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Heinz Field – We Brought Our “A” Game!

Dec11

Heinz Field… known as the most sacred football stadium in all of Western Pennsylvania,   also hosts  many other special events and yes, even weddings, each year.

On Saturday Dec 3, we had the pleasure of providing flowers, many rental items, and full service for Elena & John’s wedding ceremony and reception at Heinz Field

This was a fairytale wedding. In the planning stages for over a year, there was no detail too small to be overlooked.   The wedding date could not be cast in stone until the 2016 Steeler schedule was set!    And there were a number of   direct connections to Heinz Field and The Steelers.

Our up-lit chiffon pipe and drape framed the ceremony area. Elegant and understated. Black & White, with red accents were the colors chosen. A four piece string quartet provided music for both the ceremony and the cocktail hour.  All very, very elegant.

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Our Bride, Elena, carried a large bouquet of all creamy ivory Vendella roses, with lots of sparkly accents, matching the sparkling tulle on her dress. The bridesmaids,  dressed in formal black gowns, carried hand tied red rose bouquets. The gentlemen wore coordinating rose boutonnieres. 12-3-16 Elena and Dad (Bob).jpg12-3-16 Elena.jpg

As the ceremony was nearing completion, the cocktail area was quietly opened. While the bridal party and families were taking formal & family pictures, friends and family members enjoyed cocktails and a variety of yummy treats.

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Gift Table
Guest Book
Cocktail Centerpiece

At 7PM the final “Reveal” of the reception area took place. Guests were welcomed to their beautifully adorned tables, which were covered with black linens, silver charger plates, white napkins,  beautiful red rose centerpieces… and lots of candle light. Flowers and candles were reflecting  in the Heinz Field windows as dusk turned into darkness, and the real party began to unfold..

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Guest Table
Guest Table

Bridal party flowers as well as red rose centerpieces adorned the head table.headtable 11 B.jpg

Moio’s Bakery provided a tasty wedding cake, which the bride chose to leave understated. Her cake topper initials sparkled from every angle.

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Following a wonderful dinner, dancing began in earnest, and continued all night. As the clock struck midnight, our very happy newlyweds made their exit to a downtown hotel bridal suite. We and the Heinz Field event staff began to dismantle the wedding décor and prepare for the Steelers’ Sunday football game.

Oh… and the Steelers brought their “A” game on Sunday  also.     Win-Win-Win!

To Elena, John, and your families, Thanks  very much for allowing us to be part of your special day.   We wish you lots and lots of happiness always. It was truly a pleasure to work with you.  And Merry Christmas to everyone!

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Wedding Bells Are Ringing

Nov7

As our wedding season moves into November,  we are  focused on finishing out 2016 season on a strong and proud note. This past Saturday we had two weddings which led us from the central city to the suburbs to the countryside.

Our first wedding was at Heinz Memorial Chapel on The University of Pittsburgh’s campus. We provided two arrangements for the altar of the chapel, which  the family transported on  to the reception, following the ceremony. We also provided the bride and bridesmaids bouquets,  boutonnieres and corsages. The bridesmaids wore a dark marine blue short dress & the  color scheme was  white with red  and blue accents.  The flowers were designed to coordinate.

Bride
Bridesmaids

The bride carried an all white bouquet containing white and ivory roses, garden roses, and lisianthus with eucalyptus as greens.

The eight bridesmaids carried white roses and gerbera daisies, blue delphinium, and red hypericum berries.

Heinz Memorial Chapel, in the heart of Oakland, is an iconic ceremony location. There are endless photo opportunities throughout Oakland which is partially what draws so many couples to get married there.  (As of January, 2016, a University affiliation is no longer required to be married at Heinz Chapel.  There is a discount offered if you are affiliated with Pitt or UPMC).

Our second wedding for the day took place at St. Gabriel of the Sorrowful Virgin Church in Whitehall, PA. With another large bridal party, (8 bridesmaids, 8 groomsmen, several ring bearers and flower girls) we were up to the challenge of coordinating this ceremony.

Despite a few technical difficulties with getting the limo bus into the church’s parking lot, the ceremony went smoothly.

