Wedding of Marie and Brendan Clonabreany House, Co.Meath.

Video Courtesy of www.diga.ie 

Marie and Brendan opted for something different. They went predominantly black with the flower choice and it really worked. They were married in Kilskrye church Co.Meath with the reception at the very classy and private Clonabreany House. It was an amazing setting for a wedding. We provided all the flowers but also the decor for the church keeping it black matching Marie's theme without looking  too mournful or heavy. We also provided decor for the reception. Marie wanted a wishing tree to hang the place settings on so I created a bespoke design for her and she really loved it. More detailed information and pictures on this wedding will be uploaded soon.

Wedding Flowers

This is a purple themed wedding we did some while back. It was the wedding of Orla and Paul in Lahardane, Co. Mayo. Orlas bridesmaid's wore a purple dress and Orla wanted her overall theme to be very much in keeping with this purple and also to incorporate some hot pinks. She opted for a wild look as opposed to a neat and constructed design to her flowers throughout the church including the bridal party flowers.

Purple Hydrangeas in Vintage Pales

Purple Hydrangea in vintage pales

Orlas mother came to me a few weeks before the wedding and asked me if it was too late to order more flowers for the church. She stated that it was going to be a surprise for Orla and that she wasn't supposed to know about it at all until she would walk up the aisle. She continued to tell me how much they would love Purple Hydrangeas incorporated into the church decor and asked was it possible and how would we bring them into her arrangements. I suggested we use them on the pew ends and she agreed with the idea. She said that's exactly whats needed and Orla will absolutely love it.  So I ordered in the Purple Hydrangeas and arranged them in vintage style pales with purple tulle and white straw, tied with a white tulle as shown in the pictures above.

Podium Arrangements with Candles.

The podium arrangements when lit create a lovely atmosphere in any church but especially a dark church. Lahardane is a lovely church but it can be quite dark inside so these podium arrangements were ideal to add to the atmosphere. Flowers used matching Orlas overall theme.

Arrangement Underneath Altar

Both Underneath Altar and Altar Unity Arrangements

Altar Unity Arrangement

The altar unity arrangement and underneath altar arrangement was made up of Green Trick Carnation, Liatris, Purple Lisianthus, Pink Carnation, Pink Spray Carnation, Picasso Calla lily, Hong Kong Iris, Pink Gerbera, Purple Trachelium, Large Aspidistra, Small Aspidistra, Phoenix Palm, Pink Alstromeria and Allium Gladiator. Orla wanted a wild theme throughout.

Memorial Wreath

Memorial Wreath with Candle Podiums in background

Memorial Wreath

The Memorial Wreath comprised of Pink Gerbera, Babys Breath, Purple Lisianthus, Green Trick Carnation, Leather Leaf Fern, Pink Chrysants, Pink Carnations, Pink Spray Carnations , Purple Veronica and Lilac Freesia. Behind the memorial wreath we can see our Candle Podiums.

The Bridal Bouquet

The Bridal Bouquet

Orla's bouquet was mix of Picasso Calla Lily, Purple Trachelium, Purple Lisianthus, Lilac Freesia, Purple Veronica, Hong Kong Iris and Allium Gladiator. It was a hand-tied dome with silk ribbon, secured with pearls. 

Mother of Bride Wrist Corsage

Orla wanted the mothers to wear wrist corsages and wanted them to be in keeping with the theme. Above you can see a picture of the wrist corsages created using pearl bracelets, Lilac Freesia, Cadbury's Purple silk ribbon, Lilac Purple silk ribbon, Leather Leaf Fern and Hard Ruscus for greenery with wired pearls for embellishments.

Grooms Buttonhole

The grooms buttonhole should always be a little bit special, afterall it is his special day too. We opted for quite a large headed Avalanche Rose with some Lilac Freesia and Hard Ruscus with no embellishments.

Grooms man buttonhole

Orla wanted the bridesmaids purple colour to show through on the grooms men buttonholes so we used an Avalanche Rose with some Purple Lisianthus to tie in the purple and Hard Ruscus to back it with. Again no embellishments.

Bridesmaids Bouquet

Bridesmaids Bouquet

The bridesmaids bouquet was also predominantly purple but with these we used green flowers to add to the wild look. Flowers used in these bouquets were Purple Trachelium, Purple Veronica, Lilac Freesia, Allium Gladiator, Hong Kong Iris, Green Hypericum Berries, and Green Tricks (the almost green grass like flower). The bouquets were tied with silk ribbon and secured with pearls using no embellishments.

Flower girl Wand

Flower girl Wand

Orla had three flower girls and opted for the wands. We used Avalanche Roses, Lilac Freesia, Purple feathers and Lilac silk ribbon. A wand is always enjoyed by the flower girls, they get to spend the day casting spells and pretending to be a fairy god mother.

The Bouquets ready to go

Bring a smile to someone's face :) !!

Here's a good way to cheer someone up and undoubtedly bring a smile to their face. This particular bouquet and balloon set was for a young lady who had just returned home from the hospital. Everyone in the house got a good laugh when it was delivered and she loved her flowers too.

Love is in the air..........

Valentines with CWF

A Sample of our wedding work.

                    Check out this video for a sample of our wedding work ! 

Our Festive Window Display

Happy Christmas Everyone! 

