Capricious Flowers

Flowers, oh the flowers!

There is a specific season for some of them, there are the  thirsty blooms (yes, I am talking about you hydrangeas), roses that bruise so easily, flowers difficult to get, flowers that come from Africa and should be used in a bridal bouquet that weekend, and happens to be taken over by customs, etc, etc. However, today I want to share an article by Holly Chapple, one of my favorite flower designers. Read and have fun as she explains her struggles with .... anemone.

The Naughty Anemone

Today I am going to do something I rarely do, I am going to bash a flower, I am going to expose the anemone, in particularly the white and black one, for it’s horrid and unpredictable behavior. Anemones are not good wedding flowers. Yep I said it and now I need you to believe it!!!!! We all see anemones with their perfect white petals and black faces gracing the cover of magazines. I love those images and long for those perfect anemones but they rarely are that wonderful!! Flowers come to the designer in bunches usually 10 to 25 stems per bunch. I expect and need for 99.9 percent of that bunch to be worthy of my designs. On most occasions only one of the bunch is truly perfect.  If you are lucky in the height of anemone season which is typically the spring or even the cooler fall weather you can get maybe half of the bunch to look respectable. I keep trying to use this bloom because clients and yes planners keep bringing me the requests for this flower. I get that artistically, its perfect for any wedding that has anything to do with black, but I am a perfectionist and I can’t stand seeing the blemishes or small closed flower heads that are so characteristic of this bloom. Not only that I am constantly promised that I will get the flowers from my wholesalers only to be let down continuously because the flowers often arrive to the supplier looking ill. I am super mad at this bloom and its lack of ability to step up to the plate and be pretty for my brides.


Just last weekend I tried endlessly to get these blooms in for my bride. I tried five different wholesalers and I actually ended up buying them from a man I had never even heard of in Chicago just because he swore he could get them. I felt like I was a drug user in search of some type of illegal drug and I was willing to get the goods wherever possible.  Having been in the business for many years I thankfully never, ever, ever promise this flower to a bride so I was prepared. If I have an adamant bride that must have them I discuss the option of using the silk version of this bloom. So even though Mr. Chicago did get me the blooms they were to beat up to use and I had to use the silk. I also had to paint the centers of the real ones black. Seriously stressful.  What drives me crazy is I never want to give up, I keep believing they are out there so I keep trying. Quite frankly I have yet to see one as lovely as the ones I see in a magazine which leads me to believing those are silk also. I know for certain that two publications recently featured this bloom with silk flowers in the bouquet because I asked the designer.

Yes I have had great purple and fuchsia anemone but that also is a big gamble. You can just never be sure of the blooms you will receive when working with this flower. It’s time we blow the cover off of this naughty bloom.  The above bouquet was created with silk anemone and one real white anemone. The real one was almost good enough to be in a Holly bouquet but not really, I just put it in the bouquet so I could say I did. 1 out of 20 blooms. Naughty Anemone!!!!!!!!!!

 Holly Chapple

"Bloom" The power of 28,000 plants!

I am amazed how powerful is Anna Schuleit's 2003 photographic installation, "Bloom".  The installation was to commemorate the closing of the original building that housed the Massachusetts Mental Health Hospital in Boston, MA. 

When Schuleit was commissioned to do the memorial, an installation that features nearly 28,000 potted flowered plants, her instinct was to interpret something that the vacant and soon to be demolished building was missing: a "presence of life and color".

Here are some images from "Bloom"!

Magic of pink flowers

Orange tulips that never stops growing, even after being cut.

A See of white daisies.

Enjoy!

Margaret

MW Flower Design

www.mwflowerdesign.com

416-737-1070

Pink and White Make Summertime Bliss!

Nothing gets me excited for the summertime like soft, romantic flower arrangements. The scents of the flowers like peonies, lishiantius and freesias can really tie together an event, especially on a nice, warm day.

This event took place at the Thornhill Golf and Country Club and had a guest list of 55. The church was modern, elegant with baby’s breath throughout the space.

 

 At first I wanted to be a white on white design, giving a more stark and impactful appearance, but after seeing the soft pink chair covers, I have fallen in love with the new decor, and I worked quickly (only 1 week!) to design and execute my new look.

The flowers were placed underneath large white ostrich centerpieces and white flowers on the chair covers pulled the look together.

Even though the guest list was intimate, there were enough young children to create a separate table just for them. 

A sweet little display for the candy buffet table was loaded with goodies that guests of all ages could enjoy. One mommy told me her little girls slept with the candy bag later that night!

Yum!

I loved the way all turned out together and everyone was enchanted by the decor. It was delicate, lovely and elegant.

