Diamond Jubilee and Coronation Bouquet

Monday, February 6th  marked the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's ascension to the throne.  Only Queen Victoria has reigned longer, and the current monarch has three more years to reign before surpassing Victoria's record reign.
Elizabeth II became ascended to the throne of Great Britain on February 6, 1952, upon the death of her father, King George VI.  The queen's coronation ceremony however, followed more than a year later in June of 1953.  Why the delay?  Well, one reason was to accommodate a respectful period of national mourning for the late king.  Secondly, to accommodate the massive operation of organizing a regal coronation on a scale never seen before... as for the first time, television cameras were placed in Westminster Abbey to record all but the most solemn moments in the coronation ceremony... the annointing and communion portions were the only parts of the ceremony not seen by the camera.

Queen Elizabeth has carried some amazing bouquets in her lifetime.  The coronation bouquet seen above was created by London florist, Longman's of London, Ludhill Gate.  The arrangement for coronation day consisted of Lily of the Valley, Stephanotis, and white Cattleya orchids.  David Longman was responsible for this bouquet, his father Martin was responsible for the design of her bridal bouquet, while still Princess Elizabeth, on her marriage to Prince Phillip in 1947.

Royal Tid-bit of the day... During her coronation, the Queen wore several headpieces... on the way to the Abbey she wore the George IV diadem, on the return to the Palace she wore the Imperial State Crown... for the actual moment of crowning... St. Stephen's Crown, shown below.

Photo Credits: Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images



Our Perfect Christmas Tree

It's just a few more days 'til Christmas, and our perfect tree has been decorated for a few weeks now.  The search started in late November when I ventured to a local tree farm in Okatie, SC.  You have a choice there of Leland Cypress, Red Cedar, or Virginia Pine.  We find that the Va. pine is a good fit for us because they look like old fashioned Christmas trees, and because they look best with our vintage lights and vintage glass ornaments.

Since there is a definite lull in royal wedding activities and in my own wedding business this time of year... thought I would post some pics of our Christmas tree... showing that everyone has a different definition of the perfect Christmas tree.

So, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!  Terry.

We really go for the Shiney Brite vintage look on our tree with tinsel garland, bead garland, and the finishing touch of real lead icicles.  The lights are all C7 ceramic and bubble lights, makes it warm and nostalgic in our living room.  And, for the first week or so, the tree gives off this very powerful pine scent... not so much after a couple of weeks have passed.

Enjoy the pics of our perfect Christmas tree for 2011.

Royal tid bit of the day... Christmas trees used at London's Chelsea Hospital are donated by HM The Queen.  The trees are cut from the forests surrounding Windsor Castle.

Flowers for October Weddings

During the lull in Royal Weddings, I was out creating a little wedding magic of my own.  September and October were very busy wedding months for me flower-wise, but, none of the weddings I participated in embraced the traditional Autumn floral themes so popular during these months.  Instead, hot pinks, purples, yellows, pale blues, and shades of green were the order of the day.  One wedding specifically requested a Sunset Color theme, close to Autumn with oranges and coral tones, but incorporating purples, blues and lavender.  They all turned out beautifully... so here is a little photo sampling of the past few months... enjoy!

These are from the Sunset wedding...

Here are a few photos from the purple, hot pink, etc. wedding...

And finally, the wedding using yellow/gold, green and pale blue...

Congratulations to all of these brides and grooms, it was a pleasure serving their floral needs for their very special occasions.  And super extra thanks for my best flower-friend.. Lauri Leber, owner of Flower Shop Bluffton, for he invaluable assistance in the execution of these lovely events.

Terry.

Royal Bride - Zara Phillips gets her day...

The eldest granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth has finally gotten her day to shine as a royal bride.  This wedding that took place in Edinburgh on July 30th, was in total contrast to the wedding we saw take place in London in April of this year.  Zara Phillips, daughter of The Princess Royal, Anne married footballer Mike Tindal at Canongate Kirk... the royal place of worship located close by Hollyroode Palace.  Hollyroode Palace, or "house" as it is also called, is the official residence of Queen Elizabeth when she travels to Scotland's capitol.

