Nantucket Weddings Unveiled

Delphinium are a quintessential flower on Nantucket during the summer months.  Derived from the Greek word “delphis,” meaning dolphin, delphinium are also commonly known as larkspur. Other names include Lark’s Heel, Lark’s Claw and Knight’s Spur.  Used by Native Americans and European settlers to make blue dye, it’s believed that the most ancient use of delphinium flowers was for driving away scorpions.

The July birth flower, these lush, dolphin-shaped flowers symbolize an open heart and ardent attachment and convey a feeling of lightness and levity.

Looking for a fresh new color to infuse into your wedding? Pantone recently announced THE color for 2011, Honeysuckle!

A flattering hue for wedding attendant apparel and accessories, Honeysuckle is now one of the nearly 200 PANTONE WEDDING Colors available from Dessy, a leading manufacturer of bridesmaid, social-occasion and flower-girl dresses. PANTONE WEDDING exclusively from Dessy provides a collection of color tools to make it easy for brides to achieve perfectly color-coordinated weddings – from inspiration to “I do.” See www.dessy.com for more information.

We thought we would sprinkle in a little holiday cheer on this chilly day.  Have a fantastic weekend everyone!

design by Soiree Floral, photo by Sweet Jane

The word Ornithogalum finds its origins in the Greek language, where ornithos means bird and gala means milk.  In South Africa, these flowers are known as tienkenrientjee or its English version, chincherinchee.

Native to regions of Africa and Europe, these flowers bloom from smooth stalks that develop within a rosette of curving basal leaves.  The delicate white flower itself forms the shape of a six-pointed star surrounding a single pistil, and six yellow stamens.  These blooms come in a shade of bright white and carry a very recognizable stripe of green along the outerside of each petal.Eventually, all of the tightly packed, green spear-shaped leaflets are pushed out by short-stalked buds.  The white flowers, which bloom from bottom to top, are large enough to completely obscure these green leaflets in the later stages of the blooming plant.

The chincherinchee flower is most frequently associated with the symbol of purity, however, they are sometimes used in weddings,  and given as gifts for special romantic occasions as they are also representative of hope.  In addition to purity and hope, these flowers are thought to be an expression of atonement and reconciliation.

Hi everyone!  We hope you had a great holiday weekend.  We know couples are in full swing planning for their 2011 nuptials.  You’re in luck because Boston Weddings Spring/Summer 2011 issue just hit the stands and there are some incredible ideas throughout the pages.

In fact, there is a real wedding done by some of Nantucket’s finest vendors!  They took the show on the road – led by Unique Nantucket Events, along with Brea McDonald Photography and Soiree Floral & Event Design.  Paul and Kerry were married on the Cape and the magazine covers all the fun details.  The couple’s beloved dog was even included in all the fun.  For all the details, be sure to pick up your copy of the magazine today!

As we all prepare for Thanksgiving we thought we would put some of our favorite images together that evoke the feeling of the season.  Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

images by Brea McDonald

stationary by Griffin-vites

flowers by Soiree Floral

images by Brea McDonald

planning by Maine Seasons Events

video by Meg Simone Videography

Derived from the Greek words “anti,” meaning like, and “rhin,” meaning nose, antirrhinum, the snapdragon’s botanical name, is a fitting description of this snout-shaped flower.  It’s said that the common name for this colorful flower comes from the snap it makes when the sides of the “dragon’s mouth” are gently squeezed.  While their actual origin is unknown, it’s believed that snapdragons were originally wildflowers in Spain and Italy.

Legend has it that concealing a snapdragon makes a person appear fascinating and cordial, and in the language of flowers, snapdragons are said to represent both deception (perhaps tied to the notion of concealment) and graciousness.

Being that Nantucket is an old school whaling town there is a ton of history in the island air. From the Nantucket baskets, wooden sailboats and all the vintage pieces you can really feel as if you are stepping back in time. We thought we would honor this history with a simple inspiration board that ties it all together. You can have that vintage island feeling at your wedding by adding in a splash here and there.

Top Row L to R: Nantucket Bride in Codfish Park circa 1885, available at the NHA; Rainbow Fleet rounding Brant Point; Peter Beaton Hat.

Row 2: Navy & yellow table setting by Soiree Floral, photo by Brea McDonald; Navy & star sailing cloth tent by Sperry Tents.

Row 3: Beaded dress by Carolina Herrera; Gold Compass available via Soiree Floral; Nantucket Baskets at the Basket Museum.

Bottom: Nautical Chart table linens available at Placesetters; Custom designed invitations available at Griffin-vites.

With a host of names – from Texas Bluebell to Prairie Gentian to Lira de San Pedro – lisianthus symbolize an outgoing nature. Native to Texas and Mexico, and descended from a North American wildflower, in their single-form variety, lisianthus may resemble tulips or poppies.  In their double form, they can take on the appearance of roses or peonies.

With wide ruffled, delicate petals and oval leaves, in colors ranging from white to pink, lavender to purple and bicolors such as blue-violet, it’s said that lisianthus also symbolize appreciation.

A quiet moment before ‘I Do”

photo by Brea McDonald, flowers by Soiree Floral