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GRACE FLORA JOURNAL

An inside look at creating something beautiful

Trending Wedding Flowers

5/19/2026

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Wedding Inspiration: Choosing a Minimal, Petite Bridal Bouquet

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Petite bridal bouquets are having their moment in these last few years. 

If you are the type of person who appreciates less is more, simplicity, and not over-stuffing, a petite bouquet might be exactly what you've been looking for. Rather than disappearing into a sea of greenery and filler, each stem gets to be seen, appreciated, and celebrated for what it brings to the bouquet! I cannot help but think of a good Margherita pizza which accomplishes the same thing - few quality ingredients that can make you want to eat the whole pizza. You can see where my head is at after a wedding :) 

If you are having a wedding in Toronto, I also want to be clear and transparent about the pricing in this region. Petite bouquet does not necessarily mean cheaper bouquet. You are choosing artistry and quality over an abundance of cheaper blooms. It may result in a roughly cheaper price than a standard garden bouquet but depending on your choice of flowers it could be about the same. I say this not to deter you away from choosing this but to help you realize and appreciate the individual cost of more unique flowers. 
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My Top 3 Reasons to Choose a Petite Bridal Bouquet as a Toronto Wedding Florist

  1. You appreciate the beauty in details. Fewer flowers demands attention on the quality of each flower and how every single bloom contributes to the whole. With the right type of flowers, you can have a show-stopping gorgeous bouquet without the bulk, which means everything in your hands earns its place. 
  2.  Seasonality works in your favour — for freshness and price. When flowers are in season, you avoid the extra shipping costs that come with sourcing from far away, which means a better price and noticeably fresher blooms. As a Toronto wedding florist, sourcing from local farms such as French Blooms, May's Home Garden or The Local Flower Collective is such a gift when it's during May to October. Spring is an incredible time to feature flowers that hold their own beautifully on their own. Think peonies, lilac, fringe tulips, and fritillaria, as well as delicate filler flowers like orlaya, Solomon's seal, light blue muscari, and nigella.
  3. A minimal bouquet balances a flower-heavy wedding. If your ceremony will be adorned with a sizeable floral installation — whether it's an arch where you and your partner will stand or lush arrangements down the aisle — a petite bouquet can help balance the overall look. I'd even argue that exercising a little restraint in the size of the bouquet, adds elegance and finesse to the aesthetic you're trying to achieve. 
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Choosing your Wedding Florist

In my opinion, a petite bouquet actually requires more artistry from your florist. Your florist has to be deeply thoughtful about which varieties to pair, how the textures play off one another, and how the whole composition will sit in your hands as you walk down the aisle. It's a different kind of skill than building something lush and abundant. Both have their place, but the petite bouquet asks for precision and intention. 

These are all good thoughts to be thinking when considering your vendors and your overall vision. Being open and talking to your florist are always good ideas :) 
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Mother's Day Flowers in Toronto

4/27/2026

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A Bouquet for Every Kind of Mom

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Mother's Day is one of those rare days that asks something quiet of us — to pause, to notice, to thank the woman who's been doing the noticing for everyone else all year. And while a card is lovely and a brunch reservation is appreciated, there's a reason flowers have been the language of this day for generations. They say what words sometimes can't.

This year, Mother's Day falls on Sunday, May 10, 2026, and we're now taking orders for delivery and local pickup in Toronto. But before you click "order," we wanted to share something we've been thinking about lately: not all moms are the same — so why should every bouquet be?

The mom at the kitchen table

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You know this scene. There's a half-eaten bowl of Cheerios on the table. A peanut butter knife resting on the lid. A construction-paper craft with glitter still drying. Somewhere, a child is calling her name to help them in the bathroom. 

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This is the mom who adores her children but would die for five minutes of quiet and maybe a coffee that's still hot. For her, flowers are a small, soft interruption to the chaos — a reminder that someone sees her, and not just as Mom.

