WEDDING FLOWERS: protea bouquet

Showing posts with label protea bouquet. Show all posts

February Wedding at Steeles Island

Comment

February is a busy month for weddings in Tasmania and the dates book out early. The bride for this February Wedding was super organised and had planned everything well ahead. But a last minute change to the bridesmaid dresses changed the flower colours and we ended up with the combination of peach and plum.

Pincushion Fountain was the main flower that I used. Grouped together the orange makes a bold statement. The bridesmaid dresses were covered in a very large floral print in orange, purple and green - so a bold statement was called for.

Acacia Bailyana, or Cootamundra Wattle, is a gorgeous native foliage that is wonderful to use in bouquets. It comes in two colours, a beautiful eucalyptusy blue-green, and a purple. I was able to use the purple foliage for these bouquets which give a wonderful misty purple texture.

The brides bouquet included some Protea Pink Ice. I love the way the purple centres of the Pink Ice are brought out with the purple surrounding them.

Poppy pods peep out from amongst the flowers. I love them!

Other foliage used is the Leucadendron Silver Tree. Each bouquet also had Brunia Albiflora and some large native fern leaves.

The brides bouquet also included some clusters of berries. Such a beautiful colour!

The lovely bride was so organised she had purchased her vases almost a year before the wedding. The copper colour of the geometric vases went well with the orange, purple and silvery blue green of the flowers.

I grow Brunia Albiflora sourced from two different nurseries here at Swallows Nest Farm, and have ended up with 2 slightly different colours. For this wedding, I used the more browny purple Brunia.

More native ferns, purple Acacia Bailyana, Pincushion Fountains, some rosy Jubilee Crown Leucadendron cones, Silver Tree foliage, Risdon Peppermint foliage, and light purple Caspia.

For the cake 'topper' this arrangement was to sit against the base of the larger bottom tier of the cake. I love the fern leaf in this design.

This little mini-bouquet was laid on the top tier of the cake.

It was a pleasure to play with such beautiful bold colours and to be involved in this couple's happy day.

I wish them all the best for their future together.

Autumn-toned Native Wedding Flowers

Comment

A small, elopement style wedding in April called for just a bouquet, boutonniere and a floral crown for the bride. The ceremony was to take place in a bush setting on Mt Wellington. Very "low key and boho" with just a couple of close family members as witnesses to the event.

Inspired by the seasonal colours, and I couldn't resist the autumny tones of magnolia foliage which tied in beautifully with the creamy White Ice Protea and the Birdsnest Banksia I used as the main flowers.

A mix of great textures was important for the unstructured style of the bouquet. I used flowering tea tree, banksia foliage, and budded wattle foliage as some of the textural elements.

The leucadendrons I used were the fine, purple-tinged Galpinii, tall slender Discolour, and the rich dark tones of the Burgundy Sunset, almost black in autumn.

Other flowers used were the smaller Banksia Brownii, and a white Protea Repens. The leafy, wild look was brought together by using a limited colour palette, and making the autumn tones really stand out. I used dried leucadendron cones to repeat the brown colour of the magnolia leaves. Such a satisfying combination of colours and textures.

The grooms simple boutonniere used a magnolia leaf, a zigzaggy banksia leaf, burgundy sunset leucos, budded wattle and a leucadendron cone.

The floral crown was more leafy than floral. I used lots of budded wattle foliage, with its bluegreen colour and fabulous wayward sprigs. I added the yellowy green banksia Brownii foliage, which is a very fine zigzagged leaf. Sprinkled through was the flowering tea tree, which being lemon-scented is always a delight to work with.

The asymmetry of the crown is really flattering. I used the dark burgundy leucos and the dried cones to weight the crown to the left.

It was a real treat to be involved in this wedding, and I wish the lovely couple every happiness.

Stonefield Wedding in Autumn

Comment

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.

April wedding at Frogmore Creek Winery

Comment

Picture by Kristy L Photography

Autumn in Tasmania is so pretty! I might go so far as to say its my favourite season… The autumn showers bring green to the sun-tired landscape and the colours of the autumn leaves are so beautiful. I think its a great time for a wedding. And I think you'd have to agree that the gorgeous pictures by Kristy L Photography capture an Autumn wedding so perfectly. In April, I was lucky to be involved in this beautiful Autumn wedding at Frogmore Creek Winery

Burgundy was the colour theme of the wedding, so I used some new season Silvan Red Leucadendrons, which are a lovely rich deep-red colour in April.

The bride loved the King Proteas so they became the focal flower.

The Red King Proteas were teamed up with some pink Protea Repens and Brunia Albiflora in flower. I also used gum buds, white flowering tea tree, and some fine leucadendrons in green with a bronze blush on the tips.

The bouquets were bound with a rustic chocolate coloured twine, which I think really enhanced the burgundy colouring.

