Love doesn’t make the world go ’round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile. – Franklin P. Jones
photography: wendolyn wells / flowers: colonial house of flowers
the chapel designers have posed a challenge to share favorite bridal bouquets for a progressive post.
similar to a traveling dinner party that visits homes, a progressive post is interesting, captivating, fulfilling, and lively as it moves around. new places & new faces from all over the world.
savor morsels, bites, slices and delicacies at each web address while you sip, converse, or leave a note.
honored that colonial house is on route, i am delighted you’ve made it to our place.
welcome!
let me be your host as i share a few treasures.
fig, olive branches, blackberries, among other pretty things like david austin roses, lissanthus, rununculus, stocks.
of all bouquets, this one is the most authentic, and genuine to me. respecting different stages of life with some things broken, beginning to dull, while others are fruiting, branching, opening bloom, & in seed is one of my values.
joy thigpen is one of the most passionate, naturally pure & perfect designer’s, to me. i think she is powerfully amazing.
this bouquet was gathered while meeting her for a creative styling workshop. it resonates the unfeigned light & love of that moment, that season.
it is properly, unquestionably a reflection of who i am. my heart in that little moment.
it’s not perfect. it’s free. it’s raw. it’s real. it felt right. it moves.
my all time favorite bouquet.
And, another darling:
venue: meadowlark gardens, griffin, ga
simple. fresh. understated. charming. elegant.
dinner plate dahlia’s, hydrangea, and imported ribbon.
this bridesmaid bouquet says everything about the unique southern soiree it appeared. i think that is why it’s so special.
it looks exactly like the couple it celebrates while it blends with the venue.
the georgia garden wedding flowers of this event were drenched in style. you can see more, here.
this bouquet is thumb-tacked to the cork board of my mind as a reminder: less is sometimes more. bigger isn’t always better.
it tells me to rein things in. edit. edit. edit. it teaches to listen to the person before me and be true to her day.
this unique bouquet looks hand picked, garden-glam. i just, love it.
and, my last favor today is inspired by christmas in the south.
‘
simple. elegant. traditional. red & white for lots of south georgia, low country christmas charm.
tightly wound garnet garden roses. topped with pearls.
so, there are three of my favorite bridal bouquets by colonial house. viola! challenge met.
glad you joined the progressive post as i hope you relish the serving here.
please join me. let’s see the other picks on the circuit.
x,
christy
bon appetit!
Holly Heider Chapple Flowers LTD
Courtenay Lambert Florals, Weddings, and Events
this is unique. love it!
The Legend of the Dogwood Trees
Many years ago, a dogwood tree grew on a hill outside Jerusalem. In those days, the dogwood tree was as tall and mighty as an oak, and this tree was the tallest of all the dogwoods, and extremely proud of its strength.
“Something wonderful is going to happen to me,” it said to anyone who would listen. “I’ll probably become the mast that holds the big sail on a grand ship, or the main timber supporting a great house.”
Unfortunately, the huge old dogwood was cut down to become the cross to which Jesus was nailed. The tree was horrified. All its dreams of glory were smashed, and it groaned in agony as two boards from its trunk were nailed together.
Jesus took pity on the tree, even as he carried it to Calvary. “You will never be put to such use again,” He told it. “From this day on, your shape will change, even as will the world. You will become slender and sway easily with the breeze. And instead of acorns, you will bear flowers in the shape of a cross… with two long and two short petals. In the center of the outer edge of each petal, there will be nail prints… brown with rust and red with bloodstains to show the world how you have suffered.”
“Last of all, the center of your flowers will be marked as though with a crown of thorns to remind people forevermore, that you and I spent our last moments together.” And so it was. And so it is.
If you see a fresh clipping of a Dogwood Tree peeping through an arrangement with the bleeding petals of it’s bloom, you’ll know exactly what it means and the inspiration behind its incorporation into your bouquet.
According to Golf.com, “all roads lead to Augusta.” At this time of year, we whole-heartily concur. Without an inkling of how you are getting there, unknowing of your route, there’s one thing for certain: the drive will. be. absolutely. captivating.
Better, so will the course.
