For this bouquet, I used a mixture of sola daisies with thistle centers, shell flowers and tallow berries.

Because the flowers are soft, they are quite easy to pierce with floral wire and arrange into bundles.

Once you’ve created several bundles, use floral table to bind them together.  Arrange your bundles into a bouquet and wrap the stems in a ribbon of your choice.

Sit back and marvel at your creation!  I had a few stems leftover and they were just enough to create a matching boutonniere.  And the best part – your bouquet will live on indefinitely.  I love the idea of tucking it into a bookshelf as a sweet memento of your wedding day.

© White Thread, 2011. | Permalink | 9 comments | Add to del.icio.us
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© White Thread, 2011. | Permalink | 2 comments | Add to del.icio.us
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Post Categories: Cakes & Catering, Flowers & Decor, Inspiring Eye Candy

For Christine’s modern art museum wedding, I love the idea of working in a really organic texture like sandblasted manzanita branches and juxtaposing that against clean, clear lucite elements.  Together with her colors and the backdrop of the art museum, I think it keeps the overall look fresh and really modern.

{images via HGTV.com, WeddingBee, Intrigue-Designs, Florist-Sarasota, JL Designs, Nettle Hollow, TheKnot.com}

There are endless uses for these relatively inexpensive branches.

–They could serve to add height to some tables centerpieces, nestled in a glass vessel with yellow mum balls, votives at the base and a few smaller floral elements scattered throughout the table.

–Smaller pieces can live in tall glass cylinders with a few blooms and be scattered throughout the museum (perhaps on the stairs between levels).

–2 manzanita “trees” would make dramatic statements at the entrance to the reception venue, church or anywhere else where guests will benefit from a bit of “wow” factor (love them flanking a dessert display like above!)

For another texture, I would consider ultra-modern lucite.  This is definitely a hot material in event design right now, but I think a little can go a long way.

–I love the idea of elevating the wedding cake on a lucite box (maybe filled with Billy Balls on Reindeer Moss?)

–Personalize the serving experience by having the catering staff pass cocktails and hors d’oeuvres on lucite trays lined with a paper to coordinate with your stationery suite and other signage.  {BONUS:  You can use them in your at-home entertaining post-wedding}.

–To introduce the element before the reception, I would consider adorning the doors of the chapel in Billy Ball wreaths with lucite letters in the bride & groom’s initials suspended inside.  After the ceremony, have a trusted friend snag these and use some pretty ribbon to hang them on the back of the couple’s chair at the reception.

–Really want to go over the top with the lucite thing?  What about lucite etched invitations? These are sure to wow guests (but probably not the most budget friendly option if you’re having a big wedding!)

{images via Nuance Occasions, BellaWeddings, Imoi, Wonderful Graffiti, LuxuriousWeddings, MOMA, WeddingWire.com}

This last image I included just because it’s too awesome not to.  Not exactly lucite but I love the clean, modern look of this effect.  All it takes is a bulk order of test tubes, some white ranunculus and fishing line!

© White Thread, 2010. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
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So here’s what we know so far:

The season – next fall
The likely venue – an art museum
The overall aesthetic – modern with pops of color and a nod to the seasonality (note I said “nod”…pumpkins need not apply)

As a designer, color is important to her and she’s leaning toward a bright, cheerful yellow paired with a cool gray.  Definitely a popular color combo these days.  BUT the addition of a pomegranate hue keeps it fresh and slightly more fall-ish and organic.  I also love the idea of these pops of color in a more modern, stark space like the art museum.

With a color palette in mind, I always turn to nature for inspiration first (made even easier in this case because of the pomegranate!)  I think one of the most difficult things as a new bride-to-be is figuring out what flowers work with your color palette and what the heck they’re called so you can communicate it to your florist of choice.  Luckily I am obsessed with flowers and know way more even obscure varieties than a normal person should.

First up – yellow. Abundant in nature and available in tons of different flowers, this is definitely the easiest color to source for florals.  But I was looking for something that would work for both color and overall modern feel.  Bonus points if I could find them combined with that maroon-y, pomegranate color.  Enter Billy Balls.  They look great solo (for a really streamlined look) but in conjunction with other more ruffly flowers, they add the perfect graphical element and keep the whole thing from looking too deconstructed.  And of course, they come in the perfect shade of yellow.

