Choosing flowers for you wedding

Flowers are one of the important choices you will have to make for your wedding styling. You can make a big impact with flowers even on a low budget.

                                                                                              

Tips:

Choose flowers that are in season.  Locally sourced flowers will be much more cost effective so don't think about importing rare blooms. If you do decide on a flower that you absolutely want, try using it only in your bouquet for a special touch.

Think about your style and then choose your flowers.  Peonies and roses are always great for any vintage look.

Use something unexpected to compliment your flowers like berries, fruit, acorns and delicate ornaments.  Think about texture and shape.  These are all the elements you need to create something unforgettable and spectacular.

Take the reception space into consideration when choosing your colour scheme and flowers.  Unstructured flower arrangements works best in a barn or a more rustic space.

A modern venue lends itself to more sleek and contemporary floral designs.

In period venues, look at the architecture and find inspiration in the era of the design.

  Choose a style that is unique and memorable even if it is not trendy at the time.  
                                            
                                               It is about your own personal style.  

There is nothing more beautiful than a true love story.  Sometimes the most touching love stories are not those made by Hollywood producers or written by renowned authors, but the real life, love stories, told by couples. Although the Great Gatsby  has been popular for an Art Nouveau themed wedding, I decided to use a less know love story to show how couples can use their own story to create an intimate and personal wedding theme.

The Mackintosh love story

 Inspired by the love story between Charles and Margaret, I created this styled session.  Charles and Margaret came from vastly different backgrounds; Margret’s family could afford giving her a good education while Charles came from a very working class family. 

Charles chose Margaret instead of marrying a girl that would have secured his place in wealthy Glasgow society where he would have been a made man. His social reputation was shattered but in Margaret he gained an inspirational partner. Together they created futuristic designs and their work proved to be one of the greatest partnership in art and design history. Their love also proved to be strong and they supported each other until the very end. 

In a last letter to Margaret, Charles wrote: “You must remember that in all my architectural efforts you have been half if not three-quarters of them”. What a beautiful endless love story

As with the contrasts in Margaret and Charles' designs we made use of the effects of light and shade in the beautiful venue, Malmaison Oxford, which provided the perfect interior for our Mackintosh theme. Stunning visual effects are created by the architecture of this venue. The contrast between the strong geometric forms and the softness of the flower arrangements and wedding dress created an enchanting effect. A light elegant and sophisticated atmosphere was created with an almost dreamlike feel.

Warm pinks were used in the sensational flower arrangements and how fitting, that the “garden rose romantic Antique” was the choice of rose to provide the softness and elegance. The pink blush on the berries, the different textures and contrasts all work together to make the flower arrangements and the bouquet unique and fascinating. The closed rose is a symbol of “what is to come” and reinforces the idea of the wedding celebration as being the beginning of something new.

The exquisite wedding cake design with stained glass effect on the second tier combines all the elements of our Mackintosh theme. It reiterates the geometric designs so typical of Charles' designs, and the softer feminine, floral-inspired decorative motives of Margaret' art. The sugar lace effect on the top tier and the berries, stringed in grass symbolizes a collaboration of shape form and textures.

              

 

Grace and elegance exudes from this Guirlande wedding dress by Cymbeline. The natural light accentuates the beautiful lines and delicate lace. The subtle makeup and vintage hair style becomes a beautiful partnership in softening the whole look. The black tailcoat suit and the white bow-tie takes the groom into the 1920's style with sophistication.

Matching the colours of the theme, the stationary is exceptional and unique. It is not only an invitation to the wedding celebration but a glimpse of what the day would entail. Vintage tea sets, glassware and an unconventional champagne tower is an innovative way of making a wedding day uniquely yours

Thank you to a great team of suppliers for a wonderful styled session.  All beautifully captured by Daria and Marek from Plenty to Declare Photography.