Flower of the Week

Bird of Paradise

Source: Sunipix.com

Common Name: Bird of Paradise or Crane Flower

Botanical Name: Strelitzia

Colours: Blue and Orange

Origin: South Africa

The Bird of Paradise flower is an unmistakable exotic flower with a large head which is said to resemble the beak and head plumage of a bird of paradise. It derives from a plant family known as Strelitziaceae, which was named after the birth place of Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. The Bird of paradise plant can reach a height of 5 feet or more and the distinctive head consists of three upright orange sepals and vibrant blue petals beneath. Therefore the flower is admired not only for its unusual structure but also for its height and vibrance. Nevertheless they are not as long lasting as their other exotic cousins and only last up to 2 weeks. They are in season in late Autumn and Winter. The Bird of paradise is  favoured by modern floral designers who often use them in modern arrangements and tropical bouquets.

Source: Examiner.com

5 Coolest Flower Festivals Around The World

Photo:  Sweetlifeinthevalley.blogspot.com

   

Photo: TLC Parentables

  Lets take a look at some of the coolest flower festivals around the world!

1:Epcot's International Flower and Garden Festival- Orlando, Florida

Photo: MouseInfo.com

This festival usually runs through March, April and May. It is based in Disney World as Master Gardeners and Florists from around the globe gather to create some of the most amazing floral sculptures ever created. You can see all your favourite Disney characters come to life in the gardens and all around Epcot park.

Photo: CharacterCentral.net

2: Feria de las Flores - Medellin, Colombia

Photo:  NewStraitsTimes

It is said that Colombia supplies as much as 70% of America's purchased flowers. This week long festival was started to celebrate this success in the floral industry. Massive floral arrangements called Silletas are carried through the city to be admired by all. It run's between July 28th and August 7th.

Photo:  MedellinColombiaTours.com

3: The Flower Carpet - Brussels, Belgium 

Photo: Buzzintown

As you can see from the photo this is one massive effort to create a giant carpet from flowers alone. This event which runs bi-annually brings thousands of florists together to create this masterpiece from over 700,000 Begonias.  Belgium has become very well know for producing Begonias as it now produces over 60 million bulbs  a year. The event is held in August of every second year and the design varies hugely each time.

An aerial view of The Flower Carpet:

Photo:chrislizlee.blogspot.ie

Florists working on the Flower Carpet below. Not good for the knee caps!

Photo: news.xinhuanet.com

4: Chelsea Flower Show - Chelsea, London, U.K.

Photo: Brorablog.co.uk

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show, formally known as the Great Spring Show is a garden show held for five days in May by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea in Chelsea, London. It is the most famous flower show in the UK and perhaps in the world, attracting visitors from all continents.

Highlights to the Chelsea Flower Show include the avant-garde show gardens designed by leading names with Floral Marquee at the centrepiece. The Show also features smaller gardens such as the Artisan and Urban Gardens.

Photo: sandeedee.blogspot.com

Below is a photograph of David Attenborough with a floral sculpture of himself at the Chelsea Flower Show.

Photo:vancouversun.com

5: Bloom Flower Festival- Dublin, Ireland

photo: designerdublin.ie

Bloom Flower Festival is Ireland's largest gardening show. It is a popular five day event, held each year in Phoenix Park, Dublin. It was first held in 2007 and is organised bu Bord Bia (The Irish Food Board). It is a food and floral festival which is attended by dignitaries including ambassadors, earls and Presidents and not forgetting another 80,000 food and flower enthusiasts. It is half the size of the Chelsea flower show but is still hugely popular. Can't wait for Bloom 2013!

Photo: aindreas.com

Flower of the Week

Brassica

Source: tumblingshoalsfarm.com

Common Name: Cabbage Rose or Ornamental Cabbage

Botanical Name: Brassica 

Colours: White, Pink or Purple

Origin: Western Europe, Mediterranean and some parts of Asia. 

The Cabbage flower is an unusual addition to a bouquet of flowers mostly because it is not in fact a flower at all but a cabbage plant with beautifully coloured leaves. They thrive in cool weather and are in season in late autumn and winter. Their popularity as a cut flower has increased exponentially in recent years due to its durability and distinguished appearance. Strangely Brassica are an edible plant but not as tasty as their well known cousin, the common cabbage. 

Source: www.gapphotos.com

Happy Hallow'een

 Our spooky Hallow'een window display.

Celebrity Wedding Flowers

Europe's latest royal wedding took place over the weekend in Luxembourg where heir to the throne Prince Guillaume married his Belgian born bride Countess Stephanie de Lannoy with a civil ceremony on friday and a lavish religious ceremony on saturday in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Luxembourg. The radiant bride (who lost her mother only two months previous) looked every bit a princess in her Elie Saab embroidered wedding gown followed by a whopping 13 foot train. She carried a simple and elegant cascade or trailing bouquet of white phalaenopsis orchids and ivy.

Source: royalweddings.hellomagazine.com

Her bridesmaids wore a soft peach colour with vibrant orange flowers in their hair.

Source: royalweddings.hellomagazine.com

Her flower girls and page boys dressed in the national Nassau colours of Orange and Blue and  the girls carried traditional baskets filled with cream and orange flowers. I love how this couple brought the traditional royal wedding up to date while at the same time maintaining respect for their nationality and tradition. 

Source: royalweddings.hellomagazine.com