Inside the Design Bench - Part 2!

Welcome back for Part 2 of "Inside the Design Bench" at Monday Morning Flowers. Part 1 explored all the work that goes into beginning to design wedding flowers. Our team works hard to make sure that everything is perfect for that special day. I know that sounds corny but it's true!! This part explores the actual delivery and set up of all the wedding flowers. By the time our set up team is back in the truck and heading for home base, 9 or 10 employees have helped to make it all happen!

Now, back to bride Erin's wedding....Below is her bouquet. Depending on what our bride has chosen and if it's a unique looking bouquet, we try to get a quick picture before it leaves the shop. Future brides appreciate our ability to show them different styles and colors of bouquets we have created. Although the actual day of the wedding can be hectic, especially if we have more than one to set up that day, remembering to take a few pictures is top on our list of wedding details! Erin's bouquet was created using an assortment of flowers such as blue hydrangea, green roses, white mini callas and green hypericum berries. Erin's mother, Georgia, also provided us with a piece of her own wedding gown, which we used to wrap the stems of the bouquet. The white satin button accent was a personal touch and will look wonderful in all the photographers shots! Thank goodness for the bridal salon next door which makes a wonderful, wedding backdrop for our pictures! First order of the day is getting all the personal flowers delivered to where ever the bride is getting dressed with her attendants. Delivered in time for formal photos is a must!! Next is the set up at the church or other ceremony site. Erin's wedding took place at St. Paul's in Princeton. Kevin made a stop at the brides house and then a second trip out to the church to set up the pew bows. Pew bows are a fantastic way of saying "There is a wedding here today"! Softening the look of the pews is a must when the church is dark or very large. A pop of color and a soft ribbon are an affordable way of decorating for the ceremony.

Below, set up team leader Kyle carefully loads the van with the reception flowers. For Erin's wedding she requested a large floral piece for her escort table in addition to 15 floral centerpieces, among other elements. The wedding day was a hot one, so Kyle is sure to keep the inside of the van very cool to assure freshness of the flowers.

Below, Kyle arrives with Aisha at the Cranbury Inn to begin setting up the reception flowers. After a quick check in with the Inn owner, they go work!

A view from above shows how pretty all the flowers look on the tables. Babies breath wreaths decorate the pillars on either side of the head table where the bride and groom will sit! The bride and her mom carefully chose the linens that complimented the ceramic compotes and flowers for each guest table. Upgraded, floor length linen's aren't in every brides budget but they do make a huge statement.

Full but low centerpieces look gorgeous on the tables but do not block the view for the guests. A splash of color and an elegant mixture of both foliages and flowers complete the look! Once the 6 votive candles are lit, the room will surely look magical!

The arrangement below was create for the escort card table. This arrangement was made to be dramatic as it is the first impression when guests arrive at the reception! Tall curly willow branches, hanging amaranthus, hydrangea, roses and fragrant stock, are all artfully designed to fill the space and make an impression! Designer David did a fantastic job on this arrangement.

A close up of the floral centerpieces show the dramatic use of color in these pieces. Lemon leaf accented votive candles tied with raffia took employee Yarrow hours to do but the look is well worth the effort and extra expense!
This arrangement was created to be seen from the ballroom below during the reception but also to be used during the cocktail hour, which took place up on the high balcony. Curly willow, hydrangea, hybrid delphinium, roses and other large scale flowers placed ontop of a large footed urn really made a statement in this grand, open space!

I hope you have enjoyed this "insider" view of what it's like to prep, design, deliver and set up wedding flowers. Not all florist love doing weddings but we do and we hope it shows!! To see more of our wedding designs go to http://www.perfectweddingflowers.com