A4 www.havredailynews.com BEYOND THE BOUQUET Winter 2010 DIY Wedding Flowers: Homemade Wedding Centerpieces When planning your wedding, it's best to start early and be disciplined in keeping up with the tasks. Continued from page A3 Two to Four Months in Advance perform them. If you want to create your own wedding centerpieces, a c l a s s i c a r ra n ge m e n t i n a clear glass globe or cube is a lovely choice that isn't too difficult to assemble yourself. Hardy, large-headed flowers such as roses are best for this project. These centerpieces take between 30 and 60 minutes to arrange and, depending on the size of your container, will use about 50 to 75 stems. You can make them the day before the wedding, but before you begin, have your containers ready and filled with clean water. What You'll Need while working with them and trim to a shorter length when you've finished arranging. Step 2: Assembling the Flowers Step 4: Measuring the Centerpiece alongside your container to gauge how much stem you'll need to trim from the ends. necessary length, cutting across on an angle to allow for better water absorption. Step 5: Finishing the Centerpiece with one hand, and use your other hand to hold the flowers in place. an even height in a square shape — these will be at the center of the arrangement. one by one around the center f l owe rs to c re a t e a d o m e shape. creating the dome, occasionally hold it up to your vase to gauge the width of the arrangement and adjust to create a pleasing overhang of flowers over the edges. Step 3: Securing the Centerpiece arrangement into a container. are completed, keep them misted and refrigerated or in a cool or air-conditioned room away from heat and light until you are ready to use them. If you're using clear vases, you can allow the stem ends to fan in the water for a modern look, or bind them for a finished, clean appearance. To help prolong the life of the flowers, add a drop of bleach or lemon-lime soda to the water. Not the DIY type? Find a wedding florist. (Adapted from The Knot Book of Wedding Flowers, Chronicle Books, 2002.) chairs, etc.). sit-down dinner. with groom's mother if desired. flower like the rose. tape (1/4") ceremony. dance and mother/son dance. how to prevent it if desired. as mistress of ceremonies, etc. Consult sources of wedding vows for helpful guidance on wording. sharp knife Step 1: Preparing the Flowers to bind the stems at the natura l s p o t w h e re t h ey j o i n (about 3 to 4 inches below the flower heads). binding toward the end of the stems, leaving about 2 inches excess beneath the bind to trim later. s t e m s t r i p p e r t o r e m ove excess foliage and thorns, and pull off damaged or unattractive outer petals. water and, holding the stems underwater, use the stem cutter or knife to cut the stems at an angle about 2 inches from the bottom. drink for a few seconds with the stem ends underwater, then place them in a bucket filled halfway with cool water until you are ready to use. working with roses and the heads aren't open yet, force the blooms open by placing the stems in a bucket of hot water. But do this only for a couple of minutes just before yo u a re go i n g to u s e t h e complimentary. personal attendant. and ushers. hostess, soloist, guest book attendant, etc. Rules for a happy marriage From www.weddingdetails.com 1. Never both be angry at the same time. 2. Never yell at each other unless the house is on fire. 3. If one of you HAS to win an argument, let it be your mate. 4. If you have to criticize, do it lovingly. 5. Never bring up mistakes of the past. 6. Neglect the whole wo r l d ra t h e r t h a n e a c h other. 7. Never go to sleep with an argument unsettled. 8. At least once every day try to say one kind or complimentary thing to your life's partner. 9. When you have done something wrong, be ready to admit it and ask for forgiveness. 10. It takes two to make a quarrel, and the one in the wrong is the one who does the most talking. roses, or you might kill them otherwise. This works for DIY wedding bouquets too. tables/chairs, etc. how long it's valid prior to wedding. required. honeymoon. Two Months in Advance wedding. their tuxes, to return to rental place. cake-cutting, garter toss, etc. necessary. new" to wear on wedding day. organist. ceremony. introduction/pre-wedding). to get started on thank-you notes. One Month in Advance if desired. food for you to take to your hotel after reception. attendants/parents, too?). toasting glasses, will be taken there. for accuracy. Stacy Mantle Melanie and Brett Gilman pose on a bridge at Prairie Farms Golf Course for wedding photos on August 22, 2009. arrangements. your chosen reception music. or buy additional jewelry insurance. wedding gifts have been marked off. notes. policy. (discounted rates may apply). change name and submit changes. Two Weeks in Advance map to ceremony and reception sites. her music and map. special songs, mail him/her/them map. See Page A5