The weather leading up to this wedding had left the team wondering if this wedding would still be held on the beautiful beach that the bride and groom had selected - full of happy moments, good waves and a couple of short walks with Zeus, the happy bulldog… Of course, in usual ‘positive thinking, optimistic Hails style’…(yes, I do take credit for this one…”It will be good weather, it WILL be good weather”) - the clouds cleared and we were privy to some rare unseasonal mild sunny weather, with a light breeze and a soft sky. Perfect for a beach wedding!!
The bride wasn’t interested in being very particular, her only vice were green cymbidium orchids, which are NOT in season! That’s OK, imported from Holland will do, so I called my trusty orchid guy and he delivered (thank goodness). Normally I encourage the bride to go with flowers in season…but the cymbid happens to be a favourite of mine too…so I made an acception!!
The bridesmaids wore lemon, so of course the lemon lizzies were a must…coupled with creamy/buttery carnations and white roses, the bouquets were the simply luscious, and the cotton twine to finish the handle was perfect for a beachy, driftwood inspired feel.
The bridal bouquet had white calla lilies, green cymbids, white lizzies and white roses. It was embellished with a little feather detail (at the brides specific request, in order to compliment the dress) and the handle was again bound with cotton twine. The end product was a soft, textural fantasy of monochromatic colour and modern romance. One of my favourite bouquets to date (especially seeing as it suited the bride’s personality so beautifully…)
The real work came with the beach ceremony area. A bamboo pergola with muslin and chiffon curtains; dodder vine and orchids teamed creamy white roses, tropical leaves and lotus pods to embellish the uprights; white beach chairs and a yellow rose petal path to guide the bride to the waiting groom. Large vases filled with river stones, dodder vine and orchids lined the aisle (they were later used for the table centrepieces at the reception venue). I could not have done it without the excellent eye for detail possessed by my husband (and of course the fact that he got an A+ for ‘roping’ in scouts)…or the willing hands of the child hood friends that the groom has had the privilege to hold onto after all these years (some of my favourite friendships are ones I’ve held onto since those school days…).
The waves crashing in the background supplied the photographer (and me) with a bonus. It wasn’t until after the fact that I realised how fantastic the waves were - the sound echoes still, and the salt breeze added a surprise element of fresh, unimposing exuberance that left the guests totally entranced with the love and friendship of the people fortunate enough to be witness to the event.
I loved this wedding. Partly because I had a beach wedding myself probably…but mostly because I simply LOVE the beach. I love the opportunity for inspiration that a warm day with azure sea brings to my life. Soft sea breezes, crashing waves, seagulls diving, the smell of sun-drenched seaweed (ok ok…I don’t mind it…), and above all, the happy memories of childhood weekends spent collecting shells and diving like dolphins (or the occasional mermaid…)
Thankyou to J and G for the privilege of supplying the floral decor for you wedding. I loved it, loved the colour, the texture and the location. Julia GLR xxx