Our  bride  waited till the very last second to let her father see her (he was joyfully teary-eyed) carried a bouquet with white/ivory roses, peach spray roses, and gold accents. It was a classy and romantic bouquet,  with lots of interest.

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Her bridesmaids wore dark maroon   dresses which were accented by peach roses, maroon dahlias, (some of the last of the season) white mums, and gold assents as well.

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We then continued on to the reception,  which took place at The Willow Room in Belle Vernon, Pa. While the room was being quickly transformed from an event earlier in the day, we got our trucks unloaded and all of our supplies transported  to the ballroom on the fourth floor. The centerpieces consisted of several separate elements which meant that they needed to be assembled onsite. The finished product (pictured below) left romantic ambiance in the room, especially once the candles were lit.

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As our year is nearing the end, , we are already starting to look back and reflect on all of the beautiful weddings that we were honored to a part of this year. . Of course there are many busy days to come with the holidays right around the corner. It is always a new day and a new challenge that we look forward to. Best wishes to all of the families we have been able to help. We are looking forward with great anticipation to what 2017 will bring our way.  Thanks to our readers for  sharing and enjoying our stories and posts each week.

 

Style and Tradition – Mazel Tov!!

Nov3

Tradition & Customs often plays  a very important  in weddings & wedding  planning. We work very hard to help our brides and grooms incorporate the traditions & customs  that are important to them and their families,  while  providing the feel or dream  that they want to achieve.   At times, this can mean some research into what the traditions and customs are.  Sometimes, it involves conversations with a number of relatives to show us pictures, or share other information that may be helpful to our process.

Combining customs, style and tradition was a task that we welcomed on 10-29-16.  The  wedding ceremony and reception  were taking  place in the same room at The Pittsburgh Airport Marriott.  The first set up was  the ceremony space with our round chuppah (a structure under which Jewish wedding ceremonies take place.) The groom’s Tallis, a gift from his Grandparents, presented to him upon their return from Israel many years ago, was draped prominently across the front of the  Chuppah. We were also sure to include the style that the bride and groom both wanted. When the room was finished it made quite a stunning impression as shown below:

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The heavily petalled  center isle  meant that the ushers used the side isles to seat guests. The center isle was reserved the wedding processional. Steven Vance Strolling Violins provided ceremony music and night was off to a great start.

The bride carried a bouquet of White Mini Cymbidium Orchids, Fuchsia Dendrobium Orchids, Lavender Ocean Song Roses, Ivory & White  Roses, and Purple Wax Flower accents . The Groom wore a matching white mini cymbidium orchid boutonniere.

Bride
Groom

The bridesmaids carried lavender Ocean Song Roses, Ivory Roses, and Purple Wax Flower. The Groomsmen wore  matching Lavender Ocean Song Rose and Wax Flower Boutonnieres.

The Chuppah was decorated with bands of white hydrangea that were used as tiebacks to the sheer fabric drapes.

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Following  the ceremony, the guests proceeded to  the cocktail hour while the bridal party had portraits taken in front of the Chuppah. We then began to flip the room for the reception. This all happens very quickly and with careful precision. Tables and chairs are put in place, the Chuppah is removed, a dance floor is assembled, The DJ sets up, the centerpieces are perfected, the wait staff readies the tables, lighting is adjusted, and so much more that happens in the blink of an eye.

The centerpieces also utilized rose petals to create more ambiance. Two slightly different centerpieces decorated the guest tables. The first used a tall square center vase of white hydrangea with twelve square votive candles  around it, and rose petals on the outside. The second used a tall square  center vase of lavender roses that matched the petals. The centerpieces created a romantic glow throughout the evening.

The head table was our favorite King Arthur styled table, also decorated with rose petals, and utilizing the bride and bridesmaids bouquets. Additional  tea light candles added interest.

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At the conclusion of the cocktail hour and pictures, guests were  welcomed  back in for the reception. The room again made a stunning impression. The two families, now joined as one, danced into the late evening celebrating the lovely occasion.

