Wedding Flowers - A Winter's Tale

Last weekend was my first wedding of 2012, for the lovely Chloe and David who have just bought their first house and so wanted a wedding that was still gorgeous but wouldn't break the bank.  Chloe was definitely sure she wanted very natural, rustic designs, using predominately white tulips and white hyacinth for scent - but was very keen on highlighting everything with gold. Very on-trend for this year!

During our consultation, Chloe told me her favourite place to walk her dogs was in Ecclesall Woods, on the edge of the Peak District National Park.  As the couple wanted a white wintry theme, I suggested using ivy and cones to link in a woodland concept and by giving cones the lightest spray of 'antique gold' the slightest hint of her accent colour would be incorporated.

I constructed the vintage-inspired bridal bouquet as a hand tied using ivy trails, and tulips in a lose, open, flowing style - designed to be held downwards naturally in the hand or over the alternate hand in a presentation style for more formal photographs.  Chloe's dress is a long satin cut-on-the bias 30's inspired design, worn with a feather shrug, so I created the flowers to reflect this era. As simplicity was key, we decided not to include the more complicated structure of the cones and hyacinths.  The binding point was concealed with white organza ribbon with long trails to compliment the ivy, and finished with a neat bow.

The bridesmaids' bouquets were hand tied designs using white tulips and wired antique gold cones. They were then framed with a collar of intertwined ivy trails and finished with the same white organza ribbon used for the Bride.

The circlet headdress for the flower girl using white tulips, hyacinth pips, tiny cones and ivy leaves

I wanted to check the fit and sizing of the circlet headdress, so recruited the modelling skills of my lovely neighbour, Keira

The Groom's buttonhole which uses all the elements of all the designs together, smelt divine. I used the traditional method of construction as the hyacinth pips required wiring and taping.

Finally, the table decorations were simple, understated, hand tied designs of tulips and cones in small goldfish bowls, which everyone loved for their wintry charm. 

Who says budget can't be beautiful?!