Saturday, September 30, 2017

Autumn-toned Native Wedding Flowers

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.  

Monday, September 11, 2017

January Wedding at Quamby Estate

Photography by Doxa Visual
Australia Day long weekend was the date for a beautiful wedding at Quamby Estate.  Natives and proteas were the theme. With the bride being Australian and the groom being from South Africa, it was meant to be!

Quamby Estate
Quamby estate is a beautiful historical homestead near Launceston in the north of Tasmania.  

Quamby Estate
The beautiful rooms create an memorable atmosphere in which to prepare for the ceremony.  


The photographer's photos capture the moody interior light so beautifully.

Photography by Doxa Visual
The gorgeous pictures are by dynamic photography duo Doxa Visual.  They've captured the day sensationally - the bride and groom must be thrilled!


Photography by Doxa Visual
The ceremony was held on the grass under the shade of a huge old tree, with vases of natives sitting on logs at the end of each row of chairs.

Photography by Doxa Visual
The happy couple planned perfectly for the day, and it shows.

Photography by Doxa Visual
The bride wanted a mix of colours combining the South African flowers and Australian flowers.  Many South African flowers are called "natives" here in Australia.  Leucadendrons, Pincushions and Proteas are all South Aftican natives.  Banksias, Waratahs, Grevilleas and Bottlebrushes are all Australian native flowers, but both groups belong to the larger collection of Proteaceae plants.


The South African flowers used were Protea Pink Ice, Protea Repens,  Leucospermum Fountain - an orange Pincushion, and Brunia Albiflora.  The leucadendrons used were L. Argentium, the Silver Tree, Safari Sunset and Jubilee Crown.  


The Australian flowers used were Banksia Speciosa, Banksia Praemorsa, Banksia Marginata and of course, Wattle, our national floral emblem.  The Banksia Speciosa has wonderful long zig-zag leaves that I love to use in bouquets.  


Other ingredients were Leucadendron Jubilee Crown cones,  Echinops or Globe Thistles, and each bouquet had a Silver Tree cone as well as the beautiful silken foliage.  Foliages used were Risdon Peppermint, and Agonis Flexuosa in flower.  

Photography by Doxa Visual
The brides amazing dress is by Gwendolynne from Melbourne.  Check out the website if you want to feast your eyes on some stunning vintage style dresses and lots of real-wedding photos.

Photography by Doxa Visual
The bridesmaid's bouquets were smaller, without the larger Banksia flowers.  


For the groom, a Globe Thistle, Wattle, Agonis flowers and a L. Jubilee Crown cone.  I also used some of those gorgeous zig zag Banksia Speciosa leaves.  

Photography by Doxa Visual
I love that pocket kerchief!  


The grooms attendants had the same ingredients for their boutonnieres, without the Globe Thistle.  

Photography by Doxa Visual
For the reception,  there were fishbowl vases bursting with proteas and natives.  

Photography by Doxa Visual

Photography by Doxa Visual
Little scattered accent vases held sprigs of wattle and other feature flowers.

Photography by Doxa Visual
I think that smile says it all - it looks like a wonderful day full of the best memories.  And, as always, it was such a privilege to be involved in the celebration.

Photography by Doxa Visual