Dried Flowers

March 26, 2021March 26, 2021 / Sakurah's Flower Studio / Leave a comment

I have recently rediscovered the world of dried flowers, and wow, am I loving it! After growing many different flowers last year, and having such a big bounty nearing the end of the season, I decided to start drying some of them. This project went really well, so then I decided to look for other varieties that I could forage locally to add to designs. At the time I was most interested in making wreaths, but I soon fell in love with working with dried materials and started creating many different designs. Soon I decided that my dried flower creations needed a whole separate shop to themselves, and Island Flower Girl was born. Let me show you what I’ve been up to!

First I started creating wild wreaths. I wanted to make something really earthy, unique and textural. Something that you don’t typically see around – full of nature’s spirit, yet still well-made. Then I decided to try designs on gold hoops that were softer and more delicate, yet still with a boho feel.

Next, I wanted to bring the feeling of a wild meadow to a table arrangement that could be placed anywhere inside the home. I opted for a minimalist contemporary feel to contrast the dried flowers, by creating wooden stands for the flower stems to sit inside.

I also wanted to experiment with ways to wear dried flowers. First I made a set of hair pins which I thought were so versatile for many hairstyles! Then I decided to order in some jewelry findings and make some necklaces. I really love how these turned out!

Of course I also made some cute bouquets as well! These are the perfect size for budvases, bottles or other small vases.

Dried flowers have certainly made a comeback, and I couldn’t be happier! Once the garden is in bloom again I will be experimenting with some more brand new designs! Until then, I will still have some new Etsy shop updates planned throughout the coming months in some similar designs as above, so be sure you’re following @islandflowergirlpei and @sakurahsflowerstudio on Instagram!

Styled Shoot by Sarah Kierstead at Hazelbrook Homestead

October 12, 2017October 12, 2017 / Sakurah's Flower Studio / Leave a comment

I recently had the pleasure to work with an amazing group of female entrepreneurs on this end of summer styled shoot. It was all planned in a very short time frame (about one week!) and yet everything just fell into place so perfectly.

It all took place at one of my top favourite wedding venues – Hazelbrook Homestead, an intimate venue full of old world class and charm. It also has a small lake of it’s very own, multiple barns and a huge white fountain that makes me dream of the fairytales from my youth.

The photographer, Sarah Kierstead, has such a candid and unique style. Each photo evokes a feeling of both warmth and mystery, drawing you in for a closer look. Not to mention I am so in love with all of these deep, rich and earthy tones!

Katrina Tuttle – who knew at the age of only six that she wanted to be a fashion designer – created this gorgeous dress by hand. All of her bridal gowns are custom designed specifically for each bride, no tailoring or alterations needed!

The gorgeous model, Meredith Langille, was adorned with a beautiful handmade hair comb by one of my favourite Etsy vendors Oh Dina! and make-up by Savannah Belsher-Maclean. Savannah also happens to be the owner of Hazelbrook Homestead and Swoon Creations where she creates elegant handmade jewellery and accessories.

A big thanks to all of you for letting me take part! Your creativity and passion for what you do is evident in each and every photo! xox

Photographer: Sarah Kierstead Venue: Hazelbrook Homestead
Gown: Katrina Tuttle Bridal
Makeup: Savannah Belsher-Maclean Hair comb: Oh Dina! Model: Meredith Langille

Vanessa and Ryan – A Summer Beginning

September 5, 2017 / Sakurah's Flower Studio / Leave a comment

Vanessa and Ryan shared their vows at Shaw’s Hotel in Brackley Beach, PEI. This picturesque heritage hotel is nestled on the shore of a small ocean inlet, just minutes from Brackley Beach National Park.

Photographed by Paynter and Company, the couple start their day getting ready with their friends and family. The bride and her bridesmaids are busy with hair, make up and dresses, while the groom and his men are buttoning sleeves, fixing collars and tying ties.

The bride’s main wedding colours encompassed a pastel pallet that ranged from ivory and blush, to cooler hues of slate, lavender and grey. For her bouquet Vanessa chose a loose garden style with soft nude pink roses, large white peonies and lots of foliage, all hand-tied with handmade ivory silk ribbon.

The outdoor ceremony is framed by large shady trees that over look the gentle ocean waves of the inlet. The couple soon says ‘I Do’ and then with many big smiles and teary eyes, they leave to spend the afternoon on on the bright sandy beaches of the North Shore.

At the reception, a thin garland of mixed foliage and light pink wax flower ran the length of the head table where large white vases were placed to hold the girls bouquets. On the dance floor, round glowing lanterns illuminate a rafter ceiling while a large lighted sign depicting XOXO accented the wall.

With the idyllic ocean view venue, pastel colour pallet and whimsically lit dance floor, this wedding certainly celebrated a story of true love, and marked the beginning of those first days of Summer, beautifully.

Winter Romance – Emily and Andrew

July 28, 2015 / Sakurah's Flower Studio / 1 Comment

This gorgeous winter wedding was all class and romance.

Emily shared the same variety of ivory roses that her sister Jenny had in her June wedding, but with a romantic warm winter feel. For Emily’s bouquet, arranged in a bed of crimson culrly willow branches, I used a mix of cream roses, champagne roses and and scented ivory roses. Big cranberry red hypericum berries and winter foliage like pine and cedar served as this bouquets accents.

The bridesmaids bouquets blended her cranberry red and champagne colour pallette with the addition of deep red roses, all wrapped with ivory lace ribbon.

For the Grooms boutonniere, a large scented ivory rose was showcased with various winter greens and berries. It was then wrapped with cranberry ribbon and thin copper wire that was reminiscent of the willow branches in the bouquets.

