We admit it: we love our smartphones. Being able to answer an email before even getting out of bed. Being able to respond to a client while checking in at the airport. Being able to manage all of the moving pieces of an event with apps and widgets and social media. Yes, smartphones are marvels of modern technology that make our jobs (and lives) easier.

But sometimes, smartphone usage just needs to be curbed. A prime example? At weddings. Without a set of polite guidelines, your guests may feel the need to Snapchat your entire ceremony or miss the “I do” because of a tweet. Keep these guidelines in mind, and consider developing your own social media policy for your wedding or event.

Tag It:
Hashtags are great because they organize all of the social media posts from your event, no matter where they are posted. You, your guests, and friends who couldn’t make it will be able to see photos quickly and easily. If you’re OK with your guests being on social media during your ceremony or reception, ask them to tag their photos with a specific hashtag. #JackandJillGetMarried, #TheSmithWedding or a clever play on your new last name are fun ways to brand your event on social media.

No Sneak Peaks:
It is completely acceptable to ask your bridal party not to take or post photos before your wedding. If a photo leaks before the ceremony, it could ruin the surprise of everyone seeing you walk down the aisle. Leave it to the photographers to capture the special moments of you and your groom getting ready.

Unplugged Wedding:
It is also acceptable to request that your guests leave their cellphones in their car or purse. We can think of four reasons why this is a good idea.
First, you want your guests to be aware and present for the event, not scrolling through their newsfeed. Putting down the phones encourages conversation and celebration.
Second, it shows respect for the photographers and ensures that they don’t have to dodge iPhones and iPads competing for a photo.
Third, it maintains the intimacy of your wedding. You get to control what the outside world sees of your wedding and reception.
And fourth, it eliminates the awkwardness of having to ask someone to take down an unflattering picture of you or a family member.

If you choose to have a tech-free wedding, politely convey it on your wedding website and again on your program.

On Selfie Sticks:
Nothing gets out of hand quite as quickly as a selfie stick. Selfie sticks are frowned upon by many establishments because they create a distraction. Ask that your guests leave their selfie sticks at home. If you want a group photo, a photographer will be happy to accommodate.

Of course, you’ll want to find the social media and smartphone policy that suits your wishes. You may want guests to be phone-free for the ceremony but hashtag away at the reception. Or you may want to tease the groom with snaps of everyone except the bride before the ceremony. Think about how you want your guests and bridal party to interact with each other and with technology. Make sure your wishes are clearly and politely stated to everyone.
Now if you’ll excuse us, our smartphones are ringing.

Bridal showers have been a pre-wedding tradition since the 1890s. Typically the maid-of-honor and bridesmaids are responsible for planning and hosting the party, but the event can be hosted by anyone – even the bride herself!
We have coordinated many bridal showers over the years. If you’re intending to plan a bridal shower for yourself or someone else, let these delightful concepts inspire you.

Elegant Garden Party Bridal Shower
This classic theme contains the best of everything: flowers, fabulous scents and delicate foods. Plan this bridal shower with the ease and elegance of an English duchess.
• Let the decorations do triple-duty as an activity and a favor. Ask a local florist to provide bunches of fresh flowers with a common color palette in pretty containers. Arrange the blooms on a cart or table that guests can access from all sides. Work with the florist to create a recipe for the perfect bouquet and allow guests to create their own take-home arrangement. We worked with Pittsburgh florist Hepatica to create this floral arrangement.

• Keep the theme fresh. Handmade natural soap bars add a pop of color and a touch of fragrance. Guests can choose their favorite scent and take it home in a simple burlap pouch.

• Go for a simple, fresh menu. Start with light appetizers like cucumber sandwiches or watermelon and feta bites. Then serve a garden-inspired meal with elegant flavors like chicken roulade and fresh vegetable tian.

• Finish sweet! Ladylike treats such as macarons, fresh fruit and chocolate mousse will hit the spot without being too heavy.

Indulgent Day Out
Treat yourself and your guests. This bridal shower theme is all about pampering, relaxing and rejuvenating as you and your guests prepare for the big wedding day.
• Find a venue that will help you feel spoiled. We recently hosted a bridal shower at Pittsburgh champagne bar Perlé. What’s more decadent than a private champagne tasting?

• Treat guests to a “shower” bar with travel sized cosmetics and shower essentials. Include loofahs, shampoo, body wash, lip balm, hand lotion, nail polish and nail files.

