The charming and entertaining Shane Connolly treated his audience to an incredible demonstration. After hand selecting containers from the Nashville Antiques & Garden Show, Shane chose the floral ingredients for the dozen arrangements he created. He wowed the audience with both extravagant and simple renditions of floral beauty.

The sheer scale of some of the arrangements was extraordinary!

Loved the light yellow tulips in this stunner...

This was a favorite of mine.. I wondered what in the world he was going to do with that huge rusted bowl?? He tucked in gorgeous bunches of daffodils and added moss. Shane is a firm believer in working in harmony with the planet. He tries to use seasonal flowers, and doesn't use oasis if at all possible!

It was hard to get good photos.. There were hundreds of people wanting a good shot. Hence, the water bottle, etc. I was happy to get the whole arrangement in the photo!

Loved this Valentine-inspired arrangement with pinks, purples and reds...

This sweet little arrangement had my favorite ~ anemones!

The turquoise bottles were a brilliant choice!

Another stunning pairing...

These containers were my favorites, and the flowers were gorgeous.

He created a vignette on stage with topiaries...

(horrible pic, but had to share)

The arrangements back in their booth ~ Caroline Faison Antiques...

I have grown quite fond of Shane's organic approach to floral design. You may remember him as the floral designer for Will and Kate's wedding. Not overdone, simple and elegant, Kate's bridal bouquet was filled with lily-of-the-valley, symbolizing a return to happiness. White hyacinths for constancy, and Sweet William for gallantry (and of course the groom!) were also included. The myrtle was taken from a plant grown from the myrtle used in The Queen's wedding bouquet of 1947.

And of course the infamous trees leading to the altar ~ English Field Maples and Hornbeams. Much of the greenery came straight from the royal estates, and the majority of the flowers came from Windsor Great Park. Shane remarked several times about Kate being a dream client. She was very interested in the symbolism of the flowers, and the sourcing. The trees were later replanted in the National Memorial Arboretum. The flowers and plants were donated to charity if they could not be replanted.