FEBRUARY 2012 uBloom Newsletter: "Nuptial News"

Nuptial News is written by uBloom Wedding Expert Tracy Park, owner and operator of Park Place Designs.I started in this biz 23 years ago as a part time hobby.  I worked in a high end bridal store for 16 years and doing wedding as a past time was my "dream" job. I can say I have always been drawn to the wedding side of the floral business.  In my younger years, while I worked in retail floral shops, I got to see first hand the unglamorous side to floral industry. After the birth of my 4th child, I decided to take the leap of becoming a full time wedding /event designer and quit my full time job to stay home and work. I have never looked back. The first 2-3 years were a struggle, but I found ways to market myself and stayed focused and it has paid off. Though weddings in Michigan are seasonal, I have managed to stay busy in the off season by doing bridal shows, updating my website, marketing and taking orders for designs for party's, holidays, and some funeral work. I can not turn down request from my clients! Thanks to my amazing husband, Justin, who has always been there to cheer me on in the late hours of the night working on designs, and also to my amazing kids. I am living my dream.2012 Wedding Trends and Colors!As a wedding/event designer in Michigan, I am seeing a lot of romance in my wedding designs...soft pinks, creamy whites, garden roses, and laces.I am also seeing a lot of rustic barn weddings, burlap's, textures and wild flowers. I have added a lot of props to my inventory such as blue mason jars, vintage suit cases, milk glass, banners and keys.  Just pain fun stuff to incorporate into my design work.The bridal bouquets are lush designs filled with a little bit of traditional flair.  As a wedding designer I am so glad this trend is sticking around. Brides have wonderful ideas and I love to help them execute their vision.Large, over-the-top flowing center pieces are on a decline - while simple blooms fill jars and succulents are taking the main stage.I am also seeing a comeback of GOLD...yes,  that 80's gold is being scaled up into a new lighter hue.  I am not a lover of gold,  BUT it is growing on me.Happy WEDDING SEASON!Tracy Park - uBloom's Wedding's Expert! Watch for Tracy's Flowers appearing in JTV episodes and the NEW Secrets to Beautiful Wedding Flowers DVD Series from uBloom!