Swallows Nest Farm: July 2016

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.