Cradle Mountain Wedding in December

Cradle Mountain Wedding in December

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Photography by Michelle Dupont

Cradle Mountain is one of Tasmania's iconic natural beauties.  Its no surprise then, that some couples choose to tie the knot in this remarkable location.  In December 2016, I provided flowers for a summer wedding at Cradle Mountain on what proved to be a very wintery day.  It's not unusual for Cradle Mountain to be dusted in snow, even during the summer months.  The weekend chosen for this wedding was cold one with some wild weather but I think you'll agree from the gorgeous wedding photos, that the weather added to the atmosphere in this extraordinary place.

The bride wanted natives in red, green and white.  For the green, I used Tasmanian Myrtle-beech foliage.  Myrtle-beech is the dominant tree in Tasmania's cool temperate rain forests.  Its fresh new growth is a rich green and perfect for bouquets.  For the red, I used Waratahs.  The Tasmanian Waratah (Telopea Truncata) flowers mostly in November, but because of the mild spring weather, there were still plenty of flowers available in mid December.  Their rich vibrant pinky red seems to glow.

For the 'white', I used Berzelia Lanuguinosa, a white flowering fynbos plant that has lots of little balls of tightly packed flower heads. When the Berzelia flowers, the balls look fluffy and white - so pretty in bouquets.  The Berzelia at Swallows Nest Farm flowered right up til the end of December which is later than usual, but it was a treat to have them flowering so plentifully for so long. 

For the Bride's bouquet, I also used a larger, NSW Waratah (Telopea Speciosissima) and a Protea White Ice. 

The bride and the four bridesmaids also had some Scarlet Ribbons pincushions in their dark red phase, with orangey styles and deep red "ribbons".  The rich burgundy of Safari Sunset Leucadenrons was a great addition too.

I also added gum nuts and Leucadendron Jubilee Crown which are a rich red leucadendron cone.

Red, green and white, without being too christmassy - always important in December.

For the groom and the groomsmen, more myrtle, Tasmanian waratah's and Berzelia.  The groom also had a Jubilee Crown cone.

Photography by Michelle Dupont

The breathtaking photos by Tasmanian photographer Michelle Dupont were just perfect.  

Photography by Michelle Dupont

Beautiful landscape, beautiful light, beautiful bride! 

Photography by Michelle Dupont

As always, it was a privilege to be involved in this beautiful wedding!

Stonefield Wedding in Autumn

Stonefield Wedding in Autumn

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The colour theme for this mid-March wedding at Stonefield in Brighton, was neutrals.  The bride loved lots of interesting texture without the strong colour so I began collecting my ideas for this wedding by selecting the foliages.   Foliage is such an important part of a bouquet.  It can make such a difference to a design.  I began with a palette of blue-green foliages in different shapes and sizes.  In Autumn, the Eucalyptus Cordata, a beautiful spicy-fragranced blue leafed gum, was budding and just beginning to flower so it was a must.  I also used Tasmanian myrtle beech foliage - small glossy deep green leaves sitting prettily on stems that fan out.   I also used Irish Juniper - a beautiful variegated fine-leafed Juniper that is a tad prickly.  I forgive it because I love the blue green colour and texture it adds.  And finally for foliage, I used a beautiful blue-green cyprus that has a lovely bend to its branches.  

Each bouquet also contained Protea Pink Ice, and Protea White Ice as focal flowers.  Some garden grown hydrangeas in subtle whites and green with little flecks of pink added to the foliagy effect.  Some Leucadendron Gandogerii in its green, pre-flowering phase were also used.  It had lovely bronzey-pink tips 

  Among other ingredients I used, were pittosporum berries in a green and white variegated form and  some gorgeous green gum nuts from Corymbia Ficifolia.  At the back on the right, you can also see a Silver Tree cone, the fruit from the female Silver Tree, which is a Leucadendron often grown for its magnificent foliage.  The cones are stunning silvery velvety balls ranging from golf-ball to base-ball size.  The are a beautiful and unusual addition to a bouquet.

Another textural ingredient was Brunia Albiflora which is often seen before it flowers with its beautiful silvery grey balls.  In March it is flowering, so there are lots of tiny white flowers covering each of the balls opening from the outside-in and forming a fluffy white ring around each one.

Even though there is colour involved, the overall blend has a neutral look and the emphasis is on the texture of the bouquets.  

For the boutonnieres, I used green gum nuts.  I love using gum nuts in wedding flowers and they are quite versatile because you can use them at so many stages of their growth from flower right through to mature, dried woody nut.  These green ones are last years fruit that haven't yet aged to a woody exterior.  They're not always available, depending on the time of year.  

The gum nuts were teamed with a leaf from their mother tree, the Corymbia Ficifolia.  It has large leathery gum leaves that work well for the back of a boutonniere.  I also added some Irish Juniper and some pittosporum berries.  The groom stood out with the addition of some E. Cordata blooms in creamy white.

Stonefield - beautiful photography by Fred and Hannah

Stonefield is a beautiful venue!  The bride and groom opted for doing their own table decorations and paid for a selection of flowers that worked with their theme.

It's always lovely to pack a boot full of flowers!  Lots of Protea Pink Ice, at their best in Autumn, Eucalyptus, Myrtle Beech,  flowering Brunia, Leucadendron Silver Tree and some of the other bits and pieces from the bouquets - all ready to play with.

Stonefield - beautiful photography by Fred and Hannah

The reception Venue at Stonefield has an abundance of glass, making the most of the gorgeous gardens.

Stonefield, Brighton Tasmania

It's always nice to see pictures of how it all turned out!

I really loved the opportunity of creating these texture-rich bouquets.  It was a privilege, as always, to be involved in such a special day.  