Cootamundra Wattle in bud was the foliage I used mostly. It is a beautiful wattle foliage that comes in both a silvery blue green and a purple. The frilly fern-like leaves of the green variety shown here, are covered in a silvery bloom which gives that blue-green, eucalyptus look. And those buds, frilly and wonderful, create a cloud of soft texture around the bouquets.

Boutonnieres made a feature of the new season Silvan Red leucos. They were teamed up with white flowering tea tree, Cootamundra Wattle, deconstructed Brunia, and the fine bronze-green leucos.

I loved using the flowering Brunia. Brunia Albiflora (meaning "white flower") grow a cluster of balls which are covered in tiny flower heads. By deconstructing them, I've been able to use the individual balls in these boutonniere.

The beautiful bride wanted a floral crown. I used plenty of foliage and texture, for a rustic look. The tea tree, gum buds, eucalyptus, and Cootamundra wattle all make an appearance. But the richly coloured Silvan Red Leucos were the focal point.

There were a number of little wrist corsages too, continuing with the overall theme.

They look so cute, all in a row!

Picture by Kristy L Photography

I just love this beautiful photo by Kristy L Photography. Stunning! So happy to be involved in such a gorgeous wedding.

Early Autumn Wedding in the Huon Valley

Comment

Photography by Michelle Dupont

Early March, summer is coming to an end, and the Huon Valley is filled with orchards laden with apples. The Apple Shed, an old packing shed from earlier days, has been transformed into a cider house with an historical flavour, show casing mementos of the Apple Valley in its hey day and home to Willie Smith Cider. Its the scene for a wedding that I was thrilled to be involved in. I was equally thrilled to see the beautiful photographs taken by Michelle Dupont.

The bride was after an eclectic style with lots of colour.

Late summer provided plenty of colour choices. Leucospermum Fountain, the peachy orange Pincushion added warmth to the bouquet. Three different banksias make an appearance, the creamy Banksia Baxterii or Birdsnest Banksia, The warm yellow Banksia Praemorsa, and the red Banksia Occidentalis.

Protea Pink Mink, a Nerifolia with black fringing adds a luxurious touch. Also making an appearance is a stunning rich red Calla Lily, native to South Africa and a first for me. I was given some bulbs in a gorgeous range of colours and have been enjoying them in my garden.

Photography by Michelle Dupont

Leucadendron Jester, a variegated Leuco is in season in March. It was sprinkled throughout the floral designs for this wedding.

Photography by Michelle Dupont

The foliage used includes Myrtle Beech, a tasmanian native foliage which grows in the rain forests of western Tasmania. I also used Irish Juniper foliage, a stunning blue-green that really complimented the colours of the flowers. For highlights I used some Pittosporum berries. I like the textural effect they created.

For the boutonniere I used Myrtle Beech foliage, Irish Juniper and more of the pittosporum berries.

I just the love colour of the Irish Juniper.

Photography by Michelle Dupont

The leucadendrons are Jester, a variegated form of Safari Sunset. There rich red was great agains the blue of the suits.

Photography by Michelle Dupont

Each boutonniere had a green Corymbia Ficifolia gum nut. The green nuts are the previous years fruits. The trees also retain older fruits but they loose the green colouring and look more woody. I think the green ones really worked in this instance.

Photography by Michelle Dupont

The Mother of the Bride wore a Gum Nut corsage too, also using Myrtle Beech foliage, more Irish Juniper, pittosporum berries, Sedum, and a sprinkling of yellow fennel flower.

Photography by Michelle Dupont

I think the photographs from this wedding are some of the best I've seen. It's worth checking out the website of this talented photographer.

Photography by Michelle Dupont

No Autumn wedding in the Huon Valley would be complete without some orchard shots! These are just beautiful!

Photography by Michelle Dupont

The autumnal colours of the bouquet are enhanced in the beautiful afternoon light.

Photography by Michelle Dupont

Love this shot of the groom holding the bouquet!

Photography by Michelle Dupont

Just stunning!

Floral decorations for the Apple Shed reception venue were carefully planned by the bride who collected around 60 glass vases and vessels in all shapes and sizes to create groups of arrangements.

Large vases were grouped with smaller bottles and jars, all will a profusion of late summer colours.

I loved playing with the rich red and orange tones. The additions of juniper and pittosporum berries, and Brunia added texture.

Some of the little vases were vintage glass. This little jug looked lovely with a Banksia Occidentalis, Leucadendron Jester, Brunia Albiflora and some Irish Juniper foliage.

The vases and smaller vessels looked so gorgeous and colourful en masse. It was a pleasure to work on these.

For a cake topper, I used a Pincushion Fountain as the central flower, surrounded by Sedum, Fennel, Pittosporum berries, green gum nuts, Funiper, Hebe, and Leucadendron Jester.