Pinked

Pink is a very popular color for weddings. It's fresh, it's versatile, it's very flattering, and there are many flowers available year-round in all shades, ranging from the palest blush to the sharpest cerise.

For this wedding, I added the softness of astilbe and wax flower to break the rather structural/molded look of the snapdragon. The centerpieces were comprised of a single arrangement surrounded by three different vases of different mixed flowers. The look was full and lush and bridal - just what the bride was hoping for!

Flowers pictured include: hydrangea, snapdragon, astilbe, dark engagement pink roses, pink spray roses, sweet eskimo roses, wax flower, limonium, larkspur, salal.

Blushing

What most don't realize is that pink is one of the most universally pleasing colors - one can always find a shade to wear, it goes with most anything, and there's a reason why lighting designers use pink gels to shade tents and event spaces: it creates warmth and makes people look good.  Pink is so versatile and when it comes to flowers, the shades range from the palest of pink ivories to the most vibrant of cerises.

A spring bride of mine wanted a soft, romantic look of pinks and whites and late spring is one of the better times for peonies and ranunculus. The design was simple but full, and the antique crystal containers and mercury glass vases worked well with the bride's family vases, photographs, and silver.  

One last note - the ranunculus of the bridesmaids' bouquets and the bridal bouquet was pretty spectacular - it was wonderful to work with such plump and richly colored stems.

Materials pictured include: white hydrangea, pink ranunculus, white peonies, Sarah Bernhardt peonies, majolique spray roses, vendela roses, tibet roses, eskimo roses, ranunculus, and mixed greens.

Photo of Bride in Grandmother's dress and photo of Grandmother in dress; family veil

Tables, awaiting silver chivari chairs

Sweetheart table

Cocktail table pieces, ready to be placed

Vintage family brooches and handkerchief

Playing with Color: Purple and Orange

The end of 2011 was very busy for me and I'm just getting to write about my work - thank you for your patience!

Here's a look at a wedding where I was really able to play with color. We all remember the color wheel from art class and the lesson in complementary colors - the concept that the colors opposite from each other on the wheel, when placed together, make each color appear brighter and more vibrant.

For this wedding, I didn't follow the color wheel exactly, but sort of riffed on it - the deep purples were countered with the burnished oranges, the cool lavenders answered the warm yellowish greens, and all the flowers were designed either atop clear, cool, controlled glass or around warm, gnarled, wild branches. Candlelight completed the looks with either tall pillar candles or hanging votives.

The bridesmaid's bouquets were especially fun to work on as my bride wanted a look very popular in the U.K.: single grasses looped in and out of the bouquet to create a sort of 'caged' look. It's very effective and I think rather playful. I like how they complement the unique shapes of the orchids and the calla lilies, giving movement to flowers that can look very rigid.

Always take a chance and play with color - you won't be disappointed!

Flowers pictured include: cymbidium orchids, mango calla lilies, schwartzwalder calla lilies, cool water roses, stephanotis, vendela roses, gardenias, blackout lilies, orange unique roses, purple stock, antique hydrangea, curly willow, israeli ruscus and seeded eucalyptus.