Friday, August 7

Wedding Portrait Bouquet

Edited below!
My bride for October 10th needed a bouquet for her bridal portrait session today. This one is nearly identical to the one she will have in October, but that one will also have stephanotis florets; which she will wear in her hair as well. She picked it up this morning at 8 am, and I took photos of it because I didn't know I'd have the opportunity to take the one below. I met with her and her mother at the wedding site later in the day, and she was still in her dress when I arrived.

A pretty bride, I'd say! The bouquet features gardenias, cymbidium and dendrobium orchids, hypericum berries, miniature calla lilies, Kermit mums and bear grass. The cascade is making its way back into style after being somewhat verboten for about 8 years. If you wait long enough - everything comes back into style. I enjoy making cascades, even though this one took almost two hours because of all the wiring and taping I had to do. Luckily, she loved it.

One corner of the room in which we met today; furnished with period pieces and accessories. To the right of that corner is a massive stone fireplace; the photo of it is found below.

The place she is having her wedding and reception is called The Sutherland. It's a wonderful old home - and I wish I knew more of its history to tell you. I didn't think I'd ever been there (it opened last year) but as I approached the home, I realized I had done a double wedding there for the daughters of previous owner. It was many years ago, and the new owners have done wonders with the landscaping and additions to the original home. Click on the link to see the home and grounds.

I'll take more photos on the day of the wedding, when everything is decorated to the hilt. Her colors are sage green and white and I am sure it will all look beautiful.

Edit: Several people have asked what this is about. In the US, many brides have a formal portrait made in their wedding dress a few months before the wedding. That portrait is displayed at the reception, and is also used for the wedding announcement in the local newspapers, which appears on the Sunday just after the ceremony takes place.

17 comments:

BALLET NEWS said...

Just gorgeous ! And I love your blog, thank you so much for sharing it !

OldLady Of The Hills said...

That is a BEAUTIFUL Bouquet Judy....I love all the flowers you used!.....And she is a gorgeous Bride.

Gilly said...

What a beautiful bouquet! And a lovely bride!

I love the way all your flowers sort of meld together so that no one particular flower stands out shouting "look at me"! but the whole blends into something exquisitly beautiful.

I hope you see what I mean!

Pat said...

How lovely to see perfect simplicity. It makes a lovely whole and bouquet and bride are matches made in heaven. Lucky girl!

Grannymar said...

Now that is my kind of bouquet.

Judy, you have so many events surrounding weddings on your side of the pond. May I ask what a 'bridal portrait session' is all about? Why is the bride in her outfit now if the wedding is not until October?

Granny Annie said...

Sage green and white! Love those as wedding colors. It seems these days many wedding colors are too far out for my taste. It is a beautiful bouquet.

Shiny Rod said...

I was trying to remember where I had heard that name before and when I clicked on the link and saw that the house is in Wake Forest. Wow, now thats where I remember it from. I am in out of WF at least 2 or 3 times a week. I have several friends from the Postal Service that live there. The cascade was simply gorgeous as was the other arrangements. Hope the groom doesn't see the picture of the bride before the wedding. Then again, thats just an old wives tale, isn't it? I would mention that bride looks beautiful, but I just couldn't do it justice in words.

John said...

Absolutely gorgeous! I love it, everything about it, especially the bear grass. I'm glad you also had a pic of the bride holding it, because it looked very large in the first photo! I think the size was just right. Outstanding job! * * * * * (five star review 5 out of 5) Keep up the good work--I know you will :)

Tabor said...

Do you do the design or do you and the bride do it together?

MaR said...

Gorgeous bouquet and bride!! Hope the groom doesn't read your blog :)
It seems this wedding portrait happens in the US only...interesting.

tiff said...

Hey - I know where that place is! :) What a wonderful spot for a wedding - the place is stunning.

So are the flowers. I a big fan of cascades, and your execution thereof.

oklhdan said...

Beautiful flowers and a beautiful bride. What a gorgeous place to hold a wedding!

rosemary said...

OK....I'll be the sour old lady. the bouquet is beautiful, the bride lovely....but I'd feel a bit superstitious about wearing the dress and having photos taken in July when I was actually getting married in October. But, i am a failure at marriage....so, there you go!!!

Darlene said...

I am catching up on your last three posts. I am really looking forward to more photos from the Galapagos.

I love a cascade on the bridal bouquet and am glad it's returning. I imagine it does present a challenge for the florist, though. You did a beautiful job, Judy.

colleen said...

I love the cascade. Everything comes back in style and is then a classic. She IS a pretty bride. M friend who officiates at weddings says that October is the new June.

Grannymar said...

Thanks Judy for the explanation. We have less of a lead up to weddings in Ireland.

Liz said...

I just love those wedding flowers!! Those are beautiful and perfect!!