Good day, my darling lions!

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You know floral design is something near and dear to my design-y, ambiance-y heart. I see so many brides choosing the same-old, same-old when it comes to bouquets. You know what I’m talking about…hand tied with ribbon, spherical mixed mounds of flowers. I’ve made so many of these, I could probably whip one up in my sleep.

Alright, lions, time to toss those mass-produced bouquets. You’re unique, you’re quirky…why can’t the flowers you carry down the aisle reflect this? Here are some different shapes and variations on the traditional that you can try!

Love that round shape but want something different?

Okay, let’s start with something akin to the in vogue design. A biedermeier bouquet is comprised of concentric circles of individual colors and flowers…kind of like a floral bulls-eye! These bouquets are very formal in feel and design and work really well with a very traditional looking gown.

Scale down that round bouquet and you have a nosegay. Nosegays are teeny little bouquets (very Victorian in feel and look) comprised of smaller flowers, greenery, and sometimes mounted in a tussy-mussy (a little metallic holder…very cute and very vintage!).

Are you wearing your grandmother’s dress from the 1940’s or 50’s? A ballerina bouquet is a sweet tip of the hat to your nana. Instead of lots of flowers, this uses tulle, fabric, ribbon, and greenery to create the illusion of a bouquet with only a few flowers woven in.

Now, take your typical round bouquet and tug on it. A teardrop bouquet is based on the same shape, but with some length towards the bottom. This style can draw attention to an intricately beaded and embellished bodice.

Take that length a step father to the super-romantic, dramatic cascade bouquet. Short brides, beware…cascades might make you look short. However, for those of us comfortable in our short stature, these bouquets are romance all wrapped up in one neat package! Princess Diana rocked one of these when she got married, so if you’re looking for a royal wedding, choose one of these.

Next is my personal favorite as far as the round bouquet family goes. A composite bouquet is a large flower that is assembled by gluing or wiring petals together to make a larger flower. In one of my earlier posts, I referenced a duchess rose I created out of eighteen individual roses. You can also make a glamelia (a camellia made out of gladiolus florets) or a galax rose (made out of galax leaves wired together).

Not a roundy-moundy girl?

Consider taking a page from yours truly and having a presentation bouquet draped across your arm. You can channel your inner Miss America with this bouquet. I carried a bouquet of bells of Ireland, jade roses, Tropicana roses, mango calla lilies, super green carnations, lily grass, and one very sneaky red carnation that draped across my arm. I loved it because I had a very heavily beaded bodice and chiffon overskirt that split at an Empire waistline, and I didn’t want to disguise that. Besides, I’m the floral + ambiance lioness!

Pomander bouquets aren’t just for flower girls anymore. These little orbs of flowers leave your hands free to hug friends and family, but when hung on a shepherd’s crook, double as reception décor. Double duty means less cost, dear lions!

Going with the same idea of keeping your hands free, a wrist bouquet would look amazing. No, this isn’t your traditional ribbon and lace corsage. Instead, think of a few flowers woven with my favorite tool, deco wire, cascading off your wrist with a shower of crystals and petals. It’s fun, funky, and far from traditional.

I hope I’ve given you some ideas of different ways to accessorize with flowers for your weddings. So I challenge you again dear lions, as I always do, push that envelope! Don’t settle for the same old, same old; expand your floral boundaries! I’ll be right here to help you along the way.

Unbridled love,

Amanda

floral + ambiance lioness

want to pick my brain? e-mail me at amanda@dandylionevents.com

hello lovely lions,

today i want to share ideas from LITTER- a sf based jewelry company. rachael and mackenzie mann, sisters and designers, make metal ornaments for your head, torso, arms, legs and shoes. any of their handmade + recycled jewelry would bring some moxie to a plain dress! they said they would be wearing their favorite pieces for their own weddings, too. each piece is one-of-a-kind because they are made from random pieces of scrap metal. that’s a lot of love in each piece!

with edgy designs and recycled metals, LITTER really packs a punch:

box lay

this headband is sure to make for a beautiful day. it would be a good choice if your wedding is bohemian, grecian or steampunk. it would add sparkle and texture with your hair up or down!

chainmail harness

i love this full-body metal harness.. you could add it to a plain dress for an individual statement with a little bite. who says your jewelry has to be modest, cute or boring?

dripping with gold shoulder piece

these slim gold bands have a beautiful flow- wear two with a dress that doesn’t have sleeves, such as a roman-inspired draped gown. or you could place them over a tight-fitting jacket for a femininely militant look.

light silver shoulder piece

these pieces would add a good weight to a corset or jacket for a punk or goth wedding. it would complement thicker, more substantial materials like leather and wool.

bullets and chains knee strap

sexy jewelry? yes, please- add some appealing danger with this bullet garter. or wear it at knee height with a short dress!

jay walk

these look badass.  the heel height emphasizes the look, so consider that when you’re looking for your shoes.

special thanks to LITTER for permitting me to post these pictures. check out more at their website!

love to all,

lindsey

say hey: lindsey@dandylionevents.com