Graduation Class of 2011

{Cornelius Potts & Uncle Monty}

It is several years, well fifteen this summer, since I called my friend on her mobile as she checked our degree classifications on the board at our university. I would have been there myself but was working closer to home so couldn't return to my university city and did not want to wait for the results to appear by post.  Yesterday morning my husband woke early to log on to his universities website to check his final results, his degree classification. 

{Cocoapod}

After many hours pouring over text books, working late to complete essays, attending lectures and putting together entertaining presentations, my husband can now put B.A.(Hons.) after his name.  I am incredibly proud of him as I know how tough it was, quitting his job, heading to university in his early forties, studying whilst being a fantastic dad to our five children.  Whilst I headed off to uni straight from school, aged 18, with no other responsibility than myself, he has juggled studying full time and family life to now proudly say 'I am a graduate'.

{Tait Gallery}

Now the next chapter begins but first it's time for a party!

{The Tomkat Studio}

So are any of you graduating this summer? Congratulations and enjoy the celebrations!

Decorate It Yourself - Chair Decorations

Image Source {painted chairs} {rose aisle} {sunflower} {sashes}

Whilst many people still opt for hiring chair sashes I love the fact that more and more people are looking at more individual ways to decorate chairbacks.  Perhaps you want something quite simple and I love the idea of using a very wide satin ribbon or fabric sash to tie to the top of a ladder back chair, with large loops hanging down the back of the chair.  However flowers are proving popular to deocrate chairs and you could opt for a single bloom, sunflowers look fabulous on their own tied with raffia to the back of a chair.  Yet you could make small posies to tie to the chair with lace or ribbon.  A more eclectic option is to have a collection of different chair styles in different colours, which wouldn't need decorating as they would be statement enough on their own. 

Inspiration - Lemon & Lime

It has been a scorcher of a day and makes me want to drink ice cold lemonade with slice of lime.  This of course sparked an idea of what a cool colour combo this would be for a party or even a wedding.  So off I popped to find some ideas using yellow and lime and here are some to help get you planning a theme with this colour combo.

{Lemon & Lime Vases} {Poster} {Biscuits}

{Green Bridesmaids} {Cake} {Yellow Bridesmaids}

{Macaroons} {Invitations} {Table Setting}

Heavenly Hydrangeas

Whilst I love flowers I am happy to admit that my floral knowledge is limited so I called in the experts.  Today I am thrilled to welcome Steph from Fairynuff Flowers to share her thoughts on the incredibly popular hydrangeas.  So without further ado I shall leave you in Steph's very capable hands.

image source ~ Fairynuff Flowers

As a wedding florist, I am often asked what my favourite flowers are, and Hydrangeas would be right up there (right along side Peonies of course)! They are oh so versatile, and the colours are just staggering. From the deepest purples and reds, to the brightest pinks and greens, to the pastel pretties and romantic antiquey hues. They are available from Spring until Autumn, and have a fab vase life too.

image source ~ Fairynuff Flowers

Hydrangeas can fit any theme you are looking for for your special day - choose a mass of pure white petals in mirrored cube vases for a clean and contemporary look, or mix a pink/green bloom such as "Magical Opal Classic" with "Amnesia" Roses, Stocks and some herbs in a pretty enamel jug for a perfect vintage wedding.

image source ~ Fairynuff Flowers

Per stem, they are quite an expensive flower, but with such large blooms, they do go a long way! They fill urns and large vases perfectly, look staggering in bouquets and short arrangements, but can also be picked apart and used in hair and in bottles and small vintage containers on the tables. Hydrangea also looks stunning filling the gaps of tiered cakes.

image source ~ Fairynuff Flowers

We also use lots of potted Hydrangea plants around wedding venues to make them extra extra pretty. They look beautiful in zinc pots lining stairways or along the aisle, or you can use mini plants to decorate tables outside…or even the tables at your wedding breakfast.

image source ~ Pinterest

We recently provided flowers for a wedding where the bride and groom chose to have a mass of plants (including Hydrangeas) and herbs in different pots on each table, and I must say, it is one of my favourite weddings this year. Apparently, there was quite a rush at the end of the night as the guests picked out their favourites!

image source ~ Tiny White Daisies

The wonderful thing about using plants at your wedding is that they look and keep perfectly and at the end of the day, can be taken home, or given as gifts to special guests, to be planted in the garden as an everlasting memory of your wedding day. See they really are perfect!

 

Giveaway Winner

Thank you to everybody who entered the Poppy Sparkles Giveaway here on Inspired Celebration.  I have counted the entries and put these into the random number generator and the winner is number 8, which is Daisyangel. Congratulations, you have won this gorgeous set of bridal jewellery from Poppy Sparkles.

Don't forget Poppy Sparkles have some great offers to Inspired Celebration readers -

If you mention Inspired Celebration when commissioning a Bespoke necklace or bracelet, you will be entitled to complimentary pair of earrings to the value of £20 until the end of July 2011. For purchases of standard designs from Poppy Sparkles, use code INSPIRED to receive 10% off your purchase until 31st July 2011.

So be sure to visit www.poppysparkles.co.uk