Oh my lovely bridal bouquet...those perfect pink hydrangeas looked like a wonderful combination of ruffly lingerie and frothy cotton candy clouds. I've always been a fan of simple arrangements...not too much muss or fuss, because really, doesn't nature know best when it comes to flowers? I love bouquets that look like they were just picked in one single delicious clump from the earth. To save money I decided to forgo having a florist arrange my bouquet (plus I have this unwavering conviction that if I don't make something myself I won't be happy with it...it's a bit of a sickness I know, but that's just what comes of being a crafty perfectionist!) Now for those of you who share my sickness, doing your own florals is doable, but it comes with it's own set of challenges. I wouldn't advise it if you are having a large wedding (or maybe just make your own bouquet and let the professionals do the rest), but we only had 25 guests, so we needed 5 centerpieces (I alternated one pink hydrangea with two white per vase and vice versa) and one bridal bouquet. My bridesmaids and flower girl carried soft silvery pussy willow bouquets that I had made months in advance.
Now I foolishly thought that if I planned obsessively in advance that I could avoid any problems, but the wedding gods were having none of it. I had thought I was covering my bases by phoning several times to the florist and confirming what sort of care the flowers would require when I picked them up the day before. The plan was to pick them up around noon (when they were supposed to be in), take them to my parents' timeshare, tie my bouquet, have a BBQ, go to the wedding venue, have a brief rehersal, then set up decor and cut the centerpieces. However, the flowers were delivered late, then the florists wanted to let them sit in hot water for two hours before I could pick them up (which they never told me would need to be done) so there was no time to tie my bouquet before the BBQ. Fast forward to the wedding venue where nothing has been set up like the hotel promised it would be and picture me at 11:30 the night before the wedding making centerpieces and tying my bouquet. Not exactly how I pictured the evening going!! Now at the end of the day, I'd still do it myself because it allowed me total creative control and the ability to alter my design ideas as I went along (sometimes you picture one thing and when you actually get the materials and start working with them you realize something else will look better). But be forewarned, being your own florist is not for the faint at heart!
In addition to the three hydrangea bunches I wired three spokes of white and pink feathers which peeked out from the underside of the bouquet. The only other embellishment was a gorgeous antique cameo I inherited from my great aunt. It was my something old, and perfectly fit with the romantic vintage feel of the event.
