One of the the most romantic ways to stage a wedding is to incorporate vintage elements. The term “vintage” simply refers to any item that reminds us of an earlier time or past era; from there, only your imagination will limit you. If you are planning an upcoming wedding, the inspiration for your vintage celebration may be as close as your mother’s closet.

What is more meaningful than wearing the wedding dress that your mother or grandmother wore? The sense of legacy is undeniable. But if that isn’t possible, your dress can still evoke the simplicity and beauty of days gone by, with delicate lace and trim. Nothing says vintage quite like pearls and old jewelry, especially large brooches and cameos. Wrap it all up in a classic fur stole, and you’ll be showing off a look worthy of old Hollywood.

Of course, you can also evoke a vintage feel with your surroundings. It’s all about the non-traditional venue this year. From train depots to old movie theaters, brides and grooms are choosing authentic locations, all dressed up for the day. Complete the mood with a vintage music played by an orchestra or big band; and you’ve created a step back into history.

By creating a theme and an ambiance for your celebration, you express your own personal style and personality. At Ah Sam, we understand that a wedding ceremony and reception is the most memorable of occasions, and we want to help you to transform any space into the vintage venue you envision. From bouquets wrapped in antique lace to romantic rose centerpieces dripping with pearls, our expert wedding designers will create the wedding of your dreams from the San Francisco – San Jose Bay Area, the East Bay and beyond.  Call us for a complimentary wedding consultation.  We’re excited to hear about your plans. 

For 2015 wedding decor, greenery is moving into the spotlight. No longer just a filler, brides are utilizing green leaves and vines as a major part of their floral themes. Adding abundant greens to your venue and bouquets results in a verdant arrangement sure to luxuriously enhance your event, without looking too perfect or manicured.

While many brides are choosing to have bouquets and décor completely comprised of greenery, you can also combine floral elements for a look that comes straight from nature. Cover your trellis, gazebo or arch in ivy or mint leaves, and choose floral blooms to accent – rather than dominate – the scene. An added bonus? Your white or ivory dress will spectacularly contrast against the green backdrop.

Once you head for the reception, there are so many creatively subtle ways to infuse the décor with greenery. Borrow a long fern frond from the bridal bouquet to adorn a place setting; use delicate vines to tie around a scroll thanking your guests for being there; or decorate the back of guest chairs. Bouquets of aromatic herbs make for a centerpiece that is not only lovely, it can actually complement you menu! If you are committed to a color palette but love the idea of a more natural look, consider a centerpiece with generous greens and a few well placed, vivid splashes of color. Not only is it beautiful, but it looks fresh gathered and organic.

If you would like to integrate lavish greens into you wedding day, the experts at Ah Sam are here to assist. Our wedding consultants are experts at recommending the right floral accents for every aspect of your wedding day. So how can we help you? Come in to our San Mateo florist, and let’s get creative. From bridal bouquets to venue décor, it’s your special day – Ah Sam will make it perfectly beautiful

There are many reasons why choosing the right color for your wedding matters. First, the entire mood of the wedding will be inspired by the color palette – soft pastels are dreamy and romantic, while bold colors are exciting and passionate. Your venue may actually lend itself to one type of color or another – for instance, a highly ornate venue with richly hued draperies may clash with your chosen color scheme. Sometimes forgotten when choosing colors are the photographs, which will hang in your home – do you want neutral muted colors, or colors that pop?

According to popular wedding sites Lover.ly and TheKnot.com, the most often searched wedding color is pink. But that fact alone doesn’t tell the whole story, as pink comes in a variety of shades that range from the demurest pale hue to the boldest wild fuchsia. Experts say that mixing a variety of pinks together, as well as incorporating textures and patterns, is a sure way to bring interest and creativity to your wedding. From the invitations to the flower girl’s headband, pink is the quintessential color of weddings.

Ah Sam can help you with adding depth and color to your pink bouquets. Some brides may choose an overall white bouquet with the pop of a few scattered deep pink blooms; others may choose coral pinks which, when added with oranges, blues and greenery exude a distinct tropical vibe. Of course, the depth of saturation in your flowers may also depend on your bridesmaids dresses and even their hair colors – utilizing complimentary shades of pink in slightly mismatched bouquets is a great way to add flavor and keep everyone looking gorgeous.