The groomsmen boutonnieres used deep red roses to match the bridesmaids and were slightly smaller versions of the grooms boutonniere.

An ivory white 1950’s vintage car awaited the newly-weds and escorted them to their photo shoot at Province House before heading to their reception.

At their reception, The Haviland Club enhanced the warm romantic feel of this wedding with it’s crackling lit fireplaces, tall ceilings with heritage decorative mouldings and hardwood floors.

As a special gift for Emily and Andrew, I created a floral tapestry with some extra stems from her wedding bouquets to hang on the wall of the dining area.

Don’t forget to check out Brady McCloskey’s website here, or check out his blog for fun ideas for your engagement photo-shoot and some great tips on preparing for a rainy day.

Downtown Farmer’s Market

June 29, 2015June 29, 2015 / Sakurah's Flower Studio / Leave a comment

Yesterday was the first market of the season at the Downtown Farmer’s Market in Charlottetown, PEI. I had so much fun! We will be there each Sunday from 11am – 4pm all Summer, so come on out and see what’s new! A big thanks to Jing Cui for taking these beautiful photos and to my neighbours, Island Lavender Company and Wild Island Cats!

Photo Credit: Jing Cui

May Flowers – Heather and Luke

May 15, 2015May 15, 2015 / Sakurah's Flower Studio / Leave a comment

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?

Finding Your Passion

March 23, 2015March 23, 2015 / Sakurah's Flower Studio / 2 Comments

The excitement, fulfilment, inspiration, motivation and joy from knowing that I am working toward my dreams, even if that’s conquering only one small goal at a time, is completely incomparable to any other work experiences I have ever had. I recently stumbled upon an article titled ’20 Signs You’ve Found Your Passion’. All of the points that were brought up completely describe my relationship with my business. Here are some highlights:

Productive Procrastination

To be honest, I always place a lot of time and effort on answering emails. My goal is to find a way to communicate ideas in the best possible way, so that there can be no mix-ups or miscommunication. I also strive to incorporate a warm and friendly feeling into each message I send, the kind of warmth I would show if talking to my clients in person. When spending long days at my desktop, I will sometimes take breaks by grabbing my favourite pen and brainstorming new or innovative ideas for my next upcoming projects… Which leads me to the next point:

I Gladly Spend Nearly All of my Free Time on my Business

I don’t mind dedicating my weekends to my work or spending my entire evening on my business either! It’s just simply what I love to do, and there are no TV shows or personal Facebook feeds that could compare to the immense joy I get from doing what I love to do – being a wedding florist.

Constant Inspiration and Drive to Better my Business

I often find that new ideas come to me during sometimes rather inconvenient times. In the shower, in the middle of the night, while I am out for a walk, I just don’t stop thinking about my business. Whether that’s coming up with a new marketing plan or a new way to physically create my products, my creative wedding flower wheels do not stop turning!

Have you also found your passion? I would love to hear about your stories! How did you find your passion? What is it that makes what you do so fulfilling? Leave your comments below.

Vintage Garden Inspired Wedding Bouquets

January 30, 2015 / Sakurah's Flower Studio / 1 Comment

I just received some gorgeous photos by Brady McCloskey Photography from a wedding I had the pleasure of creating the wedding flower bouquets! If you’re planning a wedding visit my Contact Page to book your free consultation. Read all about this Victorian inspired wedding here on my blog and be sure to check out Brady’s website to book your wedding, engagement or family photo session.

Time to start pinning up a storm!

A June Wedding: Jenny and Alistair

October 14, 2014October 14, 2014 / Sakurah's Flower Studio / 3 Comments

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.

Check out Brady’s photos of this wedding on Facebook!

A Victorian Themed Fall Wedding: Martine + Nathan

October 6, 2014January 30, 2015 / Sakurah's Flower Studio / 4 Comments

This past weekend I had the pleasure of creating the wedding flower arrangements for Martine and Nathan’s wedding. Martine’s main wedding colours were a mix of purple tones, accented with cream, pearls, and lace.

I selected flowers based on both the theme and budget. Immediately when I think of a Victorian themed wedding I think of ‘Vendella’ Ivory Roses, Gypsophila, and an elegant variegated greenery (I chose variegated New Zealand Pittosporum). To achieve the hand-tied garden style she desired, I used purple Lisianthus, and to keep us on budget, I chose lavender Stock and three different purple hues of ‘Moon Series’ Carnations. She had also requested that I incorporate some kind of berry, so I went with seeded Eucalyptus. These ‘seeds’ are smaller and more elegant looking than other types of berries, plus the dusted blue tone of the leaves helped to perfectly blend the Victorian and fall themes together.

Once my flowers arrive, the process begins! First, I cut each stem and start conditioning my flowers so that they’re ready for designing. While I wait for the flowers to condition, I start to make handmade name tags for the bouquets and boutonnieres. For these, I begin with textured brown paper, which I hand ripped into small rectangles. I then choose card stock that is in her bridesmaids dress colour, Victorian Lilac. To dress them up, I incorporate the look of the detailing from her wedding dress by attaching small, silver encased pearls to each tag.

Once the flowers have finished conditioning, I finally get to start making the bride and bridesmaids bouquets, my favourite part! Next I start preparing for the corsages and boutonnieres. First I choose a corsage ribbon that will match the wedding, in this case cream, and create all of the corsage bows. Then I lay out all of the materials for the first 6 corsages.

Next I make the Grooms boutonniere. Martine asked me to incorporate some of the left over material from alterations to her bridesmaid dresses. I gauged that there was enough left over to wrap the stems of all of the boutonnieres. This allowed the groomsmen boutonnieres to match perfectly with the bridesmaid dresses. And here you go!