For Jamie

This blog's inspiration came directly from a conversation I had with my soon-to-be step-daughter-in-law (Jamie) last night as they stayed with us while enroute to their wedding destination in Canmore, Alberta!  As the wedding approaches, Jamie has decided to create her own bouquet with her wedding swat team.  I found some great ideas and tips a la Martha.  I hope you enjoy them, Jamie!

This is the CLASSIC style gathering:  A tight dome of roses is made even more beautiful when finished with an opulent satin ribbon and bow. A few more buds are sewn in the trailing ribbon ends.

This is an EXPOSED STEMS bouquet:  After taping stems just below the blooms, a length of ribbon is wrapped around the stems and finished with a crisscross of thinner velvet ribbon, secure with pin.

Then, a SQUARED stem arrangement:  Stems are completely wrapped in textured, patterned, or beaded fabrics, and embellished with ribbons and rosettes.

The ever-interesting and sentimental FABRIC COLLAR:  Using a beautiful handkerchief or napkin to wrap your wedding bouquet gives you a chance to show off a sentimental heirloom. The stitching is easily removed, and a solid wrapping of floral tape protects fabric from stains.

And finally, an ARCHED styling:  The arched contour of this arrangement is achieved by wiring both flowers and berries. Jewel-tone viburnum berries accentuate the fluttery lightness of the purple hybrid delphiniums, as slender brodiaea blooms hang from the bouquet’s edges. A vintage green satin ribbon adds a finishing touch.

I always believed that the stems of the flowers are as important as the blooms, and can be styled to represent anything from a modern-themed wedding to housing family heirlooms or a special gift from the groom to his bride, and everything in between!  Dressing your flower bouquet is a beautiful way to complete the brides look, from head to toe.

K