Dandong, China is a city of 2.5 million people located in the northeast corner of China. Dandong is the main portal of trade to North Korea. Flower sales in Dandong exploded as mourners purchased yellow and white flowers and headed to the North Korean consulate to show their respect to the fallen North Korean leader. A florist named Sun in Dandong claimed he had been selling tens of thousands of yellow and white flowers to Chinese and North Korean mourners.
South Korean news reported that thousands of chrysanthemums (the traditional Korean flower of mourning) had to be brought in from Shanghai to meet demand.
This outpouring of affection for Kim Jong-Il reinforces the importance of flowers to help the grieving process. Although western media depicts Kim Jong-Il as a despot, it is clear that his life had a profound impact on citizens throughout Asia.
Kim Jong-Il's body was laid out in a resplendid garden of flowers and his hearse was covered in a blanket of chrysanthemums. The importance of flowers at a funeral cannot be overlooked just because Kim Jong-Il was a dictator. What should be noted that millions of people in North Korea are mourning his loss and they are finding solace in fresh flowers.
So when you read 'In Lieu of Flowers' for a Boston funeral, think twice. Millions of impoverished North Koreans know that flowers help ease the pain.
So when you read 'In Lieu of Flowers' for a Boston funeral, think twice. Millions of impoverished North Koreans know that flowers help ease the pain.
The Christmas season is all about magic, mystery, dreams, memories and inspiration. Evergreen boughs, scented candles and Christmas keepsakes are just a few small tokens that can transform your white wedding into a holiday wonderland. Try adding a few of my simple Christmas wedding ideas to make your Boston Christmas wedding magical.
The Christmas season is filled with hope and possibilities. The season of wishes and dreams forces us to extend the season as long as we can; hence the arrival of Christmas music on Boston radio on November 11. In Boston, we hang garland, bake cookies and even mount Christmas wreaths on our cars. The aroma of vanilla, pine and cinnamon brings us back to our childhood. Even Boston brides try to recreate Christmas magic for their weddings. 
Christmas is all about lights. Twinkle lights, LED lights, twinkle lights, sphere lights, musical lights. You can never have enough lights for Christmas in Boston. Lights can hang from the ceiling, on archways, over mantles and on trees outdoors and indoors. Not only electrical lights, but how about candle light ? Tea lights, hurricanes, tapers, pillars or even battery operated candles will create Christmas romance for your wedding. Another favorite of mine is candle lighting your church with no electric light. Call up the fire marshall and illuminate your church with hundreds of candles along the aisle and altar.
Another essential for any Christmas wedding are evergreens; boughs, garland, wreaths, kissing balls and trees. Holiday garland beautifies chairs, banisters, mantles and can even be draped along the aisle of church pews. Christmas garland may also be accented with berries, pine cones and ornaments as well. Candle rings are also a cost effective centerpiece. A candle ring is just like a miniature Christmas wreath; add a cream pillar candle to the center and you are done. Christmas trees are also a great wedding prop. Six to ten Christmas with white twinke lights on a church altar will give you your own indoor forest. This tree scape is an ideal backdrop for timeless wedding photos. 
Thanksgiving remains New England's most celebrated holiday. Whether in Boston or Beverly, Portsmouth or Peabody, we embrace our heritage as the home of the pilgrims. One of the first three Thanksgiving feasts took place in Plymouth in 1621, (the first Thanksgiving feast took place in Virginia in 1619,). Boston residents have been practicing this feast ritual for almost four hundred years. We design menus and decorations with homage to the pilgrims; these decadent spreads of food, flora and fauna pay homage to our ancestors. This celebratory holiday inspires both brides and wedding planners alike. If your wedding is in Boston, Newport or Cape Cod - here are a few tips to get your Thanksgiving wedding on track.
Let's Eat - A wedding dinner can be fully repliacted for a Thanksgiving theme. Thanksgiving dinner is the focal point of the holiday. Sharing a meal with friends, family and loved ones creates wonderful and lasting memories. Remember they are loved ones, no fried turkeys. Serve healthy flavorful dishes that harken back to days of the pilgrims. Some traditional and flavorful appetizers include stuffed mushrooms, butternut squash dip, 
