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A few months ago I decided that it was about time for us to book a florist. At first I felt totally overwhelmed, because for a girl who claims to love flowers, I suddenly realized that I knew very little about them! Sure, I love picking up a bouquet at the farmers’ market, but I had no idea what most blooms were called or which kinds go well together. I became determined to show up to florist meetings with a binder full of inspiration pictures and the impression that I know what I’m talking about. So in the days to follow, I made it my job to find out all I could about flowers!
Unfortunately, I quickly realized that my expensive taste carries straight on through into flowers. My favorites don’t come cheap! I made a list of the names of all the flowers I love: peonies, garden roses, ranunculus, sweet peas, hydrangeas, lisianthus, tulips, dahlias, and anemones. I’m definitely drawn to blooms that are fluffier and full of petals, rather than structural and architectural.
I began collecting inspiration for my bouquet. Here are some pictures I collected that I took with me to communicate what I like to my florist:
For my bouquet, I love the pop of pink against a white dress! (Photo source: OnceWed)
(Photo source: The Bride’s Cafe)
(Photo source: Martha Stewart Weddings)
(Photo source: Style Me Pretty)
Originally, I was looking at a lot of peonies. But I could barely get the word “peony” out of my mouth before finding out that I can’t get them in July! Sad… I got over it pretty quickly, however, when I discovered my new favorite roses: the cabbage rose and the Yves Piaget. I will always love you, peony, but these new discoveries have temporarily stolen my heart with their full ruffles of petals. They may not be you, but they still make my heart flutter!
Well this post makes me appear much more organized in my flower brainstorming than I feel like I am! In summary, I’m loving flowers that are fluffy, petal-y, romantic, all shades of pink, loose, and garden-inspired.
Next up: our centerpieces!
Did you know much about flowers before wedding planning? Were any of your flower dreams crushed because of a season or location? Which new blooms are you lusting after that you didn’t know about before?
I too wanted peonies, but they aren’t available in October. I ended up using the Yves Piaget rose as a substitute along with sahara roses and gardenias.
Oh peonies… I too had such lovely photos of bright ruffly peonies and got totally shot down by my florist. She has, however, complied with my need for “Ruffly Flowers” and come up with some lovely alternatives, so I’m happy 
I love peonies too, but I knew they weren’t in my budget. Boohiss! I love your bouquet inspiration photos!
I keep going back and forth between architectural and fluttery. I LOVE garden roses, and for a few months, I couldn’t get enough of them, but for now I seem to be back on a freesia kick.
I love dahlias, sweet pea and ranunculus too… are you able to get those in July?
I only knew what was pretty and not pretty (in my opinion) and it wasn’t until bouquet time did I start learning names for the pretty vs not pretty flowers! I’m a calla lily, oriental/asiatic lily, hydrengea, ranunculus, and cymbidum orchids girl.
I also love the pop of pink in a bouquet! I loved my bouquet, it was a mix of pink, yellows, and oranges. I have a picture uploaded: http://gallery.weddingbee.com/photo/my-center-stage-bouquet
I was also thinking of having peonies in my bouquet but for some reason they didn’t make the cut. But I LOVE peonies, they’re so beautiful!
Philoleucadendron! (a what?) or something like that. It’s a green, fuzzy flower and I definitely had no idea it existed until my florist decided to pair them with some calla lilies for the groom and groomsmen.
Via Martha Stewart: Peonies make great cut flowers, and they’re easy to store in your fridge for later use. Simply cut them before they’re open, when they’re tight and still hard like marbles. Then, wrap them in newspaper, place rubber bands on the ends, and store them on their sides in the refrigerator. Alternatively, you can store them upright in flower sleeves and a little bit of water.
You can store them in the refrigerator like this for up to six months! So you can get Peonies in July!!!
http://www.marthastewart.com/article/guide-to-peony-forms
Good Luck
Oh boy, I love peonies! (But I don’t love their price tag!)
miss turtle, are you getting early or late july? i’m getting married july 10, and i too am in love with peonies! my florist (allison from flower allie in fullerton, OC) told me white/blush peonies should be available for my wedding with 99% certainty. she’s pretty honest and even warned me that they may not be available even if other florists say they are…she told me stories about how brides got their hopes up and later got crushed. she said it’s different every year but some sophisticated numbers are calculated based on past trends (like whether peonies were available last july). it’s not always 100% due to possible disasters, but the percentages are generally accurate. anyway, so she checked with her wholesale provider and gave me the green light.
I brought that Martha Stewart photo for my florist too, it is the prettiest bouquet ever!
and btw, when i learned that they may not be available, i searched on fiftyflowers.com for alternatives. i really liked the looks of viburnum and ranunculus too. and of course, the garden rose peony. for reception flowers i’m thinking big fluffy hydrangeas.
@ miss mojito: SERIOUSLY?! 6 months?! Martha wouldn’t lie to us, right? Yay– maybe I can have peonies afterall! You totally made my day!
I was so excited to find out that peonies are in season for my wedding and the flower farm actually suggested my bouquet be made with them and a few other blooms. My thoughts on flowers were colorful, wildflower type look and in season.
I’m so grateful that dahlia’s are in season in September - I love them so much!
i like that third bouquet. i also want something fluffy and romantic and garden like but without the peonies and most likely roses so…it’ll be interesting.
Shut the Front Door! Peonies in the fridge for 6 mos.? O.O *blink* O.O
I am so going to test this theory. I have never been a Martha fan, but this could definitely be a turning point!
((hugs))
I never realized how EXPENSIVE flowers were! It amazes me, really. I like ranuculus but those probably won’t be available in October. Roses are always good, and I actually like mums, very fall like, and they are my birth-month flower.
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Mrs. Turtle, Central California Age and Occupation: 21, Art Student/Teacher Fiance's Age and Occupation: 22, English Student Engagement Date: August 16, 2008 Wedding Date: July 2010 Venue: Mr. Turtle's Grandparents' backyard, Arroyo Grande, CA About Me: I am a California girl who loves the beach and the mountains, but is quite satisfied living right in the middle where I can enjoy the best of both worlds. I am happiest when traveling to faraway places, wandering through museums, watching old movies, or baking up a storm. Mr. Turtle and I are high school sweethearts and fellow book nerds who both drive Mini Coopers and are most likely to be found browsing in antique stores. We're having so much fun planning our European garden wedding with a vintage twist and can't wait to share more of life's adventures together!
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