Distinctive Tropical Bouquet

Tropical flowers have been my muse this month and they really inspire distinctive designs.  They easily take center stage with their unusual shape, unmatched coloration, and sturdy structure.   The added bonus is that they are extremely hardy--perfect for the hustle and bustle of any wedding!

The use of the orchids and pincushions alongside carefully chosen structured flowers in a bright color scheme really mimics the appearance of a coral reef.  Give your wedding a modern, bright twist with these bold flowers.

The Long Awaited Photos

The photos are in! Thanks to Michael at A House of Photography, I have beautiful photos of Geline and Jod's wedding. The coloration and execution of the theme really came together perfectly and I so appreciated their genuine gratitude when I received their "thank you" phone call during their honeymoon in Florida.



The three most important things to Geline and Jod were the colors standing out against the background, the designs being unique, and their ocean theme being carried through into the flowers. I suggested adding a vibrant red to the magenta and eggplant they were already set on and they loved the idea. The jewel tones stood out against the blue (or green...haha) of the ocean, the white and purple of the dresses, and the warm brown wood of the boat's interior. Of course, no better flower than orchids could have finished off this color scheme and theme so brilliantly.



The manzanita branch ceremony pieces created a distinct focal point for the event. Small clusters of flowers were designed in large shells and suspended from the branches.



A ghostwood sweetheart table piece mimicked the appearance of driftwood and it so perfectly finished off the theme.



This was definitely a flawless blend of colors, an effective, not "in your face" execution of the theme, and, of course, a perfect marriage in the works!

Orchids Anonymous

CONFESSION: I have an unhealthy obsession with orchids. Basically, anything that ends with an -ium...dendrobium, cymbidium, oncidium...bacterium, ammonium, spermatogonium. Obviously the last three are not actual names of orchids, just science terms from my years as a biology major in college.

The interesting thing about orchids are that they are able to command attention even if they are in a sea of flowers. (Perhaps, I'm living a little vicariously through them). Although they can carry a hefty price tag and require more labor to prep, the impact they have undoubtedly justifies the cost. If a designer uses them effectively, a large quantity may not be needed to achieve the look you want. Plus (and this is a huge plus), they are very hardy and have a nice range of colors.

I designed this particular centerpiece to show that orchids do not always have to equate to a tropical theme, although that is equally beautiful. The use of a subdued color palette and pseudo-garden flowers like hydrangea and roses, can force orchids into playing the role of shabby chic. The possibilities are endless and that is, in a nutshell, why I'm being pushed towards a 12-step program.