Behind the Scenes – Alchemy at the Barn, The Flowers

Dorian and Eloise of Central Park Flowers in Olyphant, PA consistently wow me with their artistry.  If I am planning a shoot in PA they are one of the first calls I make.  It is entirely refreshing to work with a fellow artists who just gets you.  A few simple words like “edgy, moody, pops of color” plus a simple sketch are all Dorian and Eloise needed to start creating.  My recent obsession with Scabiosa guided much of the floral and stationery directions as I love the textural yet graceful nature of the bloom.

I am sure you have noticed the sheer volume of wedding shoots being orchestrated recently and there has been some debate as to their approachable content for real brides.  I have taken this debate into serious consideration because let’s face it, who can or would want to afford a centerpiece that costs $500.00 or linens that run hundreds of dollars per table?  These tabletop shoots, at least for myself and the teams I work with are meant to be creative exercises with real inspiration value for our clients and readers, not outlandish overall fantastical concepts that translate difficultly into a real wedding scenario.  With that being said I had a chat with Dorian and he shared the real costs of the pieces designed for this shoot.  I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

The Bouquet:

Approx cost $100.00  due to a lot of Japanese imported flowers.  Can be more budget friendly when Scabiosa is in season domestically.

Blooms included are Succulents, Ranunculus (Japanese), Lisianthus, Scabiosa (Japanese) and Crisp Leaf.

The Centerpiece:

Approx cost $125.00 to $150.00  due to a lot of Japanese imported flowers.  Can be more budget friendly when Scabiosa is in season domestically.

Blooms included are Dutch White Hydrangea, Jasmine, White Lisianthus, Scabiosa (Japanese), Eucalyptus, Lotus Pods, Succulents, Fritillaria and Garden Snow Spray Roses.

Fiddlehead Fern:

Approx cost $50.00 per oversize stem but imagine the possibilities.  These creatures have such a lovely sculptural quality and really fill a table space well with just one!

Lotus Pods:

Approx cost $7.00 per stem

Fritillaria:

Approx cost $15.00 per stem but I love this bloom as I feel you get more wow for your dollar!  I can imagine a centerpiece consisting of a taller vase with just one Fritillaria bloom perched inside – beautiful!

A huge thank you to Dorain for sharing some information on the reality of our Alchemy at the Barn shoot and check back later this week for more on the stationery!

Originally posted 7/2010