spring is coming courtesy of JL Desgins

White Tulips from The Hidden Garden, Ivory Bouquet from JL Designs Photo by Stephanie Williams Photography

Found on Style me Pretty by Details Details

Bouquet found on James Abel Events

Parrot Tulip Images found at Southern Accents and Rossi & Rovetti Flowers

Parrot and Button Tulip Bouquet found on Martha Stewart

Bella Blooms

I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentines Day. As promised, here is the long awaited posting of all things red red red! I just love red flowers, in fact when I was planning my wedding 7 years ago, it seems that all the inspirational photos I pulled out of magazines included red linens, florals, and detail elements.

Pictures from an event at the Beverly Hills Hotel, when I first met the bride and asked her what she envisioned her wedding to look like, her description was gorgeous red florals!

Florals by JL Designs, Photography by Ryan Phillips

One of our brides vision of an elegant reception with the perfect blend of red and turquoise was brought to life by our friends at Hidden Garden.

Florals by Hidden Garden, Photography by Cean One

Some images from a Casa del Mar celebration that we partnered with Carissa of JL Designs ~ what a great opportunity to meet and work with an amazing floral designer.

Florals by JL Designs Photography by Christine Marie

This is a picture that every single time I see it I just swoon! Can I please have a redo on my wedding and re-create this look .... with the gorgeous cuff!

Bouquet by JL Designs

Okay, if you are a flower lover...and have the budget for something like this, how about getting married under this!

Found on Kristin Banta Events, Photography from David Michael Photo

Red tablscape from One Lovely Day

I hope that you find these pictures as romantic and inspirational as I do. Enjoy your Presidents Day holiday.

Until next week!

Enter to Win Free Flowers

Our friends over at The Hidden Garden are running a super cute contest for FREE flowers!! There is just one special Bella Girls addendum to the rules - we want a little flower love!! So share the beautiful blooms!!
Check out all the details and rules below:

Ever been disappointed on Valentine's Day?
Was yours the most romantic Valentine's Day ever?
Either way, we want to hear from you.

The Hidden Garden announces a Valentine's Day Contest

Share your most memorable Valentine's Day story (the good, the bad & the ugly) and you could win a Valentine's Day arrangement worth $200 to be delivered to your home or office on February 12th. Entries will be judged on humor, romance & fan comments.

How to Enter: Become a fan of The Hidden Garden on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/TheHiddenGarden.) & post your most memorable Valentine's Day story on our wall. We want to hear the best, worst and everything in between! We encourage entrants to post photos and video ­ be creative, funny and interesting!

Judging: The Hidden Garden Romance Committee will select five finalists and post their entries on the Facebook page Thursday, February 11th. Entries will be judged on creativity, humor, romance & fan appeal/comments. The five finalists will be notified and contacted for their delivery address. On Friday, February 12th one lucky winner will be surprised with a huge
arrangement just for them!

Rules:
All entrants must live or work in our service area, which includes Los Angeles, San Fernando Valley and Westlake Village. No purchase is necessary. All entrants must become a fan on Facebook of The Hidden Garden. All entries must be posted to the Hidden Garden Facebook page no later than 12:00 pm PST on Thursday, February 10, 2010. Finalists will be announced on Thursday, February 11, 2010. Winner will be surprised on Friday, February 12, 2010. Grand-prize winner will receive a floral arrangement with a retail value of $200 delivered to the address of their choice (within the designated service area.)

I leave you with a couple pics of the gorgeous work that they do! Photos courtesy of MiBelle Inc

Sara & Alex ~ Montage Beverly Hills

We loved working with Sara and her mom Tonia to plan this gorgeous Montage Beverly Hills wedding. Sara's family had a whirlwind over the past year with both daughters getting married. Tonia wanted to make sure that the entire day was representative of the individual style of Sara and Alex as well as to ensure an amazing evening full of dancing. When we say dancing, we mean the most gorgeous ballroom dancing we have ever seen in all of our years as wedding planners! Here are some of our favorite shots of the day, courtesy of Christine Marie Photography.

This was the grand finale to Sara & Alex's first dance. To see the dance in it's entirety, visit the Ashley Video blog.
Many thanks to everyone that made this day possible!

Venue ~ Montage Beverly Hills
Photographer ~ Christine Marie Photography

Videographer ~ Ashley Video Productions
Entertainment ~ Skye Michaels Orchestras
Florist ~ The Hidden Garden

Cake ~ Pierre’s Pastry

Sara & Alex, we wish you a lifetime of the love and happiness you shared on your wedding day. It was a pleasure and a privilege to be part of your special day. Thank you for allowing us to share in your journey.