Blush pink rosebuds to hot pink calla lilies, Ah Sam Florists are ready to blanket your San Mateo area wedding with lush flowers that will set the mood. We can provide bouquets, corsages, flower girl baskets, alter flowers, centerpiece arrangements and floral cake decorations that will ties the entire color scheme together – from traditional to unique, from shy to exotic. Ah Sam is proud to be your one stop wedding floral shop.

One of the hottest wedding trends of 2015 is choosing a non-traditional venue. For many, that means a museum or old mansion; but for many in the San Mateo area, site selection is all about nature’s beauty.

Outdoor weddings are are growing in popularity, from parks and riverbanks to dramatic mountain vistas. Outdoor venues are often indicative of the personalities of the couple and the places that are special to them. Recent Ah Sam weddings showcase the ways in which floral arrangements can transform any natural space with color and texture.

With the stark beauty of the hills and plains as a contrast, soft-hued and delicate floral arrangements frame the bride and groom,. These spectacular arrangements created a beautiful focal point for the ceremony, and accentuated the couple, while never taking away from the dramatic scenery behind them.

One of the most popular trends in outdoor wedding arrangements is to use simple, beautiful blooms that appear that they could have been handpicked that morning. With a few gorgeous flowers surrounded by natural greens, wildflower accents and with stems showcased in simple glass vases,  your guests are treated to a fresh-from-the-garden centerpiece that manages to be both exotic and familiar.

The charming gazebo, trellises and brick walls of this outdoor space became the fitting basis for a magical outdoor garden. With rich splashes of color and tropical blooming flowers, the space is reborn as a wedding chapel replete with luxurious floral arrangements that become a part of the landscape.

It is no secret that no matter the space, flowers make it special and unique. Outdoor weddings in particular are greatly enhanced by the right floral arrangements, which seamlessly incorporate themselves into their surroundings. Call the experts at Ah Sam Florists for your Bay Area wedding; and let us help you to create an outdoor wedding venue as spectacular as the two of you.

Not sure where to start? Check out our wedding floral photo gallery.

Are you planning a summer wedding this year? Now is the time to start finalizing your plans. Here are some trends for the year that you will want to keep in mind as you make your plans!

Bold bouquets

Bold Colors

While pastels may be the trend of choice for bridal gowns and bridesmaid gowns, bold colors are popping up in floral arrangements and decor. Teal, orange and deep pink are popular choices for the coming wedding season.

Adding Gems to Bouquets

Nothing has replaced the traditional floral bouquet, but some brides this year are adding a little glam with sparkling gems added to their bouquet selection. Adding a brooch or a few faux white diamonds to the bouquet adds a sense of elegance and a touch of sparkle to the overall look.

A Rustic Touch

Rustic weddings can be quite beautiful, appealing to a number of brides. Having the ceremony and reception at a local farm, using wood tables and dining on local food an add the rustic feel to the elegant affair. Summer is the ideal time for this type of wedding, too, because the warmer temperatures allow for receptions outdoors or in the local barn.

Boho Style

Cascading bouquet

Long, flowing gowns, natural hair with cascading curls and hand-tied bouquets are the signature designs of the boho glam style. This style seems effortless, yet is overwhelmingly elegant. Ah Sam Flowers can help with simple, yet cascading bouquets and flower wreaths for the hair of the bride, bridesmaids and flower girls.

Unique Reception Food

Reception food is changing from the tried and true catered meal to something a little different. Modern brides are choosing to bring in local faire from a favorite local eatery, and some are even hiring food trucks to add some fun to the festivities. Some brides are choosing a desert bar over a traditional wedding cake, or opting for pie instead of cake altogether. Along the same lines as the reception food, more and more brides are choosing edible favors for their guests, such as gourmet coffee beans and even locally baked pastries.

As you start making and finalizing your plans for your spring or summer wedding, Ah Sam Florist is ready to help. Contact us today to learn more about our wedding flower options, and let us help you make your wedding dreams a reality.