I can see what you mean about having an elegant dress, and then having sunflowers in your bouquet! It doesn't *quite* go together. Sunflowers are a bit more informal. That being said, I think the colors are gorgeous, and can be very elegant in themselves, if the flowers are not quite so. My concern would be, would you have flowers that late? When in October is the wedding? Dahlias can be more elegant, and bloom for me fairly late although I can't remember off the top of my head HOW late - at least late September, I think. I once grew an absolutely gorgeous dahlia called End of Summer, which did not even begin to bloom till the end of fall, lol - way into October and even November (although it was a very warm autumn that year). Unfortunately the color probably wouldn't do well for you. However, there are lots of red, yellow, and orange dahlias to choose from. I would just go to a vendor's site (Dan's Dahlias, Swan Island, Frey's) and just look through their pictures. Goldenrod (solidago) is a nice fall flower, and of course mums and asters can be had. As for sunflowers, there are lots to choose from. I grow two that are a deep, brownish red - Velvet Queen and Prado Red. One of them is really almost brown - might actually be ugly if it weren't so unusual, and it can be used to complement other sunflowers. I've also grown Earthwalker, Bees Knees, and Pastiche, which are bicolor/mixed color sunflowers. Sparky is a kind of cool, quilled sunflower. And then a quick search at T&M showed a sunflower called Claret which was described as having a "gorgeous metallic sheen", and Little Dorrit, which has beautiful big centers. There are so many sunflowers. Again, I would go to a vendor site such as T&M or Johnny's and just search through their offerings. Let's see... I don't suppose you would have helenium that late? Or maybe heliopsis? Monkshood? Sedum? How about some pansies - the large icicle pansies can be quite eye-catching. Ooh, I just thought of something - how about ornamental kale? They come in pinks, purples, reds and whites, and can be absolutely beautiful - and don't forget the smaller, cut-flower kales. Like roses in fall - gorgeous! http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=ornamental%20kale&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wi I would also do a google search for fall wedding flowers. I'm sure you would find lots of ideas, aside from the orange roses from the florist, lol. Good luck. Please let us know what you and your niece decide. What an exciting project! :) Dee Here is a link that might be useful: cut-flower kale

I would second the vote for dahlias - they come in wonderful shapes, forms, and colors and they make stunning arrangements. In containers, you could cover them if you have frost and they'll be wonderful - the colors of dahlias are always the best and richest at that time of year. Most of my other annuals are finished by this time - I have asters and mums in the fall (but they aren't annuals) - asters are generally finished in September here in Illinois but some of the mums are still lovely in October til hard frost. You can pick those up at garden centers at this time of year and they could be really nice filler flowers. Don't ignore pretty foliage - you may already have some in your garden in trees or shrubs - in October you might be able to add things like japanese maples. I have a green one that turns beautiful gold in the fall along with the deep crimson red. Do you have theme colors picked for your wedding?

I'm sorry, Beth, I think I must have missed a post somewhere regarding your loss (when was this?). You have my sympathy. I am glad for you though that you got to see family memebers you miss. That is a very good idea that you get together next year, just for a get-together, rather than for a funeral or wedding. It was a few months ago that an aunt of mine passed away and although it was sad, it was also good to get together with family. It was also good to find out about some health issues that several people had that seem to run in the family. My DH mom's side of the family is so good about having a Fletcher reunion each summer on the Sat. before July 4. That way everyone knows when it is and can plan on attending from where ever they are. My Mom-in-marriage was one of 11 children and I think it is absolutely wonderful that normally they all get together. She was the first of the siblings to pass away, which really hit the others hard as she had been the best of friends to most of them as well as sort of the bedrock of the family. It is a shame that it takes something like that to wake people up, so that they will try to make up and renew their relationships. . . If there is someone in your family that you have quarreled with, make it a point to make a difference and try to make up, not just for your wellbeing, but also for them and the rest of the family. How many of us would ache if still have a grudge with someone and something were to happen tomorrow so that we could never even try to make things right?

I see that also. our neighborhood posted a map for those that were giving out candy. Parents are leading and directing the children. To much traffic and people just not wanting to partiapate. I had 2 friends go to dinner so they didn't have to deal with it. .