The Princess Wedding

This past summer my little sister Alex got married!! It was fantastic time along with being a bit hectic.  Not only did she ask me to be her maid of honor, but I was also "assigned" the task of personal florist.  The best thing about this event and it being Alex's wedding was that I had creative freedom.  I was given a color pallet, a few wishes and guidelines, but other than that I was allowed to do whatever I wanted. 

I must say that balancing my time the week of the wedding enjoying family time, catching up with those who were from out of town, maid of honor duties, keeping myself semi rested and presentable and getting all my floral tasks done was not easy.  I put 4 hours of work in 2 days before the wedding (luckily the fifteen plus guests at my parents' decided to congregate around my work area so I could also participate in conversation), ten hours of work the day before, and the morning of (after my hair and make-up were done) I did another hour or so of running around to make sure everything was in order and perfect.  I definitely took full advantage of anyone who utter the words "do you need any help?"

I am happy to say that all of my hard work payed off.  I was very pleased with the end result, and the bride was ecstatic. 



She was a stunning bride!

                                                    

Boutonniere

Wrist Corsage

Hair Piece

 

Her bouquet was very special to all of us.  As a gift for her shower, I presented a charm to Alex of our gramma who joined God two short years before.  This way Gramma could be with Alex as she walked down the aisle.  

 

 

Bridal bouquet someone must have tossed to the side while getting ready.
 

 After attending multiple bridal exhibits, Alex decided she wanted three varieties for her 21 centerpieces.  The first was a medium floral arrangement surrounded by three miniatures, the seconds I made to look like a little garden surrounded by a pond, and the third resembled a tree which was decorated in lights, moss and floral elements.

 

 

The "tree" centerpieces were probably the most fun to to.  Alex helped out a lot with these (we did the mechanical assembling months prior).  We got lucky and ended up asking a neighbor if we could rummage through his pile of branches he had just cut down.  I am sure he thought we were crazy.

 

At the bottom of each tree, I did a mini little arrangement  to decorate the large amount of moss.

 

My one goal for the whole wedding was to figure out how to do a garland that would decorate the front of the head table.  I think I was successful.

Close up of the garland.

 

A larger version of the "tree" was placed at the entrance of the hall. 

I was also in charge of making sure all boutonnieres and hair pieces were attached and in place all night!

My beautiful family! And you can get a better look at the bouquets.

 

 

 

 

A special thanks to the following people for all their help:

• My mom for letting me turn her basement into a flower shop
• Alex for all her help with putting together the "trees" and giving me the creative freedom to work my magic.  Also, for getting married so we could have an awesome night :)
• Jovan for repainting pots the day before to replace the ones that mystically disappeared (still haven't been found)
• Steph, Avery, Pauline, Charlotte, Monika, DJ, Laurence, Sylvie and Dominique (I'm sure I'm forgetting someone) for all your help putting things together at the hall
   

 This picture had to be included.  Charlotte was my biggest helper.  Even with the language barrier! (I know about as much French as she does English).  She actually did this centerpiece on her own. 

Fun Fact: I came up with the name "La Petite Fleuriste" the night before the wedding.  Five of my family members came all the way from France for the wedding, so it was a week of switching from French to English, translating and hand motions.  As I was busy at work, my Aunt came downstairs and proclaims "Aah La Petite Fleurist." I really liked the sound of it.