When you walk into a wedding reception or ceremony what is the first thing you notice? It could be beautiful décor like vintage couches or interesting tables. It could be interesting architecture that is rustic, modern, or mid-century. It could be the bride if you can catch a glimpse of her in her gown. It could be many things, but chances are flowers and floral arrangements are high on everyone’s list.
You’ll notice the floral centerpieces or the garlands running across the table or the extraordinary floral décor at the altar – whether drawing the eye or the nose, there are so many opportunities to creatively use floral arrangements to make your event memorable that we couldn’t possibly describe them all here in a short blog post.
We think you’ll find little argument that florals are one of the most important elements of a wedding celebration. As such, you’ll want to put some effort and careful consideration into the selection of your floral arrangements regardless of the season or your budget or preference for live or life-like flowers.
The Case for Live Florals
The Case for Live Florals
Live flowers bring an undeniable authenticity to your wedding. There’s something truly special about the look, feel, and smell of real blooms. However, there are some important considerations to keep in mind:
- Fragility: Live flowers can be easily damaged during transport, setup, and even by guests.
- Cost: Real flowers, especially those out of season, can be expensive.
- Environmental Impact: The floral industry can have a significant carbon footprint due to transportation and resource usage.
But the biggest advantage of real flowers? Their fragrance.
- Scent and Memory: Smell is powerfully linked to memory and emotion. The fragrance of your wedding flowers can create lasting and cherished memories for you and your guests.
Finding the Right Florist:
To minimize the drawbacks of live flowers, it’s crucial to work with a skilled florist. They can:
- Source high-quality, in-season blooms.
- Handle and arrange flowers with expertise to minimize damage.
- Advise on the best flower choices for your venue and budget.
Ultimately, the decision between live and life-like flowers depends on your priorities and budget. Let’s talk about the life-like alternatives.
An Alternative Solution
They’re crafted from materials like silk and latex, making them incredibly realistic—you might have to look twice to tell the difference!
And you don’t have to sacrifice fragrance. Many life-like options can be infused with scents using essential oils, allowing you to create those lasting scent memories.
Here’s why you might want to consider life-like flowers for your wedding:
- Unbelievably durable: No wilting or damage during transport and handling. Whether it’s a hot summer day or a chilly winter evening, life-like flowers will hold their shape and beauty. This is especially beneficial for outdoor weddings or destination weddings where climate control might be a concern.
- Sustainable choice: Requires less transportation and resources, and they can be reused. Life-like flowers contribute to a lower carbon footprint, and many are made from recycled materials. Plus, they can be rented or repurposed after your wedding, minimizing waste.
- Budget-friendly: Often less expensive than real flowers, with the option to rent. Life-like flowers offer significant cost savings, especially if you’re dreaming of elaborate arrangements or out-of-season blooms. Renting is an even more budget-friendly option that allows you to achieve a luxurious look without the hefty price tag.
Life-like flowers offer a beautiful, practical, and sustainable option for your wedding. Just be sure to choose high-quality options to ensure a truly elegant look. Look for flowers with realistic textures, vibrant colors, and botanically accurate details. With a little research, you can find life-like flowers that are virtually indistinguishable from the real thing.
What Flowers When?
We spoke just above about the seasonality of some flowers and that can be an important part of your decision making from both a monetary and aesthetic perspective.
If you have chosen live florals, ordering in-season flowers ensures you’ll get the freshest and most vibrant product available while at the same time saving you the expense of sourcing and importing out of season and hard to find floral products.
If you have chosen life-like flowers, you may still want to stay in season depending on the theme and look you want for your wedding. Of course, staying in-season is a very personal choice and one where you should be afraid to break with the season or with tradition if your vision calls for it. Regardless, here are some tips for flowers through the seasons:
Spring
· Pale flowers are more dominant, so think of softer colors, such as the pinks, yellows, and whites found in calla lilies, peonies, and hyacinths. However, if you love brighter colors, yellow is also available during this season, so consider daffodils and tulips.
Summer
· The warmer the weather, the brighter the colors! If you’re looking to bring some color to your big day, sunflowers and hydrangeas can help with that. However, summer also yields a variety of shapes of flowers, which lends itself to beautiful wildflower-like bouquets.
Fall
· Transitioning from warmer weather to cooler weather brings out the best of the floral world. This season combines the energetic colors of summer with the warmer tones of the cooler seasons, offering many combinations of colors and sizes of flowers. Consider mixing the dainty baby’s breath with the solid characteristics of roses and chrysanthemum.
Winter
· This season is characterized by deep and warm colors of floral, found in plants such as eucalyptus, holly and jasmine.
And that is just a taste of the many, many options available! We encourage you to engage a florist that is professional and specializes in weddings and events. That professional can help you decide between live and life-like, seasonality, and getting the best bang for your buck.
Best wishes for what is sure to be one of the best and most beautiful days of your life!