Lovely Lavish Weddings
by Carol Caggiano on April 1, 2012 at 9:32 am
Photo Courtesy: Amaryllis, Inc. Floral & Event Design, Washington, D.C. www.amaryllisdesigns.com
Every wedding is lovely, romantic and the fulfillment of a dream. Whether simple or elaborate, a wedding is one of the most cherished events in our lifetime. It may be our own or we may be sharing the wedding day of someone else. Either way, the experience brings anticipation of celebration and romance. When you are in the “wedding business,” you experience a wedding or two every weekend — and each one is magical and exhilarating.
Flowers are my business, so when it’s wedding time that is where I come in. I have designed floral arrangements for well over 4,000 weddings during my career, which have ranged from simple, intimate affairs to glamorous events.
I thought it might be fun to look at some of the glorious details that make some of the lavish weddings special.
Head tables are usually the focal point of the reception room. They can be intimate seating for just the bride and groom or include the entire wedding party, creating a much larger table.
Photo Courtesy: Amaryllis, Inc. Floral & Event Design, Washington, D.C.
www.amaryllisdesigns.com
For one wedding, we created a 19-foot banquet table with an 18” wide runner of flowers extending through the center of the table right down to the floor on each end. Accenting the luscious runner crystal candelabra sparkled through their center making a table fit for not only a king and queen but their guests as well.
Outdoor weddings are also special. Imagine a tent by the water’s edge with sheer curtains cinched back to allow the summer breezes to wisp through the reception space beautifully set with lavish bouquets and crystal accents. Cane backed chairs unexpected yet so perfect for the setting, add an elegant complement to the stunning lush bouquets.
Photo Courtesy: Amaryllis, Inc. Floral & Event Design, Washington, D.C.
www.amaryllisdesigns.com
Large weddings usually have dramatic floral designs throughout their event space.
Urns stacked upon each other reaching over 12-feet high, overflowing with cream roses, hydrangeas and sparkling crystal make an awesome sight when guests enter the room. The elegant all white bouquet was the center of the bar area. The vase is covered with fresh covered with fresh gladiola petals and the “drops” from the arrangement are created with rose petals strung on to a monofilament with a crystal “bob” at the end.
It’s really fun to be around when guests discover these details in the gorgeous arrangements as they exclaim wonder and praise. The art is temporary, but that is part of the romance of beautiful yet perishable blooms.
And what about the beautiful ceremony?
Photo Courtesy: Amaryllis, Inc. Floral & Event Design, Washington, D.C.
www.amaryllisdesigns.com
How about an aisle sprinkled with petals in a lattice pattern? And what if we varied the color to start with yellow and gradually turn to pink as they work their way from the front to the back? So lovely and original yet temporary as the petals scatter when the bride walks her way down the aisle.
These designs are there just for this one day, those few moments in time when we celebrate love, friends and family. Each wedding is special whether it is big or small.
Smaller weddings have very special memories, but it is fun to have the opportunity to create elaborate florals when the budget allows. We say less is more, but you have to admit that a lot of beautiful flowers are really wonderful. You can imagine the talk that went on for months, if not years, about the lush atmosphere created at these weddings. And, of course, the pictures make them last a lifetime.
What do you think of these lavish weddings? Have you ever been to one?
Summer wedding in the country,we do a lot of that here in the farm country of north central Florida. We recently did the flowers for a wedding on the river, tiki torches full of beautiful greenery and lilies,graced the isle,(the flower we removed at night for the wick to be put back in) small mason jars with a touch of raffia and viking poms around the rim and a colored wire handle, hanging by clear line from the trees, with a lit candle at night was beautiful. The ceiling of the pavilion was lit by white lights and flower garland down the pillars.Vases of orange lilies and gerbera daisies were on the two rows of picnic tables. There was much much more.
What did you use to put the flowers in for the table runner loaded with flowers? I have grown up in a florist and would love to try something like that in the future! Stunning! Beautiful!!!
The “drop” was constructed on an “L” shaped plywood with Oasis cages attached. This was installed in a venue that did not allow any on site designing. We constructed the entire table in the shop then disassembled in sections and reassembled on site. The two “drops” were connected by a series of cages that ran down the center of the table therefore allowing all flowers a water source. Each section was numbered and labeled to make reassembly seamless. We also added a large design dish filled with foam on the floor to allow for a “puddle” at the end of each drop. We have done this a number of times and it really is not difficult but does use a lot of flowers. Also, obtaining the exact measurements of the table is really important. An inch or two off can be a problem especially on the “drops”. I hope you do get a chance to make it as it really is lovely. Good luck:)