Heather contacted me just last week about flowers for her wedding. She told me she loves tulips and that her wedding colours were ivory, deep green and grey.
For her bouquet I used white tulips with a mix of ivory candy scented roses and created a mock-cascade with trailing asparagus plumosa foliage.
Using white tulips, she asked me to create something simplistic for her centrepieces. I decided to create asymmetrical arrangements by layering tulips, which created a little more movement and flow in the centrepieces.
As a little thank-you, I found a large rectangle vase in my studio, and with some remaining white tulips and foliage, I made a larger scale version of the centrepieces.
I usually always try to do a little something extra for weddings when I can. After all, it’s a celebration that happens once in a lifetime. Why not do what you can to make this day extra special for the bride and groom?
Marsala is a famous wine and gets its name from the city where it originates on the island of Sicily in Italy. It is believed to have been around since the time of the Romans and has been exported from that region for hundreds of years. The Rubino Marsala in particular has such a warm and romantic burgundy pink color, no wonder Pantone decided to name it their colour of the year for 2015!
Originally sparked by Pantone, I have certainly been inspired by this rich colour pallet and history. This was my decor theme for my booth at the Dazzle Me wedding show on March 29th, what a great colour for wedding decor!
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This Italian inspired floral arrangement has been created in a detailed gold vintage container and would be perfect as a wedding decor accent on your welcome table, gift table, or sweetheart table.
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Following a vintage theme, I re-purposed a second hand vintage inspired teacup set to create cute yet romantic wedding table centrepieces.
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A copper pitcher full of flowers is accented with ‘Crimson’ curly willow branches to add height, interest, and a slightly whimsical and natural feel.
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Loosely hand tied with trailing ribbons of various colours, this large wedding bouquet will certainly make an impact!
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This wedding bouquet uses more pink hues from the marsala pallet and includes cymbidium orchids, spray roses, chrysanthemums, and hydrangea.
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A boutonniere arranged in a miniature pin-on vase featuring burgundy ranunculus, twine and foliage.
In my initial consultation with Jenny she chose classic, traditional and antique to best describe her wedding style. Soft pinks and Ivory were her two main wedding colours complemented by navy blue bridesmaids dresses and decor accents.
Together we decided on flowers that really spoke to her classic style. Photographed by Brady McCloskey Photography, Hydrangea, Vendela Roses and both pale pink and blush pink Spray Roses set the mood for this couples day. Variegated New Zealand Pittosporum and lace accented her hand-tied bouquets by emphasizing an antique look, while Gunni Eucalyptus worked to integrate that feeling of navy blue into the floral bouquets.
Vintage teacups were placed at each table setting to add an extra antique touch to the reception space, along with a vintage teacup that her Grandmother had given her to use as a cake top.
The table centrepieces consisted of a string of pearls with miniature, loosely hand-tied bouquets of Hydrangea and Spray Roses, arranged in low vases with pearlized glass rocks.
The summer may be drawing to a close, but there is still so much in bloom all around the house. I had to go out side and collect some of the last summer blooms before the fall is in full swing.
Study #2 – Early Fall Flowers and Foliage
Most of these wild flowers, rose hips and berries were hiding in the hedge rows between the fields around the house. I have a good feeling about the arrival of fall this year, don’t you? It’s so pretty here in Brackley Beach!
If you’re planning to have blue flowers for your wedding, this list will come in handy!
True blue is actually a very rare colour for flowers. Due to the process of pollination, flowers simply naturally select red and yellow pigments over blue, because those colours attract more insects and birds. In more than 280,000 flowering plant species around the world, less than 10% produce blue flowers. In floral design, purple is usually used as a substitute for blue. But, there are a few varieties that we florists are able to get our hands on! Below is a list that I have compiled of different blue flora, however short it may be!
Blue spring bulb flowers are common flowers that florists use and include: Muscari– rather small in size, these flowers are also called grape hyacinth. Hyacinth – these flowers are also known for their wonderful scent. Iris– probably the most popular blue bulb flower and also come in shades of purple and white.
