Congratulations! Your wedding day is approaching, and by now you’ve likely realized how much planning goes into this special day. Although every bride thinks she can handle everything, there are many people who are just hoping you’ll ask them to help – and the good news is, there are established roles and customs that they expect to play. According to theknot.com, here are some of the customary ways that your mother can get involved in your wedding – and she will be happy to do so!

Mothers can help the bride and groom scout out ceremony and reception sites, as well as take on the “first responder” role for vendors calling with questions – even the wedding florist!

Mothers are invaluable in helping to choose a wedding dress, as well as trousseau, and wedding-night peignoir. Don’t be surprised if there are tears!

Mothers can compile your side of the guest list and confer with the groom’s family about whom they want to include on the guest list. Therefore, the bride and groom need only review and revise as necessary, instead of starting from scratch.
Mothers should consult with the bride as to her vision for the mother-of-the-bride dress, and if possible, shop with the groom’s mother for a cohesive, elegant look.

Mothers should be present at the bridal shower. Mom should ask the maid of honor if she needs help organizing, but respect the wedding party if they have it under control.

Mothers may escort their daughter down the aisle if the father is not there. In a Jewish wedding ceremony, both parents accompany the bride. In a Christian wedding, mothers should be seated in the first pew directly before the ceremony; and be the first to follow the couple out after the ceremony.

Mothers should be available to greet guests in the receiving line; custom states she is first in the line as the hostess of the reception.
Mothers should be ready to dance with the father of the bride (or another escort) and the groom during the traditional first-dance sequence.

This day is as special to your mother as to you. Involving her in decisions will help her to feel a part of the day, and will take some stress off of you! When it comes to wedding flowers, come into Ah Sam Flowers in San Mateo, and bring mom. We’ll help you to choose the perfect bridal bouquets, venue floral arrangements, and centerpieces for your perfect wedding day.

From proposals to ceremonies, weddings are steeped in tradition. Whether founded in practicality, romance, or superstition – many couples find it hard to “break tradition” and do things differently. However, the real story behind some of our most treasured engagement and wedding rituals can seem stranger than fiction.

Consider the proposal – in our time, it seems the pressure to create a proposal that is worthy of a social media campaign is intense. But from some of our earliest recorded traditions, we see that there was an entirely different kind of pressure surrounding the proposal. The groom often did not ask the question himself, instead he sent a member of his family to ask his prospective bride and her family if they would consent. The journey itself was meaningful, however. If along the way they encountered either a blind man, a monk or a pregnant woman, the marriage was thought to be doomed – and they returned home without asking the question, in order to stave off the bad luck. However, if they crossed paths with a nanny goat, pigeon or wolf, the marriage was considered to be favorable.

The selected day of the wedding was considered to be fraught with meaning as well. One should never be married on their birthday – although if the bride and groom shared a birthday, that was considered an exceptionally good omen for the union. Of course, that shared birthday had to be several years apart, or the good luck was revoked. Contemporary wedding ceremonies often take place on Saturdays, but in the past Saturday was considered the second worst day to be married; second only to Friday, which is the unluckiest day of all. The best day for a wedding in medieval times? That would be Wednesday.

These days, the choices are wide open for couples looking to get married. From a clever proposal, to an unconventional venue, to the most beautiful wedding flowers – it all comes down to the right choice for you. At Ah Sam Florist, we have helped hundreds of San Mateo couples create the wedding of their dreams – bridal bouquets, altar flowers, venue décor and floral centerpieces, we design them all with loving care. Call us to help set up your wedding day today.

Statistically speaking, more couples get engaged between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day than any other time of the year. If you received an engagement ring over the holidays, it is never too early to start planning. While you may have some ideas about what a traditional wedding looks like, in 2016 the trend is towards expressing your own personality throughout the planning process. From dresses to backdrop, brides and grooms are getting creative and exploring innovative ways to celebrate.

• From city skylines to century old barns, couples continue to choose venues that are meaningful to them, rather than opting for more traditional or formal settings. Increasingly, weddings incorporate elements of a far off city or dream location, perhaps even to reflect where the couple met, or where they are headed for their honeymoon.

• Rather than an open bar, many couples are offering waiters circulating their favorite drinks; which can be colorful, exotic or whimsical. A tropical wedding may include umbrella drinks, while a southern wedding may circulate mint juleps.

• Brushed metallics join softer versions of our favorite colors to create romantic settings and classic décor. Brides are opting for duskier hues such as 2016 top trending Quartz Rose over hot pinks; and soft ambient bulbs and lanterns over harsh lights.

• Mismatched bouquets, dresses, centerpieces and even seating make for a more natural and cozy event that reflects your personal style. Flowers are adding non-traditional elements like succulents, twigs, fruit and more greenery, giving tables a more organic and freshly arranged feel.

Overall, the top trending tip of 2016 is to be creative and be yourself. Don’t worry about conventional ways to plan a wedding – this is your special, personal day, and everything about it should reflect your personal style. Enjoy, have fun and enlist help from Ah Sam of San Mateo – we are here to help to design the bridal bouquets and wedding venue arrangements that will make your wedding truly unique. Let us help you create the 2016 wedding that everyone will remember.

Each season of the year offers unique qualities; and wedding ceremonies hosted at different times of year afford couples an equally unique chance to plan a wedding which perfectly showcases their love and personality. Winter nuptials exude a special sophistication; with a little forethought, these weddings are as romantic and warm as any other. Although San Mateo isn’t likely to have snow, we can help you to create a winter fairy tale setting for your big day.

Traditional ivory cascading bouquets with gray accents is the inspiration for one of the most sought after color schemes of the upcoming season. Dark gray bridesmaid dresses and suits for the men can be offset with ivory floral bouquets and boutonnieres; consider interspersing the traditional ivory roses or hydrangea blooms air-brushed to look silvery ice cold. Ask your Ah Sam florist for other floral accents that can draw in the gray palette, from the green-hued grays of succulents to the blue-grays of eucalyptus.

Ivory and gray color palettes can result in innovative an unique invitations, place cards, menus and table settings – a gray charcoal “pencil” effect on frosted ivory cards delivers an elegant impact. Also trending for winter weddings are all white (or all ivory) cakes with metallic gray accents, including embossed snowflakes, painted pine cones or silver ornaments. Utilizing a pewter cake base and plates for the cake continues the theme; as well as tall dark gray candelabras with ivory tapered candles illuminating the table.

When planning a winter wedding, it is also important to consider any length of time your guests may be in chilly climate. For instance, you may consider moving your reception line into the receptions hall so as to make sure the line doesn’t stretch out into the elements, or perhaps provide portable heaters along walkways and between buildings. Depending on venue, roaring fireplaces also create a dramatic setting, and a gathering place to warm up from the elements.

Like the season itself, winter weddings are magical for many people. To create an unforgettable winter wonderland wedding, look to Ah Sam for innovative floral arrangements and striking bouquets that perfectly express the romanticism of winter. stop into Ah Sam Florist to discuss how we can help with the floral arrangements, inventive décor and creative touches that will impress your guests – they’ll be talking about it for years!