Marriage in the 21st. century

It's complicated. Nowadays, you know to tread very carefully when asking questions about various subjects. Like Marriage....and Divorce...and separation...and Co-habitation, and so much more. You learn to express interest, but cannot keep up with ever-changing relationship scenarios. 

Here at the Camellia, we design Wedding Flowers. We also hold DIY Classes if you want to make your own Bouquets, and do your own decorating. 

All everyone wants is to Be Happy. 

This article from the Star is a good read. Click on the link to read. 

http://www.thestar.com/life/2015/11/08/modern-family-reassessing-traditional-marriage-in-the-21st-century.html

Wishing you blue skies on your Wedding Day, and come see us at the Camellia for your Wedding Flowers! 

The Camellia, 30, Hacquoil Rd. Thunder Bay, On.

p. (807)475-3551

www.thecamellia.com 

Wildflower wedding bouquets - what to grow in Northern Ontario's climate for Wedding bouquets, The Camellia.

Are you getting married during the Summer and have visions of growing your own flowers to be used in your Wedding Bouquets? However, you live in Northern Ontario, where the Summers are a bit iffy as far as warm weather goes. Zinnias are a nice flower, last lasting and they come in all colours. 

Don't forget to plant some grasses, and hops ( on the right)  look beautiful trailing out of a Bridal bouquet. 

Sweet Peas are another favourite, but quite difficult to grow in Northern Ontario, except in a greenhouse. They smell heavenly, and come in all colours. 

Glads can be grown here, but it takes all Summer to have blooms reach maturity. It may be easier to order Glads from a florist. If you are having a Fall Wedding, you can try growing Glads. 

Dahlias have showy blooms, but again are a late Summer thing in Northern Ontario. 

You will need to prep you Flower bed, and then mulch ( to keep weeds down) and also to keep you Flowers clean. ( i.e. no mud on blooms). Do not start anything from seed, our growing season is far too short here in Northern Ontario. Buy Bedding-out plants from Paulusma's Greenhouses, My Blooming Business, Creekside Nursuries, etc. 

Plan on spending a lot of time, washing and debugging your blooms. They will need to be properly hydrated, and be kept cool until the day of the Wedding. Once your bouquets are arranged, spray them with Fresh flower sealant ( Crowning Glory)  to keep them looking their best. 

If you are on a Budget, Ferns can make beautiful centrepieces. 

Here's a bouquet of our Garden flowers, mixed with blooms from a florist.

Always have a Plan B, if your blooms do not materialise, due to too cool weather, too much rain, not enough rain, and so on. Order your blooms from a Florist, at least a month ahead of your big day. If you are in #ThunderBay, you can check with Brule Creek Farms ( they may  grow Sunflowers, https://www.facebook.com/brulecreekfarms/), and Moss Cottage  www.theurbanfarmchick.blogspot.com, and of course, you can contact us at #TheCamellia. We offer DIY make-your-own-flower-bouquet Classes. 

The Camellia, 30/32 Hacquoil Rd. Slate River, On 

p (807)475-3551

Open Wednesday through Sunday. 

www.thecamellia.com

www.lakesuperiorweddings.ca

Victorian era Etiquette

Looking back in time, one wonders how a person kept track of all the do's and dont's of society. Fast forward to today where fashions and etiquette have changed so much. Click on this link to learn more.  

https://www.almanac.com/content/victorian-era-etiquette-and-manners?trk_msg=D85F5SBNB3JKF9PUV1UMAUO7DK&trk_contact=LQBNDIQJN9AEI3VC32C78OI1IO&trk_sid=V8N9QTHCONPK0IOA32T9HFCE3S&utm_source=Listrak&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=Victorian+Era+Etiquette+and+Manners+(read+more)&utm_campaign=Companion+Daily

image via Pinterest

Certainly, there would have been no need to remind everyone to unplug, and put their cell phones on silent. 

Flowers  - one wonders what Wedding bouquets were like. Here at The Camellia, we design Brooch and Vintage floral bouquets and offer DIY classes so you can learn how to make your own bouquets. 