Wedding suppliers/service providers:

Plenty to declare photography  -  www.plentytodeclare.com

Stephen Bishop Suiting - www.stephenbishopsuiting.com

Windsor and Eton Brides - www.windsorandetonbrides.com

Martyn Crossley Florist - www.martyngrossley.co.uk 

Sheila  Makeup Artist  -  www.sheilamakeupartist.co.uk

Prim and proper vintage hire -  www.primandpropervintage.co.uk

Posh Pud wedding cakes  -  www.poshpud.co.uk

Noble Hound - Tailor made Stationary - www.noblehound.co.uk

Malmaison Hotel  -  www.malmaison.com/oxford

Wedding Design: Petra Opperman weddings  -  www.petraoppermanweddings.co.uk

              

Rococo themed styled session

Vienna, City of Music! There is something quite magical and inspiring when you walk through the streets of Vienna, seeing the beautiful architecture and Rococo style interior of the Schönbrunn apartments. Sitting down for Apfelstrudel and Coffee made me think back to the Rococo themed styled shoot I did in June this year with a group of very talented Wedding suppliers. It had that same “Vienna” feel with the musicians, Phantasy Trio who took part in the shoot and kindly played beautiful soothing music in the background.

The Rococo developed in the early part of the 18^th century as a reaction against the grandeur, symmetry and strict regulations of the Baroque. Rococo was the response to the grand overstated Baroque that embodied light playfulness and more intimacy. It was the dawn of a simpler more relaxed age. I was inspired by Rococo artists who opted for a more jocular, florid and graceful approach. The approach was ornate and made strong usage of creamy, pastel-like colours , symmetrical design curves and gold. Witty and playful artistic but also elegant.

Serena from Petals and Confetti absolutely understood what I was trying to achieve with this theme. After a few meetings and lots of discussions she delivered the most beautiful and unique table centre piece. I wanted her to make use of flowers and fruit and different textures and shapes to show how all natural elements can be used to create interesting colour schemes. I mentioned witty and playful, and the miniature bananas used on the base, falls perfectly in this category. Even the real cotton plant looked unusually brilliant within the arrangement. All the detail in this centre piece makes it interesting to look at from all angles. Lots of little surprises can be seen on the detailed photographs.

The  ivy-cage  bouquet  was truly a work of art! Within the ivy cage is a smaller loose rose and carnation ball wrapped with stringed pearls. This bouquet is surely the most beautiful and unique of it's kind and I applaud Serena for what she has created. The bouquet is very versatile and suitable for the more contemporary wedding as well.

        

Great work on the wedding cake by Nelmarie from Papercup Kitchen. Nelmarie used the different tiers of the cake to subtly bring all the elements of the rococo theme together. The texture of the bottom tier provided good contrast to the delicate finish of the second and third tiers. The use of fresh flowers on the cake brings us back to my idea of using natural elements within this theme. The replica of the bouquet is nestled on stringed pearls and together with the ivy strands and roses on the base, and flowers it all ties in beautifully with the table centre piece. The gold cups with cupcakes just add the touch of grandeur to the overall design.

Amy of Prim and Proper Vintage hire had a marvelous selection of classic crockery. This was added to the table as the shoot progressed. Every time I see a little gem in Amy's collection I just couldn't help showing it off. The abundance of tulle on table adds softness and romance. With a few props and candles we could compliment the table setting by playfully adding the miniature variations of the original centre piece on the overflow of tulle.

Music was part of the theme as it was an important part of the Rococo era. A violin used as a prop not only added an interesting feature to the table but the wood of the instrument also complimented the wooded effects and walnuts used in the flower arrangements. The candles were decorated with sheet music, tulle and golden ribbon and lace. These can be perfect for decoration or even wedding favours. A lovely way for guests to remember your special day.

The beautiful classic style vintage wedding dress, supplied by  Caryl from Retro Weddings was the right choice for the Rococo themed wedding.  The dress had the perfect balance of the beaded and embroidered bodice, with a subtle lustre and the full tulle skirt. How fabulous! The big satin bow at the back just added the touch of flamboyance to the style. Hair and Make-up was beautifully done by Sheila hair and make-up. A formal hairdo with a playful twist. Appropriately the groom wore a classic formal tailcoat jacket by Steve at Stephen Bishop Suiting. The off white on white cravat was the classic and obvious choice. Although understated, it complimented the dress perfectly.

        

The Rococo theme is perfect for the bride and groom who wants to be creative without sacrificing glamour and style. It is formal yet playful and allows for adding something quirky to make it personal.

It was a great experience working with a group of dedicated and talented wedding suppliers.  Many thanks to: 

 Petals and Confetti, The Papercup Kitchen, Prim and Proper Vintage Hire, Sheila Hair and Make-up, Retro Weddings, Stephen Bishop suiting, Phantacy Trio, Northcote House, and Plenty to Declare Photography. 

Petra Opperman