Life's journey... through our eyes

It has been a very busy week for us, from designing and creating wedding event decor to creating wreaths and decorating a laying-in-state. It certainly brings with it a whole lot of emotions... From joy and laughter, to a more somber and reflective mood.

With every event that we design and decorate, we realize more and more how our services impact life events - Baby showers, birthdays, weddings, promotions, 'just because', funerals... It is these events that give us pause, and remind us that everyday is a gift and that we should appreciate and maximize every minute of it. we should celebrate life while we can, and not get bogged down by things around us that we have no control over.

We certainly hope that you live life to the fullest, so that when you look back on your life many years from now you can smile and say to yourself "I lived my life the best I could... I did my very best"

We hope you all had a great week, and hope you have an awesome weekend!!! Cheers!

"Bleeding Heart" wreath by Christine's Creatives

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (Kate Middleton) inspired wedding bouquet

When Will and Kate got married in 2011, we were all awed at how simply and elegantly put-together Kate was. Her wedding dress, flowers and bridal party were not over the top. Apparently, Kate had requested that her bouquet be "unpretentious, simple and natural" which seems to be a true reflection of her personality. Kate looked graceful and poised, a testament to how secure she felt transitioning into her new role as William's wife, future mother to their kid(s) and Britain's future queen. 

Image of bouquet on left by Christine's Creatives. 
Images of Royals on right by Jens Rost

Two years later, we find that brides are still inspired by her simple and elegant style. Over the weekend, we created a Kate inspired bouquet for one of our brides, and she loved it! Among the sea of colors at her wedding, her white airy bouquet created out of 'Baby's breath' stood out as simple, elegant and unique. 'Baby's breath' is used as a symbol of purity and being pure of heart, and was definitely a great choice for our bride.

While Kate's bouquet was created with more expensive flowers, it wouldn't break the bank to create a similar bouquet for the regular bride. We love this style, and agree that there is definitely something about understated wedding bouquets that exude an airy sense of simplicity and self-security. 

Cheers!!!

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Dessert Table / Wedding Cake alternatives?

So yesterday evening I attended a Google+ hangout hosted by a couple of big names in the wedding industry, including +HauteLook and +Nordstrom and it was such a blast! They addressed a lot of very interesting questions that brides have about planning their weddings including: pre-wedding diet routines, trending colors for 2014, and wedding cake alternatives (which i'll be discussing in this post).

One of the things I've learnt over the years being in the wedding planning/event decor business is that typically the components of every wedding are generally similar - you just need to tailor the wedding to the environment, culture, religion and demographics of the wedding attendees and host(s).

With regards to wedding cake alternatives, one of the more common alternatives is cupcakes. Most people love the idea of individualised cakes for their guests, and the different look and feel of their cake table. In addition with cupcakes you don't have to worry about cutting a huge cake on site. 
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How would you pick your Bridesmaids/Maid of Honor? (PART 1)

Bridesmaids (Photo credit: Mo_Lishomwa)

Seriously...How would you pick your Bridesmaids/Maid of Honor without causing drama? For a lot of brides, picking the ladies on their bridal train isn't quite so easy. There's family politics to consider, and there are friends who just assume they'll be on your train because you've know them since forever, or because they invited you to be on their train... yep!

Here are a few tips that may (and i stress 'may') make selecting your bridesmaids a little easier:

1. Bachelorette party - Pick bridesmaids who will make it their mission to throw you the funnest bachelorette party ever! After all, it's the last time you get to celebrate as a single woman. Do not complain that 'no one has your time or cares' if you decide to pick ladies who are too busy or just don't have a clue - that's all on you dear!
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Dubbler - the 'new' cool kid on the block

So... we just found out about this new cool voice messaging app called dubbler! We think its super awesome and just gave it a test drive. It allows you to record voice notes for up to 60seconds, and then allows you to share it with your friends and followers across multiple social media platforms.

One of the more fun features is that it allows you to add sound effects to your voice, and changes the way your real voice sounds. So on the dub below, I sound like a dude when in fact I'm not :)

Listen to the voice note below and share your thoughts.... maybe even create a dubbler account and have some fun with it!!!

'#Grateful mood. Hope y'all have a great weekend by Christine's Creatives (www.christinescreatives.com) on #Dubbler

 
Have a great weekend folks!

Nigerian Weddings: Traditional Wedding Cakes

In our line of work we meet a lot of vendors - cake decorators, musicians, photographers, caterers, makeup artists etc. Some of these vendors have been in the industry for years and are professionals at their trade, while some are still honing their skills. Obviously, we always hope we meet other vendors on site whose work compliments our event decor so that the event looks beautiful, very well put-together and is an overall success! 

Cakes by Syndy's Cakes - Abuja, Nigeria  Ph:+234 802 3230253 

  
On this post we will be featuring one of our favorite vendors - Syndy's Cakes, located in Abuja, Nigeria. Syndy's cakes is a high-end cake boutique that caters to brides who are looking
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Can you spot the difference?

This a picture of a church we decorated for a wedding. Can you spot the 3 differences in these pictures?

