Holding on....

Summer is quickly drifting away.  I can see it in the maidenhair ferns, they are full and lush, and the delicate fronds are languishing under their own weight.

I know it when the hydrangeas are in full bloom, like clusters of snowflakes before they melt.

The delicate lace caps, are beginning to lose their petals, one by one.

Even, the vintage ceiling metal planter is showing the signs of wear from being outdoors over the summer months.

The delicate Japanese anemone, have all but lost their petals, leaving only the tall ,waving stalks overhead.

Another layer of patinated charm to the planter which was already distressed beyond repair.

...and the rays of the late afternoon sun,which seem shorter and shorter on the lower terrace.

Desperately holding on to summer's last hurrah.

The Colour Purple....encore!

Thank you to Pete, of Stec Photography for generously permitting me to publish his exquisite photos of Taline and Varand's wedding last week. He captured the event beautifully.

Kudos also, to the lovely Angelica of Simply Beautiful Decor for her exquisite head table decor,linens, chiavari chairs and draping.  She delivers everytime!!!

A beautiful event, in many ways, beautifully captured by everyone involved. It takes so many inspiring and dedicated individuals to bring a dream to life.

The Colour Purple

This weekend we did the flowers for a wedding held at the Hilton Fallsview Resort and Hotel in Niagara Falls. I was commissioned early last year and the bride and groom decided to host a formal affair to remember with family and friends, of which there were many!

Celebrating the couples Armenian roots, the event was one of the most heart warming and loving celebrations that I have participated in. 

Vintage silver vessels, which I have collected for years, such as this beautiful bride's basket were put into use.

The tarnished silver was the perfect foil for the dark purple and lavender colour way which was needed to compliment the bridal attendant dresses and reception linens.

Since silver has fallen out of favour for today's homemaker, I have scoured flea markets and jumble sales and found some amazing pieces at some amazing prices!!

The interior of the little Armenian church, which I was told, is the oldest in Canada!

The gorgeous purple of the gowns worn by the lovely bridal attendants.

The perfect shade of purple hydrangeas looked beautiful with calla lilies and silverstone roses.

The beautiful, radiant bride in anticipation of her wedding vows.

Her formal all white and cream bouquet accented with hydrangeas from my garden.

Full blown spray roses and calla lilies in the maid of honours hand tied bouquet. 

Flower spheres of simple garden mums for the younger attendants.

A combination of different containers and heights adds visual interest.

The very lavish head table.

The soft glow of candlelight, tarnished vintage silver and the colour purple for understated, quiet  elegance.

Romancing the Bridal Luncheon

Several years ago, a bride would be honoured at a trousseau tea, in anticipation of her wedding day.

Unlike todays bridal shower, it was customary for her mother or aunts to host it at the bride's home, and fete her with a girly girl party that brought out all of the finest.

This would be my take on it today.

Playful, not too serious florals in vintage head vases from the forties and fifties.The operative word being vintage!!

Pearl handled, sterling flatware in a cut glass spooner would not be too extravagant for the ladies!

A few touches with the colour white to evoke images of veils, tulle, her wedding gown, and of course her trousseau.

This was endowed to her by her mother or grandmother, and consisted of expertly hand sewn

bed linens, towels,and tablecloths and monogrammed napkins.

A beautiful example of broderie anglais, or English cutwork, which required hours of handwork

 and patience, not to mention needleart skills.

Lovely lattice edged milk glass cake plates mirror the same designs embroidered in the linens.

A romantic notion....celebrating the present while embracing loved heirlooms and traditions from the past.

Chartreuse and White

This very fresh and vibrant colour combination has been a favourite among brides for many years, and does not seem to be losing ground!

This particular arrangement using green trichelium and just simple salal leaves is waiting for branches draped with white orchids to be added to the center.

It is very common for brides to request a mock up of the flowers for their reception, especially if the guest list is quite long and there are many guest tables to be decorated.  This mock up is sitting on the terrace in the garden, and it was a pleasure to work outside in the sunshine designing this sample.

The exquisite colour combination of chartreuse, white and various shades of green, my favourite colour,

looked quite amazing outdoors.

The smaller glass bowls will be used in conjunction with the taller vessels, to create different heights and add interest at all levels of the guest tables.

Sweet little containers of burnished gold leaf were also filled with flowers to be added to the bride and grooms table. They will be tucked here and there to again add different layers to the tables.The green orchids are the perfect shade to compliment this colour scheme. 

A finished orchid tree, which we construct here at Acorn Lane, with the bride and grooms initials added to the white container.

I couldn't resist taking this photo after placing our flowers in the church prior to the ceremony.It left me with a feeling of complete serenity and peace.

Corsage and bouttoniere boxes waiting to be delivered, all tied up like little gifts!

I am very fortunate to be able to work with flowers, to be offered as tokens of affection,
remembrance, celebration  and especially gifts.