Bouquet from Butterfly Philosophy

Winter is a time of the year when we need to think differently about bouquets. Summer flowers like roses and peonies are less available (now more from hot houses), so we need to include branches and berries to reflect the cooler season. Think of privet berries, snow berries, green hypericum berries, rosehips and even olives. Want an Australian flavour to your bouquet? Try gum nuts, which are really the berries of the gum tree!

If your heart is set on roses, try dotting them throughout the bouquet in the same shade. For something subtle but interesting, keep your bouquet in the same tonal range or exact shade (all whites look beautiful) and keep the berries as a textural element.

1. Bouquet from Pomp & Splendour image by Narelle Joy Photography 2. Bouquet from Martha Stewart Weddings 3. Bouquet photo by Sweet Monday Photography via Style Me Pretty 4. Bouquet from Justine Rose. Image from Glen Allsop Photography 5. Photo by Sedona Bride via Style Me Pretty 6. Photo by Kristin Byrum Photography via Southern Weddings Magazine 7. Bouquet from Blond Flores 8. White snowberries from Martha Stewart Weddings 9. Photo by Lili Durkin Photographer via Style Me Pretty 10. Photo from Martha Stewart Weddings 11. Bouquet by  Modern Day Design Photo by Corbin Gurkin Photography via Style Me Pretty 12. Bouquet from  Boulder Blooms Photo by Christina Gressianu 13.Bouquet by Flowerwild photographed by Jose Villa via Southern Weddings Magazine 14.Photo by Jessica Claire, flowers by Flowerwild via Southern Weddings Magazine, Bouquet byBlooming Brides

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Peonies are one of my favourite flowers and it apears, many others feel the same. There is something so whimsical and intoxicating about this sweet smelling, fluffy beautiful bloom and kicking off our wedding inspiration for the year is this beautiful pink peonies wedding inspiration shoot.

Juli of One Sweet Girl dreamed up this concept and worked with Virginia of The Bouquets of Ascha Jolie and Steve of Steve Koukoulas Photography to create a pink peony wonderland.

Juli tells of her inspiration behind the shoot. “This was a dessert table I created to celebrate the Peony – I have had the general concept for this table held in my imagination for the longest time – so long in fact that I can’t remember when the minds-eye vision of what I wanted to create first appeared, but it stayed there, never wavering, just waiting patiently for the timing and creative minds to be right in order for it to genesis.”

“Peonies thrill me.  They are all at once delicate and literally petal-soft to touch, and so inspiring in terms of their colour palette.  The way that Mother Nature perfectly ‘paint splatters’ deep pink onto the petals of paler blooms in a way that I can only ever dream of achieving; their amazing scent – and that these flowers are so inspiring that some brides schedule their weddings just to  ensure that they can have peonies in their bouquets.  There could be no other flower to inspire such a table as this {even though you could easily recreate this with other flowers and colours}”

“I adore peonies as much as I adore pink, and these two things are a perfect marriage with my own signature vintage style – creating the desserts for this table was not so much as question of “where to start”, but more so “where to stop”.  Working with my very talented and great friends Virginia of The Bouquets of Ascha Jolie, and Steve of Steve Koukoulas Photography, we stepped into my imagination and brought my vision “into the light”.”"

“I was really blessed to work with Virginia on this table – as soon as I mentioned cascading peonies, I needed to say no more – she knew exactly where I was going in my imagination, and hers was equally fast in catching up!  We arrived at the location ( a local park literally 5 minutes walk from my home) before 6am to set-up to be ready to shoot at 7am to get the best morning light, and Steve the photographer literally took one look and started shooting – it was a real meeting of 3 creatives who each saw exactly the same minds-eye vision.  Steve captured the very essence of what I wanted – style and grace and pretty and pink and peonies – simultaneously.  I am beyond thrilled to have had the opportunity to work with Steve as well as Virginia on this project.”

“With regards to the table, it came to me direct from my imagination.  Which I know sounds really odd, but once I closed my eyes and saw the cascading flowers, I knew exactly how I wanted the cake to look – it had to be ruffled, and those ruffles had to be petals, and there had to be lots of them, just like peony petals!  From there, the ombre effect was a natural progression {as well as being the latest style craze} – and the result is, I think, resoundingly unique.  I loved every minute of creating this table – from the concept to the creation of the desserts, to the shoot-day execution… that was a thrilling moment – seeing it, in the flesh, exactly as my imagination had seen it.”

“Desserts include a 3 tier ombre effect ruffle cake (bottom tier is a double-barrel), matching cupcakes with ruffled blooms, raspberry flavoured gourmet marshmallows, coconut ice, peony-inspired vanilla bean sugar cookies, rosewater meringues with edible sparkle dust, and cake pops.”

