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One of the hardest things about being a DW bride-to-be is that I don’t get to see every single detail beforehand and I really have to trust our wedding planner to understand my vision and make executive decisions. This is insanely difficult for a Type-A, control freak, perfectionist like me!
While we were in LA for Thanksgiving, we were trying to think of a wedding related activity we could do that was (1)low stress and (2)low pressure.
Since my FMIL was really excited to help with the wedding planning we decided that we should go to the Los Angeles Flower Market. As I’ve mentioned countless times, I am not a huge flower person so I don’t really know what I like outside of orchids (which I LOVE).
This is what I learned:
1. When you look at flowers have a plan! This place was huge and it definitely more than a little overwhelming. Most of the stores carried the same flowers so it was really about finding flowers that I wanted to see in person and figuring out what colors/sizes they came in.
2. I love ranunculus. They are like a smaller, tighter peony (sort of?)… before I get too excited, I need to ask my wedding planner if they are even available in Costa Rica.
3. Peonies are HUGE! I didn’t realize what a big flower the peony is…they don’t have them in Costa Rica so they aren’t really an option but it seems like if someone was DIY-ing their flowers, a few strategically placed peonies would go a long way. They are also all pretty closed still at the flower market so it would be important to figure out how far in advance you need to get them so they are in their full glory on your big day!
4. I dislike hydrangeas. They are definitely great filler flowers and super affordable but they just aren’t my style. Of all the flowers, they also seem to be the most wilt-y. That being said, I have definitely seen a lot of arrangements with hydrangeas that I do love so…. we’ll see.
5. I still LOVE orchids. They are just so fabulous and elegant.
6. Last but not least, I love mums. I especially love the China mum. Look at how huge and gorgeous this flower is!
It turns out that I also don’t really know the difference between mums and dahlias. Sigh. So much to learn and so little time!
Were there things you learned about flowers and your own taste once you saw the flowers in-person? Do you have any advice or suggestions about flowers that will hold up in the Costa Rican heat and last all day?
All I can suggest is to use local flowers and do masses of one flower, makes it so much easier 
Ranunculas grows from a bulb and I don’t know if it’s popular in Costa Rica.
Choose a large flower and then just use tons of it -so much easier and less stressful
I love flowers, so a place like that sounds like heaven!
I agree about hydrangeas. I don’t like them at all. I’ve never seen peonies in person, but I would love to someday…
Thanks for the pics! I’m using both ranunculus and mums in my DIY centerpieces and bouquets. But yes, what an overwhelming place to be! Fun!
I love ranunculus (ranunculi?), too! I also adore peonies; we have a botanical garden within walking distance of our apartment that has rows upon rows of them. I sort of wish I could just…take a bush for our wedding. 
Good luck with deciding on your flowers!
Just thinking about flowers stresses me out, and I don’t know the difference between a dahlia and a mum either. All I know is I like round floofy flowers, like peonies, that are definitely not available in October. And I like those yellow ball flowers (craspedia?) that Mrs. Stripes and some other bees had! Good luck!
I still can’t tell a mum from a dhalia, but I like them both! Actually, I love all different kinds of flowers and flower combos, kind of a problem for deciding on a final flower line up for wedding day!
Well, I think orchids are classic! I ended up using them at my wedding. One absolutely great thing about orchids is that the blooms can last for weeks at a time. You don’t have to worry about them wilting on the wedding day! (the only caution being that the blooms are very delicate and the plant should be moved carefuly so as to not disturb - or knock off - the blooms). I think any of the above that you end up choosing will be simply lovely!
The LA Flower mart is my favorite! And yes, it is a little overwhelming too! So wait, was it just a learning expedition then to get a feel for what you like? Or are you DIYing your flowers while in Costa Rica?
@Miss Pain au Chocolat: Good call and I know for a fact that they have succulents in CR 
@Ms. Stripes: No no! I am not DIY-ing my florals. I just wanted to get a better sense of what I like…
I am also in love with orchids. We’re doing submerged pink orchid centerpieces in tall vases. So pretty!
I also love peanies and hydrangeas.
Lucky for you, the Guaria Morada, an orchid, is the national flower of Costa Rica! Be sure to ask your planner about it, they should be easily available there.
Lovely flower choices! I did not use flowers except in my bouquet; the venue was 45 minutes from where I was then living and I DIY’ed all the centerpieces so I used dried naturals. They worked perfectly for an October wedding in Michigan.
I had a friend whose parents retired to Costa Rica. Prior to that her family vacationed there every year so when she married she had two types of tropical flower incorporated in her decor - Birds of Paradise (orange and purple) and a dark pink orchid found in Costa Rica. My suggestion is look for flowers that grow in Costa Rica and pick the ones that you love
L.A. Flower Market has a lot of great bargains for all the local DIY brides. Good Look on your Destination Wedding, Costa Rica is such a beautiful place (so they tell me) would love to visit some day. Cant wait to see your recaps =)
L.A. Flower Market has a lot of great bargains for all the local DIY brides. Good Luck on your Destination Wedding, Costa Rica is such a beautiful place (so they tell me) would love to visit some day. Cant wait to see your recaps =)
No ranculus here nor peonies or dahlias, unfortunately. They used to grown them (peonies and dahlias) but the local market didn’t use them so the growers stopped. I’m hoping my pressuring them will make them change their minds (but won’t be in time for your wedding). The guaria morada is a rare orchid that grows wild, and is not available for commercial use. We can use phaeleonopsis orchids (which you like and they are so elegant!), cattleyas, dendrobiums, mokaras and cymbidiums. The hydrangeas we have here are huge and my florist uses only the freshest so they are gorgeous. I’ll be posting some photos from a recent wedding shortly so you can see. Don’t think we have the China mum here but we do have the spider mums and button mums we can do some cool things with.
We’ll come up with some fab ideas together
Tips for flowers if you’re DIY-ing!!
If you want the flowers to open more then put them somewhere warm (but keep an eye on them so they don’t blow too much!). If you want them to stop from opening more, put them in the fridge.
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Mrs. Pancakes, New York/Costa Rica Age and Occupation: 26, Law School Student Fiance's Age and Occupation: 27, Latin American Policy Analyst Engagement Date: March 12, 2010 Wedding Date: May 2011 Venue: Casa Punto de Vista About Me: I’m a perfectionist with a big heart. I love a good laugh and firmly believe no one has ever regretted being prepared! My motto is “go big or go home.” I am incapable of doing anything in moderation, especially when it comes to shopping, TV, food and travel, and some would say wedding planning! The other half of this nearlywed team is a laid-back, adventure-loving, accident prone, sweetie from LA. He makes me laugh, is always down for an impromptu dance party, and totally indulges most of my hare-brained schemes. Now, in my final year of law school, we’ll be spending the spring abroad in Amsterdam and planning a DIY, whimsical, detail-filled destination wedding in Costa Rica!
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