This royal wedding was quite subdued, and photographers and t.v. cameras were not allowed inside the church.  However, there are plenty of pictures of the lovely bride and her beautiful flowers.  Zara chose a rather rustic hand-tied bouquet of miniature white calla lilies, Lily of the Valley, Echinops Thistle, Dusty Miller foliage... all based with white hydrangea.  I think the combination of simple tones in white and grey is wonderful to compliment her ivory gown and the more informal setting.  But, the most dynamic aspect of the flowers are the many varying textures among the flowers and foliage.  Most appreciated is the use of Echinops Thistle... as a nod to one of the national emblems of Scotland. 

I think we are seeing a trend starting... having one's bridesmaids attired like the bride and carrying identical but smaller versions of the bridal bouquet.  Also, it appears that a more mature bridesmaid has been included to perhaps corral the younger members of the wedding party.

This blogger loves Zara's bouquet, and really appreciates the family traditions among the royals... as Zara is wearing a tiara on loan from her mother, Anne.  Well done Zara and Mike!

Three of the bridesmaids.... all in ivory, one with the palest blue bow on her dress, each one wearing flowers in their hair, arranged accordingly to suit the style of their individual hair styles. 

Royal Wedding Tidbit for the day.... The last royal wedding to take place in Scotland was the wedding of Princess Anne, when she married her second husband, Timothy Laurence.  Then as well, a floral nod was made to Scotland as her bouquet was a nosegay composed entirely of heather.

Duchess of Cambridge's Bouquet - The Royal Replica

Just recently a royal exhibit has opened at Buckingham Palace.  The featured attraction for the summer's tour of the palace is the currently most famous wedding dress in the world, that of The Duchess of Cambridge, formerly Kate Middleton.  Many thousands of advance tickets have been sold, bringing in money to support the renovation and repairs needed at the Palace.

In addition to the dress, other wedding items are on display as well... The Duchess's wedding shoes covered in the same handmade lace as her gown.  The diamond earrings commissioned by her parents as a gift can be seen as well.  The actual wedding cake, with the top three layers replaced, is also on display in the banquet room.  The crowning feature of the gown display is the veil and Cartier tiara that Catherine wore on her wedding day.  Finally, and not at all least important to this blogger... a replica of the bridal bouquet is also on display in the same case with the shoes and the earrings.  The original bouquet's designer, Shane Connolly, has recreated the bouquet in faux flowers.  The replica is so realistic, even this seasoned designer is pressed to see any difference in the two when pictures are compared.

Mr. Connolly has explained that the inspiration for the bouquet was the dress.  The intricate lace detailing of the Catherine's gown lent the suggestion that delicate flowers were needed.  Lily of the Valley, the bouquets main component were chosen for their very delicate features... massed together in what as been described as a "shield" shape with individual Hyacinth florets, delicate white Sweet William, and the ever traditional myrtle foliage always present in royal bouquets, the bouquet is finished quite simply with a small bow and ribbon wrapping on the handle.

With the wonders of the Internet, the identity of the florist for this wedding was well know months before the event.  While doing research on the florist for the royal weddings in the 1980's, there was months of searching and researching through old floral magazines and books.  Then to finding someone at the Worshipful Company of Gardeners that was helpful in getting me connected with David Longman.  Logman was the designer of the bouquets for Diana Spencer and Sarah Ferguson.  Then correspondence by old fashioned mail proved productive.  Now for the past four years, this blogger has been privileged to call Mr. Longman a friend.  He has shared with me the techniques used in Diana's bouquet, and some interesting stories about his involvement with the royal weddings some 30 years ago. 

Now for the next quest.  To contact Mr. Connolly, and ask him some questions about the most recent famous royal bridal bouquet.  It's certain that my search for information will be made much easier considering the massive progress made in information accessibility in the past few years.  It seems that we have known every detail about every aspect concerning the Cambridge's wedding.  I for one am grateful that so much interesting information has been made so accessible to those interested in Royal Weddings. 

