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.

Last month, I had the pleasure to bringing together a powder blue and chocolate brown colour theme for Janet and Michael.

The blues were brought in through a combination of sky blue hydrangeas and ribbon accents and chocolate brown in luxurious satin linens that were complemented elegantly with ivory toned satin chair covers.

This colour theme was an classic backdrop that began with the ceremony at the The Annunication of the Virgin Mary Church on Sorauren and a festivities that took place at The West River Event Centre.

Blue Hydrangea Centerpiece | Floret.ca

Pure White and Deep Purple Centerpieces | Floret.ca

It’s something I’ve been hearing more and more.

“No Roses Please…”

The reasons for the sentiment are wide and varied, but it’s becoming an undeniable trend.

While I highly doubt, roses will ever fade as a popular choice for a wedding flower, it’s something I’m certainly hearing more of these days which keeps things always interesting for me as a designer.

It’s great news that the world of flowers affords no shortage of options for those who feel that the roses don’t quite suit their fancy.

At The Miller Lash House recently, the outdoor tented reception featured these modern and “rose free” arrangements as centerpieces.

With the dahlia season still going strong for the next few weeks, I wanted to share some more images from Erin and Kevin’s wedding.

Stunning centerpieces to continue the theme of burnt orange and lime green and the look was completed with a shimmering candlescape at the sweetheart table. 

Orange Dahlia Centerpiece with Lime and Berry Accents | Floret.ca

Sweetheart Candlescape At Vaughan Estates | Floret.ca

When I first met Nancy earlier this year, she explained that she and her fiancé Jeff wanted to options as to how they could incorporate photos of their world travels into their centerpieces in a elegant and modern way.

The final design was composed of a centerpiece that placed lots of emphasis on candlelight (an absolute essential) with square frames to complement the tall orchid immersed vase in the center.

Candlelit Centerpieces At Palais Royale | Floret.ca

Alice and Junho’s beauiful summer wedding  took place at the Gardiner Museum in downtown Toronto across from the Royal Ontario Museum.

The clean contemporary lines and colours of this beautiful venue were the perfect backdrop for their clean minialist centerpieces in cream and pink set in square vases in varying heights.

Orchid accented branching set on floor length vases set the stage for the sunset ceremony.

The dramatic family style tables that have become the table shape of choice for the chic were lined with clusters of cream and pink flowers.

Modern Ceremony Arrangements At the Gardiner Museum

Contemporary Pink and Cream Floral Centerpieces The Gardiner Museum

There are so many places that inspire ideas for a wedding and the venues of choice for the festivities ranks very close to the top.

Panorama on the 51^st floor of the Manulife Centre in the heart of downtown Toronto was the setting for the wedding reception of Aya and Carlos.

With a perfect view of the city from every vantage point, this floor to ceiling windows room filled with cool black leather lounge furnishings and brushed steel copa tables.

From orchid bouquet in two different shades of pink to lime accented containers filled with white hydrangea, pink gerberas and green berries, this wedding was certainly not your traditional pretty in pink.

Wedding Bouquet of Deep Pink Orchids

Modern Pink Centerpiece Accented With Limes at Panorama 51st