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We rose to the challenge to incorporate tradition and customs, with contemporary styling  into this wedding. All of our hard work and long hours  resulted in a  dream wedding for Stephanie and Elliott. Best wishes to you both, Mazel Tov! Thank you for choosing our company to help make your dream come true!

 

 

 

 

It Happens on Saturday……….

Oct17

Very early on Saturday mornings, before the sun begins to rise, our day at Parkway Florist begins. As we start pulling together all the pieces and parts for the days’ events that go to multiple locations, we are like Santa’s little elves, always checking our list twice!

Our first stop on Saturday,  October 15,  was at  St Pamphilus Hall in Beechview with a truck load of fresh pumpkin centerpieces. (Carving pumpkins and filling them with flowers is one of our fun jobs each year!)

The accompanying glorious fall bouquets  were delivered in mid afternoon to Old St Luke’s Church in Scott Twp.   A long & low centerpiece was used on the altar at the church, and then was taken onto the reception & used on the head table.

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Maid of Honor
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Altar Arrangement

 

Our second stop of the day involved bouquets and centerpieces being delivered to the mezzanine level of the Omni William Penn Hotel. Deep maroon, ivory, and lavender/purple flowers were a wonderful choice for an October Saturday. As always, the awesome ambience of the Omni was gracefully carried forth with the beautiful linens and chiavari chairs.

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Bridesmaids
Cocktail Tables
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Centerpiece

Our final stop was a ceremony, reception, set-up, and coordination at The Pittsburgh Airport Marriott. Midnight blue gowns were  complimented by  the rich jewel toned mini callas, dahlias, lisianthus, and stock flower.   The courtyard was the perfect place for a late day ceremony. The glowing lanterns on the isle were visible as daylight began to fade.

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All in all, as the last truck headed home, and day turned into night, three more  successful weddings were completed.

 

 

Glitz & Glamour Please!

Oct15

One of our favorite parts of wedding planning is working with the bride to develop her  vision. This is what ties together all of the small details to convey an overall theme or feeling for her day. This begins in the planning stages and becomes more developed as  the wedding day approaches. A big part  of this can be heavily reliant on the look of the reception room. The room is like a blank canvas ready for a painting, and we become collaborative artists. Last Saturday we worked with a bride who wanted a classic, elegant look for her wedding, and we knew just the tricks.

Below is The Three Rivers Ballroom at The Pittsburgh Airport Marriott.  A major factor that gave the ballroom an elegant and classic look were the gold chivari chairs that were used. Paired with gold overlays on the tables,  the room made a stunning first impression.

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The centerpieces were another important piece of the puzzle. White hydrangeas and roses were the showcased. The centerpieces were surrounded by pillar candles on silver candle holders. To complete the look, handwritten table numbers were displayed on small glass frames.

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The cake was decorated with white hydrangeas and roses between each tier. Two flexed roses were used as the cake topper for a natural look.

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Lastly, our bride carried a cascading bouquet. It included blush and ivory roses, dendrobium orchids, white stock, and seeded eucalyptus. Her bouquet later adorned the bride and groom’s sweetheart table, seen behind the cake table above.

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The bridesmaids carried simple clutch style bouquets of white hydrangea, seeded eucalyptus, and lemon leaf.

Congratulations and best wishes to our beautiful bride and groom!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fairy Tales Can Come True

Oct14

As we always say at Parkway Florist, the possibilities are endless. One of the ways we can honor that statement is by using props that are multifunctional. Our brass arch is a great example. This past weekend we used it for a wedding ceremony that took place at The Pittsburgh Airport Sheraton Hotel. This time we used the brass arch with its complementary tulle and lights. Other times we have used it plain, or with flowers (as you can see here.) This look helped to create a romantic backdrop for the wedding ceremony. Paired with pink up lighting and satin chair covers with gold sashes, the room looked quite polished.

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The bride carried a bouquet full of rich red flowers as wells as pinks and ivories. The reds included deep maroon locally grown dahlias and red roses. The pinks came from pink roses and dahlias, as well as cockscomb (a type of celosia.) Ivory roses were also included. Lastly, there were gold accents of seeded eucalyptus an a touch of greenery provided by soft dusty miller and gunny eucalyptus.

