Luxury Wedding Flower Inspiration Inspired by Constance Spry
Learning about Constance Spry is endlessly inspiring; led by an unconventional and artistic approach to flowers, as a florist, she is always someone I refer back to. Of course her use of non-traditional materials, unusual vessels and wild style (that is so popular today) appeal to me, but it is her fearless nature that is the most inspiring. Her confidence and bold approach, as well as her ability to not be hindered by fads, but rather spot beauty in the most unlikely places, meant she set trends rather than followed them. Spry upheld beauty as a key importance and believed in the power of flowers to elevate, and this is something I hold onto when creating my own floral arrangements.
One thing Spry is best known for is her unique use of incorporating organic material within her floral design. Inspired by 17th and 18th century Dutch paintings, Spry’s unconventional approach to arrangements included fruit, vegetables, foraged weeds and wildflowers, seed heads, branches and grasses. This unique concept can be adopted for a modern day wedding.
You may not want to go as far as using toadstools, artichokes and ornamental kale leaves. However, imagine long tablescapes where rich, red berries, sculptural twigs, jewel toned pomegranates, trailing grapes and cheerful yellow fennel flower are composed with sweetly scented sweet peas and antique roses creating romantic, characterful and unique centrepieces.
Spry took the vessels for her arrangements almost as seriously as the flowers themselves. A fan of large giant urns, oversized arrangements she was known to avoid using her client’s traditional cut glass. Spry designed boat shaped wall vases that became a craze in the 1930s. These wall vases work perfectly above fireplaces and ideal for couples looking for maximalist displays. Ask your florist to source Spry style vases to create lively, dramatic arrangements. Unafraid of experimenting this ‘anything goes’ approach is perfect for the bold bride looking to make a statement.
Find out more about Constance Spry from my House and Garden article here.
This Spry inspired Ultramarine arrangement used hazel branches, artichoke leaves, Syringa, alliums, ranunculus, David Austin Miranda roses, tulips and paperwhites.
Photos by Jessica Griffiths