For this mom, we love garden-inspired arrangements with flowers that feel like they belong on a sunny breakfast table next to a kid's crayon drawing. They're playful but elegant, casual but considered. The kind of arrangement that makes her stop, smile, and forget about the dishwasher for a minute.
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The mom with the teacup

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Then there's another kind of mother. Maybe she's the one who taught you how to set a proper table. Maybe she's the grandmother whose home always smells faintly of bergamot and lemon polish. Maybe she's the mom who's always quietly elegant, no matter the occasion.

She doesn't need flash. She appreciates restraint, beauty, and craftsmanship. Her style is in the details — a fresh teacup, a folded linen napkin, a single perfect bloom in a bud vase by the window.

For this mom, we lean into classic, refined arrangements. The palette is balanced, the silhouette is sculptural, and the overall feeling is timeless. These are flowers that look as beautiful in a Sunday afternoon photograph as they do beside her morning tea.
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How to Choose the Right Mother's Day Bouquet

Not sure which bouquet fits the mom in your life? A few small things to think about:
Think about her home. Does she lean modern and minimal, or warm and layered? Would she like a monochromatic, single variety of flowers or a whimsical, mixed garden look? 
Think about her colour choices. Does she wear bright coloured clothing or prefer neutrals? Does she decorate her home with bold accents pieces or keep everything in the same colour tone? 

Think about what she'd never buy for herself. Most moms don't buy themselves flowers. The ones they'd choose are usually too "fussy" or "too much." That's exactly why this is the day to send them.

Why Local Toronto Flowers Matter

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When you order from a Toronto florist for Mother's Day, you're not just sending flowers — you're sending fresh blooms that were thoughtfully selected, hand-arranged, and delivered with care. 

We offer Mother's Day flower delivery in East York, Midtown, North York, Markham, and Richmond Hill as well as local pickup in East York and Markham. Orders are open now and close on Wednesday, May 7, so we have time to hand-pick the best stems for your mom.

How to Order

Browse our Mother's Day collection and place your order through our website. 
A few quick reminders:
  • Order deadline: Wednesday, May 7
  • Delivery date: Saturday, May 9 
  • Pickup: Available in East York and Markham

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Whatever kind of mom you're celebrating this year — the one with the sticky breakfast table or the one with the porcelain teacup — there's a bouquet that fits her. And there's still time to make her day, this Mother's Day.

Order Mother's Day flowers in Toronto.  

Photography by Hannah Belvedere Photography 
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An Elegant Modern take on Jewel-Toned Wedding Flowers

3/26/2026

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Transforming Jewel Toned Wedding Flowers into Something Tasteful

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When I used to think of jewel toned wedding flowers, my mind would go to emerald green, ruby red, purple and blue. I remember seeing it in wedding aesthetics that were more moody, dark, and saturated. 

When my bride asked me to use this colour palette for her Fall wedding, I wanted to make it lighter, delicate but still bold and awesome. 

Keeping bold and bright but with elegance and lightness

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For Jeannie's bridal bouquet, I kept the hot pink and deep purple undertones but softened it with light pink, nude, and periwinkle. Since her bridesmaids already had green and blue dresses, I didn't need to use heavy greens. I let the hot pink ranunculus and rose be the predominant colour paired with airy flowers like delphinium to give it movement and lightness. Everybody could not stop talking about her bouquet and despite the overcast day, she shone like a beauty. I think this palette would still work beautifully for a summer jewel toned wedding if your wedding was not in the Fall.  

Leveraging natural elements of a restaurant wedding venue 

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When you live in a city like Toronto, Boston, New York, there are so many restaurants that are also available as a wedding venue. This can be a great option because you can leverage off a few big things - delicious food, top notch interior decor, and intimacy. Some restaurants in Toronto I would want to have my wedding include Canoe, SARA, Archeo! If your guests having a good time and good food are important to you on your wedding day, you will want to check out these restaurant wedding venues! 

Jeannie and AJ originally planned for their ceremony on the patio outside the restaurant but due to rain, we moved it inside on this velvet wine red couch that matched perfectly with the jewel-tone palette. Then for the reception, we did an easy flip and repurposed it by the bar stool. 
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Happy wedding day Jeannie and AJ!