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It’s not often we have an inspiration shoot focusing entirely on fresh blooms, but this shoot – a collaboration between Muesli & Yoghurt and Stewart Leishman did just that!

Katie of Muesli & Yoghurt explains, “This series was trying to use the very simple pink rose and making it something a bit more special. And for someone who wanted something a little understated. I absolutely love ‘blushing bride’ otherwise known as Serruria florida (quite fitting really) so mixed with the rose, a black berry and ranunculus, giving you three very cute spring/early summer bouquets.

As well, I wanted the pink to complement the green and grey, bringing a bit of colour (but not too much) to the girls. Often pink can be misused or look a bit tacky, hopefully this proves otherwise! And the fur gives that little bit of sexy texture to the whole series.”

The “bride” model wore a Lusan Mandongus bridal gown, with the girls picking their dresses from high street stores. The photos were taken at the Church of Nations in Carlton and the beautiful Carlton Gardens.”

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Photos by Blushing Blooms

Sally of Blushing Blooms “Hugely popular with brides, David Austin roses are known for their elegant, rustic charm and natural beauty. David Austin’s are not generally acknowledged for their scent but this is not wholly true! Many varieties are deliciously fragrant – so not only gorgeous to look at but swoon-worthy in their perfume. For the most fragrant varieties consider Evelyn (the inspiration for the Crabtree & Evelyn scent of the same name), Glamis Castle, Perdita & Belle Story. Mother Nature has more than exceeded herself with the David Austin, that’s why they are one of my personal favourites…”

Photos by Hello Blossoms

Cameron of Hello Blossoms “Bouquet one features the beautiful classic fragrance of white hyacinth blooms and the perfume from bouvardia blooms and jasmine vine. The creamy ivory “emmanuelle” and off white “bounty” roses added a mild rose fragrance.

Bouquet two is a gorgeous white, soft pink and lilac hand held bouquet featured the the stunning “parfume de grande” rose blooms which give a sweet fragrance like they are picked straight from your garden.  The bouquet also featured fresh lavender and lilac hyacinth which created a beautiful overall garden fragrance. These florals are available almost the whole year round.

The feature of beautiful paperwhites create a really lovely garden fragrance during the winter months.

The aisle arrangements with open bloom “parfume de grande” roses created really sweet aisle posies and a strong garden style fragrance.”

Photos by Butterfly Philosophy Floral Design

Elaine of Butterfly Philosophy Floral Design “Winter is a wonderful time for sweet smelling bouquets – sweet peas, freesias, jonquils and hyacinths are all in season and have a beautiful perfume.  Here’s a photo of a simple hyacinth bouquet that looks elegant and smells divine!

For early summer brides, there’s just no going past the peony – it has a feminine fragrance that is perfect for dreamy summer days. They look stunning on their own, or teamed up with other ruffly flowers, like hydrangea (pictured above). For the ultimate in sweet smelling bouquets, pair peonies up with David Austin Roses. Both have a fragrance so wonderful you’ll want to bury your nose in your bouquet all day long!”

Photo 1. Form over Function via Real Weddings Magazine,  Photo 2 and 3 Form over Function by Photos By Jay, Photo 4 Form over Function

Alicia of Form Over Function “Bouquet number one contains a luscious collection of blooms in shades of lavender to deep purple and is the perfect winter bouquet for brides who have a love for look and scents of spring. It contains kale, green & mauve parrot tulips, privet berry and dusty miller – and for scent, we added sweet pea, blue moon roses and  lavender. Are we allowed to say yum?

Bouquet two contains masses of garden fresh David Austen roses – each and every bloom scented loveliness. An enduring classic. Bouquet three is a delicious spring time bouquet of scented blooms which includes carnations, freesia, jonquils & vendella roses.”

Photos by Blooming Brides

Rita of Blooming Brides “Roses – long the favourite of perfumers and soap makers. Some delicate, creamy and soft, some bitey and spicey.  All delicious. Teamed with herbs and lavender creates a classic summer fragrance cocktail

Lily of the Valley –sharp, crisp, elegant fragrance.

Boronia and Geralton Wax – adds the best smells of the Australian bush to a bouquet. Geralton Wax has rich smell of honey,  while boronia offers a refreshing earthy, lemony zing. My favourite, along with roses and blue gum. Brownie brown and pink varieties.

Hyacinth – like oriental lilies, loved or loathed. Very strong fragrance. Loathed by me! And I can’t stand lilies!!

Stephanotis – strong summer white flower fragrance in the same heady classification as gardenia: very strong elegant perfume. Total class.

Sweet pea – so sweet, fresh and gardeny. Edible.

