Thursday, April 24

Wedding Flowers ~ Kissing Balls


Since "kissing balls" is a phrase that brings hundreds to my blog every month, I thought I'd give them something new to see. Last weekend, my employer, Mel Day of Dogwood Tree Floral, had two weddings, both of which used kissing balls in three ways. Top: Six balls were hung in the tree in front of which the ceremony was to take place.

In the lobby just outside the reception ballroom, a tall vase of curly willow, tied with six kissing balls. This table is where they placed the seating chart and place cards.


Detail of a kissing ball hung in a tree.





Kissing balls used as family seating markers. After the ceremony, these were used atop vases, for some of the table centerpieces. In all, we had to do 19 kissing balls. They are labor intensive, and take a long time (especially with hydrangea). I prefer making them with spray roses or sweetheart roses.



26 comments:

Jamie Dawn said...

I'm cracking up over your opening line.
The kissing balls are pretty.
I am still chuckling over those hundreds who search "kissing balls" and imagining their disappointment when they see flowers instead of the tawdry photos they were hoping for.
I suppose a fraction of them really are looking for floral kissing balls.

Travelin'Oma said...

I've never even heard of kissing balls! Yours are so cute!

rosemary said...

Unique and beautiful....I just bet that term brings out all sorts of folks to your blog...like me!

Anonymous said...

that is so adorable.

Arlene,
Bainbridge Island flowers

Jay said...

Oh gosh, they're so pretty, I want one!

Anonymous said...

maybe your beautiful kissing balls will lead the Googlers away from the clutches of porn!

OldLady Of The Hills said...

Oh these are just GORGEOUS, Judy! I love the whole idea of "Kissing Balls"...I remwember when you wrote about them before---I think I said then that this was a NEW Idea to me....I think they are so very sweet!

MaR said...

Let the "kissing balls" make your stats explode, lol!
They are absolutely beautiful, haven't seen anything like it before...

Bobkat said...

I'm with Jamie Dawn - it's so funny to think of the disappointment that you bring to those looking for something a little more...erm...specialist! LOL! Anyway, your floral creations never disappoint me as these are lovely as ever. I love the different ways these are used so the theme carries through the wedding. Pretty :)

Hope you are feelingmuch better!

Anonymous said...

Do you get to kiss under them like we do with Mistletoe at Christmas?

sage said...

shouldn't they have a bit of mistletoe in 'em? They're beautiful.

tiff said...

Wonder where they got the funny name from?

Love the colors - so Springy!

Anonymous said...

I can only imagine the search hits you must be getting - LOL!

Very pretty Judy!

JeanMac said...

That's a unique idea for using them - you are so talented.

Dianne said...

I was asking myself where I had ever heard of kissing balls before, then I relaized - it was here!!!

great photos, especially the close-ups of the balls in the trees.

are you feeling better?

Carolyn said...

LOL! They could almost go along with those Big Chocolate Balls we made at Christmas ;D

They look time consuming but you're probably real proud when they're done!

whimsical brainpan said...

Very lovely!

Carletta said...

I agree, your opening line is too funny - I couldn't help smiling all the way through the post!

These are absolutely gorgeous - I love the ones hanging in the trees!

Shephard said...

I like the seat markers. Clever.
Very pretty. It must be fun to design them....because there's no real limit to the creativity.

~S

awareness said...

Beautiful kissing balls...... I love the hydrangea ones, and I bet they are labour intensive.

Now that I know how to get more readers to my blog, I may have to use the term kissing balls just to find out...

can you imagine what these people are googling for??? vive la difference!

Pat said...

KISSING BALLS!!!! yOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS




KISSING BALLS? YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS!










1

Ginnie said...

Sometimes I think I live in an entirely different world from my fellows....I've never heard of a "kissing Ball" but they are very pretty. I'm happy for you that you have customers who want your wonderful creations...but I'm still shocked at what people pay for weddings.

Chancy said...

The kissing balls are so beautiful. I had never heard of them but they sound like an old southern tradition. Maybe Charleston?

AC said...

doh, until I read Jamie Dawn's comments, I didn't get the joke...

These are beautiful.

jammy said...

i'm thinking of making some of the Martha Stewart tissue paper ones but i'm slightly nervous about them looking cheap (even though i've seen pictures) do you have any experience with those? i'm also trying to find idea for what to do with them once the ceremony is over.

kenju said...

Jammy, I can't get an email to you. I have no knowledge of Martha Stewart's tissue paper kissing balls, and I suspect they would be too fragile to use after the wedding. Michael's and AC Moore's have had silk rose kissing balls in the past. I should think they would be nicer than anything made of paper.