Fabulous Flowers for a Friday

Amanda has only just returned to the island.  Whatever she was doing, she looks disgustingly well and happy. Bravo, I say! Meanwhile, "back at the ranch", we've all been trying to stay warm and dry and not be overwhelmed by the grey skies and long bleak days. 

Disclaimer: I have shot the following photos and my style has gone from 'raw and intimate' to 'down and dirty' - I think i'll stick to writing!

Doesn't this bloom remind you of an image from a fairytale? I almost looked around hoping to see a fairy sitting, slim legs tucked under a translucent gossamer skirt, underneath and hiding from the rain. Does anyone know what this flower is?

No sooner had it come in then it was out again this time paired with poppies and aubergine tulips wrapped in stardust.  

Anemones are one of my absolute favourite flowers - I usually favour the inky black centre but seeing this pop of celery, created a lighter feel to the bloom.

With very little colour on the horizon, I was thrilled to see this week's offerings. Kirsteen has been away for the week (in even colder Scotland) and Sarah headed off, in the drizzle, to collect the boxes from the airport. 

I had clients with me for the weekend as well as Peter, whose helping with the new shop, so the past few days have felt like a series of late nights and revolving doors. It wasn't until mid-Friday that I had an opportunity to peek at the flowers. They had already been conditioned and were sitting in a collection of galvanized buckets.  It seemed that in spite of the incredibly drab day, spring had arrived and a plethora of pinks, ivories and silvers filled the studio; their faces turned to the unexpected sunshine pouring through the studio window, quivering to be used. 

I am becoming quite addicted to wax flower - so pretty as an alternative or in addition to greenery.

We had an event at the Fairmont on Saturday and the Dusty Miller was already being prepped for the table centrepieces. 

The ranunculus were all too pretty in pink.

Thank heavens Easter is early this year. We'll so enjoy the spring flowers and of course share them with you as they arrive. 

Until the new shop opens mid April, do come by the studio or call for some beautiful flowers to fill your world with colour. As always, available in limited quantities.

...njb

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.   

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.

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

Happy Anniversary

If there's one thing to be said about Candace - she knows her mind. When we first started planning the wedding, she brought in a sheaf of pictures showing the different things she loved. At first glance, it seemed a bit all over the place. But I trusted her. And she trusted me. We wove together a wedding day, an incredible tapestry with touches of the past. The tablescape was a delight to source: Marble eggs in a wire basket, peonies deliberately blown open in silver jugs complete with antique roses, dusty miller and lavender, nuances of France, paper butterflies wound around mason jars and, of course, hearts.  

A heart shaped wreath hangs on the chapel wall...

French cushions on the chapel benches for comfort and cones with rose petals for guests to toss.

We had purchased a chandelier to hang in a tent but with the change in venue, decided to use it as a candelabra instead. Somehow it looked like it was made for that very purpose.

A borrowed tablecloth of antique lace with white peacocks in bird cages on each 'ledge'.

Paper hearts for confetti

It's hard to believe it has only been a year today since Candace and Nick were married. Seeing them together, the relationship they've built and the love they share, it shouldn't surprise you at all.