Loretta Stagen Floral Designs

What do palm, banana and monsters leaves, pine tips and pine cones have in common? For me at least, they bespoke of the favorite haunts of the two nature lovers who were about to tie the knot. It was my happy task to work these elements into large and elegant wedding at Manursing Island Club in Rye, NY, drawing upon a palette of white and green. And because the bride’s family splits its year between Rye and Bermuda, I had the mother of the bride’s white coral collection to draw upon as well. For the ceremony at the Church of the Resurrection, I had decorated the pews and altar with a variety of white flowers, lady’s mantle, seeded eucalyptus, grevillea and galax leaves. As the bridal party proceeded down the aisle, the bridesmaids’ deep navy dresses served as brilliant backdrops for the floral confections of white and green I’d made as bouquets. Shortly thereafter, as 285 guests gathered under a glistening tent, centerpieces of roses, lisianthus, freesia, hydrangeas, hyp...

American Gold Cup Equestrian Event Old Salem Farm, North Salem, NY While it was basically a “first world problem,” and not the devastation and heartbreak that was unfolding as Hurricane Irma ripped north from the Caribbean to Florida, a portion of my flower order, the 500 Ecuadorian roses, was stuck in the Miami Airport. With the prestigious American Gold Cup competition at Old Salem Farm in North Salem three days away, I knew I’d have to scramble if I were going to guarantee delivery of 88 centerpieces on time. When snags like this happen, having contacts and experience really helps. My dear vendor, Chris, at Dutch Flower Line in the NYC flower market sprung to my aid -. voilà, this was the result. The roses were a hotter shade of orange than I’d ordered, but sometimes serendipitous outcomes turn out even better. These arrangements, placed in wooden cubes of various sizes, and in custom made grey wooden containers , served up scrumptious mélanges that includ...

August is the ideal time to enjoy life on Candlewood Lake. Last weekend hosts Greg and Laura invited their friends to a very special summer party. Laura had selected periwinkle blue and shades of white as the color palette. She loves hydrangeas, so I ordered periwinkle hydrangeas (imported from Holland) as the favorite flower to be included in all of the designs. Cocktails were enjoyed under the blue skies around the cocktail tables which were decorated with small centerpieces (similar to the ones on the dining tables). The guests then moved under the tent to savor the dishes prepared by Bonni Manning Catering while viewing the lush centerpieces which included hydrangeas, roses, mini calla lilies and scabiosa. The colors were set off by the shimmering pewter tablecloths.  Tall dramatic arrangements with similar flowers (and including periwinkle blue hybrid delpheniums) decorated the buffet table. The guests were very impressed with the location of the private ...

Snapdragons, baby mums, phlox, roses and asters are staples in many home gardens. But have you ever considered some ways to build upon these flowers in arrangements that are fresh and contemporary? Recently at The Smithy in New Preston I gave a workshop in which we explored some possibilities. To a bouquet of phlox and dusty miller I added stems of raspberries. For a burst of color how about purple asters. I place them in orange peppers-as-containers. Fresh herbs in a rectangular glass container were lovely all on their own, but adding a bed of river stones to the base of the clear container and several stems of colorful snapdragons upped the ante. Why not mix roses with vegetables, and onions with frilly kale? How about using aspidistra leaves to conceal the oasis in a clear container? Arranging really offers us a chance to tap into our imaginations and to play. As an aside -- I use organic vegetables and herbs in my arrangements. Why? I know I’ll be chopping them up and usin...

After the wedding at St. Mary Parish, all of the guests met at the Belle Haven Yacht Club to enjoy an evening of celebration. Photo by Mary Alice Fisher The all white Bridal bouquet included Polar Star roses, mini white calla lilies and white hydrangeas, all imported from Holland. The stems were wrapped with the lace matching the Bridal gown. The Bridesmaids’ bouquets featured blue hydrangeas and open white roses. Small Nantucket baskets filled with blue hydrangeas and white Majolica roses were carried by the two flower girls. The soft blue table linens complimented the lush centerpieces which were created in large Nantucket baskets. A beautiful outdoor setting, overlooking the Long Island Sound. A very special evening shared by the friends and relatives of two Greenwich families came to a close when the Bride and Groom stepped aboard the boat which took them to a destination unknown.

A very happy Bride and Groom continued onto The Boulders Inn in New Preston, Connecticut for the reception. Located on a knoll overlooking beautiful Lake Waramaug, The Boulders Inn is a fantasy venue for a wedding reception. Perfect location, excellent cuisine and fabulous flowers made the reception oh so special. The Bridal Bouquet featured Lily of the Valley (imported from Holland) and white sweet peas (flown in from California). The natural stems were wrapped with lace matching the Bridal gown. A very elegant bouquet. The soft colors of the centerpieces included white Majolica roses, scented white freesia and white phlox, light pink sweet peas and sky blue delphinium, created in square glass containers. A combination of round as well as rectangular tables, covered with pure white tablecloths, created a sophisticated look in this country setting. The weather was perfect…. cocktails were enjoyed outside during sunset…and dancing continued “under the stars”… Since all of the guests sta...