Centerpieces fit for a Royal

So I'm jumping on the Royal Wedding blogging bandwagon.  I mean, hey, we're less than a week away and this is my first one so I better get with it, right!   And I figured why not start BIG with some over the top centerpieces....nothing like walking into a room and having your breath just taken away with the grandeur of it all.

Let's start with one of my personal favorite designers-Preston Bailey....his entire philosophy is to "go big or go home" (Oh Preston, a man after my own heart:))

It's a spring wedding after all-why not over the top TULIPS  This commoners flower made royal!

Here are some other fantastic royal options...

David Tutera Photo by Allegro

Design Fusion by Jerry Sibal Photo Brian Dorsey

Fresh Floral Creations Photo Ron Manville

 Why limit yourself to one over the top centerpiece Kate and Wills?  Why not three?

Petal Designs Photo Malomen

This is one that I designed for the WedLuxe Magazine Star Power Photo Shoot but I figured that it would still be a fantastic option for the Royal Couple (Kate, if you're reading this I can still fly out and make a couple of hundred for your tables:))

Jana Vackova Photography

Jana Vackova Photography

(just a shout out to my favorite carnations used in the ring at the bottom of the centerpiece and as the fluffy little napkin ring holder)

Now with all these options wouldn't it be just a royal dream to be able to re-create these for your wedding BUT in the real world not many of us have a royal budget so use these photos as inspiration for your perfect day.   On your wedding day you ARE the princess marrying your Prince Charming:)

Carnation Adoration

I LOVE CARNATIONS!!  There I said it! and I refuse to take it back:)  Seriously what's not to love? and we're not going back in time to blue carnations with a stem of baby's breath sitting in a sad little bud vase, we're talking en mass in natural colours and soft scents of clover......heaven!

At a fraction of the cost of a rose they are perfect for a couple on a budget and I've yet to meet a couple not on a budget.  When used together in bunches it adds a frilly texture, even mimicking a peony and who doesn't love a peony?, that you simply cannot get from a rose.

Here are some photos of bouquets I have designed using carnations.....

An all carnation, in white and mint green, bouquet for this super fun bride

Match Studio

 Dark pink mini-gerbera daisies, kermit mums, spray roses and soft pink carnations for a fresh look

White carnations and cream roses for a soft feel

And for this bride's cutie little flower girl I designed a red carnation pomander ball with aqua-modern!!

Lucida Photography

What about ceremony you ask?  Why yes!  YES!!

Pew Markers of fluffy white carnations to decorate the aisle

Wreaths to hang from the door to let everyone know this is where the party starts!

Mischa Bartkow Photography

Dan Fontaine Photography

 What about these impressive arrangements?  250, yes 250 each piece, hot pink carnations were used to create these alter pieces-you certainly can't ignore them!

Dan Fontaine Photography

But will they work for centerpieces too?  SURE DO!

who wouldn't be impressed by a 5ft tree with spheres of different sizes all using carnations?  Actually so many people came up to me and were shocked they were carnations!

Small balls take approximately 40 carnations; Medium balls take approximately 65 carnations and Large balls take about 100

This was used on a head table and flanked by some jumbo white hydrangea and some spray roses-it works perfectly together!

 LOVE this for as an option for a low centerpiece-still very dramatic!

Designed by Eddie Ross

 IMAGINE walking into a reception and seeing these beauty's all lined up-your jaw would drop and so would your guests

Designed by The Place for Flowers

Lucida Photography

 These purples are eye catching and come in 4 glorious shades....they are grown locally by a man that specializes in growing purple flowers

Instead of just laying your bouquet on the head table what about a "pillow" for it?  Couldn't you see it running the length of the table to hold all of the bouquets?

And finally something for your cake because you can't have a party without cake!

Designed by Eddie Ross

Cake, cupcakes, cookies-really you couldn't go wrong here!  It would be a real show stopper!

I hope I was able to sway your perception of carnations...a multitude of colours, inexpensive and look FANTABULOUS en mass!!  Would you consider using them at your next special event?

YAY for Gardening!!

I LOVE GARDENING!!  A lot of people think that florists and gardening are synonymous but are two different art forms and I am blessed to have a passion for both!  I bought my home about 13 years ago and from the day I walked through the door I have had a picture of my ideal garden in my head....I drive my husband nuts!!  Gardening and landscaping are a lot of money. A LOT!  Never mind the time:)  so I do it in fits and spurts planting things in the strangest places and putting rocks around it so the boys don't mow my babies down (yes I plant things in the middle of the grass) reassuring my family that there is a plan-in my head! 
I purchase many of my seeds from Salt Spring Seeds They carry heritage and heirloom seeds that they ship to your house-I squeal in delight when I get my shipment (I can't help it!) I had the honour of going to their farm on Salt Spring Island and have been in love with their dedication to plants and the earth and the quality of their products ever since.  But just like everyone else I buy plants from hardware stores, gardening centers (I tend to buy my perennials here as they tend to have a guarantee and are better quality), craigslist (YES!  craigslist and other similar sites quite often have avid gardener's looking to share their plants for free-and free is GOOD!)
But now for some photos......
Here are my tomato babies growing in one of my windows right now.....