If I manage to contact Mr. Connolly or his firm, I will certainly share any interesting pieces of information with my blog followers.

Royal Wedding Tidbit for the day... Coming up this weekend is yet another royal wedding.  The Queen's first grand daughter, Zara Phillips will marry Mike Tindal.  Though Miss Phillips carries no royal title, at the request of her mother Anne, The Princess Royal, she will be afforded her share of the royal limelight.  Zara's wedding will take place in a few days, in Edinburgh, Scotland.  The location for the wedding is the quaint (compared to Westminster Abbey) Canongate Kirk.  Where the royal family worships when at Hollyrood House, official royal residence in the Scottish metropolis.  Below is a picture of the church.

Photo Credits: Shane Connolly still and close up bouquet still: The Royal Wedding Dress: A Story of Great British Design.  The Royal Channel, YouTube, July 25, 2011.

Canongate Kirk photo: bestofedinburgh.com



Royal Wedding In Monaco... more on the Monegasque wedding...

In Euroupe like in England, they seem to do weddings just slightly different from Americans.  The most recent royal wedding, the one that took place in Monaco last weekend, was no exception.  The newly married Princess Charlene had her attending bridesmaids dressing in traditional Monegasque costumes.  What a wonderful touch.  Someone told me they weren't to thrilled with the hats, but I do think they add a nice touch, especially since the wedding took place semi-outdoors, as it was held in the large central courtyard of the palace in Monte Carlo.

Upon closer inspection of the pictures showing the bridesmaids, their flowers are nosegays that give the impressions of being recently gathered by the girls.  They are arranged simply gathered with roses, ivy, galax leaves, and what looks like to be lavender freesia.  I do really like the nod to the old traditional attire of the location.  The freesia is a nice touch as it adds a continuity from the bridal bouquet, which relied on white freesia as it's main component... here is another photo of the bridal bouquet, on the altar in the chapel in Monte Carlo.

Royal Wedding tid-bit of the day... Much disscussion and conjecture ensued in 1923 when Prince Albert, Duke of York prepared to marrie Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon.  The reason for the controversy?  Palace officials oppsosed having the ceremony broadcast on the "wireless" (radio).  They feared that the sacred ceremony would be heard by gentlemen, in pubs, still wearing their hats!  I do wonder what those palace officials back in 1923 would think of the global expossure given to the most recent Abbey wedding?


Photo Credit: both from Zimbio.com

Prince Albert and Princess Charlene ... Cascade bouquet making a comeback!

So, it was Monaco's turn this past weekend to show the world how to do a royal wedding.  It was a different type of affair for sure, in contrast to the British royal wedding in April.  This time the reigning Prince of Monaco, Prince Albert was getting married to his long time fiance, Charlene Whittstock.  The new princess Charlene was quite a vision in her Armani gown.  I was particularly happy that her bouquet was of the more regal style... a cascade unlike the bouquet of Catherine the Duchess of Cambridge.  But, like Catherine's, Charlene's bouquet contained some very traditional bridal flowers.  White dembdrobium orchids helped form the slender cascade portion of the bouquet, while a tight cluster of white freesia and Lily of the Valley formed the round, main portion of the arrangement. 

Finally, and with relief, we have pictures of a royal wedding bouquet that show in close up, the details of this special floral piece.  The bride left her bouquet on a chapel altar, and a photo-op was born.  From the photos, we can see the flowers in great detail, and see something rather unusual.  The bouquet stems are wrapped with black ribbon.  I am anxious to research and find out if this nontraditional color for a royal wedding has any significant meaning.  Or, could it be the floral designers special mark, making this wedding quite different in style and expression from other royal weddings.

Royal wedding tid-bit for the day... A slew of European royals attended Saturday's royal nuptials in Monte Carlo.  On hand from the British Royal family were Edward and Sophie, The Earl and Countess of Wessex.  In tomorrow's post, we'll take a look at the bridesmaids serving at this most recent royal wedding.

Thank you to Zimbio.com for the pictures so lovely posted on their site for us to see.