I’ve been fully immersed in weddings for the past couple of months and haven’t had a chance to feature some of the amazing clients I have had the chance to work whose weddings took place recently, so I’m so pleased to be able write this post about Christine and Ian.

I met Christine in the fall of last year to discuss floral possibilities for her wedding the following spring. All of it was the take place in the Distillery District a place well regarded for ceremonies in the surrounding art galleries and receptions in the numerous excellent restaurants that are situated there.

The combination of the surroundings in addition to her exquisite choice for spring flowers made for a stunning and elegant combination.

The ceremony eventally took place at the Arta Gallery and the dinner reception took place at the acclaimed Boiler House Restaurant.

The combination of the surroundings in addition to the exquisite choice for spring flowers made for a stunning and elegant combination.

Spring Wedding Bouquet | Floret.ca

Wedding Ceremony At The Arta Gallery | Floret.ca

Wedding Reception At The Boiler House | Floret.ca

Move over peony…there’s new bloom in town!

Thank goodness for the changing of the seasons. As much as I love the peony, it’s certainly not the only flower on the block and the title of my post could be taken in more ways than one.

As the peony fades into the sunset until next spring, the one to take it’s place is equally stunning and is it’s rightfully unbelievable in it’s own way.

It’s it the Dahlia. See for yourself.

Pink Dahlia Wedding Centerpiece | Floret.ca

I love colour!

Above all else, it is singularly the best way to create impact and to create a cohesive theme.

I spend a fair amount of my efforts considering how to combine colours to create a certain effect.

With colours alone, you can create a pretty and sweet feeling, or  arrangement that is sophisticated and lavish.

Early last month, I created these centerpieces for Noula and George’s engagement  and colour scheme of peach and pink and the result was a lovely fresh look for a spring event.

Pretty Peach and Pink Centerpiece | Floret.ca

Spring flowers….a little piece of heaven, especially after a dreary winter.

Small, delicate and amazing in their detail - they are jewels.

And they’re all available right now for you like spring brides.

Tulips, ranunculus, anemones, sweet peas…

Spring Wedding Flowers | Floret.ca

I wouldn’t be surprised if the title causes you to double take.

Afterall, you’re probably asking what the heck is a matthiola?

Otherwise known as stock it is a quintessential choice for a wedding flower.

It’s a flowering bloom that lends a romantic garden feeling to anything it is  added to.

Beautiful in bouquets as well as centerpieces. It’s a lovely choice.

It sounds like a hair style doesn’t it?

I’m actually referring to a growing trend in centerpiece design and it the perfect solution for the client who wants a centerpiece that is both off the table  or elevated and one that is lower to the table or below the line of sight.

The way it works is this. Let’s say you have 20 tables.

Half the centerpieces would be elevated so that the drama which can only be captured by that style of a centerpiece can be established.

The other half of the tables can be fulsome arrangements that are lower to the table so that you are able to sit those guests of yours who you feel might prefer to be able to chat across the table as well as to the guests on either side.

It’s a great option for the couple who would like the best of both worlds.

Fresh Green Apples In A Fall Centerpiece | Floret.ca

Any good designer knows that good health is not the only thing that fruits and vegetables are wonderful for.

They can be an amazing element in  floral design because they are able to add another level of texture and colour to an arrangement or bouquet in a way that a flower just can’t.

Here are some elements from the produce aisle to consider in your list of fresh item wants:

• apples
• oranges and limes
• grapes
• artichokes
• cabbage
• any kind of berry

When brides start planning the wedding flowers, the question of what to do with the centerpiece usually tops the list after figuring out what the bridal bouquet might be.

The truth is that for a complete look the centerpiece is only one part (albeit very important) of the table.

The “other” elements are in no particular order:

The shape of the table and type of chair

The colour and type of linens, chair covers and napkins

The nature of the place setting

The menu and placecards

The candles

All of these elements thoughtfully chosen together can make the simplest centerpiece stand out.

When I met with Suzanne and Philip earlier this spring to discuss floral possibilities for their mid October wedding at the Royal York, I could tell that while they had a vision for the look and feel for their wedding that at the same time, I was excited that the amount of creative licence I was being given.

Their  choices of The Holy Rosary Church for the ceremony and the Imperial Room at the Royal York set the parameters for a look that would need to be above all things elegant, but at the same time unique in light of their choices of pinks and oranges for a colour theme.

The result was a glittering theme of branches accented with crystals and elevated with crystals suspended inside to complete a enchanted look befitting the grandeur of the Imperial Room in one of downtown Toronto’s grandest hotels.

Glittering Centerpiece At The Royal York | Floret.ca

Vintage Centerpiece In A Silver Compote | Floret.ca

Being a floral designer who decided to dedicate my skills solely to the art of wedding flowers, this time of year means a little respite from the pace of creating my weddings and being able to take a little time during the holidays before my late winter early spring weddings begin.

In looking forward to the upcoming year, one thing I have noticed is a return lush arrangements that are full of texture which can be found in vases and containers that are something other than glass. The weddings of next seem to look to the elegant ideas of the past with dishes and bowls that mimic the style of the class silver juleps and compotes.