This past week we had a bride ask us how she could make her wedding feel like that of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge without handing over the crown jewels to do it. I didn't have much of an answer beyond the obvious at the time so I went home to do some research to see why the wedding felt so special.
From a florist's perspective the wedding was beautiful. Amazing really especially since the reported budget was $800,000. The flowers were indeed beautiful but the look can be easily achieved for those of us on a much more realistic budget. Both Kate and William had a hand in choosing the blooms and foliage that would decorate the abbey as well as the reception site. Instead of choosing more showy blooms (like tropicals) they went with all material that was native to England both as a nod to their Country and an attempt to decrease the already phenomenally huge carbon footprint that went along with the event. The trees softened the very heavy historical architecture of Westminster bringing a more intimate feeling to the huge venue. The colour Palette was soft greens and white blending the necessary traditional feeling of a Royal event with the fresh and modern vibe the striking couple bring to the table.
The bride's bouquet could have been a huge cascading piece like the Late Princess of Whales carried with her. Kate's dress was certainly lavish enough to support a mass of blooms. She opted instead to carry a very small shield shaped bouquet consisting of white hyacinth, sweet William and lily of the valley. The greens were ivy coupled with myrtle both having a long history with all English brides as well as with the royal family.The myrtle in Kate’s bouquet was taken from two sources: a plant that has grown along the terrace walls at Osborne House since it was placed there by Queen Victoria in 1845, and another that was grown from the myrtle in Queen Elizabeth‘s wedding bouquet in 1947. The ivy is traditionally carried in many European countries due to it's traditional meaning of Fidelity and marriage;wedded love.
Following the ceremony the bride's bouquet was not thrown to a crowd of waiting young women. Instead she followed family tradition and left it at the tomb of the unknown solider. The queen's mother Elizabeth began a more sombre ceremony for the royals when she left flowers from her wedding to the future King George VI in 1923 on the grave, in memory of her brother Fergus, who was killed in 1915. It was placed on a white pillow surrounded by red poppies.
All of these small details combined made for a very personal and memorable floral element to the wedding. The key is that everything was hand picked by the bride and traditions were the main focus of the day. Your family might not have the extensive history of the Windsors (or maybe you do!!) but by bringing in influences of generations past, your ceremony and it's details will be all the more memorable. Maybe you can wrap your great grandmothers rosary around your bouquet handle. Or wear an important piece of jewelery. If you have fond memories of your aunt tending roses during the summer months have your florist build a memorial or accent piece to showcase the blooms. One groom used to love picking bull rushes at the cabin so we made large entrance pieces highlighting them for the entrance to the church. Don't hesitate to ask how specific pieces can be incorporated into the decor to complement your theme because a good florist can find a way.
From a florist's perspective the wedding was beautiful. Amazing really especially since the reported budget was $800,000. The flowers were indeed beautiful but the look can be easily achieved for those of us on a much more realistic budget. Both Kate and William had a hand in choosing the blooms and foliage that would decorate the abbey as well as the reception site. Instead of choosing more showy blooms (like tropicals) they went with all material that was native to England both as a nod to their Country and an attempt to decrease the already phenomenally huge carbon footprint that went along with the event. The trees softened the very heavy historical architecture of Westminster bringing a more intimate feeling to the huge venue. The colour Palette was soft greens and white blending the necessary traditional feeling of a Royal event with the fresh and modern vibe the striking couple bring to the table.
The bride's bouquet could have been a huge cascading piece like the Late Princess of Whales carried with her. Kate's dress was certainly lavish enough to support a mass of blooms. She opted instead to carry a very small shield shaped bouquet consisting of white hyacinth, sweet William and lily of the valley. The greens were ivy coupled with myrtle both having a long history with all English brides as well as with the royal family.The myrtle in Kate’s bouquet was taken from two sources: a plant that has grown along the terrace walls at Osborne House since it was placed there by Queen Victoria in 1845, and another that was grown from the myrtle in Queen Elizabeth‘s wedding bouquet in 1947. The ivy is traditionally carried in many European countries due to it's traditional meaning of Fidelity and marriage;wedded love.
Following the ceremony the bride's bouquet was not thrown to a crowd of waiting young women. Instead she followed family tradition and left it at the tomb of the unknown solider. The queen's mother Elizabeth began a more sombre ceremony for the royals when she left flowers from her wedding to the future King George VI in 1923 on the grave, in memory of her brother Fergus, who was killed in 1915. It was placed on a white pillow surrounded by red poppies.
All of these small details combined made for a very personal and memorable floral element to the wedding. The key is that everything was hand picked by the bride and traditions were the main focus of the day. Your family might not have the extensive history of the Windsors (or maybe you do!!) but by bringing in influences of generations past, your ceremony and it's details will be all the more memorable. Maybe you can wrap your great grandmothers rosary around your bouquet handle. Or wear an important piece of jewelery. If you have fond memories of your aunt tending roses during the summer months have your florist build a memorial or accent piece to showcase the blooms. One groom used to love picking bull rushes at the cabin so we made large entrance pieces highlighting them for the entrance to the church. Don't hesitate to ask how specific pieces can be incorporated into the decor to complement your theme because a good florist can find a way.
~K
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