Vendors:

Flowers: Grace Flora Studio
Venue: SRV Boston
Photographer: Harper Photo & Co
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Beautiful, Country Estate for the Perfect Wedding Venue

1/17/2024

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The Lyman Estate - Why Your Wedding Should Be Here

bride groom estate wedding waltham bouquet
All photos by Nicole Joy Fanel Photography
I recently had the honor of being the florist for K&R at the Lyman Estate in Waltham, MA. This was my first estate wedding and I immediately fell in love. For starters, it is nestled in my hometown, Waltham, MA and second, the architecture and grounds speak for itself (if you don't believe me, Little Women was filmed here!). 
Lyman estate waltham ma wedding venue

Architecture that Gives your Venue an Extra Edge

If architecture is important to you, it is a National Historic Landmark and one of the finest U.S. examples of a country estate following 18th century English naturalistic design. It was built in 1793 commissioned by Theodore Lyman to design and build a federal style house for his family.

​Even if you don't care that much about architecture, anyone can appreciate the detailing and style of the staircase and Palladian window (bottom right image) as well as the library (bottom left image). 
bridal bouquet soft flowers
groom library estate wedding venue
bride getting ready estate wedding bouquet

The Grounds

bride walking down aisle outdoor garden wedding estate Boston
bride groom wedding couple happy
bridal bouquet natural organic soft waltham Boston ma wedding
If you are getting married in the Summer, you can really benefit from the natural beauty at the Lyman Estate. The Peach Wall Garden is this 400ft wall that separates the formal garden from the woods outside the property and makes for an awesome backdrop! 
bridesmaids bouquet flowers soft peach
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Something that makes the Lyman Estate so fun are the greenhouses! I loved the photos here and how it adds something different and special to your typical wedding venue.
greenhouse wedding couple Lyman estate waltham ma
greenhouse wedding couple Lyman estate waltham ma

Whimsical, Backyard Summer, Romantic Flowers

K&R wanted flowers that were light, airy, white, cream white a pop of peach and toffee. Cannot describe how much I love K's bouquet. I used Juliet Garden Rose, Icelandic Poppy, Lisianthus, and Butterfly Ranunculus as the main features of her bouquet. 
bridal bouquet natural organic soft waltham Boston ma wedding
bridal bouquet natural organic soft waltham Boston ma wedding

Minimal but Elegant, Mixed Reception Centerpiece

K&R wanted a combination of different centerpieces using a traditional compote vase as well as bud vases. I've noticed this trend becoming more popular and it's a great way to be more cost effective and had variation while keeping things cohesive. 
outdoor wedding reception centerpiece pink peach flowers organic
outdoor wedding reception centerpiece pink peach flowers organic
outdoor wedding reception centerpiece pink peach flowers organic
outdoor wedding reception centerpiece pink peach flowers organic
outdoor wedding reception centerpiece pink peach flowers organic
Happy wedding day to the beautiful K&R! 

Vendors:

Flowers: Grace Flora Studio
Venue: Lyman Estate
Photographer: Nicole Joy Fandel Photography
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Romantic Fireplace Summer Wedding

10/11/2023

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Historic, Charming, Intimate Wedding Venue near Boston

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Photography: Nina Weinstein Photography
I had the honor of designing flowers at The Groton Inn in Groton, MA. For me, it was a hidden gem with 3 top qualities a wedding venue should possess - historic, charming, and intimate. 
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Once "America's oldest inn," the Groton Inn was destroyed by a fire in 2011 and only reopened in 2018. It's quite hard to believe that has happened, considering the way they still kept the historic charm, have maintained its world-class amenities and incredible customer service.

The Fireplace and Courtyard

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The outdoor fireplace in the courtyard was such a unique and captivating backdrop. I love how it was part of the exterior wall of the Inn and provided such a great contrast to the white wall. It fit Kayla and David's theme of "Summer meets Fall" quite perfectly with the color palette: mauve, gold, deep purple and peach tones. 

My Favorite Bouquet of All Time!

