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  The idea for the origami crane backdrop came about as the bride, who had a longtime hobby of making the folded-paper birds, made a serendipitous discovery while reading about Hawaii, the couple’s honeymoon destination. She saw that some Hawaiian brides have borrowed the ancient Japanese tradition of folding 1,000 origami cranes before their weddings as a way to bring good fortune to the marriage, adding an extra crane for good measure.  The large center spray is flanked by smaller sprays. The colors of the botanicals complement the flowing garlands of origami cranes.  |
The bride and groom exchange vows beneath the 10-foot-long bamboo structure. Eight floral sprays, in three sizes, featured combinations of Cattleya, Dendrobium and Phalaenopsis orchids as well as ‘Vendela’ roses, Amaranthus, chinaberries, Monstera leaves, horsetail (Equisetum), zebra grass and cuttings from a Boston fern plant.
A whimsical waterfall-style backdrop of 1,001 origami cranes, created by the bride and strung with her mother’s help, called for an equally grand structure from the florist to complement the DIY element. A 10-foot-long bamboo gridwork adorned with sprays of flowers and foliages filled the bill—and the bride’s wish for a Hawaiian-themed wedding with contemporary flair.
Using bamboo provided by a friend who “has a whole backyard full of it,” florist Sandy Dorward—assisted by her husband John, who cut the bamboo—created the structure in two pieces for ease of delivery and assembled it on site at Belle Voir Manor, which is situated on the banks of the Delaware River. Natural-hued Bind Wire from Oasis® Floral Products was used to secure the gridwork and attach each floral piece. The mixed botanical sprays—a large one in the center with a medium spray on each side and five smaller sprays throughout the bamboo structure—were created in a large floral-foam cage and in two sizes of bouquet holders, which were wired to the bamboo. In addition, single stems of Liatrises, pampas grass and bear grass were placed into the tops of the vertical bamboo shoots. Spanish moss, bound to the bamboo at various intervals, added to the natural look