Where do you start? How will you decide the colour scheme, and the flowers for your big day?
In a past blog I shared the fact that I went to school with friends who had already started placing items in 'the bottom drawer' long before they knew who or when they were going to marry.
In all honesty I don't believe that 'the bottom drawer' even exists in this day and age, though feel free to let me know if I'm wrong.
HOW SHOULD YOU DECIDE THE LOOK OF YOUR WEDDING BOUQUET?
We're all different, some people know the flowers that they want long before they find 'the dress'.
Some experts advise you that it is much better to decide on your dress first.
In doing so, your florist and yourself will be better equipped to choose a wedding bouquet that will compliment the dress, and give you the best overall look.
Are you a bride that knows what she wants or are you going to read and read until you feel you are finally well enough informed to make a decision?
I've said it before, 'You have to do you!'.
MY ADVICE TO YOU FOR 2019
Don't be a slave to what 'the experts' say.
Use plants and flowers that make you feel happy ad evoke pleasant memories.
Make your choices due to either the colour or the fragrance of a plant.
Like myself, consider using herbs in your bouquet.
MY HERB HIT LIST
I have already started my list, which contains some commonly known herbs and flowers, it will definitely grow as 2019 progresses.
I'm paying homage to a wedding tradition from the Victorian era where the herbs in a brides wedding bouquet sent out a clear message to her loved one.
1.
MINT
FIRSTLY, I would like to work with, of all things mint. Its small leaves and wonderful scent remind me of tasty summer salads.
TRADITIONAL VICTORIAN MEANING OF MINT - Warmth of feeling.
COLOURS -The colour of mint leaves is so fresh and green, best of all, it is a plant that you should never struggle to get your hands on, no matter what time of the year it is.
Colours may vary of course, between mint, peppermint, spearmint and chocolate mint varieties, but I believe I'm going to enjoy myself while I experiment during my quest to with find the ideal flower colours to compliment each one.
2.
SAGE
THE SECOND HERB I'm eager to experiment with is the sage plant. Not so much for its scent but its aesthetic beauty and texture.
TRADITIONAL VICTORIAN MEANING OF SAGE - Domestic virtue and long life.
COLOURS - The colour of sage leaves is nowhere near as dark and deep a green as the mint. It's leaves lean more towards a more grey, green in colour. Like mint sage also comes in more than one variety. There are 3 that I look forward to working with this year, and they are;
Pineapple Sage (Named due to its distinct scent)
Watermelon Sage (Named due to its distinct scent)
Golden Sage (Named due to the colour of the foliage)
3.
ARTEMISIA
THE THIRD HERB is the wonderful artemisia
TRADITIONAL VICTORIAN MEANING OF ARTEMISIA - Sentimental recollections.
COLOURS - Silver green coloured leaves.
4.
LAMB'S EAR
(Stachys Byzantina)
THE FOURTH HERB is lamb's ear, a popular piece of foliage used in many brides bouquets.
TRADITIONAL VICTORIAN MEANING OF LAMB'S EAR - Support
COLOURS - A fleshy pale green leaf covered in downy hairs, giving it an interesting texture very similar to velvet.
5.
MYRTLE
THE LAST herb on this list is myrtle. Yes it is yet another aromatic plant. It is probably the most commonly used in floristry, and also the most commonly known to anyone reading this blog. Its dark green leaves mean it can be used with flowers of any colour. I'll be using it more for its ability to add texture and lighten the appearance of a bouquet that might otherwise seem too cumbersome.
TRADITIONAL VICTORIAN MEANING OF MYRTLE - Fidelity, everlasting love, married bliss.
Because all the leaves of the plants I've mentioned above are on the small side I will no doubt be using them more as fillers as opposed to the main focal point in any bouquets I create.
MY 2019 FLOWER AND COLOUR CHOICES
Rich and deep burgundy roses and peonies will definitely be included
Deep Blue grape hyacinth
Dusty Blue scabiosa
Light Blue hydrangea
Yellow ladies mantle
Yellow tulips
Hypericum berries of every colour I can get my hands on
My hope is both to gain and give inspiration as I share any images and ideas in the coming weeks.
I rely on you the readers to let me know how I'm doing.
Enjoy the rest of this year and happy wedding planning!
UPDATED 23/2/19: Just this week I came across some beautiful bright yellow tulips and couldn't resist creating this brides posy bouquet with them.
It also contains Small yellow hrysanthemum and solidago. The only other thing it will need is some ribbons. My choice would be green.