Antiquer? I Hardly Know Her!
February 19th, 2008 @ 1:14 pm by Mrs. Lovebug
My name is Lovebug, and I am an antiquer. I’ve tried seeking help, but the doctors tell me there is no cure. So for therapy, I go shopping. At antique stores. This week’s finds? Centerpiece and reception arrangement containers!
The centerpiece flowers will be arranged in various, miscellaneous silver and silver-plate containers such as these. Smaller vessels will be clustered, thinner pots will have fewer flowers, shallow bowls will have shorter stems, etc. - all to give each table an individualized, vintage feel. And those big boys - the champagne buckets - will do the heavy lifting on side tables and such.
But as to the actual flowers, I’m one clueless bug. I hardly know my mums from my posies. So if anyone has particular suggestions on what (white and pink) blooms might work particularly well in these containers, I’m all antennae.
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13 Responses to “Antiquer? I Hardly Know Her!”
You could try peonies! They have an antique type feel and they are so so pretty!
http://www.flowerbud.com/images/flowers/peony-pink.jpg
Also, sophie roses are a little cheaper and give the same look.
I love that you are mixing and matching and not too worried about uniformity. For that vintage feel that you are going for… I would try:
hydrangea- I LOVE how heirloom they are and how substantial they feel on their own or in a grouping
peonies- definately the most lovely pink flower in a single bloom…
gardenias- so vintage and beautiful and a little pricey… but would be amazing to float a couple in the more shallow bowl/plates
ranunculus- such a sweet petite flower!
tulips- alright so not very vintage at all… but they are darling just the same…
queen anne’s lace- the most perfect of vintage varieties… I love it in a single stem or in a bunch
stock, sweet peas, and snap dragons- they are all generally the same shape and so very fragrant…
garden roses- I love that they are not quite as typical as most roses… they often have beautiful antiqued qualities in their hues
orchids- alright… again, this can be a little stretch on the “vintage” but the right orchids can look very sweet and you’ll only need a single stem for a BIG impact. Plus, they last FOREVER!
danielle beat me to my suggestion of sweetpeas and peonies.
White lilacs are another super fragrant option!
LOVE. I’m always frustrated by antiquing, though, b/c I have this notion that I should be getting things for cheap… and if it uses the word “antique” the price goes up.
as for flowers: big blooms, like peonies or maybe garden roses in the shallow bowls, definitely. And actually, if you’re going for an antique-y look, you can go heavier on the greens & have fewer blooms (read: cost savings) for an authentic vintage look… I’m pretty sure Martha’s mentioned that before 
love your antique vessels. do you think you’re gonna sell any of them after the wedding? i would love to add a chic silver pitcher to my collection of serveware. =)
Indigo - I absolutely am! I’ll shoot you an email and we’ll keep in touch. 
Great suggestions, everyone, thank you. I’m totally flower illiterate. But I do know I love peonies. If I could, it’d be peonies like mad, all over the place. Have to see what the budget will allow, though.
Yea!! Thanks a bunch!
You could also look into Cabbage Roses…look similiar to Peonies. Much cheaper too. Good luck!
I adore your containers and completely sympathize with your antique addiction - I’ve been trying to keep my aquisitions small (like buttons, jewelry, and sterling flatware), so DH can’t freak out about our lack of space. My obsession with small tables nearly pushed him over the edge in 2006.
I think peonies are perfect, maybe with some anemones or helebores for a quirky contrast? And like Indigo said, cabbage roses are a pretty alternative to the pricey peonies.
those are so gorgeous.
peonies, dahlias, ranunculus - big fat flowers would be BEAUTIFUL in silver. plus they would hold up well in the shorter vases where you’ll have to cut the stems short. accented with a few hits of color, like snapdragons or lilies of the valley or stephanotis or other ones i don’t knwo the names of.
I agree about the peonies and dahlias. My grandfather restores antiques and we’re having our reception at my grandparents’ farm so we’re integrating antiques into our reception and ceremony as well.
We’re using copper teapots and kettles for the centerpieces filled with green hydrangea, henri matisse roses (incredible deep pink and white roses), yellow roses, pink hypericum berries, and interesting green filler. Though I think it’s nice to match romantic,”antique” feeling flowers to the vessels and we’re using some of those same flowers, because of the greenery filler, it will also have a bit of a modern feel. I wouldn’t be afraid to go with a modern or updated look to go in your antique settings.
[...] I’d better back up. I started with the various silverplate goodies we’ve been collecting (pitchers, teapots, bowls, etc.) to be used as flower containers, singly or [...]
Mrs. Lovebug, Tucson
Age and Occupation in 06: 31, Writer
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 27, Professional Game Show Contestant
Engagement Date: February 18, 2007
Wedding Date: April 19, 2008
Venue: Historic Inn
About Me: Likes: blogging, wikis, semi-colons, cuddling, fragrant flowers, syntax, and spooning. Dislikes: typos, dangling modifiers, flypaper, citronella candles, and run-ons. If I had my druthers, I'd exchange simple vows in a candlelit library. But I lost my druthers long ago...anyone seen them?
My guy says that if I come home with one more chair…
still, a wedding is a great time to flex those antiquing skills. Beautiful finds!