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flower workshops

How to Make Your Own Wreath

How to Make Your Own Wreath

There is something about making your own Christmas wreath to adorn your front door, that is so rewarding, and welcoming, and brings such joy to each person who enters into your home over the festive season.

We wanted to help you by giving you some basic steps and tips to make your own DIY Christmas wreath this year.

STEP ONE:

[Instructions go here…]

STEP ONE

STEP TWO:

[Instructions go here…]

STEP_EMPTY BASE

STEP THREE:

[Instructions go here…]

STEP TWO

STEP FOUR:

[Instructions go here…]

STEP THREE

STEP FIVE:

[Instructions go here…]

STEP FOUR

Once you have filled in all around your wreath, and have checked from all angles that there are no gaps, you can either embellish with [Instructions go here… suggest options of baubles / beads / ribbons / bows etc]

 

Here are a few that we have made:

October 2013 Traditional Wreath_01

 

Christmas Wreath Workshop | The Rose Cafe 01

Wreath 01

Finish by hanging your wreath proudly on your front door!

We’d love to see what you make – send us a pic!

 

Top 5 Wedding Trends For 2016 To 2017

Our Top 5 Wedding Trends For 2016 to 2017:

We love weddings, and love the creativity and direction that wedding trends for 2016 to 2017 are taking. We have listed the top five wedding trends that we see growing and likely to be big this coming season. Below is a selection of our favourite pins from suppliers around the world. For credits for these pins please view our Pinterest board via the link at the bottom.

1. LOTS OF GREENERY

We’re not sure if it’s because people being far more budget conscious with the world economy the way it is (this would be a deception of sorts as this option can be more pricey) or if they’re just opting to go more green and be more environmentally aware, but there has been a huge increase in greenery being used in weddings. Tables swags and installations of layered textured greens, simple specimen vases with sculptural ferns and delicate trailing vines, kokedama’s, soft and abundant greens cascading from floral chandeliers to name but a few of the trends. But don’t be fooled… Often the amount of work and technical requirements that go into putting together these elaborate focals far outweighs the cost of simpler, flower-abundant creations. Our advice, consult with your florist to get a better idea of budget before you set your heart on a green wall.

Wedding Trends for 2016 to 2017 | The Rose Cafe | Wedding Flowers Cape Town

2. HANGING CENTREPIECES

Whether just over the main table, hung from chandeliers over the dance floor, or throughout the ceremony, we’re definitely seeing an increase in these statement pieces. Suspended flower centrepieces relieve the tables, already groaning under the abundance of glassware and place setting details, of additional vases and flowers which can often obstruct and encroach on guests personal space a little too much for comfort, unless it is a balanced combination of the two. They also provide a canopy of loveliness, diminish an often enormous overhead space which creates a more intimate ambience and those with trailing detail draw the eye down to the table scape where, more of than not, smaller accent arrangements are placed, the intention of which is to draw out the hanging florals splendour and add a touch of softness in between the cutlery, favours, cruet sets and candle sticks. Hanging centrepieces do require substantial setup time so they can seem heavy on the budget in that respect but, in my humble opinion, it is money well spent and there are other clever ways of maximising the effect without maxing out the credit card.

Wedding Trends for 2016 to 2017 | The Rose Cafe | Wedding Flowers Cape TownWedding Trends for 2016 to 2017 | The Rose Cafe | Wedding Flowers Cape Town

3. MORE COLOUR

Brides are getting brave when it comes to colour and far more are opting for bold colour combinations in their flowers and décor. So while some are going totally green others are going down a somewhat unfamiliar path for many past brides of including brights and more dominant colours such as marsala. I’d suggest these bolder pantones need to be paired down with softer pastels of the same tonal variations and usually one complimentary colour to add pop. Now ‘complimentary’ may sounds deceiving as it sounds like the two colours would sit next to each other on the colour wheel and be best friends but a complimentary colour is actually one that sits opposite and offers the most amount of contrast to any given colour. Does opposites attract sound familiar? To give you an example I think part of the reason why the recent love of coral was so popular has to do with the fact that more often than not it was paired with blue greys or tones of lilac and cornflower blue, which even in the smallest proportion would serve to create a high level of contrast and cause the coral to pop out against it. I think that  colour theory for weddings has to be quite carefully thought through so that is has the desired effect, otherwise is can become too much and overwhelm the eye.

Wedding Trends for 2016 to 2017 | The Rose Cafe | Wedding Flowers Cape Town

4. METALLICS

Shimmering metallics uncluding gold, rose gold and copper are included in flowers, vases, candle holders, light fittings, table cloths, monograms, and more. The effect adds an incredible wow factor, whether matt or shiny, sparkly or glittery. The warmth of most metallic tones means it can work with a myriad of colours and more especially the warmer colours we’ve been seeing emerging more in wedding flowers of late but it also looks amazing with neutrals and soft pastels and plenty of brides are opting for this combo. Gold definitely has the effect of adding grandeur… and who doesn’t want their wedding to be remembered as grand?!