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Ifeoma and Uyi tie the knot in Lagos

The smile on Ifeoma's face as she walked down the aisle with her dad to meet her love - Uyi was... priceless!!! 

Ifeoma and Uyi tied the knot in Lagos on June 1st, 2013. We are so happy and congratulate the both of them.  Ifeoma wore a beautiful form fitting lace wedding dress that flattered her figure and flowed gracefully as she walked down the aisle. She carried a beautiful hand-tied bouquet with multi-colored roses, and was accompanied by her bridemaids dressed in elegant orange dresses.  

Read more »

Marriage on your mind? How do you pop the question?

You have decided that you love her, and she is the one you want to spend the rest of your life with; the question is how do you pop the question? You realize it is a moment you do not want her to forget, and would love her to cherish for the rest of your lives together. Also, you realize it is a significant milestone in both of your lives, where you are both consciously deciding to 'walk this walk of life' together. How do you plan the most romantic wedding proposal for the love of your life?


Wedding proposals can be lavish affairs or very simple, depending on what style you choose. You can choose to propose over a romantic dinner, or surprise her by creating an event just for her. Below, is a beautiful and very romantic wedding proposal... what do you think?




Regardless of how you choose to propose, sharing beautiful moments together is part of what builds a relationship. Life throws us curve balls from time to time, and we have to sometimes make a conscious effort to create our own beautiful moments. Wishing you all the best, and lots of love, fun and happiness as you plan your romantic wedding proposal...

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Live abroad but planning to get married at home (Nigeria)?

Do you live abroad but want to get married at home? Congratulations!!! You've just decided to plan a destination wedding! 

Destination weddings are fun - especially if you are going back home to get married. You get to leave your home-away-from-home to get married in an environment that is exciting, different and culturally rich. Planning a wedding from a distance may seem a little challenging, but if well planned is usually well worth it. You get to re-immerse yourself in the local culture; the people, the language, the food, the clothing, the music... ohhh the music - the Nigerian music industry is growing by leaps and bounds! Absolutely love the video below - "Obi Mu O by Obiora Obiwon"


Since you are so far away, you'll probably have very little control over most parts of the wedding planning process - and may have to rely on friends and family to help you with a lot of the running around. 

However, you can still be involved by clearly communicating your vision for your
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Mothers are special - Happy Mother's Day!

Mothers are special... Yesterday was Mother's day, and I am incredibly thankful for my mum. 

As a daughter, I am thankful for her tough love, her words of wisdom, her strength during difficult times, her dedication to family and friends, her desire to help the less fortunate, her business acumen and her appreciation of life. I have learnt so much from her - how to laugh, how to cry and how to be strong in the face of adversity. Make no mistake, my mum is not perfect - like everyone of us she is flawed, but that is what makes her the uniquely beautiful woman that she is. Our perceived flaws make us work towards being better, and that is what shapes us and develops our character. 

I am dedicating this video to my mum and all the mothers out there who don't realize how truly beautiful they are. Stay beautiful!

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Centerpieces: Your event is your own production... make it a true reflection of you

As we wait patiently for the Great Gatsby to be released in movies tonight, we figured we would write a Gatsby themed blog today about centerpieces.

As we all know (hopefully), it is important that your guests feel welcome when they attend an event that you are hosting. Food is a universal way of making guests feel welcome at your home or event, and so is the ambiance you create. You want guests to leave with pleasant experiences that they'll talk about with nostalgia for years to come. Think about the Oscars or the MET gala - its the creativity in the fashion, the music, the decor, the venue - pretty much the whole production that keeps people talking and keeps these events newsworthy. Your event is your own production. It leaves an impression in people's minds of the kind of individual you may be.

Using centerpieces on guest tables is one of the ways to create a comfortable welcoming atmosphere for your guests. Items that can be used for centerpieces are only limited by your imagination. Flowers, decorative birdcages, lanterns, fruit bowls, framed pictures, crystals, candles, gold fishes, feathers .... Anything really.
Ok well, maybe not everything. There a few things you may want to consider before selecting your centerpieces:
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When should you give her flowers?

English: Bouquet of yellow roses, red flowers (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Studies show that most women love flowers, and can typically remember when last they received flowers (The research was conducted in 2005 by The Michael Cohen Group.). Flowers makes women feel special, loved and appreciated. The interesting thing is that the flowers that we give do not necessarily have to be big bouquets, and they do not have to be roses either. As cliche as it may sound, it is the thought the counts. I've heard guys say, 'eh but they are only flowers - and they'll die soon anyways'. Trust me on this one guys, flowers will soften her heart and will most likely make her more receptive to you.
Read more »

Revlon Entice 190 - My new favorite nail color :)

Revlon Entice 190 - My new favorite nail color :). 

