THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, October 12, 1994 TAG: 9410110097
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LORI A. DENNEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 101 lines
THE MEMORIES of a wedding may last a lifetime, but a preserved bridal bouquet will outlive even the best of memories and the longest of marriages - 150 years or more.
Maryann and Clive Large can attest to that. The couple found what they believe is Clive Large's great-great grandmother's 19th century bridal bouquet preserved and framed and still bright and colorful, in an attic.
Their discovery 10 years ago actually prompted them to start their own bouquet preserving business - A Tale of Romance.
They ran it in England for seven years before they moved to Virginia Beach three years ago.
``When we got here nobody knew what this was,'' said Clive Large, 43. ``People would say, `why do you want to smoosh the bouquet?' We had to decide whether this was something Americans would like and go for.''
After circulating their ideas on preserving flowers and displaying samples at wedding shows and through word-of-mouth, the Larges did in fact find an American market for their Victorian-era talents.
They preserve about 150 bouquets every year in their South Red Mill home.
It's a time-consuming job.
To keep the colors true, it's important they receive a bouquet within days of the wedding. In fact, they'll travel anywhere within a 50 mile radius of their home to collect fresh bouquets for preserving, often showing up at wedding receptions to collect the flowers.
``It's in their best interest to do that because we get the flowers in better condition,'' said Clive Large, a native of London. ``If we get the flowers brown then parts of the (preserved) bouquet will be brown.''
The first thing they do is take a picture of the bouquet. Afterwards, each petal, leaf and stem is separated and put in a wooden press where it sits for six to 12 weeks, depending on the humidity and the climate.
Once the flowers are pressed and dry, Maryann Large begins the tedious work of putting each petal, leaf and stem back together and then pressed into a glass display frame. She uses the original picture as a model.
She works with tweezers and sometimes egg white as a glue for petals that refuse to stay put. Customers have their choice of material backgrounds, matting and frames. Most bouquets take about two to three days to arrange.
Price is determined by the frame size and starts at $39.95 for a small brass, one-flower frame. The cost is $299.95 for a 24-by-30-inch frame.
Customers have the option of trying to duplicate the bouquet's original shape or coming up with their own design. Often, brides will use pieces of their bouquet for gifts to bridesmaids and parents.
There are no high tech or fancy preservation methods when it comes to flowers, said Maryann Large, who is president of the company. They use no chemicals or artificial additives.
In fact, after about a year of research, they discovered that the old-fashioned, Victorian method of preserving flowers was still the best way.
Maryann Large researched the technique in England after they found her husband's family bouquet. She spent hours at the library, going through archives and talking with preservation societies.
They determined, through trial and error, that they would replicate the exact Victorian process - from the wooden presses to the egg whites.
Clive Large, who does the business's marketing, built the 3,000 or so wooden presses they use today.
``With the Victorian method you're able to press the flower and maintain the color,'' he said. ``In other words, you keep the flower looking like a flower.''
Several local florists refer customers to the Larges. However, A Tale of Romance has nothing to do with the arranging.
``I don't want to compete with florists,'' said Maryann Large, 38. ``I don't make the bouquets, I just take the end product.''
The Larges employ one full-time designer to help with the arrangements and several part timers to help press the flowers.
They also offer their services outside Virginia. Approximately 40 percent of their business comes from places such as Philadelphia, where they have a marketing person, California, Florida, Maine and overseas.
They hope to one day offer classes on the technique and maybe open up branch stores in Washington, D.C., and New York City, with all the hands-on work still being done here.
Maryann Large, a native of New Jersey, has always arranged flowers. She even attended school to learn the art. When they came upon the preserved boutique she was determined to learn the secrets of preservation. She worked in the field for seven years before they decided they wanted a change of pace (and weather) and moved to the United States.
Prior to that, Clive Large owned three computer companies in England. Tiring of the desk work, he decided to sell the companies before they moved.
``I'm a natural salesman,'' he said. ``I was in the office dealing with problems. It really lost the whole thrill that I had in business.''
The 150-year-old bouquet hangs on their living room wall. They've replaced the frame, but otherwise, it's as fresh-looking as the day Clive Large's great-great grandmother was married. MEMO: To find out more, call 721-5401.
ILLUSTRATION: Photo by PETER D. SUNDBERG
In a business called A Tale of Romance, Maryann and Clive Large
preserve about 150 bouquets every year in their South Red Mill home.
by CNB