I haven’t written about my favourite flower in a while.

For those of you who have read my blog for any length of time know that I don’t really have a singular favourite, but there is one that is dear to my heart and I think it’s because it’s not the first flower that comes to mind for most as a wedding flower option.

I felt like it was such a confession when I first wrote about how much I loved the carnation. Since the time I put it “out there”, I’m proud to say that this beautiful flower has graced the highest and most prestigious venues in the city.

It’s actually my first choice for substitute for the wedding seasons most popular flower which I’m going keep underwraps for a little bit .

Wedding Arrangement of Red Carnations and Roses | Floret.ca

Let’s face it. Flowers can be expensive.

With this in mind, a good floral designer should find ways to use twice or double duty the flowers that have already been ordered.

For instance, bridal bouquets can be placed in vases and used at the head table and flowers from the chairs or pews at the ceremony could be in clusters at the cake table or on tables in sitting areas or a patio.

Assuming all the flowers were chosen thoughtfully in terms of colour and style, double dutying the flowers will provide a consistent and seamless carry over from the beginning of the wedding to the end.

It’s nothing new to say that brides are always on the search for something different for their wedding and even the classic candle has been potentially one upped, by an alternative that‘s becoming ever popular with the set that’s looking for a “cool, modern” look for their wedding reception.

It’s LED light.

No longer lighting reserved for the emergency flashlight in your glove compartment, it’s small and compact. These lights are often nestled among glass gems or stones to create light from the inside out as opposed to candle which can only encircle something.

It’s also a cool white in appearance as opposed to the warm glow that a candle gives.

One other reason it has become ever popular in spite of the greater cost for it, is that it gives new options to those dining in candle free zones or tables and areas where it might be a fire hazard.

Diamonds, crystals or any kind of glitter for that matter when used in just the right way and amount can add that little pop that can make any decorative or floral element of a wedding sparkle.

Here are a few places where they can be used:

• bouquets
• centerpieces
• backdrops and head table decor

Here I’ve used them to completely fill the vase for a centerpiece.

Crystals For A Centerpiece | Floret.ca

There are many places to look for inspiration for a wedding bouquet and these days there’s no shortage of sources.

For me, one of the places that I love to start with is the wedding dress if it has already been decided.

The style, silhouette, the material, the colour, embellishments…the variations especially at this point in time are true endless.

All these elements of this dress can provide lots of ideas as to waht the bouquet could look like especially if you don’t already have a set idea.

It reminds me (and I’m going to date myself here) of the time when I read a story of how Sophie Rhys-Jones (who married Prince Edward in the early nineties) chose her bridal bouquet.

The florist felt inspired by the slightly flared sleeves of her wedding dress and suggested calla lilies to complement the style of the dress.

So while you don’t have to have the dress to begin the process, if you have chosen it already consider looking to it for your floral inspiration.

It can be confusing, I know.

What are the rules concerning wedding flowers? Are they mandatory? Do I have to give a corsage or a boutonniere to every members of my very large family?

Unless you feel compelled to follow the rules laid out by Emily Post, the truth is that these days there are no rules.

I might get myself in trouble from those who might say that’s not the best way to promote my service, but then again I’ve never considered myself a conventional florist.

The plain and simple truth is that while an experienced wedding florist should be able to offer you the guidelines the fact is that it should revolve around YOU and YOUR BELOVED. That’s it. You decide. What, how many and for what and whom.

There are starter lists for wedding flowers to be found everywhere, bu the finer points will ultimately be determined by you.

As complete as I try to keep the information on my website, I still get asked about the services that I offer so I’ve decided that every once in a while, I will bump up a post that I’ll create that will offer a comprehensive list of services.

One of the questions that I get asked frequently is “Do You Do Chuppahs?”

And the answer is “Yes!”

It falls within the two realms of requirements for ceremony and decor and is certainly a symbolic focal point for those who are of Jewish faith and heritage.

It’s really quite a lovely idea as it symbolizes the home that the couple will build together.

Also, as much as it serves a very symbolic importance, its appearance these days can vary as much as the personalities of the couples getting married.  Aside from the four poles and the covering that connects them together, the choice of colours and materials is endless.

Also known as a “buttonhole” as the Brits are apt to call it, it’s a word that most of us have never heard of or used until we’re going to a high school formal or getting married.

There are lots of questions surrounding these little blooms that are worn by those in celebration of a happy occasion.

I thought I’d answer some here:

Q. What kind of flower can it be?

A. Any flower you choose. Usually a single bloom matching the bridal bouquet in colour or flower and one that will hold up out of water.

Q.  Which side do you wear it on?

A. The left close to your heart

Q. How do you pin it on?

A. Hmmm…maybe I’ll have to contemplate a video in the near future. Easier to show than explain. The short is. From the back and straight across. Don’t bend the pin. If it requires that much force it’ll break. Handle the bloom by the stem not by the head of the flower.

Hope this helps!

Have you seen the movie ”A Room With A View”?

While the romantic sites of Florence and the gorgeous country sides of Tuscany are a world away from where I live, I have the absolute pleasure of having my own room with a view.

For the past few days and probably just another day or two more, I have had priviledge of enjoying this from my living room window.

It is a magnolia tree that I probably let go a little too long without a trimming, but when it blooms it’s like a little piece of heaven.

Blooming all but once a year, never to flower again until this time next year, it doesn’t not have a comparable cut flower substitute (meaning: you can’t order the flowers from a store,  you just have to enjoy them while you see them around).

While most designers would consider themselves creative and original (which they should), I believe that Mother Nature will always be one up on us creating visions that we could only hope to bring to life and knowing that too much of a good thing creates spoilage so we only have it for a few days to create a year long anticipation before seeing them again.

Stunning View Of A Magnolia Tree

I thought I’d continued on the subject I started last week about seasonal flowers.

So far this season, the bloom that seems to be the favourite flower of choice among brides-to-be is the peony.

There’s only one problem. Well, it’s a problem if you are not getting married right about now and so consequently I have had to break a lot and I mean a lot of bad news.

For brides getting married between the months from July to March, peonies are not going to be available save for a few unexpected pockets here and there, but they could never be guaranteed.

They are absolutely gorgeous it’s true, but they’re also only available for a limited time only.

Plan on getting married between late April and Mid June. It’ll greatly increase your chances of getting this flowers.

So if you really love this flowers you’ll have to risk getting married when the weather will probably be unpredictable, but you’ll have the flowers you love.