Lilac & Lime: Behind the Veil

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This color scheme is really versatile for any time of the year. The paleness of the purples are "lifted up", so to speak, by the limey-ness of the greens. For the spring bride or a summer morning bride, this gentle woodsy bouquet is tied together with the purply grey of dusty miller (I stole from my front yard) and the moss-like quality of the green trick.

For the wood-nymph bride, a lovely addition could be woody mushrooms and dried branches- stay tuned for that one :)

{ in the bouquet }

lilac tulips, purple pom poms, pale purple lisianthus, green trick, yoko-onos, dusty miller, star of bethlehem, green hypericum berries and green carnations.

Pale Blush: "Behind the Veil"

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I love my job. I'm grateful to have an artistic medium that is *alive*. After the joys of creating each bouquet, there's the amazement that a beautiful new bride is taking that little life with her down the aisle. It may seem really sappy to some, but it doesn't make it any less true.

{ about the bouquet }

star of bethlehem, pale green carnations, miniature white carnations, lisianthus blooms and blush garden roses.

Behind, "Behind the Veil"

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Savannah Magazine's bridal event of the year: "Behind the Veil" was indeed a great success. The quality and caliber of the vendors was evident in every display (and I didn't even make it to the Telfair). Getting ready to present the variety of bouquets to be held by the "brides" during the fashion show was frenetic but quite fun.

Above are photos of one the bouquets I created; I'll add a few more over the next few days- but wait until you see them on the cat walk; the brides and gowns were so beautiful that it was such an honor to see my pretty posies carried along.

{ about the flowers }

pink lisianthus, fuschia carnations, funny little yellow billy balls (craspedia), yellow kangaroo paws, black bacara roses, protea (leaves)- a very different color combination with lots of texture and a velvet feel to both the kangaroo feet and roses. Perfect for a fall or early winter bride who wants a palette that is not typical.

Savannah Weddings Presents: Behind the Veil

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Urban Poppy is *thrilled* to be featuring a selection of its bouquets for the bridal fashion show!

"Find “The Dress” at Our Fashion Show: Oscar de La Renta, Monique Llhuillier and Vera Wang are just a few of the exclusive labels you’ll see marching down the aisle at our top-label bridal fashion show, hosted by BleuBelle Bridal with hair by B Street Salon and makeup by Glow MedSpa. Set to the live tunes of the Equinox Jazz Band, this live display of luxe looks on stunning local brides is part of every ticket."

If you're in Savannah tomorrow (Sunday) please feel free to come check out the show.

Pink Blooms & the Green of Spring

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Think of the soft velvet green of spring moss in a wet quiet forest. Imagine the pushing, moving force of shoots through fecund soil. Hear dripping of icicles into a running stream and the smell of rich cool earth. These are the sensations of springtime and I am ready for it.

This bridal bouquet is made with beautiful blush tulips, pale pink sweetheart roses, variegated pink tulips, pink hyacinths, green trick and yoko ono mums.

Normally I try to alternate the flowers in a posy bouquet. In this arrangement I've gathered groups of flowers focusing on their texture and color relation to each other. There are really only three colors in this bouquet: green, blush and pink.

Purple Punch: Hot Trend in Color Pairing

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There is a flower for every palette and unique color pairings really give bouquets a boost. Though pink will always be a classic color for bridal flowers, brides have often steered away from its bold-hued neighbor, purple.

When paired with the delicate look of chartreuse or lime, the combination makes a beautiful statement.

With the grays of January, I've kept myself surrounded by color and experimentation.

{ middle photo courtesy of The Knot }

Vintage Corsage

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This evening I was arranging some "faux fleurs" (as I like to call them) and came up with a very vintage bridal set of a bouquet, corsage and boutonniere. The creamy whites with the hint of chartreuse really complement the Tiffany blue of the ribbon.

Blooms for Boutonnieres

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It's true, the bride really does steal the show: she is the center of attention; the grand entrance where everyone who is seated turns and stands.

So what about your groom? He will look dashing in a striking tux waiting for you at the front of the church, or perhaps more mellow in rolled up khakis at the beach. Whatever his look, have him complement yours by the simple touch of a boutonniere.

Simple is always classic. You don't want his arrangement to be mistaken for his mother's corsage. One of the ways to make your "beau's bout" to stand out from his groomsmen is to choose a special bloom that is found only in your bouquet.

If the men are wearing light suits, go with brighter blooms for more contrast and "pop". Likewise if the gents are in black tuxes or navy suits, lighter colored blooms (rather than your typical dark rose) will stand out more and give the wedding party a greater look of continuity.

Our Camellia Is Blooming!

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Earlier this afternoon, my husband came in from outside and handed me the most ruffled ruby colored bloom I have ever seen. Thrilled to announce that our tree was blooming, I told him that not only were we the proud owners of a brilliant camellia tree, but that I'd been eyeing the buds from our sun room's windows for quite some time.

We bought our home a few months back and are eagerly looking forward to see what green wonders will be sprouting from our yard; the camellia is the star of the show, for now.

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According to the American Camellia Society, there are over 250 known species to the genus Camellia. And, according to The Southeastern Camellia Society, Savannah might be able to boast about having the most:

"Savannah's reputation as a garden city began with James Edward Oglethorpe, who in the 1730's laid out a city plan of squares and parks many of which remain today. Although many visitors believe that camellias are native to this area, they are originally from Japan and China. The first species of camellia to enter the United States was the tea plant, camellia sinensis. Seeds were first sent to Savannah in 1744 to be planted in Trustee's Garden, an experimental garden in Oglethorpe's original plans. Camellia japonica did not make it to the southern United States until around the 1830's when bushes were planted at plantations in the Charleston, South Carolina area. "

The above information (which I too have just learned) might explain my illustration at the very top: it's a still life of a camellia I drew last year while living and teaching on Geoje Island in South Korea. The bushes were all over the island and their vivid colors were a bright addition to the ridiculously long and dreary winter.

Although the author mentioned that the Camellia originated in Japan and China, I'm certain my Korean friends would appreciate the addition.

New Bouquets for the New Year

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Hooray!

I'm thrilled to introduce the beginnings of my newest silk and naturals collection: "Faux Fleurs". Now there are bouquets, boutonnieres and corsages that I can offer my lovely brides-to-be who are miles away from Savannah, Georgia.

For the past few weeks I've had quite a few brides from all over the country contacting me about flowers. Although I would love to create fresh live arrangements, shipping would be difficult and quite expensive (not to mention, rough on the flowers). So I've created a "natural" solution for the perfect bride's or bridesmaid bouquet for your wedding party.

Your wedding might be in Savannah, but perhaps the ceremony will take place on the beach in the summer heat of July; Faux Fleurs might be an option for you as well. Many brides would love the keepsake that come from silk flowers. Also, many guests have found that faux boutonnieres and corsages won't be crushed with all of the hugging :)

This is actually my first foray into "The Land of Forbidden Fake Flowers". Being the faux snob that I am, I'm actually quite shocked at how beautifully they turned out. I can't wait to experiment with more natural elements later this month. If you're interested in any of these bouquets pictured above, please feel free to visit my etsy shop or shoot me an email.

Here's to a happy, healthy and flower-ful 2011!!