The groom’s boutonniere was made to match. It included red spray roses and gold accents as well.

Bride
Groom

The bridesmaids carried bouquets of deep maroon dahlias, pink roses, stock, dusty miller, and more gold accents. The groomsmen wore boutonnieres of red hypericum berries.

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Groomsmen

After the short ceremony concluded, guests attended a cocktail hour at the opposite end of the hotel. They found their place cards displayed next to a fresh flower arrangement that coordinated with the rest of the flowers used in the wedding.

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While the guests attended the cocktail hour, the ceremony room was quickly transformed into part of the reception room. The arch was moved behind the head table. Here it continued to provide a romantic glow for the rest of the evening.

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The guest tables were decorated with two different styles of centerpieces. This helps to create interest in the room. The first style were lush arrangements on elevated trumpet risers. They included hydrangeas and roses with gold accents. The second style of centerpiece were low on the table. They also included roses and hydrangea. They both used coordinating colors and flowers but with two distinctly different looks.

The cake was another place that gold accents were used. It was decorated with fresh flowers and placed on a gold sequin table cloth for a glitz and glam feel.

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This wedding was yet another success in our book at a venue that we always enjoy working with! May many years of happiness come to this bride, groom, and their families.

For more pictures, inspiration, and sneak peeks of our flowers visit us on Instagram and Facebook!

 

 

 

 

Pittsburgh meets the Far East!

Oct13

Since Pittsburgh has become a blending of so many cultures, and because we have the luxury of many well known universities and major employers, It is not unusual for Parkway Florist to  rise to the challenge of combining our Pittsburgh traditions with those of another culture.  Such was the case on Friday, October 7th, when Ming and Kyler tied the knot.

Ming is from China.  Flowers for the bride can never be all white in Chinese culture, as white flowers are generally only used in death……Pink is the Chinese color for happiness…perfect for a wedding day!   So, pink became an integral part of the wedding flowers.

The Renaissance Hotel is one of the many local properties in Pittsburgh that is great for weddings. The hotel has the ability to host both a  wedding ceremony and reception. This can be highly convenient for  guests.

Our  wedding ceremony  took place on the grand staircase located in the lobby of the hotel. (Pictured below)

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We provided two large arrangements to decorate the railing where the ceremony took place. Combined with the pink lighting the hotel provided, we were set for a pink wedding!

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The bride carried a classic white rose bouquet with a touch of pink added.

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The bridesmaids also carried roses, theirs with  a bit more color.

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Lastly, we decorated the cake to match the other flowers we brought. The bride and groom went with a more simple design. Leaving out a cake topper, they opted for a spray of roses and hydrangea which adorned the front of the cake.

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Every wedding is something different for us, and we are always finding new and exciting methods to make your wildest dreams come true!

 

 

 

 

 

Rustic Road Trip!

Oct12

We often travel far and wide to service weddings, and this past weekend was no exception.We sent a team to Saxonburg, Pennsylvania to set up a wedding that was set to take place at Armstrong Farms Westminster Preserve.  armstrong-farms-jessa-rob-2016-10-08Once on property, we followed the signs that directed us to their beautiful, rustic red roofed barn. The grounds left us surrounded by natural beauty, the perfect setting for a wedding.

armstrong-farms-wedding-barn-exteriorOnce inside the barn, it is obvious why this is a sought after wedding venue for many. The natural barn wood makes for a perfectly romantic ambiance. Paired with string lights and personalized decorations, the barn allows for endless possibilities.

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Pictured below is the guest book table which included a handmade card box crafted out of a log, how creative! We supplied several yellow chrysanthemum plants that were used to decorate the ceremony and reception sites.

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The centerpieces for the guest tables consisted of fresh locally grown flowers arranged in mason jars. These were placed on top of burlap runners and accented by tea light candles to add more ambiance.

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Unfortunately, there was a fairly high chance of rain that day, so we weren’t completely sure where the ceremony was going to take place. Plan A was to set up down by the lake in front of the gazebo. You can see why all of our fingers were crossed. Check out those gorgeous views!

