Early Spring Wedding at Bangor Vineyard Shed

White and Green Early Spring Wedding at Willie Smiths

The colour palette for this early September wedding was pared back with the brief requiring lots of foliage and whites.   

We grow a couple of white proteas here at Swallows Nest Farm.  Donna is a gorgeous winter and spring flowering protea that has a fresh white colouring with soft pink centre.  I used this protea as the main flower for the bouquets.  

Adding to the white Protea Donna, there was plenty of Thryptomene, which as a bonus has a gorgeous fresh fragrance.  Foliage included Tasmanian Myrtle Beech, Risdon Peppermint and the silky Leucadendron Silver Tree.  

Berzelia is a gorgeous "flower" that has a long picking season.  Early in September, it has small lime green balls which add great texture.  It was a great addition to these leafy bouquets.  I also used some white Hebe.  

For the brides bouquet, masses of Risdon Peppermint foliage and Myrtle Beech as well as Thryptomene.  Protea Donna, some white spray roses, Hebe, white Hypericum Berries, and creamy Leucadendron Maui Sunset which are almost white at this time of the year, with a tinge of blush on the tips.

There is also some Berzelia in the mix, and some beautiful Serruria Blushing Bride. 

For the flower girls, some little baskets full of fresh greens, whites, and creams.

I love the Maui Sunset Leucadendrons in early spring.  They're such a clear, creamy white colour.  The colour change that the seasons bring for Leucadeondrons is definitely one of their appealing qualities. 

The flower girls wore simple floral circlets made from Thryptomene and Coastal Beardheath, a locally occurring native.

I love the details in these simple crowns.  The simplicity really seems to enhance the natural beauty of the flowers.  

For the bridesmaids, we made some half-crowns which were worn like Alice bands with the ribbon tied up under the hair.  

I used sprigs of Myrtle Beech, Thryptomene and Beardheath.  

For the bride's crown, I added some white Hypericum berries as a point of difference.  

I love the little tightly packed buds on the Coastal Beardheath which add texture as well as a blush of pink.

For the groom and his attendants, roses with the Maui Sunset leucadendrons, Thryptomene, Berzelia, Peppermint Gum and Myrtle Beech.

For decorating the venue, the bride had some oversized helium balloons which had 2 m foliage garlands to tie them down.  The myrtle foliage was great for these.  

These arrangements with a little more colour where for sitting on top of wine barrels.  

And for a fun photo booth prop, I made this large hanging foliage heart.  

This was such a fun job!  Around 85cm tall, it was made on a custom base of steel to which I attached masses of myrtle.  It would have dried well too, making it a nice memento.  

This was a fun wedding to be involved in.  I hope the bride and groom enjoyed their day and the memories are still fresh for years to come.  

September Wedding at Glen Albyn Estate

Sophie Sullivan Photography

September, and the official beginning of spring!  Its a great time for a wedding and there are certainly plenty of native flowers available to use.  This September wedding was held at Glen Albyn Estate south of Hobart.    

Glen Albyn Estate

Glen Albyn Estate is perched on the top of an escarpment with views forever.  Its a great spot.

For this wedding, leafy and wild, with pinks soft tones was the brief.    For the bride, a mix of protea varieties - white Donna, Pink Cream and Satin Mink with the black fringing.  I used thryptomene and Pimelea Nivea, both dainty white native flowers  Wattle in bud provided some lush texture, along with some Berzlia.  

I also used some blue Sea Holly, and soft pink leucadendrons called Silvan Red, which lighten in colour significantly towards the end of winter and beginning of spring.  There are also some early golden Dryandra and gumnuts added.  

The bridesmaids had less colour but plenty of the same foliage and texture plants.  

The central proteas are Protea Donna, a lovely white protea with a soft pink central mass.  I also used Leucadedron Silver Tree - I love its brilliant shine and silky feel.  

I love the mix of textures you get with natives  The zig-zag leaves of those golden Dryandra flowers, with the little Berzelia berries and the budded wattle is a great mix, with the dainty whites and Sea Holly in there too.   

For the grooms boutonniere, I used gum nuts, teamed with Sea Holly, Thryptomene and Berzelia.  The foliage used was Risdon Peppermint and the zig-zag Dryandra leaves.  

Lots of lovely bouts all in a row!

Carrying on with the leafy theme, I made 15 metres of leafy garlands to dress the tables for the reception.  

Masses of Risdon Peppermint foliage with sprigs of wattle buds interspersed, snaked along the workbench and across the floor of the flower shed.  Soooo much foliage!

More foliage for the three foliage chandeliers that hung from the ceiling.  

These look so effective, hung from the ceiling.  I added in some sprigs of twisted willow to hang down at irregular intervals.  A great way to add atmosphere to a room.

Sophie Sullivan Photography

It was a treat to be involved in this lovely couples special day, and to add a little native flower magic to the occasion.  

September Wedding at Barilla Bay

September weddings are a treat!  There are so many gorgeous flowers to play with.  For this wedding, held at Barilla Bay Oysters blue and orange was the colour theme.  The bridesmaid's were in navy and the bride in ivory.  

 The main flowers used were creamy white Protea Repens, and orange Banksia Ericifolia.  

Berzelia is a spring texture plant also sometimes called Button Bush.  It has lots of little green balls at this time of year and is a wonderful addition to a native bouquet.  

There were plenty of leucadendrons to use in their late summer, early spring colouring. Safari Sunset was in its "sunset" phase where it turns to yellow, orange and pinky red.  Another leuco that I was excited to use is Tall Red, which for most of the year is a burgundy foliage leuco.  In August and September is colours up into yellows and bright reds, with yellow central cones.  Its such a pretty, fine Leucadendron with a gorgeous range of colour.  Maui Sunset was another leuco I used,  which can turn completely white/cream at the end of winter, and often with pink tips.  Lastly, I used plenty of beautiful fresh Leucadendron Silver Tree with its blue green shimmery foliage.

The bride's bouquet also has a Protea White Ice, and a beauiful Banksia Brownii, which I initially started growing for foliage, but have since fallen in love with the delicate colouring of its flowers.  

The Banksia Brownii is a soft orange with pinkish styles and a lovely soft shape.  

Other ingredients I used were Thryptomene and Peppermint foliage and to add a touch of blue, Sea Holly.

The men wore boutonnieres made with Thryptomene, leucadendron and Sea Holly. 

For an arch decoration I used more orange Banksia Ericifolia, proteas in whites and pins, lots of different leucadendrons, Thryptomene and SIlver Tree, which shimmers in a blue-green.

Its always a joy to create a piece using fresh seasonal ingredients.  

Red Zebra Photography

It was a delight to be involved in this couples special day.   

Red Zebra Photography

I love this dramatic shot by Red Zebra Photography, showing just how spoilt we are for natural beauty in Tasmania.