A Country Wedding

I can just imagine my grandparent’s wedding, during the Second World War, in a little village named Bargemon, somewhere in Provence. Nothing was really glamorous or fancy back in 1943. People were simply using what they were able to grow and harvest. At that time, every family, rich or poor, had a little piece of land outside the village where they would grow fruits and vegetables, as well as keep some rabbits and chickens. They would call that land La campagne (The country house). This country house could be very modest, sometimes just a shack.

My family had one for many generations, a nice piece of land with over 80 olive trees and enough space to growth all kind of produce to feed all the family. My grandfather was in charge of it. Every day, he would go to take care of his crops and water my grandmother's flowers. During the summer, all the family would gather there for long family dinners and enjoy the bounty produced by the land and my grandfather's hard work. My parents are now in charge of the country house and keep the tradition alive by producing their own olive oil.

Flowers have always been a part of the landscape. Marguerites, as we call the daisies, are pretty abundant in the fields during the summer. Their white color and simplicity makes them a good candidate for a country wedding theme. Even if I do not have any pictures of my grandparents wedding, I can image my grandmother carrying a simple daisy bouquet down the chapel of Notre Dame de Montaigu.

I had my grandmother in mind when designing this nosegay bridal bouquet using simple daisies. Even if today’s trend in wedding flowers is more toward sophistication, this monochrome bouquet can certainly make nice statement for a wedding with a country flair.

Nosegay Wedding Bouquet

1 wedding bouquet holder (BHO)

1 bunch of daisy poms (4 – 5 stems)

1 stem of baby’s breath

1 stem of plumosa

4 stems of leather fern

1 stem of lemon leaf* (6-9 leaves)

4 yards of satin ribbons

1 wire

1 wooden pick

Floral adhesive

* Laurel leaves can work too

1) Glue the lemon leaves on the solid base of the BHO using the floral Oasis. Wait a little bit to make sure the leaves are really secured before starting to design.

2) Wrap the Oasis with a piece of plumosa and add other pieces in the center part.

3) Place small pieces of leather fern on the top of the lemon leaves, and then add other pieces in the center to create a web and cover the mechanic. Make sure however that they are not too packed to leave enough room to place the flower stems.

4) Place the daisies in a traditional round arrangement where the first 13 flowers are creating the framework. Then add the other ones in empty spots, working side-to-side and top to bottom. The stem length is about 4 ½” and each stem will go half the way in the Oasis. Take the bouquet in your hand to have the bride perspective. Also, see it in a mirror from a distance to see proportion and potential holes.

5) Finish the arrangement with the baby’s breath.

6) Using the ribbons, create different lengths and secure it with a wire. Attach the ribbons to a small wooden pick and place it on the bottom part of the bouquet. You can add a final touch by making a knot to each ribbon end, or gluing a daisy or also attaching a little piece of baby’s breath.

Note: This bouquet is made with a BHO, which replace the traditional handed-tied bouquet. Because it requires a lot less flowers, this type of technique is a good option for the savvy bride.