Flower garlands, topiaries or arrangements in a vase – take your pick!

Rebekah Johnson

Rebekah Johnson

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Most of the time, the florist decorates the cakes with flowers.  Only a few bakers prefer to add the flowers on themselves.

Here are some examples; whether you chose a simple or elaborate decoration, the flowers always adorn a wedding cake beautifully.

Holland Studios

Robert McNary

The curly willow added an unusual touch.

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March 7, 2009

Jennifer and Paul were married at Zenith Vineyard on a brilliant sunny day early in March. Vibrant Table catered the event. As always, photographer Jamie Bosworth captured the many special details of the day impeccably.

The rings are nestled  in the flowers of the wreath

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Last fall I did the flowers for Lauren and Lincoln’s wedding (see Real Weddings – November 1). Early in the spring, their photographer friend Nicole Wickens (http://www.greendoorphotography.com) did a ‘day after’ session. Lauren asked if I could do a bouquet for the occasion, and she gave me the green light to do anything I wanted. This was the perfect opportunity to play with a woodland theme idea that I had wanted to try out for quite some time.

Nicole captured the details beautifully!

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A few weeks ago I posted  ideas to decorate archways and chuppas.  There are many other choices to decorate ceremony sites. Often tall arrangements in vases or urns are a favorite.  But you can also embellish the ceremony site with garden arrangements or wreaths or decorate candelabras.

Craig Strong

Two bright pink wreaths, suspended from a wooden pole, framed the ceremony site for Jandi and Jesse’s wedding. The poles were secured in containers covered with moss; lots of texture decorated the base of the pole.

David Barss

This garden arrangement was a fitting backdrop for the ceremony at the First Congregational Church.

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Topiares are often great choices for buffet tables: they are tall and striking, yet they don’t take up much space. Sometimes the bride prefers a more traditional arrangement in a vase. If you selected a woodland theme, log arrangements look fabulous!

Jamie Bosworth

These bright topiaries were made in low back urns

Evrim Icoz

Tall blue delphiniums ‘grow’ out of a tall square vase, lined with equisitum; lots of texture – seedpods, fruits, grasses, alchimella and unusual foliage – decorates the base.

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Traditionally, boutonniers and corsages are given to the immediate family, groomsmen and ushers. Sometimes they also are  requested for the officiant and for those who perform a special task, i.e a reader, candle lighter, guest book person…

Boutonniers are usually made with one traditional or unusual flower, highlighted with texture, such as herbs, berries or small seedpods; or they can be made up with texture only. Often, the flower coordinates with the flowers of the bridal bouquet.

Corsages are larger and are made with several flowers. They usually consist  of 3 or 4  flowers, or are made with  great detail , using a selection of small blooms and texture. Pin-on corsages are most popular, but some ladies prefer a wrist corsage or  a corsage pinned on their small purse. Sometimes the mothers of the bride and groom prefer a small nosegay: this is a small hand-tied bouquet, wrapped with ribbon or carried in a small silver holder.

Only flowers that do well out of water for many hours are suited for corsages and boutonniers. Roses, calla lilies, freesia, lily of the valley, orchids, blossoms of stock, nerines and delphinium, many herbs, berries and seedpods are all good choices.

Jamie Bosworth

This nosegay, tucked in a lovely silver holder, is made up with herbs, grasses, seedpods, berries, scabiosa and cymbidium orchids

Robert McNary

Lavender, dill, small succulents, berries, seedpods, pineapple blossoms and scabiosa buds were used for this delicate and detailed wrist corsage

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The new class schedule for the spring/summer classes is up on my website.

https://www.francoiseweeks.com/classes/am-sched.html

You will learn how to utilize the bounty of the Willamette Valley, whether from backyard gardens,  the local farmer’s market or the grocery. Classes emphasize readily-available materials and common household items to create one-of-a-kind arrangement that are an expression of your unlimited creativity and ingenuity. These classes will change the way you look at your own garden, our abundant landscape and the world around you. Please call early to reserve your place!(503-236-5829).

The hands-on classes are limited to 8 students per class and are conducted at my studio – 2754 SE 33rd Place, Portland, OR 97202. Prices include flowers, supplies, use of tools, and best of all, your creation goes home with you! Receipt of your payment for the full tuition secures your place in the class.

If you would like to schedule a special class for a group of friends to celebrate birthdays or other special occasions, you can request times on weekends, weekdays or evenings.

Kate Bryant, who is professional gardener, as well as a writer for Portland Spaces Magazine, has attended several classes in the last few months. She offered to write an article about her experience – please check out her blog entry at: http://www.portlandspaces.net/blog/plantwise

Here are some examples of what you will learn:

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Small flower balls, also called pomanders,  or delicate posies arranged in a willow or satin basket are popular for the little ones.  If you like the idea of having the flower girl throw some rose petals, make sure to check with the site if throwing  petals is allowed. Eight or nine year old flower girls often like  to carry a small bouquet. Head wreaths, made with delicate blossoms and berries  are always a sweet touch.

A small boutonnier is perfect for the ring bearer ; he can also carry a pillow made with small flowers or moss.

Evrim Icoz

These flower pillows were made with kermit mums, dotted with small pearls.

Chuck Collier Schmidt

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