Inspiration can come from anywhere. I recently received these wonderful images from Mantas Wright Photography, and they are so beautiful I just had to share a few today. The images are from a lovely beach wedding held last summer. The two points I find most exciting about the overall aesthetic are the seasonal materials we used in the lovely floral arrangements, and the seasonal tones, primarily blue, yellow, white, and green.
The bride first mentioned her love of daisies and small, delicate wildflowers in our initial meeting, and I was very excited to work with these materials. We were looking to combine a vintage, slightly bohemian vibe with a classic Hamptons summer wedding aesthetic. The daisies, chamomile, and other wild garden elements really infused the wedding with this sensibility.
Here is the bride's bouquet. The chamomile is so delicate and cheerful. Combined with wild grasses and crisp white blooms, the final result was bohemian but very chic.
I often find clients are afraid to mix cool tones with contrasting warmer tones, such as gold or yellow. A monochromatic palette is certainly always beautiful, but there is something so fresh about the mix of slightly muted blue tones with vibrant yellow and crisp white. The end result was elegant but relaxed and full of summertime cheer.
Here, a few images of the centerpieces and other floral arrangements. The blue hydrangea is perfect with the seasonal textures, vines, simple daisies, and chamomile. Also, the mix of rustic, casual details with some of the other vintage silver and glass pieces finished the look with a simple but sophisticated elegance.
Are you struggling with how to work with seasonal material or a challenging color palette?
Let me know if I can help!
From: K.C. | 1/21/10 at 4:00 pm
I'm getting married in October so instead of fresh flowers, I'm going to use dried blue, green and white hydrangeas for centerpieces and church decorations. I'm leaning towards having emerald and aqua as my colors but am hestitant because I'm not sure how well all the colors will blend. What's your opinion?
From: Matthew Robbins | 1/21/10 at 4:25 pm
Hi there. Congratulations! If you are using dried hydrangea you might
want to consider subtle versions of aqua and emerald. I love both of
these colors but they might overpower the dried hydrangea...as you
know, these are softer and very antique/muted. I would consider a pale
aqua instead of a very bright bold tone and the emerald is fine with
any of these as green normally works with all of these tones. Emerald
is also a very classic tone so it will be fine with the other colors
you mentioned. Just try for a more subtle aqua!
Good luck!
Matthew
From: Liz | 1/21/10 at 7:24 pm
I'm getting married in May. My bridesmaids dresses are fuchsia and my gown is ivory. Since it's an afternoon wedding, I wanted to use more casual, bright flowers. I was thinking of having my bouquet be cream based (carnations, garden roses or lisianthus) with pops of colors (fuchsia gerbers, yellow poms, a stargazer lily). For my bridesmaids I was thinking of a yellow base (garden roses or poms) with pops of pink and fuchsia, also using a couple of gerbers and lilies. I'm worried about whether that will look consistent - I'm afraid it will end up looking cheap or tacky. Thanks!
From: Happy Nappy Bride | 1/21/10 at 10:44 pm
Like Liz, I'm getting married in May and we're thinking of just ordering wholesale flowers...whatever's in season. The reception's in an old Victorian mansion, so I won't need to overpower the place with flowers.
From: Matthew Robbins | 1/22/10 at 8:41 am
Liz- if you are planning to use pink and fuchsia I would avoid so much yellow unless you want a really vibrant, almost tropical look/feel for the flowers. I would consider (for the bridesmaids) focusing on only a range of the pink tones...ranging from pale pink to the hot pink tones. This will look chic and very bold but not distracting. For your bouquet you might consider softer pink tones mixed with the white/ivory blooms. This will relate to the bridesmaids flowers and will maintain a consistent look.
Regarding ordering your own flowers- most vendors do not sale direct wholesale unless you have your own resale license. If you find a source for direct shipping try to keep it simple. Don't mix many different varieties...no need for extra stress! Give each bridesmaid a bouquet featuring one variety such as all roses, all hydrangea, etc..
