Garden Wedding Flowers in Peach

Peach colored flowers make a lovely statement for spring, summer and fall weddings.

Here around Raleigh, NC, in July and August,  the "go-to" flowers for that rich peach color are zinnias and dahlias. This year, I have also added a lovely peach colored celosia. The color combines well with blues and whites as in the design above that also features peach foxglove, blue forget-me-not, white cosmos and feverfew.

The design above is a monochromatic color palette of peach and orange zinnias, dahlias, celosia, and crocosmia, accented with chocolate colored perilla, and silvery leaves of Colchester White Centaurea.

And the bouquet above has peach zinnias and celosia nestled among white dahlias, pincushion flowers, cosmos and phlox. Burnished nandina leaves add a nice accent to the design. 

I am looking forward to using these blooms in wedding designs for the next couple of months!

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The Bridal Bouquet....

It's exciting each time I put the finishing touches on a bride's bouquet, turn it around to inspect it to make sure it's just what she wanted, and when it is, to let out that grateful sigh....

Each bouquet is so different from all the others, because each bouquet is for that one special bride.

It starts with that first meeting where we talk flowers and styles and what she likes and what she doesn't, and little touches that will make that bouquet HER bouquet.

It's really great when I am growing flowers for her. Sometimes actually starting the seeds or planting the bulbs with her wedding day in mind. Or maybe it's a special flower or vine we discover together when we step outside to view the gardens.

It's a privilege and it's so rewarding, and I am so thankful for each woman who asks me to make her bridal bouquet!

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Warm Peaches, Pinks and Yellows for Alex and Ben's December Wedding

I am just loving this color palette for Alex and Ben's  wedding flowers. It's so cheery with its warm apricots, peaches and pinks and rich golden yellow- just perfect for chasing away the cold and gloom of winter.

The flowers included apricot colored stock and peachy-coral Ilse spray roses, pink lisianthus, golden button mums and a deep cherry-pink rose called Cherry-O (which I think is an absolutely stunning color).

Silvery green foliage from the garden included Silver Drop eucalyptus, Centaurea Colchester White, and blue cypress which added a rich texture to the boutonnieres for the guys.

It's hard to believe it's already been a week since the wedding. I am so happy for this newlywed couple. I have known Ben for years, and I am looking forward to getting to know his lovely bride, Alex! Praying God's blessing for you as you begin your lives together as husband and wife!!!

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Soft Peaches and Pinks for Quinn and David's Wedding Flowers

This fall season has truly gone by in a blur. I have to keep reminding myself that it's November already!
As I catch my breath before the holidays arrive, it's great to look back on October and remember some of the lovely weddings I had the privilege to provide flowers for...

Quinn and David's wedding was mid October. One of the first of those coolish autumny days. The skies were just a little drizzly, not too much though, and the emotions were absolutely joyful!

Quinn and her Mom, BJ, are dear friends of mine. When we met to discuss the wedding flowers, it was evident that Quinn knew just what she wanted.
As the wedding day approached,  it was so exciting to see her vision come to life. The colors were soft pinks and peaches and ivories and the flowers included roses, spray roses, baby's breath, and textures such as hypericum berries and fragrant dried lavender.

The wrapping for her bouquet was burlap jute overlaid with lace.And guys sported boutonnieres of waxflowers and dried lavender- the fragrance was wonderful!

So many personal touches were provided by Quinn's family, including these super sweet monogram mugs that her sister, Lauren, gave to the couple! 

Table decor was a charming blend of bottles, flowers and votives which were perfect for reception venue- The Cotton Company in Wake Forest, NC.

The super delicious cake was provided by the very gifted Beth Wallen of CakealiciousNC. Her cakes are incredible!!!

I am so happy for Quinn and David as they begin their marriage... Praying God's blessing for you two!!!

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Zinnia Bouquets in Peach and Coral and Lavender and Plum

Spring lingered a little longer than usual this year, but with the typical humidity of the Deep South streaming in over these last couple of weeks, I think it has finally given way to summer.

This is a transition time in the flower garden. Snapdragons, Feverfew, Yarrow and Queen Ann's Lace are some late spring bloomers that will persist through June. Zinnias, gomphrena, and celosia are just starting up and will crank out blooms through frost. Dahlias are also starting up as well, but won't hit their stride until fall.

