Pretty in Pink Peonies: The Chic Summer Wedding

Flowers and Foliage

Boutonniere
1 ‘Aqua’ single rose
1 stem senecio with closed buds

Bouquet
9 dark pink double-headed peonies

Pew End
8 dark pink double-headed peonies

Table Centerpiece
4 hosta leaves
4 dark pink peonies
4 pale pink ‘Sarah Bernhardt’ peonies
5 ‘Aqua’ single roses

Other Materials
black ribbon
flower wire
stem tape
pin (one per boutonniere)
raffia
cardstock
stapler
cellophane
water vials (8 per per end)
black cube vase (5 1/2 inch square; one per table centerpiece)
chicken wire

Enlarge Photo+Shrink Photo-DK - Fresh Flower Arranging © 2011 Dorling Kindersley Limited

Boutonniere

Choose a rose close in color to the bouquet (a peony would be too big as a boutonniere). Small curls of black ribbon are tucked in between the rose and senecio leaves for interest.

Wire the rose and senecio according to the step-by-steps for wiring a boutonniere. Remove any outer petals from the rose if it looks too large for a boutonniere.

Cut three 1-1/2 inch lengths of black ribbon. Fold each length in half, pinch the ends together and wire them with a double leg mount. Trim the wires and cover them with stem tape.

Group the ribbon curls at the side of the rose. Arrange the senecio leaves behind them. Trim the wires. Bind the curls, leaves and wires together with stem tape. Press the tape down with your fingers to secure it. Use a pin to attach the boutonniere to the lapel of a jacket.

Enlarge Photo+Shrink Photo-DK - Fresh Flower Arranging © 2011 Dorling Kindersley Limited

Bouquet

The impact of this stylish bridal bouquet is all the greater because of its minimalism; these blowsy peonies need nothing else to show them off to perfection.

Hold the stem of one flower in your hand and add another stem to it, twisting the stems around slightly in one direction in your hand as you do so.

Add more stems at the same angle to create a spiral stem effect. Keep turning the bunch around in the same direction as you work.

Arrange the last layer of flowers a little lower around the edges for a slightly domed effect. Don’t worry if there are slight gaps between the flowers; it’s quite hard to gather these large blooms tightly together.

Holding the bunch in one hand, secure it with a length of raffia. Then cover the raffia binding with a length of black ribbon tied in a bow.

Cut the stem ends straight across with garden shears so they are all the same, short length and won’t get entangled in the bride’s dress.

For more details on making a hand-tied bouquet, see our step-by-step instructions.

Enlarge Photo+Shrink Photo-DK - Fresh Flower Arranging © 2011 Dorling Kindersley Limited