31 January 2013

A Bouquet for a Bermuda Wedding

Cars drove up laden with exquisite jewelry and flowers by the bucket load. Women's dresses, in earthy hues and made of delicate gossamer, fluttered in the crisp cool breeze. Men's afternoon jackets and pink ties hung sober on a hanger. Everyone had arrived and with a purpose. I was empty handed. If I didn't know any better, I would have thought it was a fashion conspiracy. 


There is something completely enjoyable about putting together a photo shoot. Just days beforehand we thought we'd take advantage of the flowers that had arrived for the bouquets for our booth at Anthony's Bridal Show. Alexandra Mosher had brought delicate pieces from her Bermuda collection: spoils of cufflinks, necklaces, earrings, bracelets and rings were spilled across Amanda's dining table begging to be picked. I was there to add my two cents worth i.e. to style. And so, under our collective watchful eye, what had only been an idea, came beautifully together.  

Huge thanks to our models, Jadiyah and Weldon, who posed for hours as the dappled winter light fell to dusk.   




























27 January 2013

Bouquet for a Bermuda Wedding


Bouquet created using Anemones, Pink Spray roses, Dusty Miller, Seeded Eucalyptus, Pink O'Hara Rose, Lilac stock, Hydrangea

There are some days when everything just seems to come together: The flowers for Anthony's Bridal Show arrived on Thursday with our regular shipment. The design studio was lush, with blooms in every container on every shelf. The fragrance from the lavender and sweet peas filled the air. Sarah began to create the bouquets incorporating our new design philosophy and signature colour way: Hues of blush, stone, mushroom, ivory and silver with hints of lavender.  It was soft, feminine, romantic.

Amanda popped in to collect the blooms for our regular Friday's flowers feature and saw the beginnings of the boutonnieres. "We should do a photoshoot", she said. I am not too sure who looked more horrified - Sarah or me! We were petrified that something would happen to the flowers, out in the sunlight for hours, and then we wouldn't have anything for the show.  Which is how I got roped in.

What a fun afternoon. Amanda persuaded Jadiyah to model along with Weldon.  We explored Amanda's garden, chasing pockets of sunshine. As the afternoon light began to fade, the rays lengthened across the garden, falling between the fronds from the palm trees.

I can't wait to see all the images from the shoot. Can you? They'll be featured in a separate blog post later this week.


25 January 2013

Friday's Flowers: Perfect for a Bermuda Wedding

The flowers that arrived this week for sale and for Anthony's Bridal Show on Sunday were, in a nutshell, exquisite.

Spray roses in blush

I had been on a conference call for the better part of the afternoon and heard all this commotion. As I stepped into the studio, I saw the flowers had arrived and were being conditioned. So anxious to capture the different varieties, Amanda was helping Kirsteen. With camera in one hand and blooms in another, she quickly put each variety in the galvanized pails and vases.


Sweet pea - the smell was intoxicating and yet delicate


Fringe double lisianthus



Ranunculus - aren't the colourways just crazy?!




Hyacinth in apricot and ivory

Gerbers in one of the many unique vases we carry. This colour reminds me of liquid sunshine.

This is just a sample of what was brought in - a full list is featured on our website under Friday's Flowers: www.petalsbermuda.com.

Do stop in and see us - we'd love to share the passion for Petals and, of course, fill your world with flowers.


...njb


24 January 2013

Bermuda Traditions: A Different Kind of Wedding Cake

Shells? Flowers? Initials? A Bride and Groom figurine? Brides are often torn with indecision as to what should go on top of their wedding cake. In Bermuda, having traditional wedding cakes makes the decision easy.  

Cake flowers: Anemones, Ranunculus, Spray Roses, Dusty Miller, Seeded Eucalyptus
Boutonniere: Spray Roses, Dusty Miller, Wax Flower, Seeded Eucalyptus

Our wedding traditions play a passionate role with much symbolism. For the bride, a fruit cake laced with alcohol creates an intoxicating base. Covered with silver leaf, it symbolizes purity while the cake itself symbolizes the bride's fertility. A cedar sapling is placed on the top symbolizing the couple's growing love. After the cake is cut the sapling is planted in the garden and, like the relationship, flourished over the years.

The groom's cake is far more flamboyant, a single tiered pound cake is first blanketed in marzipan then dressed in gold leaf symbolizing prosperity.

While I love the starkness and purity of a silver leaf wedding cake, I often suggest to brides to add a touch of their bridal flowers at the base.

Here the groom's boutonniere reflects this soft palate of sky blue, mushroom, silver and ivory.  

As we are participating with Anthony's 16th Annual Bridal Show (taking place this Sunday at Fairmont Hamilton), I am excited to see what modern twists on age old traditions will be on display. 

See you there!         

njb

19 January 2013

The New York Flower Market

Several times a year we do a pilgrimage to New York, inhale inspiration and see first hand what the East Coast florists are getting jazzed about. At 5.00 a.m. the Floral District is hopping, you can almost smell the pencils being sharpened as deals are done, money trades hands and sales finalized with a subtle nod. It's cold to the bone and damp beyond belief. 

Buyers hustle between their preferred wholesalers getting the best of what's on offer. There is a buzz in the air and it's not from the bees! 

Pussy Willow by the box load line the sidewalks

Walking through this slim stretch of New York, I never get tired of the sight of all the blooms, the mayhem, the fragrances - all fighting for attention. I am in awe while at the same time getting slightly agitated; so many varieties, so many possibilities!  

I think sometimes it is easy to stay with what's familiar. It's safe. It works. But over the next three months we will be implementing significant changes to Petals and the timing of this trip could not be better: We have a responsibility to create bold work, take chances, offer impeccable service, be innovative, be different. We owe it to ourselves and, as importantly, our clients deserve it... Thank you for your loyalty over the years. 

Despite how much she does not like the cold, Amanda managed to capture everything. Enjoy!


Tulips of all sorts of varieties




What are these crazy things?!!!


Hyacinth and Tulips




Poppies are coming into season now. These gorgeous blooms came in from Italy. 




Hydrangea: fresh and dried


Poppies and Ranunculus


Anemones




Kangaroo Paw


Fiddlehead




Cabbage roses


And thousands of tulips


Sunflowers and tulips


Waxflower 


Tulips and sunflowers 



Roses



Sweet Pea