Punahou Carnival 2012 Haku lei booth

Pre-carnival haku making in Dole cafeteria on Tues. night.  Trays of various floral offerings for the designers to work with were available throughout the night.

Processors working on cutting the flowers and greens into small pieces.

Lei makers in action.

Sarah working on her first headband.

My tray of goodies for my first head lei - yellow lehua, palapalai fern, pele's hair/spanish moss,  yellow roses, a'ali'i, raffia

I added some "Song of India" foliage.

Completed haku.

Sarah modeling the haku.

2nd haku of gypsophila (baby's breath),  white wax flower and pele's hair/spanish moss.

3rd haku of pink wax flower, pink bougainvillea, hydrangea, pele's hair/spanish moss, fern, baby roses and hoya.

I added some loops of variegated  dracena foliage.

Sarah modeling finished haku.

Head comb with gypsophila, hydrangea, and pink wax flower

Orange bougainvillea, blue hydrangea and orange ixoria make up this head comb.

Purple bougainvillea, green a'ali'i, and  mini bozu in this head comb.

"Chopstick" haku made with baby yellow roses and variegated foliage.

Sample  of completed headbands  waiting to be boxed up for the night.

Tablescape and Party Decor workshop by Rene van Rems AIFD

West coast mechanics brochure 2012 Hitomi Gilliam AIFD

wedding promo 12 short.wmv

Southwest AIFD preview of upcoming flower show

AIFD Foundation Scholarships for 2012

AIFD Foundation

• Home
• About the Foundation
• Scholarship Information
• Donations
• Newsletter
• Symposium
• Fundraising

Scholarship Information

• Scholarship Winners
• Scholarships & Grants

Contact Menu

• Contact AIFD Foundation
• Visit AIFD Website

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Scholarship and Grant Information

Scholarship and Grant application forms are due the 31st of January! • 2012 Student Application • 2012 Grant Application • 2012 Symposium Scholarship Application • AIFD Scholarship to 2012 Southern Conference (Check back for more information)

 

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Confessions Of A Wedding Planner: Not All Flowers Are Created Equal!

Please read this great blog by Wayne Gurnick AIFD

Confessions Of A Wedding Planner: Not All Flowers Are Created Equal!

Posted on January 4, 2012 by momentsbywayne

Recently, a fellow floral designer and member of the  American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD), asked me why I promote the DIY floral projects and retailers such as Trader Joe’s and Costco that tend to undercut pricing at boutique floral shops.  It was a good question and particularly well-suited for me.

Once upon a time, I owned a specialty floral design studio, Floral Creations by Wayne.  I still feel a sense of longing when I recall the thrill of fresh flowers, endless creative materials and just the way the florist knife feels in my hand….so alive!

Floral Design by Joseph Couture Design

I also remember explaining to clients the difference between a rose at my store  and that sold by a street vendor or the supermarket down the street. “This rose is long stem – you are paying a premium for it’s height and the size of the bloom.  Also, because of its high quality, it will last for more than one week.   But if it doesn’t, I stand behind my product and will replace it.  Also, I add creative design and style touches to everything that goes out from this store, even just a single flower.  But, I understand that all these things may not be important to you, in which case you  will save a few bucks by buying elsewhere.”
Many of our clients now are interested in DIY projects, to save money and have more direct involvement with their wedding.  We bring you tips on how to handle flowers, where to buy them and how to design them, if you are interested in doing it yourself, whether for your wedding or another celebration, or just because.  But I will be the first one to tell you that not all flowers are created equal.  What’s best?  Well, it depends…

Floral design by Petals

• Quality and selection of flowers and supplies.  Specialty floral design boutiques have a greater selection of flowers as well as the ability to place special orders with their suppliers.  If having blush peonies is very important to you, then a boutique flower shop is the  best place to go.  These shops also stock a wide assortment of supplies – containers, pedestals, accents and ribbons – and often have items available for rent, too. On the other hand, places like Trader Joe’s and Costco buy directly from growers and are able to offer fresh product at very reasonable prices.  Because they order in bulk, special orders are not possible and in fact it’s best to use whatever is available.

Floral Design by Joseph Couture Design

• Design expertise and creativity.  Professional florists train and develop their skill and talent over the course of years.  To become an AIFD – accredited florist, one must go through rigorous testing in design and floral technique.  Why does it matter?  Fresh flowers are just the raw material – no matter how fresh and beautiful, they still need to be designed and displayed.  Floral arranging is an art form, an expression of creativity. The pros know the proper mechanics to use;  something that’s very important in bridal bouquets, corsages, and boutonnieres, as well as all floral decor for weddings and special events.

Floral Design by Joseph Couture Design

• Customer experience.  The buying experience is vastly different when you visit a boutique flower shop as compared to buying flowers at a farmer’s market or grocery store. You can expect advice and recommendations about style, color and all other aspects of floral design, from a professional floral designer.  Also, a flower shop is more likely to provide you with a sample of what you can expect on your wedding day.

