This was a really special wedding for me because I wasn't just the florist—I was also the wedding photographer. The couple hosted their wedding at a private backyard estate, with a large property, mature trees at the back of the lot and even a collection of vintage cars that made for some really fun photographs. The ceremony took place beneath a beautiful floral arch, surrounded by the natural setting of the property. The whole day had a relaxed, intimate feeling that you don't always get at a traditional wedding venue.
The flowers were anything but understated. The couple chose a vibrant terracotta-inspired colour palette with rich, warm and colourful blooms throughout the designs. I think one of the reasons silk flowers worked so well for them was that the bride wanted really vibrant colours that aren't always easy to achieve with fresh flowers. With silk, we could choose exactly the shades and flower varieties that worked with her vision rather than being limited by what was naturally available at the time of year. She also decided to keep her bridal bouquet after the wedding as a keepsake, which made the silk flowers an especially meaningful choice.
The couple themselves were incredibly warm and welcoming throughout the day. Being both their florist and photographer meant that I spent a huge amount of time with them, from setting up the flowers to photographing their ceremony, portraits and reception. They made me feel like a guest as much as a vendor, and I even got to sit down and enjoy some of the incredible food. Those are the wedding days that tend to stick with me long after I've packed everything away.
One of the things I find so special about working in the wedding industry is that it becomes so much more than a job. As a wedding vendor, I'm invited into one of the most personal and meaningful days of someone's life. I get to see the nervous excitement before the ceremony, the little moments between family members, the celebrations and everything in between. Sometimes I'm there as a photographer, sometimes as a florist, and sometimes, like this wedding, I'm lucky enough to be both. Being welcomed into that space, sharing a meal with a couple and their families and getting to play a small part in such an important day really does feel like a privilege.