Enjoy!
Margaret Woroszylo
MW Flower Design
www.mwflowerdesign.com
416-737-1070

Bridal Bouquets - Labour of Love

I call working on bridal party flowers "Labor of Love". It takes a lot of time and skill to create "the  right bridal bouquet",  keeping bride and her wishes in mid at all times. It is easy to grab some  flowers and create unique, appealing design, but it's not about me; it is for a special person on that special day. That's why it is important to listen to the bride when she is describing what she wants to carry on her wedding day. There are other elements that are equally important, the dress, time of the year, personal likes and dislikes.

I love meeting with my clients and getting to know them and getting a true "feel" for their personality and vibe....this is when I get the "aha moment" and I know how I will design the bridal bouquet....which is the most important floral design of the wedding. The bridal bouquet is in 99% of all the photos; the bride will be holding her beautiful bouquet from the time she walks down the aisle and through out the reception.

There isn't right or wrong style, it should be truly "your style",so today, I am showing different styles "What's Your Bouquet Style".....please leave a comment letting us know what bouquet describes you or which one is simply your favorite....Enjoy!

http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6190190940630082804#editor/target=post;postID=2692936700081029475

 

 

Enjoy!

Margaret Woroszylo

MW Flower Design

www.mwflowerdesign.com 

Chic Downtown Toronto Wedding

I can't event express how wonderful client-bride, Megan was. Young, sharp with clear vision of what she wanted for her wedding. We booked one year in advance, .... and except adjusting the table count and changing her head table centerpieces from tall to short (overall it was a good idea), her original design stayed in place. I could say a lot more about my relationship with Megan but let see what she had to say about her special day.

Christian and I met, fell in love, got engaged and was married all in under 3 years. Although it was all so fast, it was also so perfect. The two of us approach life with a very light attitude, always looking for fun and new experiences to enjoy in our young lives, living in Toronto, one of the best cities in the world.

Because we always considered ourselves to be the black sheep of our own families, it was only perfect that our half Portuguese and half Canadian wedding should colour a little outside of the lines, too. We tried to defy the rules of formal or quaint, by throwing our guests off with lavish food, a beautiful event space, outstanding decor and an overall great time to show guests that weddings can be colourful and different.

We chose the colours silver/pewter and green for the venue decor. White ostrich feather centerpieces that seemed to shoot to the sky with pin lighting and green up-lights on the sides of the room, the Downtown Toronto chic venue burst with life when you walked into the room. If you had a camera on my face the moment I saw it all come together, it would be wide eyed and in awe.

 
 
For my bridesmaids, I put them in cocktail-length pewter dresses with different styles, but for their shoes I had them pick a colour of their choice to wear, green being my shoe colour, of course!

 
 
September 11, 2010 was the best day of our lives. Not only was it the first day that we would spend as husband and wife, but it was also a day that represented the quirky way that we are together, and I feel that our wedding precisely represented that.

 

Knowing Megan's fun loving attitude, I imagine her saying "Here was my dream wedding". Thank you Megan and Chris for allowing us to be a part of your dream day.

 
 
Vendors:
Catherine Chen - Sugar Baking www.sugar-baking.com
Denise Belanger - C'est Chic Photography www.cestchicphoto.com
Margaret Woroszlyo - MW Flower Design www.mwflowerdesign.com
Capitol Event Theatre - www.capitoleventtheatre.com
Kelsey Emuss - yourpicturemadeperfect.wordpress.com
Jay Cabral - Cabral Catering www.carbralcatering.com

If you would like to book an appointment and be as happy as Megan was on her day call Margaret at 416-737-1070 or email her at margaret@mwflowerdesign.com

Come and See your Ideas Bloom to Life!

Best Decor Moments in 2011

2011 was an awesome year for MW Flower Design; the business grew steadily allowing meeting so many fabulous people. It was a special year, full of planning for Natasha’s wedding, one bride who becomes my friend. Her wedding is going to take place at the end of March. I can’t wait to see all the elements that we talked over, changed, redesigned and finalized come to life. In a mean time, in a few weeks sex and the city themed shower is coming.

To be able to do what you love every day is a real blessing, to be able to create and share my passion with incredible couples is beyond happiness. The real joy was to work with so many clients and seeing their happy faces overwhelmed with joy. Each and every event was different and special.  From small, intimate events to huge weddings we did it all, and we did it well. At the beginning of the year we decorated quite a few prom parties, summer and fall was full of weddings. It is hard to believe that the 2011decor  folder is closed now, and 2012 is getting fuller. I am looking forward to all the challenges that will come, new weddings and events, new personalities to work with.

