Flowers absolutely make an event, so for an extra special one – our son’s baptism – I knew they had to be just right. I wanted to reinterpret the classics when it came to the floral arrangements, and they ended up coming together so beautifully.
Calla lilies are the traditional choice for baptism in beautiful white. I wanted to keep that traditional feel, but give it a slightly modern spin with a more organic way of presenting them.
I found my inspiration via an old-fashioned Google search. It was an arrangement of about ten brown leafless twigs in a simple clear glass vase with a few bright white lilies sprinkled in atop a Louis Vuitton coffee table book. BINGO. That was it.
I’ve also been very into oversized arrangements lately and I really wanted to make a statement with this main arrangement. The bigger the better. Green seemed a natural partner for the classic white, so I went flower shopping and pulled a few beauties.
My twigs and lilies were the statement flowers. I wanted to have a secondary slightly less star-of-the-show but still solid next-in-line. I found that with several tall bluebells of Ireland. They’re a little on the hearty side and added the perfect height and structure.
Next, my fillers had to be green. Since I was dealing with a large vase, I knew I needed loads of them. I collected two or three of the best looking ones. You can never have too much greenery to build up your flowers.
Voila! It was slightly wild yet refined – and I loved it. What would I have changed? I always regret not buying an extra bunch or two of greens. See? You can never have too much!
For my smaller arrangements, I fell in love with the brown velvety backs of these magnolia leaves. I usually opt for hydrangea blooms and let their beautiful dark leaves serve as the greenery. Using the magnolia leaves instead instantly took it from summer to colder months and added a textural element I just wouldn’t have gotten otherwise. This is one I’m definitely repeating all season long!
Cheers, and happy arranging!