Roma, Ardwyn Paste, Carbon Beefsteak, Pine Fog, and more

Can't wait to get these babies into their permanent home in the yard and then on my plate-MMMM

This past week I've been turning the soil with it's newly laid manure, cow if you must know:).  I don't use any pesticides or chemicals on my plants choosing to garden with compost and poop! HAHA

These are some of my little ones growing in the garden as we I write this.....

Tree peony

I first saw a tree peony when my family took me to a local Japanese Garden and I thought I might die from love!  The bloom was as large as my head! This is the third year in my garden and the first bloom may show-SO EXCITED!!

Azalea

Magnolia Tree

This is my second magnolia tree, first one died but I'm not quite sure why, but LOOK at the number of blooms on this one!  I didn't know their flowers had a soft scent but they do and I can't wait to stick my face in their glorious blooms:)

Purple lupins

I really love lupins, and so do the bees, but how do I keep the aphids off?  any suggestions out there?

Madrona

Even greenery, like this madrona, has the prettiest little trumpet like flower in the spring.

The birds and bees love my garden, I have two finch nests in the yard right now-BABIES YAY!, and I can hear them again-makes my heart sing!  It's still a little cold out to really get into the real nitty gritty of it all but can't wait!  I will keep you updated on my babes (and if that peony does bloom you'll be one of the first to see the pictures!) I also love to share my plants so if you would like some clippings send me a message-I'm happy to share. 
Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get more poop!  (LOL)

Feather Fancy

Do you love feathers?  There's just something about the way a breeze can set them fluttering that just catches your eye and you have no choice but to watch it flutter

Here are a few stunning bouquets using feathers.....

LOVE the use of different types of feathers and the beautiful little detailed brooch that acts like the center of a flowers.....

By La Plume Ethere

These really look like fluffy flowers!!  So fanciful!  If you love feather accessories view La Plume Ethere's Etsy site-so girly and pretty!!

How about this beauty for some drama? 

Here are a couple of bouquets that I have done using feathers....

As seen in WedLuxe Magazine

What do you think of a black boa wrapped around the base of the bouquet and  coming down the front as a dramatic tail?

Or a few feathers in the bouquet...

Photo courtesy of Triplecord Photography

Would you add feathers to your bouquet?  Or a bouquet of feathers?  Something dark and dramatic or something light and airy? 
Whatever your choice adding feathers to your bouquet is something unexpected and fun for the bride wanting something a little different.

Blossoms are in the air

Who doesn't love spring and eagerly await the blossoming trees?  Vancouver is a destination spot for those who travel in search of the prettiest blooms-I was told this by some Japanese students and they know their beautiful blossoms!!

Let's start with blossoms on the dress......

Cherry Blossom by Claire Pettibone

Beautiful gossamer with gold and silver embroidery with a touch of crystals....

Petals in the Wind by Claire Pettibone

Don't you LOVE the name of this gown?  And it is stunning!!  Showing white sakura blossoms intertwined with silver metallic branches and iridescent sequins with a full skirt of tulle and silk taffeta.

We've seen dresses now how about some shoes? Imagine these peeping out from under your dress-so cute!

JCrew Liza Peep Toe

 But if heels are not your thing how about a pair of Uggs?

Don't overlook your stationery-it sets the tone of your wedding and is your all important "First Impression"

Smockpaper

Letterpress, when a printing press is used to imprint text or an image onto the stationery and adds texture to the invite, invitations are so beautiful!  LOVE this one!  For added luxury couldn't you see a few crystals in the centers of some of the blossoms?

I love cake, and anything cake like really, so let them eat it!

Sara Jones Wedding Cakes

This is so pretty-look at that detail work!

Cake by Fluffy Thoughts w/photo by Lara Swanson

I love the look of the top of this cake....delicate.
And because cake pops are fantastic these would make a fantastic addition to any sweets table

Adorably Sweet Cake Pops

And just for fun let's see some real photos of blossoms from some very talented friends....

John Heil Photography

and one more to make you smile

KLUTCH Photography

NOW with all this to inspire you get outside enjoy your day and smell the blossoms!