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!

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.