As a bride-to-be, this inspirational shower captured by Anouschka Rokebrand is only feeds my floral crown obsession. Filled with fragrant blooms made for snipping, the loft space of Avenue Lifestyle Studio was perfectly transformed by Holly Marder {Avenue Lifestyle} into a creative and casual party. Join me in toasting the future and donning a halo of blooms while scrolling through the gallery here.
From Avenue Lifestyle…For this bridal shower inspirations shoot, floral wreaths were the inspiration. I wanted to create an event where the bride-to-be’s closest friends could gather together in celebration of the imminent nuptials by participating in a floral wreath making workshop. The setting was organic, natural, light, feminine and whimsical. Pretty and ever-so-slightly utilitarian. The primary elements used to convey this included wood, terra-cotta, linen and cotton.
Everything the attendees needed to create their own fresh flower headband was set out for them at their own personal workstation at one central trestle-legged work table. Each station included a pair of scissors, florist wire and tape, a custom-made note to write to the bride-to-be and a paint dipped pencil. Terra-cotta pots filled with fresh flowers and herbs lined the centre of the table, ready to be made into headbands, while cafe lights were suspended from wooden beams above the table added a touch of romance to the setting. After a productive workshop, the bride-to-be and her leading ladies sipped Prosecco while admiring their self created floral headband in an antique mirror.
For this shoot, Stijlvolle Trouwkaarten, provided us with a custom stationery suite which highlighted the organic aesthetic that I wanted to give the entire event. Simplistic yet classic with natural elements and a nod to the wreath.
A whimsical draping of the most delicate climbing blossom suspended softly above the food table, a delicious spread which ensured our busy bride-to-be and her friends were well catered for. The menu included: a salad of foraged flowers and leafy greens; goats cheese, honey and mint blinis; artichoke, pear and parma ham tartlets; balsamic and mint soaked grilled aubergine on crusty ciabata; and the most heavenly flat peach cake with vanilla and sage cream cheese icing. The food and food styling was done by the expert hand of Amsterdam based food stylist Ajda Mehmet. Beautiful bone and silver cutlery and mismatched vintage cream crockery by Hélène Millot Furnishings were used to serve all of Ajda’s delicacies, while her fine crystal vintage wine glasses and champagne flutes had the girls sipping prosecco in style!
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How to Create a Fresh Flower Headband:
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ONE | Start by cutting a length of aluminum wire (about 20cm long) using wire cutters after measuring it over your head from ear to ear. Prepare short lengths of florist wire for later, as well as several lengths of florist tape, cut into thin strips (you’ll thank me later when you’re not grappling to wrap a fat piece of tape around a tiny little opening). Twist a long length of florist tape tightly around the aluminum wire and press it in with your fingertips so it sticks. You should feel a sticky residue from the tape on your fingertips.
TWO | Prepare several clusters of flowers of two or three varieties each and secure by wrapping the stems in florist tape. For example, combine a spring of rosemary and a small cluster of hydrangea. The fuller you want your floral headband, the fuller these bunches can be. For a more delicate headband, use no more than three stems per cluster.
THREE | From one end of your tape-wrapped wire (about 5cm from the end of the wire), attach one of your flower clusters tightly wrapping a small strip of florist tape. Press it down to secure. Attach the second little cluster to the wire in the same way, following the same direction as the first.
FOUR | Continue adding flower clusters in the same way along the length of your wire, using the thin pieces of tape you prepared earlier to attach the taped up stems to the aluminum wire. Stems should all be going in the same direction. You might need a little more strength in some areas, in which case use a short length of florist wire and wrap it around the area, pressing it down carefully to secure it with the tip of the wire cutters.
FIVE | Keep working your way around the length of wire until you are pleased with the way it looks, as well as the balance of flowers, foliage and colour. Your final cluster should end about 5cm away from the end of the wire.
SIX | To finish off the headband, cut two lengths of natural twine (about 20cm each) and knot tightly to each side of the headband, just beneath the last cluster of flowers. Wrap the twine along the remainder of the wire on each end, knotting it off tightly and the end. Leave about 10-15cm extra twine on each end to be able to fasten it to your head. Voila! You should have yourself a beautiful headpiece made from fresh flowers.
Photography: Anouschka Rokebrand | Stationery: Stijlvolle Trouwkaarten | Assistance: Jessica Van Der Liende | Cafe Lights: Allekabels | Floral Assistance: Jennifer Laarman | Food Styling: Ajda Mehmet | Glass, Flatware & Sideplates: Helene Millot | Hay Kitchen Scissors & Marble Tray: Hay Amsterdam | Studio: Avenue Lifestyle | Styling & Creative Direction: Avenue Lifestyle | Table Linens, Wooden Boards & Chairs: Dille & Kamille | Wooden Side Plates: Verterra Dinnerware