Payment Due

Hello All!

I recently saw a fellow wedding vendor post a facebook comment about this same subject, so i felt it necessary to share some insight as to why the industry works this way. As you know, full payment when you book with Branches is due 3 weeks prior to your wedding date. If you've ever had a consultation with us, then you know this is one of the last things we talked about so its fresh in your mind. Until we have received a full payment retainer, we are not able to order your florals. Here is why in way of a story-

Payment

A couple years back I had a client obtain our services for her June wedding. It was a small wedding order with only a bouquet and a few boutonnieres.  No biggy right? Well ordinarily you are correct. Two months after the initial consult goes by and its now 2 weeks before wedding date. I call Sally (factitious name) to inform her full payment is due in a couple days. She notifies me her fiance doesn't get paid till next week and asks if she can bring me a check then. I hesitantly oblige and wait a week to receive payment. Now by this time its a couple days before her wedding and I need to pick up her order from the wholesaler so there is ample time for flowers to open. I make the decision to go ahead and retrieve the order without payment, with high hopes of receiving the money any day. The event day comes and no payment. Since the bride opted to not have on sight delivery, her father in law came to get the florals. Me, not wanted to be confrontational, decided not to ask her in laws for the cash and instead wait till after the event to collect. One week and many phone calls later, I finally reach the groom and let him know I needed payment right away. A few days later he shows and finally brings me a check. Once again fast forward a couple weeks and I get the check back in the mail -Returned for Insufficient Funds
Long story short I never received payment and the check was void. I was left to flip the bill for not only my time but her flowers!
Can you see where this is going? If not let me spell it out.......NO money, NO flowers. By requiring that we receive full payment 3 weeks before the wedding isn't so we can rip you off and run with your money. Its financial security for us business owners that we are going to get paid for our services.
We don't work for free!

Cake Dame- Part 3

Set Three:

"Black Tie Event"

White chocolate fruit cups. Edible cups? Yes please!

For any and all of these edible products, be sure to contact Kariann Rugg with Cake Dame

Cake Dame- Part 2

Second styled set with Cake Dame:

"Rustic Spring"

I wanted to keep this set very soft with a palate of pastels. Although we used a rustic setting, I wanted to be able to show how you can take something so rough and make it feminine and still fitting for a wedding.

Adorable mini cakes on custom tree trunk stands.

Kariann did an awesome job capturing the essence of spring with her mini cakes! And look at these terracotta pot cupcakes! Adorable!

All props shown are available for event rental.

Cake Dame- Part 1

Let me introduce you to Cake Dame. 

Kariann Rugg is the mastermind behind these edible designs. She is the sweetest person and is great at what she does. So when Kariann contacted us a while back about donating our styling services for a shoot she was putting together, we of coarse jumped on board. 

After some contemplation, we came up with a few different design ideas. Here is our first set:

"Whimsicality" 

Look at this cake!

Our handmade pinwheel cupcake toppers

Staging and most props courtesy of Branches Event Floral

Photgraphy: Renee Bath Photography

Cakes and cupcakes: Cake Dame

Preview

I stole this little beauty from Camilla Binks's Facebook page. A stunning image of Amanda Labato's Sundance wedding this past weekend. I love this image!!

Here is a close up of just how beautiful the blooms in Amanda's bouquet were. This is hardly a comparison to Camilla's image and I struggled internally on whether or not to post it but as you can see, it overtook me and alas its posted. More of this stunning event to come!

It's Electric

 A few photos of a wedding we did a couple weeks ago.  Sheridan had her event at one of my fav venues Wadley Farms.  Here are the alter pieces that flanked either side of the stately mantle. 

Don't these manzanita branches look electric? Just like aqua blue lightning! 

These alter pieces are a great budget friendly option with a large impact. Tall and unique.

Thank you Sheridan for your trust in our designs and ideas!

Flowers used: Red Freedom rose, Ranuculus, Carnations,  a single Manzanita branch and Mokara Orchids