What’s the first flower that comes to mind when you think of spring? Well, for many, it’s the tulip.

For Shelley’s April wedding to Anthony, these beautiful blooms were combined with another year round favour for a clean fresh spring bouquet.

White Hydrangea & Spring Tulip Bridal Bouquet | Floret.ca

It’s gonna be a long winter.

Sub-zero…it feels like it’s been this way for months and it’s only the beginning.

The trees and flowers have closed up shop for the year with the only decoration being the snow that’s on the ground.

But contrary to popular thinking spring flowers can be found now. Grown with love in greenhouses. You can bring spring indoors 5 months ahead of schedule.

Seems like just yesterday, when wedding season was just beginning and the beautiful flowers of the spring were in their prime.

A client’s choice of venues gives me lots of clues about the statement that a couple wants to make about their wedding.

Will it be a formal and grand affair taking place in the Imperial Room at the Fairmont Royal York or a more unconventional choice that is off the beaten path such as in an Brewery such as Steam Whistle or a Lounge like Rosehill?

Minimalist or lavish? Simple or upgraded. Monochromatic or Colourful?

The chosen venue or venues give lots of clues about the possibilities that exist for flowers, decor, colours and style.

When you start thinking about your wedding flowers, the more obvious items like the bridal bouquet or the centerpieces come to mind first.

A sign that the flowers have been more well thought out and planned is all the other places that you’d see them other than in the most obvious spots. One of the most elegant considerations for flowers is by the guest book. It’ll brighten up an otherwise simple table and highlight the book of well wishes.

Those of you who have been planning a wedding for any length of time will be able to relate to this question.

The question becomes greater with the increasing number of options there are for every choice that can be made and the flowers and decor are no exception.

This is equally true when it comes to the linens.

Should we keep the linens as is OR should we “upgrade” to an overlay?

Should we do a plain one OR a textured one?

Should we “just do” and overlay OR “upgrade” to nicer table cloth?

Should be “just do” the nicer table cloth OR do the overlay and the table?

Then the napkins…and the chairs and the rest of the decor all come into the question.

It’s one of the many ways that your ultimate choice of designer can add value that is beyond the size and quality of the florals they create for you.

It’s probably the furthest thing from anyone’s mind…

How could a little volcanic ash on the other side of the world affect anything to do with a wedding here?

Well, I guess it’s true UNLESS your flowers at least some of them come from there.

For those of you who may not know the ultimate originators of the commercial flower markets  – The Dutch – are over there and I was told that at one point, with the airports shut down nothing was going in and out.

I suppose it’s another good reason for trying to stick with flowers that are grown locally or at least on this continent, but sometimes there’s nothing quite like a bloom from that part of the world and for the most part it’s not an issue until the volcano decides to erupt and cause a little havoc.

It’s a question that I get asked every so often…

“What’s the best way to make wedding flowers eco-friendly?”

Naturally, having your florist source flowers that are grown as close to home as possible is a good start.

I also learned from my source who specializes solely in greens and foliage that most of everything they bring is organic, untampered by pesticides.

So while flowers for the most part require some intervention to ensure that they are grown in good condition to full maturity, if you are open, the world of foliage which is as varied and colourful as flowers can be might be a good option.

It’s a fair question, especially given the expectations, anticipation and naturally cost tied to your wedding day.

However, whenever, I hear this question, my immediate response is “Of course! What self-respecting florist would provide flowers that were anything less than the best?!”

My clients always find it enlightening when I share all that needs and does happen in order for their flowers to be beautiful on their day.

The truth of the matter is that the time and the process required to having your flowers looking their best on your wedding day is a long and carefully planned process that might begin as far as an ocean away long before they come into my hands.

It’s really quite amazing when you stop and consider that flowers are usually grown under very specific circumstances, cut just at the right time and packaged ever so carefully a world away, put onto airplanes and arrive here to be cared for by your florist so that they are in bloom and beautiful for your day.

There is always a huge range of opinion when it comes to the choice of wedding flowers.

What one bride cannot imagine having in her bouquet may be the only flower of choice for another.

There are purists who feel that flowers are beautiful and should always stand on their own and then there is another contingent that feels that even flowers can be further enhanced.

One such way to “enhance” a bouquet or an arrangement, is by way of adding non organic things such as beading or crystals to the mix.

The result can be one of adding a little sparkle to a bouquet that might otherwise seem too simple.

Sometimes looking back is the only way to tell, but I was placing gems into bouquets years ago and I never realized this that what seemed to appear as something momentary is still around.

It seems to have gained such prominence that now it is found accenting decor to further enhance a backdrop or head table.

They are also being added to flower arrangements. Again in subtle to give that “pop” to an otherwise only beautiful arrangement.

Lavish Floral Centerpiece With Crystal Accents

If there are any words that are synonymous with wedding, they are expensive and the words that always follow shortly after are cost or budget.

While I usually have the opportunity to meet those considering my services in advance of discussing matters of budget,  every once in a while, I receive an email or call from a bride or groom inquiring as to cost of my flowers.

The fact is that while determining the cost of some wedding details may be straightforward, the answer to how much flowers cost or can cost is not always a simple one when it comes to flowers.

There are so many factors, but here are the main ones to consider.

Quantity – the more you’ll need the more it’ll cost. A wedding party with 10 bridesmaids and 10 groomsmen is certainly going to be more costly than one with 3 of each.

The type of flower – Roses are more expensive than carnations, but less expensive than some types of orchids.

The style – While this isn’t always the case. Single stem considerations are going to be less costly than arrangements that are densely packed with dozens of stems.

Your expectations – If you’ve been looking at pictures of celebrity weddings for inspiration, it’s naturally going to cost more than if you were looking at the Better Homes and Gardens variations for weddings.

Regardless of budget, wedding flowers should first and foremost be beautiful and reflective of the spirit of the day in colour and style.