Why I love weddings

There is something indefinably special about being involved in weddings;  perhaps it is the obvious, adding to what you hope will be the most memorable day for the bride and groom, or maybe something more subtle, just adding to the colour and theatricality of the occasion.

However stressy it gets (only sometimes of course), it never fails to make me happy, delivering the bouquets and buttonholes, all set out in their tissue wrapped boxes, waiting to take part.

These beautiful pictures were taken by Jesselynn and the bride is one of my daughters' oldest friends, so it was a real honour to be involved.

The bride below is a friend of mine, the lovely Julia.  She chose a vintage look, beautiful vendela, hypnose and amnesia roses.

Dan's photographs captured the look so well, Julia was truly radiant.

A new wedding job came in the other day and I am so pleased to share with you; my lovely friend Elizabeth (about whom I posted in September) is getting married in July. That's what I love about weddings; it is a new beginning. 

The Rebellion Against Red

Ok, I realise this may be a bit challenging, but for Valentines day this year, I am stepping away from the whole red rose thing.  Not that I don't love them you understand, I do, most sincerely, at all other times of the year...it's just that, well, wouldn't it be nice to do something different?  And they are sooooo expensive too..

In keeping with the company logo, I am going for the Passion of Purple this year....

So here's some options, which you might like to 'share' with the potential senders of such gorgeousness (assuming you don't mind knowing in advance or perhaps guessing the identity of the sender......).

There's the hand-tied anemones in the deepest richest purple going, with a pittisporum collar to finish it off and leaves in the goldfish bowl vase.

Alternatively, the deeply romantic might go for the full blow-the- budget, there-may-be-a-recession-but-she's-so-worth-it orchid extravaganza...(featuring soft cotton and elegant lisianthus).

Then again, for a more subtle approach, what could be lovelier than the timeless Memory Lane rose (it looks pinky but it's actually a subtle mauve), with its very own marriage made in heaven pittisporum as a companion in the metallic vase.

Other non-red options.....cool elegant white, fiery orange or even gorgeous green..... what do you think? Is it time we dumped red roses?