Visit our shop, The Camellia, at 30, Hacquoil Rd. for help with planning your Wedding bouquets and decor. You can register for Linens and Bedding for your new Home. Open Wednesday through Sunday. p (807)475-3551

www.lakesuperiorweddings.ca

www.thecamellia.com

Fall Wedding Show, Valhalla Inn, Thunder Bay

The glamour and the glitz of Wedding celebrations. Weddings can be over-the-top glamourous, or a simple, rustic, outdoor, back-yard ceremony. Are you looking for ideas for your Wedding?  Plan on attending the Thunder Bay Fall Wedding Show, on today at the Valhalla Inn.  https://www.facebook.com/events/1495998910486545/

This gorgeous tented ceiling is from a wedding that took place last night, decorated by #Silk&Cedar. 

As you enter, this beautiful Wedding dress greets you at the entrance. 

Photography by Patrick Chondon. 

Wedding decor by #PoshPosy, Thunder Bay. 

Gotta have Lace, and more Lace. 

Fashion shows take place throughout the day.

Need a Wedding Offciant? Talk to Evelyne Reid at #AllSeasonsWeddings.

Fresh flowers by #Bloomers and the Brownhouse.

#Lavender bouquets by #TheCamellia, 30/32 Hacquoil Rd. Salte River, On
Visit our storefront for help with Wedding and event decor, wedding flowers, Purses, and #Cottage/Chalky Paint.
www.thecamellia.com
p (807)475-3551

How do you know he or she is the Right one for you? The Camellia, Thunder Bay wedding florist.

Sometimes you get cold feet in the weeks leading up to your Wedding, "What am I doing, what if this is a huge mistake? " Some of you may have known each other since you were in High School, some of you may have met on the Internet, while some of you may be embarking on a second marriage. The truth is, we don't know. Marriage is a huge leap of faith, we don't have a crystal ball to look into the future. You do the best that you can, and trust that it will all be ok. Great advice can be found in this link: http://allgroanup.com/relationshipped/the-secret-to-finding-and-marrying-the-right-person/

We all want the same thing - to lead a Happy Life, free of drama and turmoil. 

We want someone to share Life with, it's no fun sitting on that bench by yourself. 

Someone to spend lazy Sunday mornings with. 

Someone to stop and smell the Icelandic Poppies with. 

Getting Married? Stop into our store, The Camellia, to get help with Wedding Flowers and Event decor. Get your Wedding party together and make your own bouquets, or we can do it for you. 

www.thecamellia.com

30/32 Hacquoil Rd. Slate River, Ontario

p(807)475-3551

Open Wednesday through to Sunday. 

How to make an easy-peasy Hand-tied Bouquet, The Camellia, Thunder Bay

Getting married? Thinking about how you can get that fab floral Bouquet that you want, and maybe you want to DIY?  Want to know how? Then click on this link, and watch as J. Schwanke shows you an unusual way to make a hand-tied bouquet.

https://youtu.be/efMwa2_TmUA

Want to design your own Wedding bouquets, but not sure where to start?  Here at The Camellia, we do Wedding Flower parties. You and your friends/Bridesmaids/Moms get together and make your own Bouquets. You get the benefit of our expertise here at The Camellia, and learn about proper mechanics. During the Winter, we work with faux botanicals. Call us today! 

The Camellia, 30, Hacquoil Rd. Slate River Valley, Thunder Bay, On. p 807475-3551

www.lakesuperiorweddings.ca

Why should I be the only 1 to change...why doesn't he/or she make some changes as well..?

Getting married or Moving in together? It will quickly become apparent that you have differing opinions on various issues, and in today's world, it seems like all the preliminary things that were traditionally done when one was contemplating marriage, are simply ignored. So many people may end up in a relationship where important questions were not asked. Important issues like Money, Jobs, Religion, Caretaking for infants, Household chores, grocery shopping, where to holiday, how much to spend on this... and the list goes on. 

Image via Pinterest.

Every family has a different approach to Conflict Resolution. 

-There's the WHAT PROBLEM? THERE IS NO PROBLEM  ( Sweep under the Carpet and pretend it doesn't exist).
- Then there is the YES DEAR, WHATEVER YOU SAY,  DEAR. Total compliance, The same partner gets his or her way most of the time, until he or she becomes a bit of a dictator, a Hitler, it's their way or the Highway. And the more you give in to them, and don't question them, the more dictatorial they become.
- Then there is the CUT DOWN THE OTHER PERSON AND MAKE THEN FEEL INCOMPETENT, he or she attacks the very self-confidence of his or her partner.
-What others can you list, from your own experience?

 Image via Pinterest.

And then there are EXPECTATIONS. Child development experts tell us these are formed early on in childhood, they can be formed by the media, TV, friends, and movies. 