Let's talk about the bridal bouquet. The colors, textures and deep richness of the privett berry came so naturally and blended so easily -- and it wasn't all whites and creams. The pop of the golden ranunculus tied really well with the fireplace. Using mauve in such an elegant, romantic, soft arrangement was such a joy. I would make this bouquet over and over if I could!   
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The Porch

I love the charming detailing of this Inn to make it really feel like a home. The porch helped bring that intimate, romantic feeling to life and was a great spot for first looks!  
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The Vintage Car

All I can say is cue Taylor Swift's Getaway Car.
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The Reception

The reception was clean, bright, elegant and made you feel at home. Perfect for any wedding day! 
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Congratulations to the beautiful Kayla and David! 
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Like what you see? Let's chat!

Vendors:

Flowers: Grace Flora Studio
Venue: The Groton Inn
Photographer: Nina Weinstein Photography
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Stunning Neutral Wedding Flowers without Using all White

5/1/2023

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Nailing a Neutral Color Palette with Pops of Color

Boho chic wedding flowers neutral bouquet dried flowers
Stephanie and Roderick had a vision for their wedding - Boho chic meets Crazy Rich Asians in the most perfect venue, Roger Williams Park Botanical Center in Providence, RI (if you've seen the movie, you will get why!). 

Dried and Fresh Flowers

Boho chic wedding flowers neutral bouquet dried flowers
Boho chic wedding flowers neutral boutonniere dried flowers
The inspiration for a neutral color palette without using all white, came down to combining fresh and dried flowers with zero greenery.
My recommendation on how to add pops of color to a neutral color palette: use muted pink or dusty rose, toffee or terracotta, and light sandy colors against your whites and creams.  
Boho chic wedding flowers neutral bridal bouquet dried flowers
Boho chic wedding flowers neutral bouquet dried flowers
Happy asian couple wedding carousel Rhode Island flowers
Boho chic wedding flowers neutral bouquet dried natural
Boho chic wedding flowers neutral bouquet dried natural
Without overkilling "boho," we used a healthy, moderate amount of dried pampas grass, dried sun palm, dried bunny tail with some of my favorites - quicksand roses, toffee roses, cremons, and white strawflower. 
Boho chic wedding flowers neutral dried natural ceremony arch
Boho chic wedding flowers neutral dried natural ceremony arch
Boho chic wedding flowers neutral dried natural ceremony arch
If you can believe it, this arch was built by the bride's father and designed exactly to my requests so that the flowers could be secured and placed exactly where I want them. Couples ... this is how you use your close resources! 
Boho chic wedding flowers neutral dried natural reception centerpiece
Boho chic wedding flowers neutral dried natural reception centerpiece
Boho chic wedding flowers neutral dried greenhouse New England reception centerpiece
Inside the greenhouse was where the reception took place. Let me tell you, the tropical flowers, ivy and beautiful greenery that surrounded the place made everything truly magical. 

We got to repurpose the ceremony arch as the backdrop for the sweetheart table and it was perfect! 
Boho chic wedding flowers neutral dried greenhouse New England reception centerpiece
Boho chic wedding flowers neutral dried greenhouse New England reception centerpiece
Congratulations to Stephanie and Roderick for bringing their vision, entrusting me, and ending up with an incredible and beautiful wedding I will never forget. 
Are you looking for something similar? Let's chat!

Vendors:

Flowers: Grace Flora Studio
Venue: Roger Williams Park Botanical Center
Catering: Pranzi Catering
Photographer: Indigo & Ivory
Videographer: Earth + Sun Co
Entertainment: MadLove LLC
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Elevating an Intimate, Backyard Wedding

9/29/2022

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How to Elevate an Intimate, Backyard Wedding

Backyard intimate wedding chuppah bright natural flowers simple elevated
Photography: Jemima Richards
Danielle and Jason wanted an intimate, backyard wedding with the theme, "simple, but elevated." 

We focused on a bright, vibrant color palette with a sophisticated, clean look to take this wedding to the next level. 

​Here's how we did it. 

Elevating the Chuppah - Focus on CONTRAST

Backyard intimate wedding chuppah bright natural flowers simple elevated
Photography: Jemima Richards

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Top Wedding Venue in Boston

4/25/2022

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Getting the best of both worlds at this Boston wedding venue

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Photography: Lensy Michelle Photo
When I first stepped foot at Misselwood Events at Endicott College, I knew this was going to my favorite Boston venue and I wasn't even the one getting married! 