So as the weather heats up, I thought it would be a great time to work up some bouquets with summer offerings.

Open-face Chantilly snapdragons and zinnias in soft yellows, peach, salmon and pink are paired with white feverfew and Queen Ann's Lace. It's a very popular color palette this year!

The next bouquet features hydrangea, clematis, zinnia, marble arch salvia, chocolate cosmos and catmint in lavender, purple, plum, and pink with touches of white double flowered feverfew.

The best part of all is having my daughter, Judy, agree to help me out, and hold the bouquets for me. I tell her it's good practice...

She just laughs!

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Peach and Coral Ranunculus and Bleeding Hearts for Katey and Matt

Some of the most beautiful flowers for springtime weddings are grown here at Springwell Gardens. Ranunculus, leucojum, tulips, bleeding heart, and more have been making an appearance in the garden beds since late February.
And that is just what Katey and Matt wanted for their April wedding- flowers from the garden.

When we first met last March, I showed Katey and Matt some designs that featured ranunculus in an array of beautiful colors peaches, corals, pinks and yellows... they decided these would be the perfect flowers for their wedding designs.

 

 They also liked the idea of trying to use some of the other seasonal flowers from the garden such as Angelique tulips, leucojum and bleeding heart.....

Here's Katey's bouquet filled with a colorful array of ranunculus, leucomjum, Angelique tulips and bleeding heart from the Gardens, along with coral spray roses and creamy stock.

 Matt's boutonniere featured two plump ranunculus buds and a single bleeding heart floret.

Posies for the aisle chairs were created with apricot colored snapdragons, coral spray roses and peach and coral ranunculus.

Centerpiece elements featured pussy willow, curly willow and ranunculus from the Garden in sleek cube and rectangular vases for the reception at The Umstead Hotel and Spa.

Loved having the chance to work with this sweet couple. And since they live near, I would be more than happy to help give them pointers for a flower garden of their own!

 Wishing you all the best, Katey and Matt, as you begin your lives together.

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Peaches and Corals for Katie and Will's Wedding

What a treat to be asked to create Katie and Will's wedding flowers. Katie and my daughter, Mary, were good friends growing up- especially during those high school years. Lots of good memories come to mind when I think of this lovely young woman!
Katie envisioned a warm color palette of peach, light coral and pops of green for the bridesmaids bouquets and soft whites and ivories for her own.

One thing that was tweaked a little a couple months out from the wedding was the wrapping for the bouquets. I showed Katie a picture of bouquets with multiple hanging ribbons, and she was all for giving it a try.

Ceremony designs were created in large footed urns in keeping with the traditional atmosphere at Jones Chapel in Raleigh.
Centerpiece designs somewhat mimicked the bridesmaids' bouquets. Each one set in a ribbon and button embellished vase, (so thankful to have Sandy assist me with all of these!).
I can't wait to share some of the real wedding pictures... so more about these two coming up later this week!

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Poppies- Springtime Wedding Flowers in Pastel Shades

The garden is starting to churn out flowers. Not as quickly as I would like, but they are starting up.
A new flower in the lineup is Iceland Poppy "Meadow Pastels". I have talked to several people who have grown poppies before and they all seem to think they are fairly easy to grow. This is my first year to grow this variety which is a good cut flower variety.
I ordered seeds from Johnny Selected Seeds, and started them in February. What a beautiful, delicate bloom, and I love the pastel shades of peach, salmon, pale yellow and even bright orange.
The bouquet above features Iceland Poppies, Foxglove, Fairy Rose, Feverfew, Love-in-a-Mist (Nigella), and Larkspur.
The next picture is of the same bouquet with the Foxgloves removed. I think that I like this more rounded version better.
Iceland Poppies have a short vase life- about four to five days which is just fine for wedding work. I re-cut the stems in water when I bring them in from the garden and place them in hot water to condition.
One more note about poppies there are several varieties out there and not all do well as cut flowers. Be sure to look for "Papaver nudicaule". And I am considering sowing some seeds outdoors in the fall. These plants do not seem to like the heat. I hope to plant them earlier and have them blooming by April- maybe in time for Katey's wedding!

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