Peonies. Roses. Daffodils. Calla lilies. When it comes to flowers, there can be a lot to choose from. And for a bride looking for the perfect floral combination, the decision can be daunting.
Karen Stoddart, one of the floral designers at Cochrane’s Panda Flowers, encourages brides to start planning for flowers as early as possible.
“Start shopping when you get the ring,” said Stoddart, who’s been in the floral business for about 30 years. “Don’t start buying, but start shopping.”
The sooner the planning begins, the more organized the big day will be, and the easier it will be to stick to a budget, she added.
Flowers are no different. Brides should come in to consultations armed with ideas for décor and bouquets. But Stoddart warned brides-to-be to look beyond the big day.
“I always ask brides what message they want their guests to leave with,” she said. “What do you envision in memories and photos?”
Don’t be afraid to test your florist, she said. She recommends clients ask a designer for references, to go visit the florist on a busy day to see how they handle stress, and to buy an arrangement from the shop.
But mostly, be ready to make decisions.
“If you’re organized, it really helps a floral consultation to be more effective,” she said. “Time is of value.”
Here are three trends for wedding flowers for 2014:
1) Hand tied bouquets: These multi-use bouquets have been gaining momentum over the years and show no signs of slowing down, said Elaine Pease, floral designer at Just For You Flowers and More.
She encouraged brides to think about the flowers post-wedding. Hand-tied bouquets provide a pretty, romantic look, but can also be tossed in a vase to admire after the ceremony.
2) Big and bold: Brides are looking for floral arrangements that make a statement, said Stoddart. This means big, open, full flowers, such as lilies, roses and peonies.
But don’t be afraid to stray from the trend, added Stoddart. Flower size should be dictated by the people and the environment. For instance, a few smaller centerpieces — each differing slightly — can create added visual interest in the décor. And a large bouquet may be a bit overwhelming on a petite bride.
3) Make it personal: “Do something different — a wedding is about who you are,” said Stoddart. “Stay away from the wedding books.”
These personal touches can be added in a number of ways, like combining favourite items from home into the décor, she continued.
In addition to décor, Pease said these personal touches can be added in to the bouquets. She’s had brides who have added brooches and jewels into their hand-held flowers, or who have attached small photographs of loved ones to the ribbon of a hand-tied bouquet.
