Really, a decision about the bridal bouquet is small compared to the decision about the centerpieces. I’ve been looking and looking (and looking) for inspiration and not seeing anything that’s quite right. I have found a few photos that I love though, and have finally identified a little bit of what I do and don’t want. What I do want? A little modern and a little drama.

For a while I’ve been loving submerged orchids. (Westin hotels often have awesome submerged arrangements in their lobbies.)  I worry about them being ‘too modern’ though, especially when combined with the modern polished nickel lanterns we have. I’m afraid all that glass and metal will create a look that’s too severe… cold.

Another look I love is the long troughs of flowers – you know, long and skinny and low, overflowing with flowers. (Early on I decided I wanted two long tables instead of rounds.) A “Colin Cowie” type of look. Often the ‘troughs’ are wood or covered with luxurious fabrics. But, I know that kind of drama is totally out of my league.

Most importantely, what I think I realized I don’t want is that look where they make 10 identical centerpieces, nicely, neatly, evenly spaced down the tables. I want something that looks ‘designed’ – eclectic and modern, and modern but soft. So, between yesterday and today I spent an embarrassing number of hours on Project Wedding, but have finally found my inspiration!

My fiance and I both love the picture of the white flowers. While I still want to use our colors, (bright orange and pink), there are some elements in this photo that I LOVE. One, we have the modern element with the submerged flower in the back. This could be my submerged orchids. Then to the left, we have a more traditional arrangement with a big fluffy flower (is it a peony?) – I’m thinking maybe this could be fluffy spider mums / spider gerberas. (I don’t like the traditional gerberas I see in many set-ups because they remind me of those that I buy in the grocery store for $5 – very pretty but I want something a little ‘more special’ for the wedding. But I think the spider gerberas are so pretty — here is a really great photo of a pink one). Surprisingly, one of my favorite elements is the callas in the foreground. I really didn’t want calla lillies (bad memory association for me), but in that unexpected presentation, laid on their side, I suddenly love them! And then to the right is a vase with a single floating flower. How pretty! Only thing is I think it may be a gardenia and I’ve read gardenias are not a good idea on your dinner tables — I read its not a good idea to have anything with a really strong smell which gardenias definitely have.

I have a couple of other photos here that I like also like a lot. Looking at the three together is when I was finally able to identify what drew me to them! Each arrangement (for the most part) features a single type of flower versus just mixing them all up in bouquets. Attention has been given to really show off each type of flower. I also like the different sized vases, creating an eclectic and fun presentation. An element I really like in the pink and pink/green photos is the single orchids in a tiny square vase. And I like the look of vases lined with banana leaves.

So — does this stand a chance of fitting anywhere near my budget? I’m afraid for the quote (which I’ll hopefully get soon). None of the arrangements are terribly large – they’re all pretty modest. While there are definitely some expensive flowers, hopefully they can be balanced by more affordable flowers. And there are definitely a lot of vases, but most a small to medium. I have a dollar figure in my head which I think we could be comfortable with. Somehow I expect my ‘wish list’ will exceed that by about 40%. Back now to the waiting game but at least I finally have a vision. How close I get remains to be seen.