Poppies

Last weekend I had a lovely wedding job out of town, with a relaxed country theme for the bridal flowers and table arrangements. The buzz words for the day were poppies...herbs...fragrance and that just picked from the garden look - which of course takes one florist and one trusty friend all morning to pull off!

In addition to getting the Iceland Poppies which the bride was desperate for, I was able to get Lily of the Valley - one of the sweetest, fragrant and tiniest bloomed flowers going. So that kept me happy!

 

leftover Lily of the Valley with trusty prop - moss bunny

 the table arrangements were carefully planned by the bride to incorporate a variety of found glass jars and specimen vases, on vintage doilies and filled with fragrant stuff. The cake table and sweets table (a wafting smorgasboard of delicious homemade sweets, lollies, chocolates etc which drove us mad whilst setting up) had matching arrangements.

   Below are a few in the same specimen jar style from Martha Stewart Weddings...these are so interesting, relaxed and uncontrived but can sometimes present a headache for caterers and guests alike due to the "fidli-ness" of so many components on the table. If there's not plenty of room for all the flatware, silverware and glassware (not to mention bomboniere and gesticulating hands of happy guests) then there may be bumps and spills. To retain the casual look without sacrificing practicality, my tip would be to contain grouped vessels on a vintage silver or cut-glass tray, or even rustic wooden breakfast trays or tin drinks trays. Otherwise to restrict most of the vases to low and wide based shapes. Obviously Martha need not follow my tips...

And finally a little flourish outside on the guests chairs, and HUGE thanks to my friend Jackie for doing all the running round and being great company on the day! X

Winter weddings...or alternative activities...

It is definitely winter here in Canberra, and certainly not wedding season for me at brave botanics although I would love to make some winter wedding flowers. 

I think it is the contemporary trend towards weddings with an outdoor setting which obviously dissuades couples from planning a winter celebration, despite several lovely venues in Canberra with nice warm fires and a charming atmosphere. Also the wedding fashions, I suppose. 

Any brides out there willing to break with trends and forge your own path to a fantastic winter celebration please be in touch...for next year obviously!

There are actually many lovely flowers available, but you rarely see winter weddings in any of the Australian wedding magazines for inspiration. Although they release winter editions, they still feature summer/spring weddings. Anyway...the blossom trees in shades of white and pink have unfurled while I wasn't watching and there are bucket loads of papery poppies in tangy warm shades, daffodils, hyacinth and soon sweet peas. Also the year-rounders such as full roses and all sorts of orchids. Below is I think my one and only winter bouquet - it includes wattle - a sentimental and nostalgic addition at the request of the bride about to head back OS with her French husband to be.

  

Also these beautiful wintery branches for inspiration!

Another beautiful bouquet full of wintery goodness (daffodils, jonquils, grape hyacinth, lily of the valley, ranunculas) is this one from Martha Stewart Weddings, in my humble opinion one of THE best sources of inspiration. I have always loved the bountiful, overflowing style of bouquets that Ms Stewart has made famous...but there's also the colour combinations, use of unusual plant materials, bindings, attention to detail. I often actually catch my breath when I see some of the bouquets, they are SO beautiful...www.marthastewartweddings.com

Next post from me will be a new project undertaken with some friends - a photo-a-day challenge. I know these type of creative challenges are not new (drawing-a-day, photo-a-day, I even unsuccessfully embarked on a collage-a-day...sorry Susannah!), but we all needed a bit of a reminder to retrain our eyes to the lovely or intriguing details to be found in the every day.

We will have images up once a week...a very diverse group of  people behind the cameras so it will be fun to see what we come up with, and how they sit together.

My camera has unceremoniously died at the beginning of this challenge, so I am off to purchase a replacement...

XNP