To me, it was the best of both worlds - the ocean and historical architecture. 

Allow me to take you through a little walk through of Melissa and Mark's dream wedding. ​

Misselwood Estate

Bride groom Boston venue historic estate wedding flowers summer
The Misselwood estate is the perfect backdrop for photos, including a balcony (Aladdin vibes anyone?), a gorgeous library with classic black and white checkered tiles (Beauty and the Beast!), and a sunroom filled with ceiling to floor windows. It's definitely got the Disney magical touch. 

Talk about plenty of photo ops just around this charming estate! 
Bride getting ready library Boston wedding
Boston wedding venue historic building ceremony
Bride groom wedding flowers bouquet estate venue windows
Vintage library Boston wedding venue estate
Bride groom Boston wedding estate outdoor balcony romantic
First look Boston wedding venue estate red brick balcony

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Best Flowers to Use for a Boho Chic Wedding

3/2/2022

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Top Flowers for a Boho Chic Wedding

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It seems like one of the popular wedding and décor trends for 2021 and 2022 is boho chic. Typically, boho chic describes an earthy, ethereal, effortless vibe that incorporates dried flowers. It often involves a neutral color palette with accents of terracotta, burnt orange, blush, peach, or darker tones. 

While this is becoming super popular, it is also pricy because dried flowers typically cost more than fresh flowers.

How do you create a boho chic look without breaking the bank? 
The key to a budget-friendly, boho chic look, is curating the perfect balance of dried and fresh flowers that has variation in shape, texture, and dimension. You do not have to get loads of pampas grass (which is expensive) to make your arrangement look full. Using something like dried sun palms, which has a large width and is less expensive than the large pampas grass can help you cut costs. Nailing down your focal flower is also important. This is the flower your eye is first drawn to. I like my focal flower to either have an accent color and/or be largest and most unique flower. 
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What Flowers to Use

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To create this arrangement, I focused on an earthy and elegant aesthetic, with a pop of terracotta as my accent color. 

Focal Flower
I was super excited to use toffee roses as the star of this arrangement. Especially with a neutral color palette, your eye is immediately drawn to the toffee rose. Quite literally, the color is a toffee, caramel, terracotta color which pairs really well with dried flowers. 

Secondary Flowers
For a soft, romantic touch, I used quicksand roses, white ranunculus, and white freesia. For texture, I used white astilbe, chocolate queen anne's lace, dried sun palm, and dried bunny tail. For height, I used white snapdragon.

​Foliage 
Dusty miller was a perfect compliment to this arrangement. Its velvet texture and silver blue/green color was a great way to tie in everything! 
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To add to this compote vase arrangement, you can pair it with an assortment of bud vases filled with a dried and fresh flower. 
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I hope this flower breakdown can give you a starting point for your next boho chic event!
Curious to learn more? Let's connect!

Florist: Grace Flora Studio
Event Planner/Designer: Krissy Campbell Celebrations
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How to Make a $10 Quick and Easy Fall Wreath

10/28/2021

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DIY $10 Quick and Easy Fall Wreath

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Fall is here! I love this time of the year for the same reason everyone else does - the Fall colors.

Around October, our front lawn has Little Quickfire Hydrangeas that start to become an ombré reddish purple, beige, and faded lime green (see right). This type of hydrangea dries really well, making it perfect for dried flower bouquets, house décor, and wreaths!  

I quickly whipped up a Fall wreath using everything foraged from my front lawn. My goal was to make it quick, easy, and affordable (just paying for the cost of the wreath!) 
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How to make a Quick and Easy Fall Wreath

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Materials
  • 24" grapevine wreath (I got mine from Michael's here which was $9.99) 
  • Little Quickfire Hydrangeas, grasses, pods, lavender, any foraged flowers that dry well (see list below)
  • Scissors
Best Flowers to Dry 
  • Eucalyptus 
  • Strawflowers
  • Hydrangeas
  • Lavender
  • Gomphrena
  • Statice
  • Yarrow 
  • ​Rose
If you decide to dry these yourself, cut the stem, remove the leaves, and hang upside down in a bundle in a dark, well ventilated area. 

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