DIY- Homemade Boutonnieres

Great for Proms and weddings!

Leave the tough stuff to your professional florist, but if you want to add a handcrafted touch, try making the boutonniere.
I suggest using a hardy flower with a big head such as a rose or miniature calla lily; they can survive being handled. You can make a boutonniere the day before the event, and be sure to get extra flowers for practice.

Here's a step-by-step guide on do-it-yourself boutonnieres.
Step 1: Selecting & Preparing the Bundles of Blooms
Pick your bundles of bouquets.
Remove excess foliage and thorns, and pull off damaged petals.
Fill a sink or bucket with water, and holding the stems underwater, use the stem cutter or knife to cut the stems at an angle about two inches from the bottom.
Allow the flowers to drink for a few seconds with the stem ends underwater, then place the stems in a bucket filled halfway with cool water until you are ready to use them.
Step 2: Choosing & Preparing Particular Flowers
Choose a particular stem and/or flower for the boutonniere.
Use a stem cutter or sharp knife to cut the stem to a length of approximately three inches.
Create a bed for the flower: Take an ivy leaf, fern frond, or other bit of greenery and place it behind the flower.
Place a six-inch piece of wire behind the stems.
STEP 3: Crafting the Boutonniere
Prepare the stems: Starting from the top of the stems, begin to wrap floral tape down the stems in a spiral to secure them together; wrap until about 3/4 of an inch is covered.
Trim away the excess stem and continue to wrap floral tape around the wire about three inches down, then wrap the tape back up toward the flower head.
Once you're back at the top, wrap tape around several times to be sure it's secure.
Trim the excess tape.
STEP 4: Securing the Boutonniere
Finish the boutonniere stem: Trim the wired and wrapped stem so the total length is about 1 1/2 inches.
Curl the end around a pencil point and pinch the tip to finish it.
Attach a ribbon bow (if you like).
Depending on the weight of the boutonniere, insert one or two pearl-tipped pins into the stem to use later for attaching it to the lapel.
The boutonniere is now complete! Mist it with water and place it in a resealable plastic sandwich bag (blow a puff of breath into the bag before you seal it to provide airspace around the boutonniere). You can place up to two boutonnieres in the same bag.

For more info on DIY advice check out www.theknot.com
Adapted from The Knot Book of Wedding Flowers (Chronicle Books, 2002).

Photo Sessions

I can do a photo session for you! I would take the photos, edit them, and give them to you on a cd for you to do what you want with them.

I can provide you with a fantastic photo session at any location you desire, The price package for the Winter Haven area only is $60 for a one-hour photo session which includes fifteen edited photos and one CD with all of your photos. Extra CD’s can be purchased for $5.00 each. If you are out of the Winter Haven area, please contact me directly for an affordable price package.

Why Hire an Event Planner?

Planning a memorable special event is a full-time job. It is next to impossible to both manage your event and also enjoy it as a participant, especially when you are already working.
Your boss has asked you to plan the annual office party
Your volunteer organization nominated you to chair the next fundraising event
You want to present your newest product or service to your team in the right forum
You’re planning a party, wedding, or social event and you don’t have the time, knowledge, energy or help to pull off a successful event
With a savvy event consultant, you can design your dream event while this stylish consultant implements it. The location of a dance floor, banquet tables, or bar each contribute to the flow of your event. Lighting and timelines can subtly influence emotions. Every detail impacts the feeling that guests walk away with at the end of the evening.
Benefits of hiring a consultant
When you hire me as your event planner you will...
Impress Your Guests and Look Like a Star
Enjoy the Praise and Kudos While I Do All the Work
Have Time to Sit Back, Relax and Enjoy the Event
Avoid Being Overwhelmed with Logistical Details and Last Minute Questions
Have a Consultant On-Site to Trouble Shoot and Help You Avoid Additional Billing for Unexpected Problems
Plus, a connected event consultant can negotiate with vendors to extend your budget. This value, in turn, can pay for your event consultant. An event consultant is your advocate with the chosen venue, vendors, and all your guests. She works to protect your interests and attend to every detail so your event is seamless.
Professional event planners are priceless resources. Your event planner will offer priceless advice, keep you organized, handle and coordinate all the details, and will be your point person to respond to any needs or questions you might have.
Some people incorrectly believe that an event planner is an unnecessary luxury. They forget that their own time is important and are often surprised to find that a planner can actually save them money by negotiating with reliable vendors and preventing catastrophes. Think of a good event planner as insurance that your event will go as planned and that all the small details will go off without a hitch.

DIY: Great Floral Centerpiece Idea

Check out this You Tube video of an easy-to-make floral centerpiece.
Great if you are on a budget!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5S0HaaH8ns

About Me

My name is Jessica Santiago, I am 23 years old and am married to my soul mate, Alexander. When we got married in 2007, I planned the whole thing and fell in love with it. I knew from then on that this was something I wanted to pursue. I began going to a few event planning conferences, FFEA and ISES. Then I took an Event Planning course at PCC where I am currently employed. I continue to expand my knowledge of the business through different experiences.

I can offer my services to you for a great affordable price. I can plan your event from start to finish or can coordinate just the day of. Either way you can rest assure that your event will be Perfectly Planned.