{images via Green Wedding Chica, A Many Splendored Thing, Holly Chapple Flowers, JL Designs}

Next – the pomegranate hue.  This could be tough to match and quickly get into the maroon mum realm when really what we’re looking for is a more vibrant color.  I think several varieties of garden roses, cymbidium and vanda orchids could work, but for some interesting texture in just the right shade, try kangaroo paw. It adds the perfect amount of looseness to a bouquet, juxtaposes the tight Billy Balls nicely and again, is just the right shade.  AND it also comes in a lovely yellow.  Brilliant!

{images via edhat, Geelong Advertiser, The Knot, Apartment Therapy, Photo.net}

Finally silvery gray.  Finding this shade in the floral world might seem downright impossible.  But it’s actually not and there are options that range from modern to romantic to organic.  If a minimal look is your thing, silver brunia is perfect.  Similar to Billy Balls in it’s orb-like composition, I love it by itself or side by side with a more traditional, textured flower.  A ring of dusty miller around the circumference of a bouquet can also add the perfect amount of gray as well as a girly frillyness that I love.  And scabiosa pods can look a little greenish but I think it’s all about how you combine them with other flowers.  I love their interesting texture and shape.  The more I look at them, the more I love them.

And let’s not forget pomegranates themselves.  No, I’m not suggesting we pop them into bouquets!  This is just an accent color so perhaps they make an appearance at the reception in gorgeous little pyramid piles or glass bowls interspersed with white and yellow florals.  I also love that they symbolize hope and eternal life.  What could be more appropriate for a young couple beginning their journey together?!

This is just the beginning!  I can’t wait to brainstorm more on Christine’s wedding and share all the prettiness here.  Frankly, it’s a nice distraction from the fact that I’m 35 weeks pregnant and about to tip over.

© White Thread, 2010. | Permalink | 4 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post Tags: Floral Inspiration
Post Categories: Color Palettes, Flowers & Decor, Inspiring Eye Candy

Yes, I know…I have been a very bad blogger lately.  I’ve pretty much completely neglected White Thread while I’ve been busy nesting like it’s my job over at Honey + Fitz.  I PROMISE I will try to do a better job of integrating these 2 halves of my life.  But in the interim, I’ve had a few pretty pink images building up in my inspiration file that I felt the need to share with the world.

I am unashamed in my love of pinkness.  It just makes me happy in it’s many forms.  Pink peonies and ranunculous…yes please!  Pink macaroons…what could be better?  Pink ruffles…love them!

Enjoy!  And in the meantime, I will try to stop stressing about the perfect posts for White Thread and thus procrastinating to no end.

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We gladly obliged knowing we’d be able to push the “publish” button once again after the issue hit news stands…which it did this weekend.  See a sneak peak on Maggie’s own blog The Freckled Citizen. 

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If you’ve been following along today, you know I am head over heels for Maggie & Trevor’s red, white and blue Outer Banks wedding.  So full of chic, thoughtful details and personal style, one post just wouldn’t do (see vol. 1 and vol. 2).

Their reception was all about the details.  That gorgeous color palette, perfectly coordinated (yet not matchy) DIY floral vessels and votives, custom table linens…the list literally goes on and on!

Maybe my favorite details of this whole wedding (and believe me it’s REALLY hard for me to pick just one), are these hilarious table signs designed by Maggie to complement the wedding invitations.  In keeping with their election theme, each table was named after a political figure, with guests seated accordingly.  WOW!

What an incredible day this has been at White Tread!!  I can’t get over how perfectly Julie Dreelin, the photographer behind this amazing day, captured every detail.

A great, big THANK YOU to Maggie & Trevor for letting us share in their day!  If you have any questions on vendors, sources, or just need to see more (yes more!) check out Eat, Drink, Marry where Maggie chronicled every element of their planning.  And then visit her at her fun newlywed blog The Freckled Citizen!

© White Thread, 2010. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post Tags: Duck, North Carolina, Outer Banks, Sanderling Resort
Post Categories: Color Palettes, Flowers & Decor, North Carolina, Real Weddings

We gladly obliged knowing we’d be able to push the “publish” button once again after the issue hit news stands…which it did this weekend.  See a sneak peak on Maggie’s own blog The Freckled Citizen. 

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Today we’re getting a look at Maggie & Trevor’s election themed Outer Banks wedding.  If you missed the first post, you’ve got some catching up to do!

As promised, I wanted to give you a close up look at that incredible ceremony setting.  I am loving the dreamy and ethereal yet fun and whimsical vibe here.  And would you believe Maggie’s mom handcrafted ALL of those fabric pomanders?  Um…Etsy shop anyone?