Wedding Trends for 2016 to 2017 | The Rose Cafe | Wedding Flowers Cape Town

5. FLOWER ARCHES OR BACKDROPS WITH A DIFFERENCE

Some very creative ideas are emerging and developing from the use of a traditional arch into more conceptual arches or rather backdrops, something to stand in front of instead of under. With the laws no longer dictating that one needs to be standing ‘under’ a covering and only requires that the legal part of the ceremony happens indoors, this has freed people up to spread their wings in the ceremony focal department. Have a look at a few of these for some great ideas. Just take note though, that while some of these don’t appear particularly flower heavy, anything that requires climbing up a ladder for an extended period of time to hang floor length garlands of blooms is bound to rack up the setup bill. My suggestion, keep it simple. You can still have a trendy wedding on a budget, it just might not be the one you saw on Pinterest, dripping with orchids and peonies. And if budget’s not an issue, go wild!

Wedding Trends for 2016 to 2017 | The Rose Cafe | Wedding Flowers Cape Town

A few more trends to feast your eyes on:

For some eye-candy on a few other wedding trends for 2016 to 2017, head over to our Pinterest board! See the sneak preview below.

Wedding Trends for 2016 to 2017 | The Rose Cafe | Wedding Flowers Cape TownWedding Trends for 2016 to 2017 | The Rose Cafe | Wedding Flowers Cape Town

Image Credit: Tasha Seccombe

 

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Our Top 5 Wedding Trends For 2016 to 2017

5 Tips To Keep Your Cut Flowers Fresh

5 Tips To Keep Your Cut Flowers Fresh:

 

One: No foliage or leaves submerged in the water

Be sure to strip off any leaves from your stems that will fall below the water level in your vase. Foliage in the water will create bacteria, and decrease the vase life of your flowers.

 

Two: Cut stems

Stems that have been out of water for even a short time get blocked by little air bubbles, which inhibit optimal water absorption. Make sure to cut your stems directly before placing them in your vase of water. Cut them at a 45° angle for an increased area of absorption.

 

Three: Clean water

Water needs to be changed every two to three days depending on how fast your flowers are drinking, and the type of flowers. Certain flowers make the water turn murky sooner. Always make sure the water is clear and that your vase is filled high enough to cover the base of all the stems.

 

Four: Flower food

Flowers grown in mass production for retail need a little bit of extra help, and flower food is specifically designed to assit these blooms, by helping create the right environment for your flowers to flourish.

Have a look here for our DIY Flower Food Recipe.

 

Five: Environment

Place your vase in a spot where it will not receive any direct sunshine; is not in a draught; and is in a cool room.

 

For more flower care tips, have a look at our post on Cut Rose Care.

 

Our Top 10 Types of Foliage

Our Top Ten Types of Foliage

 

We love varying types of foliage! The diverse and lovely varieties of greenery available makes adding texture, definition, and interest to a bouquet or arrangement a joy!

Here are some of our favourites:

1. Penny Gum

Available in a larger leaf and smaller ‘immature’ leaf which is more dainty for smaller posies and arrangements, it is sturdy, long lasting, and we love the soft grey colour. It works beautifully with the copious amounts of pastel flowers we send out.

The Rose Cafe_BLOG_Types of Foliage_001

2. Silver Brunia

We love the texture of brunia, and although it is available in different sized balls and colours or as a spray, our fave is the silver. Very popular with brides, and despite the strong structure of it, is well used in bridal bouquets and buttonholes.

3. Viburnum

This can be garden grown which saves a lot on greening your arrangements. It has a long vase life, and its dark green adds depth to arrangements.

4. Ruscus

A lovely glossy green leaf, amazing vase life, and can be cut into many shorter pieces for smaller arrangements.

5. Aralia and Aspidistra Leaves

These are perfect for lining vases or framing arrangements. Its shiny appearance creates a chic overall effect.

The Rose Cafe_BLOG_Types of Foliage_002

6. Lily Leaf

These work really well for folding and creating loops for a more contemporary effect.

7. Vines

Any trailing greenery such as jasmine, ivy, or asparagus fern creates an organic feel in arrangements – as if they are still growing, and intertwining the flowers. Their more dainty appearance adds softness.

8. Ivanhoe

We love its laurel leaf appearance which is more gentle on the eye than other more solid leaves. The soft grey underside tones down the appearance of the greenery.

9. Slangbos

Fine and dainty sage-green/grey foliage which adds lovely gentle texture. It dries amazingly well, and can be used for wreaths at Christmas-time.

10. Red Robin

This leaf has a great dark greeny-red colour and an elliptical shape. We love using it with pinks, lilacs, purples and creams to add depth to the softer, lighter colours.

What is your favourite?