Finer than the pimento cheese sandwiches, the blossoms and blooms are one grand show.
Did you know that every hole at Augusta National Golf Club are named after flowering and/or aromatic trees or shrubs. LOVE THIS!
Here they are:
- No. 1 – Tea Olive
- No. 2 – Pink Dogwood
- No. 3 – Flowering Peach
- No. 4 – Flowering Crab Apple
- No. 5 – Magnolia
- No. 6 – Juniper
- No. 7 – Pampas
- No. 8 – Yellow Jasmine
- No. 9 – Carolina Cherry
- No. 10 – Camellia
- No. 11 – White Dogwood
- No. 12 – Golden Bell
- No. 13 – Azalea
- No. 14 – Chinese Fir
- No. 15 – Firethorn
- No. 16 – Redbud
- No. 17 – Nandina
- No. 18 – Holly
Before becoming a golf course the property was a 365-acre plant nursery. It’s no surprise that as we cheer on Bubba Watson with a short round of soft golf clapping hands, we can’t help but applaud the fresh floral spray that the Masters Tournament is famous.
hmm. interesting. it seems odd that a highly technological app would send mail, right? snail mail? it seems in direct contradiction with modern times, but admit it — you miss it, right?
that genuine feeling of surprise when you get mail… ah! it’s irreplaceable. so warm and romantic. well, at least the pretty kind of mail (bills be damned).
printic is a new app that provides an easy way to print and share pictures from your iphone. it’s a snap. simply choose pictures, edit them, and select your recipients: they’ll receive cute polaroid-style print in less than three days in the mailbox, wrapped in a beautiful orange envelope.
okay, yes. i totally admit it: i am. in l.o.v.e. with this app – for shop and personal use. I LOVE MAIL. when i think of it i think of my grandmother. she’s the only person i know that still uses it as a primary communication method. i fail to return the favor as often as i should. i think i will send a pretty little picture today via printic.
thanks printic — yay for pretty snail mail!
XoXo,
Christy
Today we have great-and-super-awesome fortune to attend a multi-day bridal flower workshop given by HitomiGilliam with Barry Cowart and A Floral Affair.
Are you familiar with Hitomi’s work? All we can say is: WOW. Like, totally. If you are unfamiliar, looking her up is worth the effort because Hitomi is absolutely fabulous.
Tonia McElveen, a senior floral designer, is traveling to Hilton Head to represent the Colonial House.
We’re so proud.
Last week while in NYC, I had the pleasure of conversation with Laura Iarocci of Faith Flowers. “You’re going to love visiting with Hitomi. She’s a dear friend. She is practical… knows a lot about mechanics. And, she is interested in encouraging the love of flowers in children… for future generations to carry-on this art,” she said.
We are eager to experience what Laura is referencing, to learn, to grow at this conference.
Have fun, Tonia. Give it all you’ve got! So, so, so very proud of you.
XoXO,
Christy
It’s almost the weekend! Do you know what you’re doing to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day?
We have been enjoying almost-Spring weather since last week and that has us dreamy-eyed and getting the garden primed.
We couldn’t help our self last week, or this week. When Renee (our nursery girl) visited with wonderful clovers, we had to say, “aha and absolutely!” Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day fun.
Michelle delivered a few to First Friday to decorate a festive little table.
And, so you know: all shamrocks are clover. In fact, the name originates from the word “seamrog” which means “little clover.” There are hundreds of varieties. The sweet variety we chose have wonderful color and a bonus of vibrant little flowers that bloom! {You know we’re all-about blooming flowers.}
Did you know that the leaves close up when not in the sun? Yeah. We love it, too.
So, the picture at the top of the perfect centerpiece for your St. Patrick’s Day tablescape is easy:
Simply take a head of cabbage, pull out the center to eat. Put the clover pot in a plastic bag. And then, drop it into the leaves. Place atop a pretty dish.
We’ll leave you with little Irish blessing
Wishing you joys that are lasting and true,A heart that’s not troubled or gray,Friends who will travel life’s pathway with you. {us!}And the luck of the Irish each day.photo from Wendy’s Hat