Very common blue mass flowers: Agapanthus – native to South Africa, these bulb flowers are available most of the year. Hydrangea – a popular wedding flower, available in light blue as well as white, green and other colours.
Other common blue flowers that florists will carry: Delphinium – this is a very blue line flower, meaning that it’s blooms grow vertically up the stem. Blue Eryngium – this flower looks more like a greenery and is available most of the year.
Less common blue flowers that florists may carry: Bachelor’s Buttons – found north of the equator and is available in late summer. Echinops – can be cultivated in Canada for the late summer. Blue Strelitzia Reginae – or Blue Birds of Paradise, are white and blue tropical flowers. These flowers are extremely rare. Blue Viburnum Berries – sometimes available in late summer or early fall.
Blue Foliage: True blue foliage is extremely rare, probably even more so than blue flowers. Below I have compiled a short list of foliage that has cool tones, although none of these are true blue. But these greeneries will often give you the feeling of blue, especially when mixed with brightly coloured flowers like yellows, oranges and hot pinks.
Succulents– these plants are actually considered a flower, but for our purposes I have placed them with foliage. They come in many varieties including ‘hen and chicks’. Eucalyptus – available all year round and come in many different varieties including: Sprial, Seeded, Silver Dollar, Gunni and Parvifolia. Dusty Miller – more silver than blue, this velvety foliage is also available year round. Lambs Ear – quite velvety, similar to Dusty Miller.
A Bridal Bouquet is the most important arrangement in a bridal flower order. It is a direct expression of You, so it should be everything you’ve dreamed!
Yesterday’s post was about ways to make the flowers for your wedding a little greener, as well as ways to make your centrepieces a little more eco-friendly. Today’s post is focusing on: Your Bouquet!
Hand-tied vs. Wired Wedding Bouquets Wired wedding bouquets use A LOT of tapes and wire, as well as hard plastic and foam bouquet holders (not biodegradable!). Hand-tied bouquets use no wire and a minimal amount of tape (if any). Instead, their stems are tied and wrapped by hand, with ribbon (or fabric, etc.)
Cascading Wedding Bouquets Some styles of cascading wedding bouquets are still possible without all the wire, tapes and bouquet holders. Ask your florist about floral varieties that easily drape, namely Phalaenopsis Orchids, Dendrobium Orchids, Lisianthus/Eustoma, Bupleurum, Amaranthus, Asparagus Plumosa, and Variegated Lily Grass. Using flowers that are already cascading in nature allows your florist to create a hand-tied, cascading bouquet, more easily. Be open to your florist’s suggestions because they know best!
Green Accents for Your Wedding Replace plastic based ribbons with cotton based materials or natural fibres like twine or burlap. Or again, think re-purpose! I have a bride next month who asked me to incorporate leftover fabric into her wedding order, which was from tailoring her bridesmaids dresses. Just be creative! And have fun doing it!
*Above photo: Check yesterday’s post for the ingredients for the above photo.
The great thing about a green wedding, is not only are you showing Mother Nature a little extra love on your wedding day, it’s also a little easier on your pocket!
Local Materials Request your florist to check in your area to see if there are any local greenhouses growing commercial grade flowers. Be open to what’s available in colours and varieties. Local = less world wide shipping + supports your local economy. Win, win!
On-Site Materials Ask your florist if they are open to designing the floral arrangements for your wedding using some of the naturally occurring flora in your area. Certain times of the year may be better than others to find quality outdoor flowers and other materials. Trust your florist’s advice, eye for design, and years of experience. Also, sometimes quantity can not always be guaranteed: weather happens! So, work with your florist in advance to come up with Plan B.
Eco-Friendly Wedding Centrepieces Think re-purpose! Even recycled containers can be easily concealed or up-cycled to suit many different wedding themes. Simply paint them or completely cover them with leaves. Potted plants can also make great table centrepieces. Go super green by using trios of ‘Veggie Patch’ or ‘Herb Garden’ plants that your guests can take home with them. Have your florist arrange them for you to add that extra visual appeal! ; )
*Ingredients for above photo: Queen Anne’s Lace, Solidago, Clover, Cerastium, and other field flowers in the area.
