Flowers help make your wedding ceremony and reception unforgettable. More than decoration, they help express who you are as a couple. Most brides have never designed an event before, so it pays to work with a professional florist to sort through the options and help bring your vision to life.
Raleigh Perfect Wedding Guide recently visited Raleigh-Durham florist,
Gary O’Connor, owner of
Flowers by Gary, to ask questions about choosing flowers for your wedding. Read on to find great tips on wedding flowers for your wedding.
What are some of the really big trends this season in florals?The color trends we’re seeing bride gravitate toward are your purples, shades of blue, shades of pink, and shades of green. As for trends in centerpieces, lots of simple, elegant arrangements in glass containers.
Do you have any out-of-the box ideas for ceremony flowers for Raleigh-Durham brides?One really great idea is to use dual purpose arrangements—designs that can be moved from ceremony site to reception.
What are some alternate bouquet wraps and adornments for florals?We like to use sentimental and romantic objects such as lace, broaches, and earrings and attach it to the ribbon wrap. We also use lace from the bride’s mother's wedding dress. And, the popular Pearl setting wrapped around stems. For beach weddings, sea shells are another really great item to incorporate onto the bouquet stem.
What are some vase alternatives for centerpiece arrangements?You can use every day or “common” items such as mason jars, small metal rain buckets, clay pots of various sizes, tablescapes of glass wear and candles. Also, consider decorative fruits and veggies such as pumpkins, gourds, apples and melons.
Any tips for boutonnieres? Most guys don't want to wear flowers, so one way to ease a bit of floral embellishments to the tux or suit is to use grass, berries, thistle, and variegated greenery or pocket squares in lapel pockets or ribbon loops.
What are some budget-saving tips Raleigh-Durham brides can use when selecting wedding flowers? Find multiple uses for your wedding florals—arrangements that can go from ceremony to reception. Another budget-friendly tip: provide your own containers for centerpieces and have the florist simply arrange it for you. Also, be aware of the “high season”. Booking on holidays and special weekends (Valentine’s Day, Mother's Day), will certainly cost you more in the long run.
Gary O’Connor is the owner of Flowers by Gary located in Durham, N.C. He is a North Carolina Certified Professional Florist since 1993 and has worked in the industry for over 22 years and is currently the director for the North Carolina State Florist Association Board.