LETS TALK FLOWERS

I see things all the time that spark an idea of things to help you plan your wedding.  Today, I am thinking about flowers.  Its very hard to decide what kind of flowers to use for your wedding.  And, when you have your heart set on a certain bloom or a favorite color, finding the right options for your season and your budget can be overwhelming.  One of the things that helps me to be the best planner for you is my knowledge of so many facets of weddings.  I have worked with a florist and have done wedding flowers.  This makes me an asset to answering your questions, before you get your heart set on and then broken by a flower you can't get.   So, lets talk about flowers.  

We all know about roses, carnations, lilies, daisies and hydrangea.  But, lets talk about all of the stunning and different blooms that make for dramatic bouquets and jaw-dropping centerpieces.  And, lets talk about seasons.  Two things are true- flowers are less expensive when they are in season and there is a perfect bloom in the perfect color for every season.   Since we are approaching the fall and winter, we are going to focus on those seasons today.  For brides planning weddings for next year, this will help you in the early planning stages to be aware and educated on what is available and how you can make your wedding stand out with flowers you may never have thought of choosing.


Dahlias are a stunning flower!  They really make a dramatic statement.  The colors are vibrant, the bloom is full and dense.  The ranunculus is more delicate, yet it is a perfect alternative to a rose and a beautiful companion for the dahlia.  Pair these two amazing flowers with things like kangaroo paw or goldenrod or celosia to create wedding florals that will wow your guests and make your wedding photos look like they popped right out of Martha Stewart!

Here is a list of some other fall beauties to add to your ideas- cocks comb, fountain grass, dianthus, phlox, chocolate cosmos, camillias, protea and dusty miller.  Just remember, there are plenty of possibilities and your florist will guide you through all of them.  

Winter weddings often get lumped together with Christmas.  But, even a Christmas wedding doesn't have to be typical.  Its really incredible how many winter blooms there are.  So, lets talk about some of them.  Below is a bouquet that has anemone, vibernum and waxflower.  Anemone comes in red, pink, magenta, purple and blue.  But, the white ones are so dramatic.  Waxflower comes in white or pink.  And, I love the stems.  They will add to the background of your bouquets.  Another beautiful pair is Hellebore and Christmas rose.  Even if there is snow on the ground, your flowers will bring the promise of spring to the indoors.  

Other awe inspiring winter choices are hypericum berries, jasmine, star of Bethlehem, myrtle, seeded eucalyptus and silver brunia.   Of course, there is nothing wrong with evergreen, boxwood, red roses or other holiday inspired flowers and greens.  But, with so many choices, don't limit yourself.  Think outside of the box and let your florist create something spectacular and unique.  

Finally, let me just let you in on a few secrets of flower shopping.  Lily of the valley are very expensive.  In order to make a bouquet with this fragrant and delicate flower, it takes a lot of stems and they are not cost effective.  So, if you have a limited budget, this may not be a good choice.  Gerbera daisies and hydrangea, though available all year, are very thirsty flowers.  Gerberas have a hollow stem and need to be in water in order to survive.  So, please discuss with your florist if you want to use these varieties in your bouquets.  Shop seasonal.  Flowers that are typical of a season are more cost effective.  Roses are usually a very affordable flower- except in February.  And, there are so many varieties of roses that you may be surprised.  

Enjoy the process!  This is one of the most fun parts of wedding planning.  Before you visit your florist, make a list of your favorites.  Have a few questions to ask.  And, know what you like and don't like.  Its your day.  And, it should look like you want it to look.  If the florist tries to push you in another direction or doesn't listen, go elsewhere.  There are so many talented florists out there- one of them is right for you.  HAPPY PLANNING!