In the Weddingverse, we hold these truths to be self-evident that not all florists are created equal; that Jeff Leatham is, in fact, peerless; and all brides are endowed the unalienable rights to inspiration, obsession and pursuit of horticultural happiness that they will inevitably encounter amongst his jaw-dropping designs.
Jeff Leatham
Casa Sugar
Artistic Director of the Four Seasons George V in Paris, American-born Jeff Leatham is known as the John Galliano of flowers, and rightly so. His work has been commissioned by everyone from Madonna to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and design houses such as Alexander McQueen, Philip Tracey and Valentino. He also styled the wedding florals for celebrity brides Eva Longoria and Chelsea Clinton. Fortunately for us mortals, Jeff Leatham’s simple but sumptuous aesthetic is easy to emulate.
Bob and Dawn Davis
Bob and Dawn Davis
Jeff Leatham
Words to drop around your florist:
• Modern: When dishing design tips to Casa Sugar, Leatham advised: “If using a vase for your flowers simple is always better. Cube vases, cylinder vases, bowl vases. The focus then is on the flower, not the vase.” Note: Just because you want modern flowers, doesn’t mean you’re locked into a modern venue! Just take a peek inside the gilded halls of the George V, where you’ll spot Leatham’s sleek arrangements deliberately juxtaposed against their ornate surroundings.
• Monobotanic: Follow Leatham’s first commandment of limiting each vase to one type of flower. Leatham usually bunches blooms together to form an ethereal floral cloud or else has them “dripping” out of the vase, which is often flanked by a mountain of rose petals. Amaryllis, hydrangea, peonies and roses are common selections of Leatham for the first, and calla lilies, phaelopsis orchids and tulips for the second. Don’t limit yourself to either category; Leatham certainly doesn’t!
• Monochromatic: Leatham often opts for just one colour, often in multiple shades. He recently spilled to Grace Ormonde, “It’s all about simplicity. Just stick with the same color.”
Callaway Gable
Victor Sizemore
Simone and Martin
Simone and Martin
T Carl Zoch Photography
Reine Weddings
Make sure to catch your breath before dialing up your florist.
Do you love Jeff Leatham’s modern floral designs, or do you prefer a more traditional look? Comment below or tweet @RachelCravit.
