Written by Administrator | 15 April 2007

Written by Administrator | 01 March 2007

Have you ever wondered where the tradition of using shamrocks as a symbol of St. Patrick’s Day came from?

St. Patrick was born in about 389 A.D. in Northern Wales. He was captured at the age of 16 by pirates who brought him to Ireland. During his 6 years of slavery he became a devout Christian. He eventually escaped to France, where he became a monk. In 432, he returned to Ireland as a missionary bishop. He founded the Christian Church of Ireland, blending old Irish rites with Christian customs.  

His most famous feat is forcing the snakes out of Ireland, although this is likely to be a myth.

Patrick would travel around to talk about his faith. Several members of a tribe once approached Patrick telling him it was difficult to understand the Holy Trinity. Patrick picked one of the wild shamrocks. "Here are three leaves," he said, "yet it is one plant. Imagine the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit as each of these leaves. Here they are, yet they are one plant." The tribesmen understood, and Patrick adopted this method to explain the Holy Trinity in the years to follow. From that time on, the shamrock has been a revered symbol of Ireland.

St. Patrick died in 461 AD. Depending on which story you read, he was either born on or died on March 17, and people began to commemorate him on that date. What originally began as a religious feast celebrated in Ireland, has become a secular holiday celebrating everything Irish all around the world. It's interesting to note that the shamrock clover flowers around this time.

The most common way people celebrate is by wearing green, or adorning themselves with other symbols such as the shamrock.

Written by Administrator | 01 March 2007

If you’re planning a wedding, you’ve probably discovered that the list of options for wedding bouquets is endless. Here is a guide to a few of the most popular styles.

Nosegay Bouquet
A small, round-shaped, cluster of flowers, which usually includes greenery and ribbon streamers, all mounted in a tussie-mussie..

Hand Tied Bouquet
A simple style which is generally round in shape. They are also referred to as clutch bouquets. This consists of a gathering of flowers, which is bound and tied with ribbon, leaving the stems exposed.

Cascade Bouquet
Sometimes called a teardrop, fountain, or waterfall bouquet, this sophisticated and elongated style features fullness and an abundance of blossoms at the top of the bouquet. It then tapers downwards with flowing foliage, floral streamers, or ribbons at the bottom. This can be designed very dense with flowers and foliage or can be more loosely arranged for an "airy" or "wispy" look.

Freeform / Contemporary Bouquet
This style bouquet often has flowers or greenery coming out at various angles with no specific, recognizable shape. They are most often designed with tropical flowers and foliage that have unique shapes.

Single Stem Bouquet
While not technically a bouquet, single stem arrangements have gained in popularity over recent years. Single stem designs can feature an intricately wrapped stem, an elaborate bow or streamers.

Pomander Bouquet
A flower or foliage covered ball or cone suspended from a loop of ribbon. Adult attendants can carry pomanders, but young attendants such as flower girls and junior bridesmaids most often carry them.

Wrist Bouquet
While technically more of a corsage than bouquet, this style is a small floral arrangement worn on the wrist, and is typically worn by brides or bridesmaids.