Vibrant Summery Natives for a Vineyard Wedding

Vibrant Summery Natives for a Vineyard Wedding

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Photography by Looks Like This

Summer weddings call for gorgeous outdoor settings, and what could be more gorgeous than a summery vineyard?!  This January wedding was held at Frogmore Creek Winery in the beautiful Coal River Valley near Hobart.  The Coal River Valley is home to many beautiful vineyards and definitely worth a visit if you're in Tasmania.

The bride loved proteas, and the combination of red, orange and pink with green.  Colour!  What fun to play with these vibrant warm colours that sing "summer"!

Photography by Looks Like This

It was a joy to use the fresh, seasonal blooms in her chosen colours to create the bouquet.  I used a small red King Protea for the focal flower and surrounded it with different varieties of orange and red pincushions.   I also used some banksias, the intense orange Ericifolia and the rich wine coloured Praemorsa.  

Photography by Looks Like This

Pink was added using Kangaroo Paw called Bush Pearl.  Some rich burgundy Leucadendron Safari Sunsets provided contrast.  For the green,  I used some gorgeous spent Hebe flowers - the texture and colour was fresh and lively.  I also used my favourite glossy green Tasmanian Myrtle Beech.  You can also see fresh poppy pods in matte blue-green.

For the groom, a poppy pod, some myrtle and some Hebe flowers in white, and to add colour, more Bush Pearl K.Paw and some stunning rich red flowering gum - Corymbia Ficifolia.  The darker binding really set off the colours.

The bride wanted a floral crown to match the colourful theme of the wedding so more green with the Myrtle and Hebe, and a sprinkling of wax flower.  Gum blossom just bursting with colour, and more Kangaroo Paw provided the rich colour accents.  

It was a wild, fresh, summery crown.

Photography by Looks Like This

And thanks to the amazing photography of Looks Like This I got to see it in action.  

Photography by Looks Like This

Beautiful!

Photography by Looks Like This

A great photo of the couple enjoying their day - it's such a treat to see photos of the flowers in action.   

Photography by Looks Like This 

There were 3 wedding cake toppers, a great idea using a collection of cakes, rather than tiered.

Photography by Looks Like This

For the venue decoration the bride used some wooden hexagonal display shelves for which I provided some wholesale flowers.  

Photography by Looks Like This

I love the rich colour teamed with the dark stained wood in the rustic style venue.  It really works.

Photography by Looks Like This

Large arrangements in ceramic pots sat on wine barrels to decorate the focal point of the ceremony.  

Smaller versions of the same pots bursting with an explosion of colour were used to decorate the reception tables.

I love creating these little pots of colour!

Two different varieties of pincushions teamed with pink Kangaroo Paw, Poppy Pods, Flowering Gum buds, Myrtle, Agonis Flexuosa in flower, Hebe, and Safari Sunset Leucadendron.  

Summery colour and texture.

Photography by Looks Like This

I think the photos speak for themselves!  A beautiful day.

Photography by Looks Like This

Red and Gold Summer Natives for a December Wedding

Red and Gold Summer Natives for a December Wedding

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Photography by Rosie Hastie

An intimate wedding in December at Stewarts Bay Lodge on the Tasman Peninsula called for red and gold, and seasonal natives.   "I just want something colourful and simple to hold", said the bride.  

 Banksia Coccinea were my inspiration for the "red".  For the "gold",  I used Dryandra Formosa.  I teamed it with some Leucospermum Scarlet Ribbons, fully flowering with their rich red ribbons exposed, and Protea Compacta in pink with a rich red centre.  I also used some rich orange Banksia Ericifolia.   

Photography by Rosie Hastie

Such beautiful photos by Tasmanian Photographer Rosie Hastie!  I love the glow of the red Banksia against that gorgeous wedding dress!

Other flowers I used were Leucadendron Safari Sunset which are deep maroon in summer, before they start their growth phase.  I also used some Leucadendron Jubilee Crown with their ruby cones.   Some grevilea foliage, and gum foliage gave some texture.  I also added some smoke bush foliage with some of the wispy feathery red flowers.  Such vibrant warm summer colours!

For the groom, who was wearing a burgundy red and gold tie, I used myrtle and grevillea foliage, Leucadendron Safari Sunset, Leucadendron Jubilee Crown, and for the gold, the Dryandra Formosa.  

Aisle decorations for the ceremony were hung and then brought inside for the reception.  

Photography by Rosie Hastie

Leucospermum Scarlet Ribbons, Kangaroo Paw in burnt orange, Leucadendrons Safari Sunset, Pisa and Jubilee Crown, and Agonis Flexuosa foliage,  all combined to create a vibrant splash of colour for both outside and inside.

Photography by Rosie Hastie

I think it was a great idea that worked really well to provide decoration for both the ceremony and reception whilst keeping costs down.  

A simple arch framed the spot for the ceremony.

Photography by Rosie Hastie

Perfect for a summer bush wedding.

Photography by Rosie Hastie

Gorgeous!

Photography by Rosie Hastie

The red and gold theme really added an intense splash of colour.  

Photography by Rosie Hastie

The cake topper used a Banksia Coccinea too, with some Leucadendron Safari Sunset and Dryandra again.  I think it was a beautiful fresh look for a small, intimate wedding. 

The bride's bouquet was paired with a little bouquet for the flower girl, using the same combination of flowers on a smaller scale.

Photography by Rosie Hastie

So sweet!

Photography by Rosie Hastie

I really enjoyed creating the flowers for this gorgeous wedding, so it was lovely to see some photos of the day.  A good photographer just captures the details so brilliantly!

Photography by Rosie Hastie

I love this shot of the bride and groom with Tasman Island in the background.  The gorgeous blue of the sea and sky really make the flower colours sing!