Renewal in PA Part I – DIY Flower Designs

As many of you might remember, the hubby and I renewed our vows last May and followed up with a big celebration bash in Pennsylvania.  Recently the full gallery of images captured by good friend Daniel Lanton was featured on Wedding Chicks!  So now I am thrilled to share some more details from the party!

Mom and I spent a solid 12 hours arranging over 15 designs with perfect blooms from 50flowers.com.  From their incredibly personal customer service to fresh flowers delivered on time and as promised, I sing their praises as often as possible.  The moment the 20 boxes of blooms were delivered, Mom and I went right to work prepping.  Each stem was snipped, leaves removed, rinsed and them placed in buckets of treated water.  All the buckets were then driven to our gorgeous venue at Hillside Farms in Shavertown, PA.

My snapshot

DarkerShadesofBrown Photography

For months before the party, Mom and I plus sometime the hubby and Dad too, traveled to dozens of local vintage shops to scoop up any amber, orange or yellow glass we could find.  Tall pedestals like those seen above were my favorites.  Mom and I are quite different in our flower arranging styles.  On the left above is one of Mom’s masterpieces in all its organic and flowing beauty while mine to the right is more dense and quirky.  It is amazing what you learn about eachother after 12 hours of wet hands and flower buckets!

DarkerShadesofBrown Photography

This scale glass piece is my all time favorite of the day.  For just $12 at a flea market about a mile from my house, a sweet woman made my day as she wrapped each piece in tissue.  I told her of my plans and she couldn’t have been happier to know that this piece was to be used in such a clever way!  The coral spray roses used in the design dried beautifully and this piece is now displayed in tact in my sitting room!

What was most exciting about the flower design experience was quite honestly the smell.   For two days we were surrounded by the crisp woodsy aroma of Silver Dollar Eucalyptus and the sweet, classic notes of the romantic Piaget Rose.  Other blooms incorporated were White Scabiosa and Ranunculus, Chocolate Cosmos, Peach Carnations, Coral Spray Roses and Italian Ruscus.

Soon I will be sharing more about the favors, menu, cake and the decor details.  Curious about the invitations? Check out this lovely post over at Oh So Beautiful Paper!