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What better to go with this rustic venue than sunflowers? We had no shortage of them, there were plenty to go around for the entire bridal party. The boutonnieres and corsages were made out of little Viking pomps which look just like baby sunflowers.

 

 

The bride, Jessa, and all of her bridesmaids carried big beautiful sunflower bouquets pictured below:

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Bridesmaids

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We have to say, Jessa did a great job of keeping a unified, cohesive theme throughout her wedding. And we were glad to help! Lastly we brought a bouquet for the bouquet toss. This too was made of the little Viking pomps and it looked just like the real thing.

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Congratulations Jessa & Rob, we wish you many years of happiness together and we were thrilled to be a part of your big day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intimate & Elegant Wedding in Oakland

Sep29

Last Saturday we adventured to Oakland with a truck full of flowers and smiles on our faces for a wedding ceremony that took place at Heinz Memorial Chapel on the University of Pittsburgh’s campus. The reception that followed took place at the Carnegie Café which is a part of The Carnegie Museum of Art and Natural History.

At the ceremony, the bride carried a cascading bouquet of white lilies, ivory roses, and white larkspur. Her bridesmaid carried ivory and blush roses with light pink wax flower and fresh cinnamon basil as accents. The adorable flower girl carried a clutch of three blush roses and light pink wax flower to match the bridesmaid.

We supplied two arrangements with seasonal flowers to decorate the Heinz Memorial Chapel altar. These stood out nicely against the rich wood tones in the chapel.

At the Carnegie Café we decorated the guest tables with a tablescape design which included satin pewter grey table runners, several collections of vases with floating candles for ambiance, blush and ivory centerpiece arrangements, sprinkled blush rose petals, and disbursed votive candles.

The centerpiece arrangements were lush and lavish. Designed in mercury glass pedestal bowls, they included white hydrangeas, blush roses, locally grown dahlias, fuchsia feather celosia, and coleus.

The sweetheart head table was decorated with a long and low centerpiece with coordinating flowers as well as the bride’s bouquet when she arrived at her reception.

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Changing Seasons Bring Changing Colors

Sep12

The hustle and bustle of wedding season has been keeping us busy at Parkway Florist. We are so grateful to have worked with so many  wonderful families this summer and are excited to see what the rest of 2016 will bring our way. This past weekend was quite a colorful one in our shop! Nothing gets you into the fall spirit more than delightful oranges, yellows, and reds.

Despite the hot and humid weather on Saturday, the colors for these weddings got us in the mood for crisp fall air, and sweet apple cider!

Our first bride carried a variety of flowers including orange and white lilies, coral and ivory roses, orange celosia, seeded eucalyptus, and dusty miller.  The bridesmaids and junior bridesmaid had coordinating bouquets which featured gerbera daisies, mini carnations, roses, gomphrena, and cottage yarrow. To decorate the church, we used two larger arrangements on the altar as well as eight smaller arrangements that were hung on the columns that line the isle. Many similar flowers were used throughout to create a unifying color scheme and atmosphere for this wedding.

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Bridesmaid
Junior Bridesmaid
Altar Arrangement
Church Column Flowers

Continuing on with bright fall colors, we had a beautiful wedding take place in the courtyard garden of the Pittsburgh Airport Marriott. Sunflowers and roses decorated the isle to create a perfectly romantic atmosphere for a wedding ceremony. The bride’s bouquet was a beautiful assortment of ivory garden roses, succulents, yellow roses, craspedia, brunia berries, seeded eucalyptus, dusty miller, and mint leaves. The bridesmaids carried clutches of yellow calla lilies and the groomsmen each wore a yellow calla lily boutonniere.

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Last but certainly not least, we created this bouquet for a bride who had a red and turquoise color scheme. The bridesmaids wore cherry red dresses and carried turquoise blue flowers. By special request we were able to incorporate these colors into all the bouquets with a unique ribbon wrap on the handles (just to show you that we can bring any idea to life for your special day.)

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Let’s see what the changing season brings us this year!