Floral wedding invitations

In June, our daughter celebrated her wedding, and she had a special request for me: to create a watercolour floral design for her invitations and menus. She envisioned a simple yet elegant bouquet of white roses accented with eucalyptus leaves for her special day. Excited by the challenge, I dove into my collection of reference photos, seeking the perfect white rose to bring her vision to life.

I found an image that perfectly suited my needs. The rose was positioned front and centre, square to the camera, which I believed would work best for the design. To make it even more suitable, I flipped the image on its side, ensuring it fit seamlessly into the layout I had in mind.

Rose Painting

I used Arches watercolor paper and Schmincke watercolour paints to paint the rose. The colours I used were Naples Yellow, Transparent Ochre, Transparent Sienna, and French Ultramarine. I started in the centre where most of the detail was, using small brushes. I wanted to complete this area first because it required my full concentration, it was quite detailed. Once the centre was done, I could relax and enjoy the rest of the painting.

The outer petals were fairly simple and quick to paint. I worked wet on wet with a grey that I had mixed from French Ultramarine and Transparent Sienna.

The eucalyptus leaves were painted with a green I created by mixing French Ultramarine and Naples Yellow. I needed a grey-green but wanted to maintain colour harmony, so I used the same colours I had chosen for the rose.

I chose not to include a background because the rose needed to be scanned and used on a white background for the wedding stationery.

The rose painting was scanned and uploaded to an online printing service. Erin and Ash chose their favourite design and ordered their wedding invitations. The process was simple and seamless.

With the invitations beautifully printed and sent out, the anticipation for the big day grew. As the wedding day approached, everything fell into place perfectly. The wedding was a breathtaking event filled with love, joy, and unforgettable moments. Here are some highlights from Erin and Ash’s special day.

The Wedding Bouquet

The bouquet featured white roses, eucalyptus leaves, magnolia leaves, and baby's breath, creating a simple yet elegant arrangement.

The Big Day

The ceremony started with a bang - our three year old grandson, Logan, was the page boy and got a bit of stage fright when he saw the long aisle and all the people staring at him. He loves Ash, and when Ash turned to look at him, he lit up. Logan raced down the aisle, threw the heart pillow with fake rings to Ash - who caught it like a pro baseball player snagging a pop fly - and then leaped into Ash’s arms. The guests cheered with delight.

When Ash saw Erin for the first time, he wept with joy, and soon, there wasn’t a dry eye among the guests. Their emotions overflowed as they read their vows to each other, tears streaming down their faces. In that moment, it was clear to everyone just how deeply in love they are.

As the sun set on their magical day, Erin and Ash danced the night away, surrounded by their loved ones. The air was filled with laughter, heartfelt speeches, and the sweet melodies of their favourite songs. It was a celebration of love, family, and new beginnings. Looking around at the smiles and happy tears, it was evident that this day would be cherished forever.

Here’s to Erin and Ash, a couple whose love story continues to inspire us all.

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