Good luck everyone!
From: Jill | 1/22/10 at 1:06 pm
I'm getting married in November (Ontario, Canada)when all of my favourite flowers are out of season (peonies, anemones, lily of the valley, ranunculus...). If my colours are pale pink and aqua, what in-season flowers can I use to achieve a shabby-chic, bohemian look (and be budget-friendly)?
From: Suzette | 1/22/10 at 2:54 pm
I'm planning an outdoor August wedding in Illinois--it'll be sure to be hot--and very green everywhere! My groom and I both love gardening, botanicals, herbs, etc. and while I am happy to use in-season flowers for arrangements in this casual wedding & the reception--I'd love the use herbs as well--colors are honey-gold, soft greens and probably any blues that work with this season. I'd love your ideas on good combinations for flowers/herbs to maximize earthiness, aromas and "green consciousness"!
From: Christy | 1/22/10 at 7:21 pm
Thank you for sharing such gorgeous, inspirational designs with daisies. We have seen new brides seeking a new, fresh look with daisies. These are beautiful and elegant.
From: Matthew Robbins | 1/23/10 at 8:38 am
Jill- for your November wedding in Ontario you might consider amaranthus or celosia in shades of pink and dahlias might also be an option. Hydrangea should be available in November along with many rose varieties. For a more bohemian/casual look I would avoid traditional roses and try the spray roses which are smaller blooms and more whimsical. You can definitely order anemones and ranunculus in November from your floral designer but they are not budget friendly. Perhaps save these expensive blooms for your bouquet? November is full of unique textural elements such as berries and grasses. Use these materials for more of that bohemian edge! Have fun!!
From: Matthew Robbins | 1/23/10 at 8:39 am
Hi there. Congratulations! If you are using dried hydrangea you might
want to consider subtle versions of aqua and emerald. I love both of
these colors but they might overpower the dried hydrangea…as you
know, these are softer and very antique/muted. I would consider a pale
aqua instead of a very bright bold tone and the emerald is fine with
any of these as green normally works with all of these tones. Emerald
is also a very classic tone so it will be fine with the other colors
you mentioned. Just try for a more subtle aqua!
Good luck!
Matthew
From: Matthew Robbins | 1/23/10 at 8:39 am
Liz- if you are planning to use pink and fuchsia I would avoid so much yellow unless you want a really vibrant, almost tropical look/feel for the flowers. I would consider (for the bridesmaids) focusing on only a range of the pink tones…ranging from pale pink to the hot pink tones. This will look chic and very bold but not distracting. For your bouquet you might consider softer pink tones mixed with the white/ivory blooms. This will relate to the bridesmaids flowers and will maintain a consistent look.
Regarding ordering your own flowers- most vendors do not sale direct wholesale unless you have your own resale license. If you find a source for direct shipping try to keep it simple. Don’t mix many different varieties…no need for extra stress! Give each bridesmaid a bouquet featuring one variety such as all roses, all hydrangea, etc..
Good luck everyone!
From: Matthew Robbins | 1/23/10 at 8:49 am
Suzette- for your August wedding I would definitely use fresh herbs in your floral arrangements! Just remember to focus on savory herbs for your centerpieces such as rosemary, thyme and sage. I also love using fresh mint in bouquets and other arrangements. The savory herbs will not interfere with your guests experience of the food. There are wonderful garden flowers in the Summer so look for locally grown varieties. Zinnias, garden roses and lovely hydrangea are all great options. If you are using herbs in your arrangements you might want to include many varieties of Allium...they are great in summer gardens and as they are from the onion family they will work with the savory collection of herbs! One more option for table decor in the summer is to use fresh, beautiful summer produce. Most local farmers markets are very active in the summer with fresh herbs, tomatoes, berries and more!
From: Inspiration Board: Biergarten « Cap Classique | 7/6/10 at 12:54 pm
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