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.

For the longest time, the predominant style for bouquet has been the hand-tied or round bouquet which I think was made most popular by Martha Stewart.

But as with all things, I can see that the preference for shape is slowly changing to the style famously carried by Princess Diana when she married Prince Charles.

The long flowing seemingly large and probably heavy bouquet known as the Cascade is coming back updated in a more streamlined and cleaner look.

Even a few years ago, I was hard pressed to remember being asked to make one, but now more and more clients are leaning toward the elegance that such a bouquet brings with it.

So, if you’re getting married in the next year or so, you may end up with one, but a few years ago you might never have considered it.

I always tell my clients. Go for colour first.

It’s especially important when the budget is not opened ended because you’ll open a large door to options that you wouldn’t otherwise have and might be relegated to having a traditional wedding flower in a colour you didn’t want.

Purple and varying shades of it is the colour of the moment and I had the pleasure of making boutonnieres in purples that weren’t roses.

For Elaine and Darshan’s wedding earlier this month, (I’ll feature more flowers from their wedding shortly), we used alstromeria for the boutonnieres which offered the symmetry of the all popular orchid and the colour that seemingly didn’t come in any other flower other than a rose.

Alstromeria Boutonniere For The Groom | Floret.ca

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.

White Peony Wedding Bouquet | Floret.ca

They’re baaaaccck!

Oh, it seemed just like yesterday when I was writing just before the winter and writing about the peonies we could look forward to in the spring.

They are perfect and a luxury for sure. Especially now, since you’ll only find them coming over the big blue ocean from flower growers extraordinarie - The Dutch.

Doesn’t matter how you use them. On their own in a massive cluster of luxury or a single lush bloom in a vase.

They are a heavenly choice for any wedding taking place in the spring.

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’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.