Weddingbee Blog

Because really, I don’t know enough about them to come up with a clever title.

I hadn’t really talked about flowers - to be honest, the whole subject intimidates me a bit. When I first started planning, I didn’t have the best experience with potential vendors. If a vendor doesn’t wish to work with your budget, I thought it would be common courtesy, especially after meeting and communicating over email, that they would let you know instead of leaving you hanging for 2 weeks? Perhaps not (I obviously hold a grudge against this particular vendor.) Aaaanyway.

They didn’t want my money

I eventually found a florist that was open to my ideas, lack of botanical knowledge, and budget. I loved her willingness to share her passion and educate - she even took me to the flower market in NYC, where we put together the floral vision for the Hammy wedding. Fun - I love markets!

Here’s what we came up with for centerpieces elements:

Calla Lilies and Bells of Ireland for Tall Centerpieces (photo by our florist Daye Deura)

For the low centerpieces, we will be going with shades of white and green, the actual flower choices I’m pretty much leaving to Daye (I’m low maintenance like that. Ha ha).

For the bridesmaid bouquets:

Blue flowers and white tulips or lithianthus (?), and blue thistle (the only one I remembered!)

For my bouquet, I was all set to go with white peonies, deep maroon calla lilies and fiddlehead ferns. Then, I saw this:

Those red peonies were calling my name! I needed to have them in my bouquet, so we’re going with deep red peonies. I’m so excited! (I never thought I would say that about flowers).

Miss Hamster’s Floral Tips for the Botanically Challenged:

1. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t know the difference between a ranunculus and a rhododendron? Don’t be afraid to ask. A florist should be patient and answer any questions you may have.

2. Pick flowers that are in season. In-season are more cost effective and look better (less traveling time, perhaps?) than their out-of-season counterparts.

3. Be honest with what you want, don’t want, and have no preference about. I want bold flowers. I don’t want a ton of roses. I have no preference as to whether the white reception flowers are ranunculus, peonies, or tulips (but minimal roses, please!). If you like your florist’s previous work, some general parameters will give him or her the flexibility to make changes based on what’s available but still create something that you’re happy with.

Any other floral tips to share?