Sharon had a good idea of what she wanted but needed help to bring her vision together. As Sharon & Jon were marrying before Christmas and because she loves Christmas and decorations so much, that became the theme of the wedding. The choice of flower to use was the next question and we looked at Phalenopsis orchids and calla lilies both of which Sharon liked. Colour was also a very important consideration for Sharon and she decided on a Chocolate Calla Lily which is very close to Burgundy which is Sharon’s favourite colour.

A family member made a beautiful Wedding Cake that was made to look like a mass of wrapped Christmas Presents

Her off the shoulder dress suited an over arm bouquet of burgundy Calla Lilies, Akito roses, bear grass and crystals with some gold leaves. The handle of the bouquet was made of bear-grass with crystals attached. The Bridesmaids had a hand tied of Avalanche and Akito roses with some calla lilies, bear grass with crystals and finished with a natural collar of Aspidistra leaves. The young flower girl had a Wand with an Akito rose and bear-grass crystals too. The Groom, Best Man and father of the bride had white calla lily boutonnieres with gold leaves. The other members of the wedding party had burgundy calla lily boutonnieres and gold leaves.

Photographs by Tasha Thorne

Sharon & Jon were married in the Minstrel Room at Miskin Manor and had a Topiary tree of deep pink Sorborne Lilies and Burgundy feathers with mini Christmas lights at the entrance. The base of the topiary was made to look like a present to keep in with the theme.

Sharon wanted the guests to take home some of the flowers. So I designed some of the table-centre as different sized Gift Boxes that could be taken after the Wedding Reception. Sharon also wanted lit candles for the Wedding Breakfast and the evening Reception so I designed a central tall Vase with her accent flower of Burgundy Calla lilies inside submerged in water (which magnified the lilies) and lit them underneath with special waterproof lights and floating candles on top. Gold candle holders, Christmas baubles of gold & burgundy, and diamante sprinkled on the table finished of the Christmas table-centres that were placed on a mirrored glass.

Photographs by Tasha Thorne

Sharon made her own Favours by using mini Christmas boxes with burgundy & gold ribbon. These also doubled as Place Names as they had named labels on them.

Miskin Manor was beautifully decorated for Christmas and Sharon’s ideas and colours worked really well.

Jane & Kevin’s April Wedding Celebrations took place in two very different venues. The Wedding Ceremony & Breakfast took place in the Mansion House, Cardiff built in 1896 for James Howell and is now the official residence for the Mayor of Cardiff.

The Evening Reception, including a Ceilidh, took place in the Temple Hall of the Temple of Peace, Cardiff designed by Sir Percy Thomas in 1938. Jane had clear ideas about having fragrant seasonal spring flowers that needed to include roses and lilies for her bouquet. The flowers also needed to be designed so that they could be moved and used in both of the distinct venues and then given to the wedding party as gifts to take home.

Jane’s wedding outfit consisted of a turquoise dress with a pale turquoise with gold brocade coat and a turquoise  fascinator. The bouquet had added turquoise feathers and gold leaves in amongst the lilies and Akito roses to match her outfit.

The bridesmaids had Hand-made Crash Wire Bouquets with limited flowers of Ornithogalum arabicum, ‘Feeling Green’ Chrysanthemum & Cymbidium. Wire and pearl beads coordinated the different shades of turquoise of the Bride and Bridesmaids.

The Boutonnieres composed of an Akito rose, a hand-made turquoise wire leaf, sprig of rosemary, ‘Chrystal Dark Blue’ Limonium , ‘Green  Condor’ Hypericum and some ivy leaves.

The Wedding Breakfast took place in the Mansion House and Event Florist designed the floral designs to use the stunning silver candelabra that are there. Spring Green candles added to the effect. The Candelabra and Floral rings had spring scented flowers and in the Evening Reception the designs were re-used on the snug tables and candles in storm lanterns replace the candlesticks to add to the evening atmosphere at the Ceilidh.

The staircase was decorated with large Pew End designs as the Wedding Photographs were being taken here. Two large Pedestals were moved to the Temple Hall where Garlands were hung to soften the huge marble pillars.

The Venue was Treowen House, a 16th Century Manor House set in the Monmouth hills near Raglan. It was hired for the weekend for the Wedding and Reception in June 2009.

Karen & David wanted Event Florist to produce a traditional wedding design made up of soft lilacs and dusty pinks. I suggested Sarah Bernhardt Peonies and Coolwater Roses as the main flowers. All flowers have different meanings and one of Peonies meanings is for a ‘Happy Marriage’.

Karen had a Shower Bouquet made of peonies, roses, veronica and freesias. The Bridesmaids had Hand-Tied Bouquets of peonies & Coolwater roses. The Boutonnieres had a Coolwater rose, veronica, ivy and a sprig of rosemary.

The entrance was flanked by two Topiary Trees, that led to a stone porch with a Heart Garland over the door. The Garland was mainly made up of roses, lilies and white peonies. The fragrance was lovely and many wedding guests commented on the perfume.

The marriage took place in the drawing room, upstairs. So the window sills were decorated with large asymmetrical designs and the staircase was softly garlanded and had sprays of flowers. Pedestals showed the way.

After the ceremony, the reception was held on the lawn with pink champagne & baskets of flowers hung on shepherds crooks, were dotted about. A basket of bubbles were left for the younger children to blow.

The breakfast wedding had two-tiered candelabra on each table, filled with peonies, stocks, sweet-peas which had a light summery fragrance.

In the evening the candelabra were put in the windows and night lanterns were lit for the live music and dancing.

Event Florist have a team we call on for larger events and on this occasion we were helped by fellow florist Ann Keedwell and assisted by Jackie Mellan.