Radiant Orchid: 2014 Pantone Color of the Year
It's official! The 2014 Pantone color of the year is Radiant Orchid! To celebrate the new color of the year, I have the perfect post to share about creating a beautiful ceremony with a variety of beautiful lavender hues.
Is anyone anxious to hear about Day 2 of Karen Tran's Master Floral Class in San Diego? Great! Because I know that I am very excited to re-live it. On Day 2, it was time to roll up our sleeves, get crafty, and take our talents outdoors! We were all giddy about the day because our previously designed bouquets were going to be photographed with a model and professional photographer Darin Fong. However, the main goal of the second day was to create a floral canopy for an outdoor wedding ceremony. What says class and beauty like a floral canopy?!?!
We began the day inside, constructing the basic components of the floral canopy. Once we finished the primary arrangements, we transported our work outside into the courtyard. The weather was amazing! Looking at the freezing rain outside my window, I wish I was back there right now!
Since I was fortunate enough to attend the class, I now know the fundamentals of building a canopy structure. When constructing a basic chuppah, it is important to take into account the ground level/firmness and average wind speeds at the venue to ensure the structure is securely fastened.
After assessing the early stages of our work, Karen introduced us to her lovely assistant Kathy Lee. Kathy Lee showed us a specific stapling technique used to create the perfect draping lines for our canopy. Originally, I thought draped fabric was draped fabric... but no! I was surprised to learn that there is an art to the folds and way the fabric hangs. I admit that I was a little leery of the staple guns, so I volunteered my help as a "ladder holder" for the other ladies. ;)
After draping the top part of the canopy and working our way around the structure to cover it in fabric, it was time to assemble the top floral component of the canopy. Each of us took turns securing an oasis (green floral foam) tightly to the structure. Incorporating a tip that Karen shared from Day 1, about designing at the eye-level of wedding guests, we placed those initial arrangements on the wooden structure then added to the aesthetic of the floral canopy from there. We quickly began to see the canopy evolving from a wooden frame draped in fabric to a perfectly gorgeous floral picture frame! The vibrant variations of purple looked brilliant against the endless California blue sky and the waves of the Pacific Ocean. The only thing missing was a true bride and groom!
Side-note for any fellow Karen Tran fanatics out there... are you constantly wondering, "How did she do that?!" The biggest take-away that I gathered was that she always encouraged designers and florists to think outside of the box and to try it out for themselves. In our sessions, she emphasized the value of trial and error in this type of design work. I believe that this is a valuable lesson, because when I went through the steps of creating these arrangements myself, I found that I came away with a deep understanding of the process required. Of course, the huge advantage of taking the Master Class is that she reveals some of these secrets to you after you try it out on your own!
After a long day of stapling, stemming, arranging, adjusting, adding, editing.. it was time to enjoy our work and pop some bubbly! I could have stared at that canopy forever. It was simply breathtaking! It was such a special feeling to know that I had a hand in creating something so beautiful with our team. I will remember that day forever!
Wedding Dress Option 1
Wedding Dress Option 2
Wedding Dress Option 3
Darin Fong Photography
JoAnna Dee Weddings
