Credits
Floral creations by @grace_and_flowers
Photography by Anja Schneemann Photography

What makes this colourful summer wedding extra special is that it was a real wedding. Not a styled shoot or staged setting, but a personal and meaningful moment celebrated with family, friends and loved ones. That is exactly what makes this story so unique. We are grateful that, through Madita, we were able to be a small part of this special day.

With thanks to the growers who supplied and sponsored flowers for this colourful summer wedding:

• PS De Waal – Campanula Med. Cham. Blue, Lavender and Pink

• PS Marjoland – Rosa Xoch

• PS Holstein Flowers – Gerbera Pasta Femke

• PS J & C Karsten – Peonia Coral Sunset and Sarah Bernhardt

• PS Rosa Plaza – Rosa Magic Avalanche+

I love being in nature and exploring its many facets. Every time, I am amazed by what Mother Earth provides us and how beautiful our world is. Just the sheer variety of flowers alone – isn't it incredible what grows, how it grows, and where it grows? It sometimes leaves me speechless with enthusiasm.

In my work as a florist, I feel truly free; it has a certain lightness to it. My inspiration comes from so many different sources: fashion (I love textures and ruffles, both in fashion and in flowers), art (think of Monet and Klimt), music, films, and architecture – everything plays a part.

I have a lot of creative freedom with all my couples. Of course, we discuss the color palettes and the design style, but they know that the designs come to life through the freedom I give the flowers. I don’t have to force a flower into a "spot" in the arrangement where it doesn’t belong, just because it was agreed upon beforehand. This freedom, combined with stunning flowers, makes designing incredibly easy for me.

The ideas and inspiration for the creations came from various situations and moods. The small carnation pyramid or carnation tree, for example, was inspired by a wedding cake I saw at a wedding in France. They served the classic "Croque en Bouche," and the shape and size of the carnations reminded me of those delicious cream-filled pastries.

In a bouquet made entirely of carnations, for example, I decided to remove the center of the bloom. This gave the carnation a completely different appearance, almost comparable to lisianthus or butterfly ranunculus, but with the advantages of the carnation. This way, carnations can also become "dancers," appearing visually lighter.

My floral style is playful, romantic, and lush, and I wanted to show that all of this is possible with Dianthus. When I told my friends and family (non-florists) about my Dianthus project, the reactions were skeptical. Comments like "I thought carnations were outdated" or "Aren’t carnations grandma’s flowers?" were common.

I already loved working with carnations before this project. The color range is incredibly broad, and I can find a suitable variety for every color scheme. Dianthus is extremely robust; for weddings, for instance, I no longer use rose petals for scattering but instead carnation petals. These are much more delicate, less prone to discoloration, and stay fresh for longer.

The biggest challenge for me was actually stopping with the photography. I could have photographed each carnation individually because I was so fascinated. "Viper Wine," with its refined color streaks, is like a painting in every bloom. Sometimes, a flower needs time to "get used" to my ideas. I often say, "We need to get to know each other first," but with Dianthus, it was an immediate "match made in heaven." I truly experienced this project with a lot of joy and ease.