Up next, the reception and all of its glorious and meticulously coordinated details.  Until then, here’s a sneak peak!

© White Thread, 2010. | Permalink | 3 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post Tags: Blooms Design Studio, Duck, North Carolina, Outer Banks, Renee Landry, Sanderling Resort
Post Categories: Color Palettes, Flowers & Decor, North Carolina, Real Weddings

We gladly obliged knowing we’d be able to push the “publish” button once again after the issue hit news stands…which it did this weekend.  See a sneak peak on Maggie’s own blog The Freckled Citizen. 

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Oh Happy Day!!!  It’s Friday, the lovely fall weather has finally arrived in the Carolinas and I couldn’t be more excited to share today’s Real Wedding!  Yesterday we got an up close look at Maggie & Trevor’s amazing wedding invitation suite designed by Amy Beth Cupp Dragoo of ABCD Designs Bespoke Stationery, inc.

Even better, today we get to see the GORGEOUS Outer Banks wedding that followed, captured in all it’s breathtaking detail by Julie Dreelin of Beach Productions.  To say it is packed full of eye-popping and completely inspiring details is perhaps the understatement of the year.

I’ll be hanging all day with Maggie & Trevor’s wedding so stay with me!  There was way too much awesomeness to be contained in a single post.

The Sanderling Resort in Duck, NC was the backdrop for all the festivities.  Maggie kept every detail true to their red, white and blue color scheme including J.Crew bridesmaid dresses in Atlantic blue and lush red florals by Blooms Design Studio.  And how much do you love Trevor’s seersucker suit and red & white gingham pocket square?  Too much!!!

Vows were exchanged on the Sanderling’s ocean-side deck.  Sitting just behind the dunes with the ocean in the distance, it is truly a magical setting…made only more magical by this incredible ceremony set up!

I know you’re dying to see more and you won’t be disappointed.  Back in a bit with some to-die-for ceremony images, including more details on those adorable pomanders.

© White Thread, 2010. | Permalink | 3 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post Tags: Blooms Design Studio, Duck, Julie Dreelin Photography, North Carolina, Outer Banks, Renee Landry, Sanderling Resort
Post Categories: Color Palettes, Flowers & Decor, North Carolina, Real Weddings

Like babies breath, it has often been relegated to filler status, but when used in isolation, I think their feathery quality is dreamy and gorgeous.  They dry beautifully too with the colors fading to a more muted version of their fresh, vibrant selves.  If you’re having a summer wedding, don’t overlook these beautifully simple flowers!

{Photo credits:  Top row: Belathée Photography via The Bride’s Guide ; Middle row:  Country Living, Angelica Glass via Green Wedding Shoes; Bottom row:  Green Wedding Shoes}

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Post Tags: flowers
Post Categories: Flowers & Decor, Inspiring Eye Candy

From DeShelia:
Who doesn’t love a happy ending. I’m a Southern girl so you know we love anything that says fun, family and celebration. I started my career in the portrait world dabbling in a wedding or two here that there. But the more weddings I photographed, the more I enjoyed being able to help a couple relive that happy moment again and again through images I created. Nothing feeds the heart more than a bride who tells you she cried tears of joy and admiration after viewing images you’ve photographed at her wedding. It’s hard to equate that sense of gratitude.

We shared a fun Sunday afternoon at the new Renaissance Hotel in Raleigh’s North Hills with our lovely model, a gorgeous Manuel Mota dress (style Valedmar for those of you in love!) from TreBella Bridal and a lush, springy bouquet from TreBella Florals…quite the talented group of ladies over there!  Nekita Land did the flawless, natural makeup (email me for her contact info, she’s AWESOME) and a stunning birdcage veil and feather flower fascinator by TessaKim finished off the ensemble.

Seriously, if you haven’t checked out Tessa’s etsy shop yet, you are in for a real treat.  Every time I’m on there, I find 5 new things I want (did I mention I’m not getting married and have no reason to want these other than they’re pretty?  That’s enough right?).  Note to self:  need to do a whole other post on Tessa’s awesomeness.

Stay tuned for a VERY exciting giveaway announcement! HINT: If you are still on the hunt for a photographer for your big day, you’ll want to pay attention.

© White Thread, 2010. | Permalink | 3 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post Tags: DeSheila Spann Photography, TessaKim, TreBella Bridal, TreBella Florals
Post Categories: Flowers & Decor, Inspiring Eye Candy