While the winter is certainly not the peak time for a wedding, there are those who choose this time of year to get married.

Maybe it’s the idea of creating the perfect indoor theme to match the winter white themed created by Mother Nature.

If you are planning a white wedding, here are a few tips to create the greatest effect:

1.   Consider a cooler type of LED lighting available instead of the warmer lighting that candlelight provides

2.   Branches in their natural state or sprayed white with glitter are always a nice touch

3.   Winter greens such as cedar and pine will not only add to the feeling of winter, but will add that unmistakable sent too!

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.

With back to school right around the corner and with the weather not yet having yet made it’s mind about fall or summer, it got me thinking about finding ways to keep up my skills and to be always getting better at what I do the couples that I work to bring their flowers together for.

I was asked recently where I get my inspiration from. It’s such a great question – one that you hear asked of anyone involved in a creative endeavour and the answers are as varied as there are people.

While there isn’t one singular thing on my list. I’d have to say that my single greatest inspiration is my clients.  I love to hear about how they met, their favourite things and places – their inspirations.

It’s what makes every wedding I have the privilege of being a part special because it’s a reflection of a unique couple at the happiest (and sometimes stressful) time in their lives.

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.

This post might start off sounding like your hard sell scare tactic for convincing 2011 brides to consider booking now as opposed to waiting arbitrarily until later in the year, but if you’ve ever met me you’ll know that that’s not my style and if you read on you’ll understand.

My post last week got me thinking about the advantages that my clients who choose to book their florals now have over those who choose to wait, and while there’s definitely more than one reason: having your choice of florist, getting things done on your long list of to dos, those all aside there is a singularly stands out above the rest.

It will give you the chance to see the flowers that will be in season now for when you get married next year.

Having said this, if it’s only roses and daisies you’re wanting, there no issue. However, if you have an interest in a seasonal item, such as the dahlia, it’s best to start now and you’ll be glad you did.

The advantages are many – the most important one being, it would allow you to see the flowers at the only time would be available.

I was happy to be able to do just this for Daniela and Julian whose beautiful nuptials I will featuring mid next summer.  Their choices were hydrangea, roses and a blush pink dahlia that would take your breath away and she was able to see these gorgeous blooms in their prime.

If I get a chance to take a pic, I’ll post it and you’ll what see I mean.

With weddings for this season well underway (I’ll be writing about them soon),  as a wedding florist , I have the distinct vantage point of working in the present with the weddings that are at hand and at the same time knowing that weddings that are a year away are already being planned and eagerly anticipated.

Wedding professionals have a different perception of time and it always crosses my mind as I meet with clients who are reserving my services next year. It’s a unique experience to be asked join in the journey of planning a singularly important day.

I know that it’s a little early to be making predictions about an upcoming year.

People usually starting making them in December or so, but I thought I’d give you a little glimpse into what I’m seeing in my clients who are getting married next year.

2009 was a year full of colour. From baby pink to deep purples and everywhere in between, but so far it looks like 2010 might bring the total opposite.

From clean and crisp whites to creamy ivories, the classic elegance of netural so far seems to be the choice of many of the discerning brides that I have had the opportunity to meet.

Kind of neat. Never a dull moment and that’s the way I like it.

Creamy White Floral Arrangement | Floret.ca

When we hear the words “destination wedding”, it usually evokes images of sunset weddings on a sandy beach or a romantic wedding in an old in chapel in the Italian countryside.

It might surprise many of you planning a wedding in the Toronto Area to know, that Toronto is sought after destination for weddings.

I know this because every few weeks I get a call or an email from California, Calgary or London (England) from couples who are planning to get married here.

Planning is done over the phone and email to discuss and determine what the look will be and sometimes I don’t meet the couple until the wedding if at all.

And after it’s all said and done the planning concludes the way the planning began with an email or a call  thanking me for my work.

The “WOW” factor of a wedding is that sometimes element that seems illusive.

It appears possible only for the weddings with the unlimited budgets that allow for flower arrangements that attempt to reach the tops of the ceilings in a banquet hall and are so full that they seem unattainable by most planning a wedding.

Yet if you look at all of flowers in these weddings they all contain a crucial ingredient that without it would take away that wonderful element of intimacy and warmth.

It is the simple candle and it comes in many forms.

• Votives
• Floating
• Pillared
• Novetly

They are made in an endless array of colours, sizes and shapes.

When combined thoughtfully into clusters or scattered naturally throughout an open space.  Candlelight makes the simplest spaces come to life with shimmering glow.