Cathleen and Gary Weiss - wedding renewal vows:

Most romatic stories don’t start with hitch hiking but Cathleen was hitching in Ireland when she was a student and a farmer who gave her a lift in Kilkenny insisted she would see the place where Santa Claus was burried, he brought her to Jerpoint and she was mesmorised by it’s beauty and tranquility. It was decades later that she planned her return visit, this time to renew her wedding vows to her husband, Gary, of 25 years. Being so charmed by Jerpoint Abbey it was a natural harmony to have the ceremony afterwards in Waterford castle. Preparations began with Lamber receiving many emails with detailed questions, all of which were answered and more questions appeared. This was great for Lamber as he realised that Cathleen and Gary knew exactly what they wanted.

Not many ceremonies include Catholic, Jewish and Native American elements combined but Lamber loves a challenge and also relishes learning new ways of doing things. Colour was to be key in the flowers for this ceremony as their symbolism played a hugely important role throughout each ritual.

On arrival each guest was presented with a beautiful book which told the story of Jerpoint, Waterford castle, Native American elements and symbols and the colours and their significance to the balance of life, health and happiness.

The first night at Waterford castle there was a jazz band who had been flown in from America for the celebrations and Lamber transformed the castle with with Symbolic red and blue flowers – In the native American colour wheel blue represents water and strenght and red the elemnt of fire and passion. Not a combination Lamber would have thought of previously but the tall elegant blue Hydrangae and delphiniums throughout the rooms with scarlet red rose petals scattered beneath made for a stunning design and were comlpmented beautifully by the sultry jazz.

The following afternoon a vintage tea party was imagined with everyone to dress as Kings and Queens. Lamber rose to the occasion and made oversized almost eccentric arrangements in anything from Victorian fluted urns to old batterd watering cans. Symbolisn was present in both the flowers and food as Lamber used berries and wild blooms and guests were served salmon and berries, in respect of native American traditions. It was joyful and humerous and the abundance of flowers in natural combinations and cascades gave a theatrical feel to the whole event and then, miraculously the sun appeared from a bank of grey clouds.

On the third day – the day of the renewal of vows, the mediaval stone door of Jerpoint was garlanded with giant white hydrangae and white phalaenopsis orchids, this reflected the same symbolic white flowers in Cathleen’s bouquet. While the party were at the church for the Catholic renewal of vows Lamber and the team were preparing the Jewish ceremony in the castle gardens. A beautiful Choppah was made from silver birch entwined with white phalaenopsis orchids and Hydrangae and draped with white muslin to represent the protective nature of home and open at the sides to symbolise a welcoming house. Birds of prey brought the rings to Cathleen and Gary thanks to the local falconers and the majestic oak forest provided the perfect backdrop.

Dinner that evening was at round tables in the castle banqueting hall where Lamber designed tall elegant arrangements of white and pastel roses and wild blooms, these were mirrored by the silver candelaba and white candles vaulting towards the ceiling. Smaller bouquets of wild roses and berries were strewn across the tables also to give a gentle focus at eye level. As a tribute to the Irish, the orchid’s decorating the arch at the entrance to the castle was illuminated with green lights and it began to glow in an emerald hue as the dusk fell on a very perfect day.

Wedding Flowers by Lamber De Bie

When it comes to your wedding day, we understand that every detail counts and we work closely to provide inspiration and guidance to ensure beauty is realised on one of the most special days of your life. We love succeeding in creating perfect wedding flowers - from small intimate affairs through to significant productions.

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