One of the trends we are seeing this year is the use of botanical items such as branches, mosses, pebbles, bark, shells, nearly anything originating from the earth. These items can are incorporated into centerpieces as well as bouquets. Along the same lines, we are seeing the use of fruits and vegetables tied into centerpieces to give an organic feel. Chances are you will be seeing these trends somewhere this year!

Centerpieces for your reception are one of the main ways to dress up any reception location, and here is what is hot for 2008

• Expect to see mixing of tall and short centerpieces that will add interest and get your guests interacting with other tables. Especially for rooms with tall ceilings, you need a middle ground to tie everything together. By adding in low centerpieces with tall, you also don't loose the tall centerpieces, since they are all at one level across the room... your eye will go up and down as you see the floral sprays.

• Incorporating uncommon items into floral arrangements such as fruit will continue to be a huge trend for this year. Lemons, Granny Smith apples, you name it, these are all great ways of tying in your color theme in an unexpected way.

• Submerging blooms, such as cymbidium orchids in tall clear glass vases filled with water has a sophisticated look to it and is European in roots. At the base of these tall vases expect to see natural pebbles, colored glass to tie in colors, and even specialty lighting made to withstand submersion under water, and available in an abundance of colors.

• Lastly, we will see the clustering vase effect where a number of vases are centered in the table and filled with different types of flowers in your color theme. A blossom floating in one, a submerged bloom in another and a posy of fragrant flowers in another. It all adds interest and keeps your guests entertained as they talk about the interesting blooms surrounding them.

The trends for 2008 are fun, fresh and unique. There are so many interesting ways to dress up a drab centerpiece. Make sure you add a little unique touch to your floral decor!

In the coming posts to my BLOG, I will be writing about the 2008 floral trends forecasted by The Knot. These are the trends which you will be seeing in full swing for this year, so keep on reading and checking back for the latest news....

The Bridal Bouquet

It is so traditional for a bride to carry the elegant white or creme bouquet down the aisle, and more and more we have been seeing brides carrying full-color hued bouquets to add drama to their grand entrance. Whether it be a subtle splash of color to tie in your bouquet with the bridesmaids, or an all out bold statement, a little bit of color creates contrast against your dress and makes your floral accessories have a statement in your photos. I love it when brides choose to do something fun and dramatic with their bouquet. Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and something non-traditional! Set your bouquet apart from your bridesmaids by adding a specific color just to yours, or have a special technique such as looping foliages or adding gemstones to make your bouquet spectacular!

With prom season in full gear, high school sweethearts will be picking out couture gowns and suits for the most looked forward night of the school year. So why not have your prom flowers look as good as you do? Carnations and pin-on corsages are styles of the past, you want something just as trendy as the clothes you are wearing.

First of all, what style of corsage or personal flowers do you want to wear? A wristlet (worn usually on the left wrist), neck flowers (designed around a metallic necklace), hair flowers, ankle flowers, or arm band flowers? Though some of these ideas seem somewhat unusual, they can be very interesting and appropriate depending on the type of dress you may be wearing. Here are the latest trends and styles that are going to get all the other couples talking...

• Forget the ordinary- go with a unique bloom such as an orchid or dress up roses with the following...

• Adding in specialty wristlet bands designed with sequins and beading. These add an extra touch to tie in your dress and colors from your gown.

• Adding lighting- believe it or not! One of the coolest new trends, battery powered lights and fiber-optics will continue to shine as you dance the night away! They also come in an abundance of colors!

• Adding feathers for the "true Diva." Ostrich feathers, pheasant feathers and white feathers add a unique touch and give a glam effect.

• Gems, gems, gems. What girl can't get enough? This dresses up any floral piece and can tie in the jewelry you will be wearing for the night.

Even if you are not planning on going extravagant with your personal flowers, finding a nice ribbon to match your gown will finish off your look and tie in your floral accessories with your overall look.