Tasmanian Native Wedding in March

Tasmania is a place known for its pristine wilderness and many people come here to experience that. For this wedding, the bride was a tour guide for the new Three Capes Track wilderness walk that shows off some of the spectacular coastline of the Tasman Peninsula.  Being a tour guide she wanted plants that were native to the Tasmanian bush that she worked in.

In spring there are a multitude of wildflowers available in the local landscape, but in March not so many.  I was able to use some gorgeous native coral fern, and the beautiful Tasmanian Myrtle Beech foliage to create the structure of the bouquet.  I also used some lovely wattle that flowers throughout the year in our local area.  I love using wattle in bud, when its little flowers are still little green balls that sit at great angles along the stems.  

The other two local native ingredients were creamy pale yellow Banksia Marginata.  These grow all around the local area and will flower at different stages throughout the year, given the right conditions.  The real standout, colour-wise, was the Pink Mountain Berry which grows profusely in patches around the Tasman Peninsula.  

Pink Mountain Berry or Leptecophylla Juniperina is native to New Zealand, Tasmania and Victoria.  It is not often used as a cut flower because its very prickly!  But I was lured in by the amazing hot pink colour so I got out the rose de-thorner tool and handled it carefully.  

The remaining ingredients were some red Banksia Occidentalis, a Birdsnest Banksia or Banksia Baxterii, and two different coloured flowering gums.  The result was a bright, native bouquet designed to go with the brides dress which had red Nothofagus leaves embroidered over it.    

For the groom, some myrtle beech, coral fern, wattle, Pink Mountain Berry, flowering gum and a red Leucadendron.  

I enjoyed the challenge of coming up with something "local" and "native" for this special wedding.

  

Do yourself a favour and check out the Three Capes Track website for some truly amazing Tasmanian Peninsula Wilderness.  (I'm not biased at all!)

Summer Wedding at Bangor Vineyard Shed

Photo by Smitten Wedding Photography

This beautiful summery wedding was held at Bangor Vineyard Shed in January.  Bangor is a set on a hilltop overlooking the Dunalley area at the gateway to the Tasman Peninsula region.  There are stunning views in all directions.  Dunalley Beach, right next to the highway, is perfect for summer wedding photos.  

The bridesmaid's were in peachy blush tones, so we went for pinks and peach with the bouquets.   For the bride, the central protea was Protea Pink Cream, with its warm soft pink outer bracts and creamy central mass.  It was surrounded by Leucospermums or Pincushions called Fountain. 

The bridesmaids bouquets were smaller versions of the bride's.  

As secondary flowers, I used a very pale pink flowering gum, purple Hebe, blue sea holly and silvery Brunia Albiflora.  

For foliage, I used beautiful Eucalyptus Crenulata, and some native coral fern that gives the bouquets an extra summery feel.  

For the boutonnieres, there was more eucalyptus foliage, flowering gum blossoms and buds, Hebe, sea holly and for the groom, some extra coral fern.  

The dad's wore these little boutonnieres.  

And for the mums, some wrist corsages with the peachy Fountain pincushions.

The ceremony was held at the bottom of the vineyard, overlooking Boomer Bay which is to the east of Dunalley.  The was a floral arch, which we dressed up with a central decoration filled with summery colour and texture.  

Such a great spot to tie the knot!

Looking up towards Bangor Shed from the ceremony were the rows of vines, looking summery and lush.  

For the reception, we made some large urn arrangements, chock full of more Pincushions, Protea Pink Ice, flowering gum, coral fern, Brunia, Hebe, sea holly, and eucalyptus.  

I loved the summery prettiness of these arrangements.

Photo by Smitten Wedding Photography

It's always a privilege to be part of a couple's special day and this wedding was no exception.  I wish them all the happiness!

"Birds Nest" Bouquets for a Cradle Mountain Wedding in February

In February I provided flowers for a wedding held at Lemonthyme Wilderness Retreat in the Cradle Mountain - Lake St Claire National Park.  

Cradle Mountain

The Cradle Moutain area is World Heritage listed with stunning scenery and pristine wilderness that draws tourists from all around the globe.  What a beautiful place for a wedding!

Lemonthyme WIlderness Retreat

 The bride had chosen a rich strong purple for the bridesmaid's dresses and had the idea of adding some yellow as a contrasting colour to really make the colours pop.  

Its called a complimentary colour scheme, using colours which are opposite each other on the colour wheel.  It works to accentuate colours and make them stand out.  The bride also wanted natives to go with that beautiful backdrop of the Tasmanian wilderness that the venue offered.

 

Banksias were the focal flowers in this wedding with each bouquet having a Banksia Baxterii as the main flower.  Baxterii are a beautiful late summer banksia here in Tassie, and are often called Birds-nest Banksia because of their unique shape and the way the styles open from the bottom upwards.

I continued the Bird's Nest theme using posy holders made from natural fibrous material in a great chocolate brown.  I love the textural quality they created and the addition of the deep brown which enhances the colours in the flowers.  I also loved the bird's nest feel they added, with the flowers nestled into the "nest" and the foliage spilling over the edges.  

Other flowers used were the beautiful rich red Banksia Occidentalis, Leucadendron Safari Sunset, a deep burgundy in late summer, and Brunia Albiflora.  Little pops of purple to tie in the bridesmaids dresses were added with Hebe.  

Vibrant yellow was added with Kangaroo Paw, Bronze Fennel flowers, and Leucadendron Pisa.  Foliages used include the gorgeous native coral fern called Gleichenia Dicarpa, Myrtle Beech,  a beautiful burgundy tea tree foliage, and some Smoke Bush leaves.   

The bride requested all the boutonnieres be different designs, all with the same theme.  Music to my ears!  Its such fun to play with the colours and textures and find different ways of putting them all together.  Banksia Baxterii leaves, deeply zig zagged and fabulous, form the backing for each Boutonniere.  

In front, different mixtures of the foliages including the burgundy tea tree and myrtle, and then more of the other flowers featured in the bouquets.  

The grooms boutonniere had some of the coral fern added.  I really love working with the coral fern.  It can be very difficult to store and work with as it tangles very easily, but the lovely angles that it sits at make it a wonderful, whimsical addition to a bouquet or boutonniere.  

The colours and textures of this wedding were wonderfully satisfying to work with.  I hope the bride and groom enjoyed the results!