The inevitable arguments start, and insults are swung back and forth. Families of each partner get drawn into the mess, and more words are exchanged. It's always a bit of a shuffle as new persons move into an existing Family circle. They all have to try and get along with each other. The whole process can be exhausting, and in some cases, can prove to be too much for some family members. The relationship can become so toxic that the parties involved decide to not try anymore, it's just not worth the effort. 

Image via Pinterest.

And last but not least, what happens when there is a baby involved? Is it so hard to put aside your individual differences and think about the Baby? 

If you need help with some of these topics, visit   https://drcloud.com/article/three_signs_that_tell_you_you%E2%80%99re_ready_to_set_boundaries

For Wedding flowers and event decor, Visit The Camellia, at 30/32 Hacquoil Rd. Slate River, On 

Open Wednesday through Sunday.

p (807)475-3551

Monotasking instead of Multitasking - how do you get it all done sans Wedding stress, the Camellia

Getting married soon? Is a bit of Panic starting, and you are wondering how will you get it all done? 

Read this article which talks about the value of NOT trying to multi-task. 

https://qz.com/985821/personal-kanban-a-life-changing-time-management-system-that-explodes-the-myth-of-multitasking/?utm_source=parIC&%3Futm_source=parIC&cid=sf01002&sr_share=facebook

Take a deep breath and imagine you are here, driving along on the Californian coast. Beautiful scenery, waves crashing on the shore, and you, taking some deep breaths. Sometimes we can get so wrapped up in the details, that we forget to savour the Journey. You might think, " I can't wait for this Wedding to be over...! " 

Maybe you had envisioned your Wedding in a #NapaValleyWinery. And that isn't possible, given your Budget constraints. It's OK, ask your decorator to source out some old Oak barrels from wineries in #Niagara, and plan your decor along a Napa Valley theme. 

You may have dreamt of having your Reception at an old chateau, however, your reality is a Banquet Hall in your hometown. So maybe you can go to the Chateau in #Napa for your #Honeymoon. It's amazing what you can accomplish if you concentrate on just 1 thing, rather than freaking out over 10 different To-Dos. 

When things get too much, take yourself back to this Coastline, and Breathe. Don't snap at those around you, they are only trying to help!

When you head off in the Car to somewhere new, you use Google Maps , so you don't get lost. The same principle applies to your Wedding, plan every step, and make sure those around you, know what the Plan is. Don't hang onto everything, and then scream at them because they are of no help. 

If you need help in Wedding decor and Wedding Flowers, Visit us at The Camellia, at 30, Hacquoil Rd. Thunder Bay, On. 

p-(807)475-3551

www.lakesuperiorweddings.ca

Marriage isn't all rosy Pinterest images.....no Bed of Roses either ........it's just hard work, and a lot of compromise.

Whether you are getting married, or you are moving in with someone, you are full of expectations, maybe imagining being Happy, sharing a life together, and enjoying a wonderful Life together. Where do these rosy expectations come from? They may be coming from TV shows we have watched, from Pinterest images, Wedding magazines, and all the media we are bombarded with. 

Not too shortly after you move in together, things about your partner start to drive you crazy. Then, the bickering starts. What are some of the most common irritants?

1. Organization or Lack thereof.  1 person may like everything in its place and cannot function within a messy household. The other person may have been brought up in a messy household, and never picks up after themselves. 
2. Different attitudes towards Money and spending & saving. Her normal may be spending $300.00 on a new item of clothing or accessories, and he may be used to spending a lot of money on parts for his Truck. 
3. Family issues : Why does our Summer holidays centre around your Family and what they want to do? What about me and my Family? 
4. Differences in how conflicts are resolved: One partner wants to hash things out, the other sweeps it under the rug and buries the problem, hoping it will go away. 
5. Lack of Communication. This is a biggie. There is no way that your partner can crawl into your head and figure out what you should have communicated to them. 
6. Different attitudes in bringing up kids and Step-kids.

There are so many more Topics, but we are not going to cover them all today, we are just here to say, if things aren't working out, it's all ok, it's all normal,  when you blend 2 individuals from different families,  to have conflicts and disagreements. If you grew up in different cities, or different countries, it presents even more of a challenge. 

Just remember 3 words : Communicate and Negotiate, and Breathe. 

For help with Wedding Flowers, and Wedding decor, Visit The Camellia, 

at 30, Hacquoil Rd. Thunder Bay, On.

p (807)475 3551

www.lakesuperiorweddings.ca