Magnolia flower: light woody, lemony perfume. Seriously sexy late winter flower.

Fruit blossom: the definitive floral fragrance of spring!… especially with jars of freesia and associated sneezing!”

Photos by SugarBee Flowers

Youki of SugarBee Flowers “For a best smelling bouquet, you just cannot go past David Austin roses!! Their scent is just intoxicating, they are just so amazingly heavenly!! Let alone they look so so so pretty!!

Viburnum flowers have a sweet, yummy scent to them too.  It’s a shame that I don’t have any pics of lilac or lily of the valley!! They smell really good too!!”

Photos by My Violet

Myra of My Violet “Best fragrant flowers for me would have to be lily of the valley, tuberose, and stephanotis. My favourite fragrance would have to be David Austin roses, its intoxicating and I’m reminded of licorice and mango sorbet, always leaves a smile on my face. I would recommend if getting married in Summer or Spring to opt for any of the above , make the most of the David Austin rose and add one of the others. If its an autumn /winter wedding, hyacinth, sweet peas and Daphne are equally just as beautiful and deliciously scented.

Samantha and Mark married in March, I created a gorgeous collection of blown David Austin and garden roses, (and for) bridesmaids David Austin roses and Julia rose. The most amazing fragrance came off these posies, the bride requested a wild collection of blown roses with a touch of vintage. For their reception at the Gunners Barracks, Samantha asked for a wild collection in a mix of bright and soft colours of blown roses and wild vines.”

Photos by Marcus Bell of Studio Impressions via Always Fabulous Flowers

Sandee of Always Fabulous Flowers “Flower girl posies of individually wired hyacinth with gem highlight and (the next) image is of a bride’s posy bouquet with hyacinth and freesias.”

Photo 1 & 4, 5 by Marcus Bell of Studio Impressions via Always Fabulous Flowers

“David Austin rose bouquets (plus freesias in the second photo and plus hyacinth in the third (image). Bouquets with stephanotis (and gardenias as well, in the fourth photo).”

Photos by Always Fabulous Flowers

“Posy of Gardenias and also a composite lily posy (top images). Frangipani bouquets (images above) – all real and very fragrant.”

From our florists and my own research, here’s a quick rundown of the best smelling flowers:

• Roses  including varieties David Austin, Parfume De Grande, Glamis Castle, Julia, Perdita & Belle Story
• Peonies
• Lillies
• Sweet peas
• Freesias
• Paperwhites
• Jonquils
• Lily of The Valley
• Lilacs
• Hyacinths
• Frangipanis
• Stephanotis
• Gardenias
• Bouvardia
• Geraldton Wax Flowers
• Magnolias
• Fruit Blossoms
• Tuberose
• Daphne
• Lavender
• Jasmine
• Vibernum

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It’s always a treat to get a batch of images from Alicia at Form Over Function. I am a big advocate of using lots of colour (especially in your crockery) at your wedding and when Alicia gets to showcase the Form Over Function styling services she blows them away with what she comes up with! Form Over Function designed these tables for the Centennial Parklands Dining Expo using items from their hiring and style range and their own amazing floral talents!

The first is the simple, fluffy nature of the half ball baby’s breath along side elegant, neutral black and white. I love the use of candlelight and simply black motif under the black pedestal arrangement. Just adds a little extra interest.

I know this arrangement is one of Alicia’s favourite and I love it too- the blackberries nestled amongst the burgundy and pink flowers, the glimmering candlelight and mirrors under the footed base. A crystal cut plate sits to the side holding rosy crab apples.

Texture is always wonderful to see on tables, and it doesn’t need to be elaborate. Here the grey green leaves and small spiky Echinops are accented with the brown and blue vases and fresh blue hydrangea blooms. Lots of vessels, lots of flowers and lots of candlelight does an elegant table make! The table number is placed in a brown leather frame and the table cloth is a camel coloured suede – very chic!

Brown and green is so Spring to me! I love the striped cream, brown and apple green table cloth and the huge array of green leaves and white blooms. The lace look on the glassware and bamboo fans make an extra pretty touch. Oh and the gorgeous cake with polka dot ribbon! (Cake by Faye Cahill.)

Lavender and green is a combination I don’t seem to see much, but again is all about Spring and Summer weddings to me. I love the array of blooms – lavender in a singular vase, purple and green succulents and pods and plenty of coloured glassware for the candlelight.

Morocco is a current obsession of mine – this rich colour palette would look perfect when served with thick, Turkish coffee, tagines and bowls of cous cous. The Moroccan lamp colours are echoed through the place cards and menus with opulent gold tassels and masses of red dahlias dotting the table.

Which is your favourite scene?

Photos by Photography By Anliette for Form Over Function

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