Morning everyone. I have a confession to make. Up until fairly recently, I never quite understood those real flower bouquet alternatives made up of elements of jewellery. You know the kind? …where you have a clever designer makeup a bouquet from jewels and brooches pretty little things? I think they looked lovely but I couldn't work out why a bride would not want to carry real flowers on her wedding day. A little while ago though, I think the penny dropped and I started to see the beauty in these creations and the emotional value they could hold to the bride, particularly if made up of precious heirloom pieces (a variety of pieces that once belonged to a family member now passed away for example).
My swing in opinion was firmly cemented during my time spent at the Zoe Lem Vintage Wedding Fair last weekend, where I was doing a book signing – my stand was located next to the fabulous Muscari Whites Florist, who as well as working with real blooms, also create the most out of this world brooch wedding bouquets. I really should have grabbed my phone to Instagram the wow factor creations that owner and founder Michele had gracing her stand, but alas I was too busy meeting and chatting to my blog readers and brides!
Bride Maria who features in this post this morning carried a brooch bride – a design by Diamonds & Daisies – and how very pretty it is too. Maria married her beau Darren on 1 December 2012 at Chilworth Manor, Southampton. The couple met in a bar in the same town. Actually, I hear they bumped in to each other 'accidentally on purpose'. Whatever the truth, they ended up tieing the knot 17 months later in a pretty, relaxed and laid back wedding.
Love My Dress Wedding Blog – Photography Copyright (c) 2013, Holly Deacon
Maria’s nose for a fashion lent her towards exploring vintage eras when
it came to styling her wedding. With their wedding being so close to
Christmas, a pewter, silver and white foliage theme was incorporated
which beautifully reflected the intricate beading in Maria's elegant
Anoushka G wedding dress – a purchase from Anya’s Bridal Couture in Droxford.
"I
loved my dress – the intricate beading which caught the winter light
added to the tone and style of our wedding – I really didn't want a big
meringue of a dress, rather something fitted, sophisticated and that
could be worn effortlessly."
Towering heels that sparkle, from Dune…
You get a really close up look at Maria's beautiful brooch boquet here – I adore the lizard detail and the beautiful pearls…
"Our photographer Holly Deacon
is fab – she took lovely, natural shots, was non-intrusive and has an
uncanny knack for capturing the moment. We were unaware she was there
snapping away during the day and blended in naturally with the wedding
guests."
Silver tipped nails – pretty!
You can see more Anoushka G dresses here. Also take a look at our other real wedding features where the bride has a brooch bouquet – so so pretty!
Are any of my readers opting for a brooch bouquet over a traditional floral bouquet? I'd love to hear from you.
Thank you for sharing these photos Holly Deacon.
With much love,
Annabel
Photographer – Holly Deacon
Venue – Chilworth Manor, Southampton
Wedding Dress – Anoushka G – via Anya’s Bridal Couture in Droxford
Brides' shoes – Dune
Earrings – Anya’s Bridal Couture in Droxford.
Groom's Attire – Moss Bros, Winchester + Jasper Conran cufflinks
Bridesmaids – Jenny Packham, Debenhams, Southampton + shoes/accessories via Monsoon
Brooch Bouquet – Diamonds & Daisies
Cake – A friend
Entertainment – The Magic Tones, Hampshire
Favours – 3 Blonde Bears (sweetie jars) + whiskey miniatures
Hair Stylist – Elegance Bridal Coiffure
Annabel View all Annabel's articles
Founder of Love My Dress. Passionate Podcaster and Editor. Annabel lives in rural North Yorkshire with her husband and business partner Philip, their two daughters and menagerie of furry hounds. She loves photography, meditation, walking, being outdoors and star gazing. She is fierce when it comes to championing talent within the wedding industry and when she's not working on Love My Dress, she supports her husband Philip in the running of the family's sustainable flower farm and floral design business, Moonwind Flowers. In 2013, she became a published author.