Design by Wayne Gurnick AIFD

• Refrigeration, delivery and set up.  It’s really important to consider the logistics of how the floral arrangements will be stored, transported and set up on the day of your wedding.  Floral businesses have appropriate refrigeration and trucks, as well as the staff to deliver and set up your flowers at the designated time.  Clients are often surprised to find out that the venue that they’ve chosen for their wedding have a limited window of time for set up – it’s usually no more than two to three hours prior to your invitation time!  If you are counting on friends and family to shuttle the centerpieces from your house to the hotel earlier in the day, you may find out that the room is not available for set up until much later.

So, what’s best, you want to know?  What should you do?  I have to ask YOU – what’s important to you?  Are you looking for unique floral design, specialty flowers and personalized color schemes?

Floral Design by Fleur De Liz (Joseph Arias)

Do you believe that floral design and decor makes an important statement?  My advice to you would be to select a professional floral designer whose style and expertise matches your vision.  However, if you are simply seeking a pretty object to occupy the center of your table at the lowest possible price, then the DIY route and fresh flowers from a local retailer may be the right answer for you.  Just remember to factor in your time.

"Copyright 2011 Moments by Wayne, Wayne Gurnick AIFD All Rights Reserved"

  Table top and floral design by Wayne Gurnick AIFD

Posted in Budget, DIY Project, DIY Wedding, Floral, party planning on a budget, Wedding Planning Advice, Wedding Planning Info, Wedding Planning Steps, Wedding Vendors | Tagged DIY wedding, LA Wedding planner, The Ultimate Wedding Planning System, wedding planner in LA | 2 Comments

 

The Basics of Wiring & Taping Flowers

This is a great video by Leanne Kesler, AIFD, from the Floral Design Institute on the basics of wiring and taping.

Hitomi's schedule for 2012

February 6, 7 & 8
Creative Design Study Group – Session 1 (West Coast)

Personal coaching for maximum enrolment of 8 students per session
focusing on formulating a personalized study program to encompass all
aspects of floral design, to allow you to become the best floral artist that
you can be.  Custom-designed study program based on your strengths
and weaknesses – highly intensive, accelerated design workout to
challenge you to excel creatively and technically.

At Design358 Classroom at Kirby-Signature, Burnaby, BC Canada
Please e-mail or phone Hitomi (604)855-2742 for further information
Click Here for Online Registration

March 3 – 8
Philadelphia Flower Show
Stage presentations and demonstrations

March 9
Illinois State Florists – Hands on Workshop 9am – 4pm

March 11
Illinois State Florists – Presentation 1pm

March 16, 17 & 18
Designing for Excellence – Hands-on Workshop

With Jim Johnson AIFD/Lottie Nys AIFD/Mary Linda Horn AIFD/Hitomi
Texas A&M University, College Station, TX

Please e-mail or phone Hitomi for further information

April 4 & 5
‘Fundamental Floral Mechanics & Techniques’

A comprehensive hands-on workshop which covers 80 mechanics and techniques in 2 days of class.
with Hitomi Gilliam AIFD
DESIGN358 Classroom at Kirby-Signature Floral, Burnaby, BC Canada

Brochure available at www.design358.com
Please e-mail or phone Hitomi (604)855-2742  hitomi@hitomi-art.com

April 18 – 30
A VERY SPECIAL EVENT!!  More information to be posted later.
Vancouver, BC Canada

April 22
‘Spring Design Trends’ with Fresh and Permanent Flowers
Teleflora Arizona Unit

10:30am – Noon & 1:00pm – 2:30pm
Askren & Sons, Tuscon, AZ

May 15 – 21
EMC Part III Advanced – European Masters Certification Program (final stage)
With Tomas De Bruyne & facilitated by Hitomi Gilliam
Bruges, Belgium
5 days of class + Examination day + Graduation day
May 22 – 26
Group trip to Floriade 2012 ‘World Horticultural Expo’
Venlo, The Netherlands

June 10
‘TRENDS’ with Fresh and Permanent Flowers
Teleflora Rocky Mountain Unit
10:30am – Noon & 1:00 – 2:30pm
Amato Wholesale – Denver, CO
June 13, 14 & 15
Creative Design Study Group – Session 2 (West Coast)
Please read previous information for 2012 Session 1
At Design358 Classroom at Kirby-Signature, Burnaby, BC Canada
Please e-mail or phone Hitomi (604)855-2742 for further information
June 24 – 27
‘TRENDSETTER: New Design Ideas for 2012/2013’ Hands-on Workshop
Teleflora Education Center – Oklahoma City, OK
Please contact Teleflora Education Center (800)456-7890 to register

September 30
‘GALA’ Holiday Inspiration
Kirby-Signature Floral, Burnaby, BC
Produced by Hitomi & Design358 team

October 13 &14
15th Annual Survival of the Creative Mind Conference – ‘VESSEL’
Taos Civic Center, Taos, NM
October 23 & 24
‘PARTY DESIGNS for 2013’ Hands-on Workshop
With Hitomi Gilliam AIFD
At Design358 Classroom at Kirby-Signature, Burnaby, BC Canada
Please e-mail or phone Hitomi (604)855-2742 for further information

November 14, 15&16
Creative Design Study Group – Session 3(West Coast)
Please read previous information for 2012 Session 1
At Design358 Classroom at Kirby-Signature, Burnaby, BC Canada
Please e-mail or phone Hitomi (604)855-2742 for further information