Floral magic by Max van de Sluis
It was a unique experience to see Max van de Sluis working in the temporary DPK Floral Magazine studio at Kasteel Oost. It's truly special to see this level of skill and craftsmanship up close. We've shared some behind-the-scenes footage on our Instagram account.
Max created an incredible collection of designs for the photo shoot, demonstrating a wide range of techniques and possibilities. We are always amazed by the designers' ability to keep coming up with innovative ideas. They seem to draw from an endless well of creativity and fresh inspiration. Max worked with lots of Marginpar flowers, but also brought materials from his own garden.
Seasonal yellow bouquet
Max enjoyed working with our new Achillea Neonglow Saffron, a beautiful yellow variety with countless tiny blooms. He shared that it's a hardy flower that lasts well, even without water.
He combined it with Daffodils of various sizes and Cornus branches. The result is a monochromatic Biedermeier bouquet that stands out through its wonderful layered textures and fine details.
Extended lily bouquet
Max created a brand-new flower shape by taking multiple peach-coloured Lilies apart and arranging their petals by shape and size to create an elongated bloom. Between the petals Max added lots of eye-catching details. We can spot Clematis Amazing® Kibo, Chasmanthium Latifolium 'Mantis' and White Grape Hyacinth.
Craspedia cloud
Max created this extraordinary design by attaching Craspedia Paintball™ Pop blooms to wire and forming clusters that were later combined into a larger piece. He chose gold-coloured wire, which complements the bright yellow colour of the Craspedia beautifully. Max added the expressive blooms of Gloriosa Superba Simba Fifty Shades to finish the design, which reminds us of a constellation of stars. It is a wonderful way to make a refined, yet colourful statement.
This bouquet can be kept for a long time as dried Craspedia retain their shape and colour well. It's perfect for brides who wants to take their bouquet home as a keepsake.
Trailing Clematis bouquet
Clematis Amazing® Kansas and olive leaves make a perfect match in this stunning trailing bouquet created by Max. Astrantia Billion Star®, Polianthes Elle Pink blooms and Clematis Amazing® Kibo add the finishing details. The blooms are carefully attached to thin wire that is draped over the structure, creating long lines and natural movement.
You may wonder how long the bouquet will last, as the flowers no longer receive water once they have been incorporated into the design. Max explains that, when you create this bouquet in the morning, the flowers will last the rest of the day, providing that the temperatures are moderate. It is important to make sure the stems are fully hydrated beforehand. Oasis Finishing Touch spray helps to keep them looking fresh as well. A useful tip!
Wearable flowers
Would your client like to include flowers while keeping their hands free? Instead of carrying a bouquet, they can choose botanic jewellery, such as a long necklace and bracelet.
Hypericum berries can be strung like beads for an unexpected botanical detail. Max combined the fresh green Hypericum Sisu Charm with white Hyacinths and Carnations. Our assortment also includes the red Hypericum Tomato Flair® and pink Hypericum Sisu Flirt, which can be used to create different colour combinations.
Botanical body deco
For this wearable design Max used large Camellias from his own garden. He combined them with blooms in different shades of red; Gloriosa Superba Simba Fifty Shades, Frittilaria, Orchids and red and green leaves. The structure was made with branches that flow organically around the body, while the flowers were placed at different depths and angles to create a layered effect. The result is a dynamic piece that is both natural and expressive.
We can easily envision this stunning botanical body deco at an autumn or winter wedding as well. Regardless of the season, this luxurious wearable design in fiery hues will certainly turn heads!
Striking in pink
In this design Max combined contrasting shapes and textures. The base is created with one large pink Heliconia bloom. The stem is attached to a ring covered with wool, creating a distinctive hanging bouquet.
The Gloriosa Superba Simba Fifty Shades blooms complement the bright colour of the Heliconia, while the other flowers have a more delicate, understated character. These include Clematis Amazing® Kansas, Orchids, Garden Roses and Lisianthus. Hypericum berries attached to rose-gold wire add the finishing touches.
Flowers that tell stories
Wedding floristry is a specialism enjoyed by many florists. It brings together creativity, personal stories and the joy of seeing everything come together on the wedding day.
Wedding flowers often play an important part in the wedding photos too, preserving memories that will last a lifetime. It's a wonderful feeling to have such an impact through your work. We would love to see your wedding designs too! Tag us on Instagram, Facebook or TikTok and we'll be sure to take a look.
A big thank you to DPK Floral Magazine for inviting us along for this special photo shoot! Order your own copy to see all the designs up close and explore wedding designs by Chantal Post, Jan de Ridder, Miranda ter Voorde, Seda Virabian, Sören van Laer and Aymeric Chaouche.
