A very special bouquet for a very special person

Yes I was privy to The Dress and the jewelery, I knew what the groom and groomsmen were wearing (except the converse that was a surprise), I had seen the bridesmaids dresses, I had a list of the fresh flowers that were going to be used for the bridesmaids bouquets, the groomsmens’ boutonierres, to decorate the ceremony and in the table decorations. Armed with all that information I was confident that the fabrics, beads, jewels, ribbons and vintage additions would work perfectly. Now I just had to make it. Of course, I was sworn to secrecy that goes without saying.

After months of email discussions, sharing pictures on a private board on Pinterest, designing new flowers and creating samples I finally started making the bouquet in April.

Let me take you on a journey round the flowers. Ffirst there were the peonies, with pale gold beaded stamens, two shades of pink satin and a darker pink georgette.

Then the tulips, creamy white petals overlaid with bridal lace and hand beaded with silver glass beads

Next the Welsh poppies. It was a Welsh wedding with a Welsh bride and groom in a beautiful Welsh venue so I really wanted to add something to reflect that. Made from pale yellow satin and gold georgette with handbeaded centres.

Delicate blue delphinium made from vintage crossgrain ribbon, pale blue georgette on silver stems with seed pearl centres.

Cream and two shades of pink for the spray roses, all made with stitched and folded satin. The pink roses are finished with a swarovski crystal drop and the cream rose with a cabachon set opal from a vintage bracelet in the centre of the petals.

Chosen for that cottage garden wildflower look are lawn daisies and blossom both made with pre-cut petals. The daisies formed around covered and beaded buttons, the blossom on silver wire with cream pearl centres.

One of the things I love about this bouquet are all the little details. The greenery is a mixture of materials and textures, particularly the fern which I overlaid with satin and handcut to add a paler side. There are vintage diamante brooches from the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s nestling amongst the flowers as well as some early 70’s enamel pieces and vintage cut glass beads, buttons and opals from a variety of necklaces and bracelets that I had been collecting.

In keeping with the less formal style of the flowers for the wedding itself we decided on a handtied bouquet. For me the underside of the bouquet is just as important as the flowers, after all this is the side that the bride will see most of. It therefore has to be as exquisite as the rest. I found a fabulous piece of beaded bridal lace in Barcelona which I backed with a very pale coffee satin ribbon to match The Dress for the underside and the top of the handle. Tied with some French vintage georgette ribbon in pale pink edged with gold. The final piece, a vintage early 60’s brooch from my collection, petals of pearlised pale pink and paste stones reflect the colours of the flowers.

Some final shots of the finished bouquet. I am so excited to see the official photos and can’t wait to share more of the day, the wedding party and of course the gorgeous bride and groom!