• Give guests a favor that they can make themselves and customize to their preferences. Guests can make their own exfoliating body scrubs with three simple ingredients: salt or sugar, olive oil and essential oils. Ask a local vendor to supervise because essential oils can require some knowledge and skill.

• A take-home tea bar lets guests create their own custom blend. Provide black, green, red, and herbal loose leaves. Again, a local vendor should be on hand to offer advice on perfecting the blend and steeping.

• Plan a full dessert bar. This is a day of celebration and indulgence, so break out the gold edible glitter and the sugar pearls.

Posh in Pink
Think pink for a perfectly romantic bridal shower. Celebrate the sweetness of the occasion with this ladylike color scheme.
• Start with a beautiful invitation. Use satin textures and elegant script or calligraphy. This will help guests anticipate a uniquely beautiful experience.

• Be open to a full palette of colors. Pink can quickly become overwhelming, but using a variety of shades helps add sophistication to the décor. Mix soft ballet pastels with ivory, rose and blush. Bronze, silver and gold accents can add dimension and richness.

• Pink satin ribbons and roses help customize classic Chiavari chairs.

• Cotton Candy champagne cocktails are a fun interactive way to toast. Fill champagne flutes with pink cotton candy. When the champagne is poured, the sugar dissolves, making the drink extra colorful and sweet.

If you’d like to discuss how we brought these unique bridal shower themes to life – and how we can help you plan one of your own – we’d love for you to get in touch.

Sometimes we just have to take an afternoon to tiptoe through the tulips. Or the sunflowers.

This week we stopped by to introduce ourselves to The Farmer’s Daughter in the North Side. We were greeted by buckets upon buckets of freshly-cut sunflowers. And the only thing sunnier was owner Lauren Phillips’ disposition.

Lauren was born and raised with a passion for growing. Raised on a farm in the Laurel Highlands, she learned an early appreciation and skill for planting and harvesting. While working in marketing in New York City, Lauren popped into a Brooklyn flower shop and offered to help in any way she could. Without experience or training in floral design, the shop’s owner shook her head. But Lauren had two bargaining chips: tenacity and a car. The florist hired her to make deliveries, and after a year as an apprentice Lauren became a full-time florist. From there she became “obsessed.”

Lauren now brings her 8 years of floral experience to Pittsburgh. The Farmer’s Daughter flower shop and boutique opened its doors on Mother’s Day 2015. Since then Lauren has acquired a loyal following, both in person and on social media. Her storefront offers locally made jewelry, eclectic home goods and take-home bouquets.

Lauren has been welcomed into the Pittsburgh wedding and event community. “I average about 3 weddings per weekend,” Lauren says. “I have so many regulars who come in weekly for bouquets. The community has been so amazing.”

About 30% of the flowers she works with are locally grown, either on her own farm or by other local growers. “They grow stunning varieties locally that you couldn’t get shipped in,” Lauren explains. Her favorite flowers change every season. She loves the regal glamour of spring hellebore and peonies, but also the bright “happy” colors of summer and the saturated burgundies of fall.

Lauren describes her design style as “natural, organic, bohemian, and loose.” She likes creating arrangements that look handpicked, but also enjoys the opportunity to create shapely and structured arrangements for weddings and events.

Lauren has 3 pieces of advice for brides seeking a florist’s services.

Do your research to find the right florist.
Find a florist who can honor your vision. “As a bride, get someone you’re comfortable with. Know their style and make sure it fits your aesthetic. Discuss colors, discuss what you want, but at the end of the day you should be able to trust them,” says Lauren.

Think in terms of a color palette, not a single color or flower.
Lauren appreciates it when a client is open to working across a range of similar and complementary colors. “It’s so nice to have ivory, blush, pink and burgundy. Colors make other colors look nice,” Lauren says.

Build a relationship with your florist.
Just because the wedding is over doesn’t mean you won’t need a good florist again. “The saddest thing is when I get attached to a wedding, and then it’s over. I love creating more long-lasting relationships!” Lauren says. She enjoys when her brides become clients for birthdays, baby showers and Valentine’s Day so she can continue the relationship beyond the wedding.

Lauren graciously made us a bouquet of sunflowers she had harvested from her farm just that morning. “Look how happy they are!” she laughed as she bundled them. It’s clear that she takes pride in every stage of her work, from planting the seeds to arranging the blooms.

It’s in her blood; she is the Farmer’s Daughter, after all.