I want to share some of my favourite pictures for you to enjoy and get inspired.

Anna and Lukasz is opening the door to enchanted travel throughout the year work and challenges.

Vibrant Bridal Bouquet with purple, pink and white flowers framed with soft and feminine ostrich feathers. This bouquet was passion and elaborations with Anna, whose artistic talent was ever present.

Table centerpieces were a combination of white hydrangeas and purple dendrobium orchids. Purple water inside tall vases added colour to the table setting.

Such a fun and happy moment. on streets of Toronto.

Church decor featuring our always popular huge purple flower balls. It was extra joy to do the work there as it is also a place where we go for our Sunday masses.

While Designing this particular groom's boutonniere the bride requested that the grass would be not folded... and here it is the way she wanted and loved.

Elegant rose boutonniere.

Colourful ostrich centerpieces decorated prom party held at Atlantis Pavilion at Ontario Science Center in Toronto.

Black and white wedding held in Bellagio in Voughan

Very tall and elegant feather arrangement that was later on moved to the sweet table.

The couple had 700 guests and their wedding held at Varde banquet hall in Toronto. Oh, that was a wedding. We crated 80 centerpieces,which are seen below, to decorate entire banquet hall. I love her dress.

Balsa wood bridal bouquet with black feathers and crystal detailing. As soon as Brittney noticed the bouquet she had fallen in love with it. Extra benefit, it will last many years to come.

Beautiful cake sitting on the nest of feathers.

Black and white  with turquoise ostrich feathers created stunning decor at the Art Gallery wedding in Berrie.

Vibrant shades of hot pink and purple with accents of white bridal bouquet.

Sage green wedding backdrop. Toronto.

Elegant wedding centerpiece.

Peacock feathers were the main element of decor and Dina. It was transfer and adored groom's boutonniere.

I had to redesign Dina's original bouquet, which by the way was I really wanted to add to my portfolio, however after she had chosen her magnificent fascinator, the original bouquet would not work.  Dina  looked so spectacular.

I love working with gypsophylia, also known as baby's breath. Here it add adores aisle. Green Satin ribbon adds elegant and refined touch.

Lindsay was such an energetic and lovely client to work with, however she had a very strong feeling about flowers. Here strongest wish about the flowers was not to make them look and feel like... funeral flowers. Uh,  I tell you she gave me some stress. Loved the entire wedding decor. Thank you Lindsay for trusting me and making me a part of your wedding.

Originally the bride decided to go with all white centerpieces but after our doing the setup at the golf club she took my advice and tried to bring outside in. The magnificent view outside the reception room was transferred in using green slick linens and white centerpieces had green and soft pink flowers. In addition, 2 different centerpiece height brought movement and additional interest to the room.

Absolutely, breath taking view. Elegant and so romantic wedding flower arrangement.

Wedding Garlands

Meera, who is the owner of Fusia, southasian magazine, got married in a year when the first edition of the magazine hit stands. I had a privilege to work on magazine launch party and later in the year decorate her wedding. What's a year, I also just learned the Meera and Jonathan are expecting their first child!

Head table flowers and decor

Receiving table arrangement. White peonies, roses with addition of pink and purple created elegant flower arrangement.

Original white vases, twigs, flowers and hanging crystals created an elegant setting for the head table.

Tulips, tulips centerpieces. Who doesn't love tulips. 

Corporate event decorated with ostrich feather centerpieces.

Christmas party at Eagles Nest Golf Club in Voughan

Red and sparkly head table decor.

Coral roses and feathers and pearls create very elegant bridal bouquet.

 

Prom party celebrated with style. Black twigs with hanging crystals and kissing balls table centerpieces, elegant and playful. La Jardin in Woodbridge.

Originally, the centerpieces should have hot pink layer at the bottom. That element was changes later in the design, and uh, that change was a good one. Entire decor with spark elements and silver backdrop, sashes created real magical look.

Purple head table decor.

White bridal bouquet with hydrangeas, roses and crystal pins. Very last minute order. Love it, simple and elegant.

Yellow cymbidium  orchids bridal bouquet.

Clourful, fall bridal bouquet. Orange, ivory, pink and dark blue berries along with grasses and kangaroo pows are the flowers used in the bouquet.

Dahlias, grass, feathers and vintage brooches create one of my favourite bridal bouquets in 2011.

Ceremony decor. White vases, purple flower balls with addition of ostrich feathers placed on clear stands create modern decor. La Jardin in Woodbridge.

That was quiet a wedding, 50 tables, 50 white and purple ostrich centerpieces.

 

Our one of a kind table skirt. Frilly, girlish and elegant.