The original topic I wanted to blog about today was "Celebrity bouquet look a-likes". I planned to look for nice Nigerian celebrity wedding bouquet pictures online, was going to compare them to pictures of wedding bouquets made by Christine's Creatives, and then write about how to plan a Nigerian celebrity wedding on a budget... Wellll that didn't happen now did it? I started my research for wedding pictures, and celebrity wedding after celebrity wedding, all i could find was major DRAMA. Kai!! From stories of Nollywood stars who married other people's husbands, to a Nollywood actor who was planning a 'secret' second wedding - without the knowledge of the first wife (*Akiyesi God is watching you in 3D!). Seeing as I couldn't find any drama-free Nigerian celebrity, I figured I would write about my new favorite nail color - Revlon Entice 190!
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Flowers for the ones we love... in this life and the next

 Flowers for the ones we love... in this life and the next.

As florists, we know how important it is to express feelings through flowers. Giving flowers to friends and family when they are still around is a way of saying you appreciate, love, acknowledge and care for them. When they pass on, flowers are also a way to say, they may be gone (for now) but they are never ever forgotten.

Wreaths by Christine's Creatives Nigeria Limited

When a loved one passes on, people think about what they can do to symbolize their love for the individual that has passed on, while also acknowledging their grief of losing that person. For thousands of years, people across nationalities, race and creed have recognized flowers as a symbol of life, hope and love. Floral baskets, Casket sprays, Laying-in-state floral gardens, Casket floral blankets, Floral pillows and other floral set pieces are floral designs that bring color and a sense of hope to a laying-in-state or funeral service.

Read more »

Nigerian Traditional Wedding Cakes

 
Nigerian traditional wedding cakes are a thing of beauty and sheer creativity. The detailed work that goes into telling a story through a Nigerian traditional cake is astonishing. 

From ankara prints, to traditional gourds, beads, clothing and even people -  Incorporating traditional cakes as part of a traditional wedding adds color, richness and depth, while also acknowledging the Nigerian culture.

Read more »

For brides with natural hair

For brides with natural hair, it is sometimes challenging to decide how to style your hair for your wedding day. While browsing, we found a few bridal hairstyles that we think may inspire you.

These natural hair bridal pictures are from Munaluchi Bride Magazine - a bridal magazine that provides inspiration for women of color. Their print publication is released twice a year, and they provide updates on their website in between issues.

Read more »

Essential tools for event planning

Essential tools for event planning... Whether you are a seasoned event planner or a bride planning her wedding, it is essential to know what tools you have available to you. There are tons of tools available to make the event planning process easier, and we will be featuring one of our favorites today - the 3D Event and Space Design Application by EVENTS clique.

3D Event designer allows you to design an event space in 2D or 3D by dragging and
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First Impressions... closing the deal - or maybe not.

Flowers at office receptions or waiting areas
create an inviting environment for potential clients

"How you come across to others is too important to be left to chance. - Phil Geldart"

When a client walks through the doors of your office, what do you think their first impression is? Do they walk into an unkempt yard or an uninviting office? Or has your organization mastered the art of managing your clients experiences from end to end?

If your goal is to close the deal, then you may want to ensure that your client's experience from the first time they come in contact with your organization, up until the time they make their decision, is very well managed - by you.

Interestingly enough, it is the little things that will differentiate you from your competition. You and the competition may have the same products, but the way you treat a potential customer may be the deal-maker or deal-breaker. 

Here are 3 quick tips you may want to consider:

• Sound professional when you (or the receptionist) pick(s) up a phone call. This is usually the first opportunity the customer has to make an opinion about your organization. When the phone is picked up, ensure that there is no distracting background noise, and that there is a quick salutation, introduction and offer to help. This assures the caller that you are engaged in the conversation and willing to provide answers/solutions to their inquiries/problems. 

• Ensure your organization's office space is clean and very well manicured. Make the environment as inviting as possible. Consider simple things such as, ensuring there is hand soap/hand towels in the washrooms, offering cookies and drinks in the waiting area, putting fresh or silk flower arrangements in the waiting area and providing complimentary magazines for your guests to read while waiting. 

• Present your products to the client - with Confidence. In short, this is your opportunity to shine. You need to let the client know that you understand the problem and that you have a solution. If you are having a face to face discussion with the client, ensure you are sitting or standing up straight (no slouching) and maintain eye contact. If you are asked a question you do not know the answer to, be honest about it and assure the client that you will get back to him/her within a specified timeframe - make sure it is a realistic timeframe so that you can keep your promise. At the end of the meeting make sure you re-iterate your understanding of the clients need and your ability to meet that need. 

• Then Close the Deal. Ask the client how soon they need your services, and advice him/her of your availability. If you were unable to close the deal at the meeting, ask how soon they intend to make a decision and then follow up within the timeframe they specified. Make sure you request their contact information and send a note of thanks after the meeting. 

As we all know, closing the deal has a lot to do with 'how you package the product'. However, closing the next deal with the same customer is about 'how you delivered on the original deal'.

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Creativity at work!

Creating a Floral gift arrangement and
Elegant tall centerpieces for a wedding

 




Our owner and CEO, Mrs. Y.A. Oluwole doing what she loves doing: designing and creating beautiful centerpieces.  She is such a hands-on boss - we learn from her everyday.  #thebestbossever!          

Creating Exquisite floor floral arrangements

One of our top florists and designers creating exquisite floral arrangements on site. #creativityatwork

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