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feature
designs spectacular settings Dazzle brides, grooms and their guests with these coordinated ceremony flowers in seasonal hues. Designs by Ian Prosser, AIFD, AAF, PFCI, NDSF Go beyond the basic ceremony decor with these gorgeous floral backdrops that set the scene for a couple's solemn vows. FTD Education Team member Ian Prosser, aifd, aaf, pfci, ndsf, owner of Botanica International Design Studio in Tampa, Fla., shared his creative spark in four distinctive settings that capture the lush options for fall and winter weddings. This design feature, and Mr. Prosser's work on it, were sponsored by FTD Group, Inc. guest designer: Ian Prosser, AIFD, AAF, PFCI, NDSF, is owner of Botanica International Design Studio in Tampa, Fla., and Botanica Boca Grande in Boca Grande, Fla. Mr. Prosser has more than 30 years of experience in the floral industry. He got his start in Glasgow, Scotland, and he is a graduate of Woodburn Horticultural College in Scotland. He is an FTD Design Instructor and Education Team Member.
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The
rich bronze hue that bases this setting is enhanced by the
multicolored browns and golds of the romantic ribbon curtain
from which flickering mechanical tealights dangle. The ribbons
are knotted around a wooden dowel, to which the greenery garland
is attached with zip ties. Water-tubed blooms are tucked into
the garland, with some blooms wired so they drape into a natural
outline. The Viking chrysanthemums, which are knotted into the
ribbons trailing from the unity candle wreath, and the brilliant
yellow sunflowers, which are pinned to the streamers on the
chair markers, add a punch of color that gives the entire
setting dimension.
Dramatic
scale is achieved in these urns of snow-white and green blooms.
The florals are grouped for greater impact, to draw the eyes to
each of the gorgeous varieties in turn. Little foliage is used,
though kale, bells-of-Ireland and Green Goddess callas add a
verdant complement. The arrangements are designed in trays or
slightly rounded bowls, later set atop the urns, for safe
transport and easier assembly at the ceremony site. Large
designer blocks of foam covered in chicken wire ensure stability
for the many lengthy stems. Mosaic floral pedestals made of
floral-foam bricks accommodate urn footprints that are slightly
smaller than the pedestals on which they sit and incorporate an
additional repeating element.
Try
this technique for a twist on the traditional arch decor, which
makes a lovely outdoor setting or can be brought inside for a
gardeny aesthetic. Both the designs attached to the top of the
arch and the potted birch trees and flanking arrangements are
staggered, with one at the front and one at the back, to create
dimension in the setting. Lovely vegetative designs of
rich-colored Gladioli and spicy cinnamon-colored Leonidas roses
obscure the trees pots, and the spider mums, lilies and roses in
the archway designs are arranged so that they, too, have depth
and dimension for a dynamic design. 
Pairs
of distinctive iron candelabra whose branches mimic the delicate
limbs of winter-bare saplings create a romantic frame for a
petal-covered aisle. Bright red Freedom roses are massed upon
floral-foam spheres of varying sizes. The rose stems are dipped
into floral adhesive before insertion for a secure hold. The
largest spheres are impaled in the centers of the candelabra,
and smaller spheres accent the pedestals beneath the trees, with
a clear cylinder vase elevating one of the spheres on each
pedestal. Masses of a single variety of rose make a great
impact, but be sure not to underestimate the number of blooms
needed to create this lush look. Hundreds are used here.