To be or not to be... organized

        

Red callas with orchids

One bride arrives for a consultation like an A student, with loose leaf binder, everything in its proper section, images of bouquets and centerpieces she's lately fallen in love with, samples of vases she's found online or in yard sales, and a clear sense of the colors and styles she's after. This bride is easy to work with, often it's just a matter of following her lead.
      Another comes in empty handed, with a less certain sense of things. Yet when she describes the mood she and her fiance want to capture and the colors she finds herself drawn to, and the flowers she does and doesn't like... we start to connect, ideas spark, and soon there's something that looks like a vision of a wedding forming on the horizon. We have only to notice what excites interest, and carry on.

Mango callas with orchids

         In either case, as flower designer I view my role as participant observer -- listening for clues about the person sitting on the sofa opposite me. Here's where my background as a journalist and general intuitive nature kick in. 
         Last autumn, I remember, a quiet somewhat uncertain young woman arrived to discuss flowers for her wedding reception. She and her fiance had already eloped. What they wanted was simply the most elegant, and fun party ever. She knew she loved orchids,  and was drawn to orange; her husband had a vision of whites and greens. I sighed inwardly, wondering how we were going to bridge the color gap. Then I noticed she was wearing the most beautiful silk and linen scarf... hand dyed in subtle earth tones. That gave me the key. Mango callas, orange mokara orchids, red James Storey orchids; Greens and berries on the silvery green side, and possibly white amaryllis for the gift table. Voila. It all fell into place. Thanks to the beautiful photos of Ericson Photography in Boylston, which arrived in my email today, and the bride's most gracious note of thanks, I have the proof.