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Floral TrendsFind other tips & info in Articles and Information
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| We asked local Dallas flower pro Diana Miller Texas Master Florist and owner of Arrangements for Special Occasions to answer a few questions about floral trends for Dallas Forth Worth weddings. Here is what she had to say...
WW: What colors are you seeing and using? DM: Dallas area brides are using the deep jewel tones and vibrant colors for their weddings. The popular trend is bright colored flowers in the bridal bouquet and the bridesmaid’s bouquets. Currently there are very few requests for all-white bouquets. Pastels are usually seen as secondary or tertiary elements of the designs. Some Dallas brides prefer bouquets in all one color or perhaps two colors, always with natural greenery for contrast against their white or ivory gowns. Along with lively tones in the flowers, splashes of green such as hypericum berries, seeded eucalyptus, galax leaves or bupleurum provide a cool, contrasting textural touch. WW: What are the hot styles in bridal bouquets? DM: By far the most popular bridal bouquet style today is the round European hand-tied bouquet with the stems wrapped in ribbon to match the color of the gown. Dallas brides usually prefer the ‘mono-botanical’ look with the use of just one flower but in varying shades. Some girls like a garden mix of varieties and colors, which look best in Spring and Summer. Fall weddings are always fun, as there are so many materials available which are not in the marketplace at any other time of year. A few girls still request the teardrop-shaped cascade bouquet, particularly if their gowns have long trains. Dallas wedding flowers are available in a broad spectrum of varieties, styles and colors to create every bride’s dream on her special day. WW: Can you share some ideas for table centerpieces? DM: Since centerpieces can be a high cost item in the wedding floral budget, most brides select simple table decorations. The use of glass containers with a few floating flowers and a scattering of petals atop mirror tiles with votive candles provides a festive way to decorate at a cost-effective price point. A popular look today is the use of both high and low containers at the same reception. The key with tall containers is to keep them slender so the guests can see and converse with fellow guests around and across the table. 14” is the maximum height for a centerpiece for vision purposes. If you have a wedding theme, extend it in the centerpieces for a cohesive look. WW: Who in the wedding wears flowers? What types of flowers do you order for the family members and bridal party? DM: Customarily the men in the wedding party all wear boutonnieres. The exception is men in military uniform and clergy persons who wear robes; boutonnieres are never worn with uniforms or robes. Mothers and grandmothers of the bride and bridegroom usually wear corsages, either pinned to the upper left shoulder of the dress or as a wrist corsage. An alternative for those who do not wish to wear a body flower is to pin the corsage to the evening bag. Occasionally the mothers will prefer a small hand-held ‘posey.’ Brides may also wish to give a ‘presentation rose’ to mothers as part of the processional and recessional. If the bride desires to honor other family members, or spouses of members in the wedding party, these may also receive corsages and boutonnieres. It is a good idea to have small corsages and boutonnieres for guest book attendants and program attendants. When very young children are in the wedding party, it is preferable to use faux flowers rather than fresh. Very young boys may have their boutonnieres pinned with a safety pin rather than a boutonniere pin. Types of flowers for family members: Orchid corsages are popular for mothers and grandmothers, as they are long-lasting, available in compatible colors with the gowns, and are light weight to avoid pulling the dress out of shape. A single open rose is also formal and not overly heavy. Freesia can be used for both corsages and boutonnieres. Types of flowers for the bridal party: Roses still are the number one requested flower of Dallas brides, but orchids, gerbera daisies, lilies and stephanotis are also favorites. In Dallas, the rose boutonniere reigns supreme. Carnations, which used to be de riguer for boutonnieres, are no longer in favor for Dallas weddings. Remember that the bridegroom’s boutonniere, by tradition, should look as if it was plucked from the bride’s bouquet and pinned to his lapel. His boutonniere should be more important than the others in the wedding party, should utilize a variety from the bride’s bouquet, and can vary by color or with the inclusion of additional materials. WW: Can you share ways to save money. DM: The number one money saver is to limit the number of people in the wedding party. Too often when brides come to me for a consultation, they have already asked 5 or 6 girl friends to be their attendants, 5 or 6 groomsmen, plus ushers, flower girls and ring bearers. This immediately means a large flower bill. So keep your wedding party small to control costs. Other ideas: *Select a wedding venue which is already decorated, thus saving the need for altar arrangements. *If your house of worship uses floral decorations for holidays, a holiday wedding allows you to benefit from the plants which are already in place. *The exception is the month of February. Due to Valentine’s Day, the law of supply and demand means flowers are at the highest price of the year. *Spring and summer months are the most economical for weddings as more seasonal flowers are available than in winter. *If pew decorations are desired, limit them to the family pews only rather than the entire center aisle. *Ribbon pew bows are more economical than fresh flower arrangements; pew decorations may be eliminated altogether. *My favorite advice is to “pay once, use it twice:” take decorations from the ceremony to the reception. *In the same vein, I deliver bouquets in nice vases which can be taken to the reception and used to hold the bouquets as table centerpieces. *Some budget-minded brides watch for sales in the months before the wedding and provide their own containers for centerpieces or make their own centerpieces with faux flowers. These can be given to guests at the conclusion of the reception as mementos of the joyous occasion. *Making your own favors is also cost effective. One recent bride who requested fresh gerbera daisies in the bouquets made her favors using faux gerberas attached to pens; clusters of the pens in pretty vases decorated the guest book table and portrait table, and echoed the look of the fresh flowers. *If you are computer-savvy, you can produce your own ceremony programs rather than using a commercial printer. A popular look is to tie a simple bit of ribbon in your wedding color onto the program. WW: Can you describe some unique designs that you offer. DM: There are many ways to individualize bouquets. A favorite piece of family jewelry, an heirloom handkerchief, a rosary, a ‘something blue’ item or other token of sentimental significance can be incorporated into the bouquet. It is best to provide these to the florist prior to the wedding day so the items can be included as the bouquet is designed. Attempting to attach an item to an already-completed bouquet at the last minute before the ceremony when time is short is nerve-wracking for both the bride and the florist, and also delays the taking of pre-ceremony photographs. To personalize the bridal bouquet, the bride and bridegroom’s initials can be included by utilizing mini-jewels on the greenery or jeweled pins as part of the bouquet itself. Some flowers can be enhanced by the addition of bouquet jewels, a new item in today’s floral market. For personal flowers I favor the inclusion of unusual greeneries which provide a color contrast with the outfit being worn. During a wedding consultation, I discuss with the bride some ‘personal trademark’ touches which I use to make her wedding flowers unique. My gift to each bride is a complimentary Toss Bouquet which can be used to enhance the Guest Book Table at the ceremony and reception. I include a shower of ribbon streamers in the wedding colors, to float out behind the bouquet as it is tossed through the air. I always take along extra flowers, greenery and ribbons when delivering a wedding, to cover unexpected emergencies. As a service to the bride, her mother and the bridal party, I remain on site until the processional is complete, to assist with any last minute details that arise. When I float the bride’s train behind her and whisper “smile” as she starts down the aisle, there is a wonderful ‘mission accomplished’ feeling of having provided another memorable wedding for another happy bride. Biographical notes: Diana Miller is a Texas Master Florist with 30+ years of experience in the retail flower business. As owner of Arrangements for Special Occasions for over 20 years, Diana has focused on weddings as her primary interest, but enjoys designing everything from new baby door décor to special events and even custom sympathy designs. “If it’s a birthday, graduation, anniversary, ‘oops, I made her mad,’ or church altar flowers, I enjoy the process of customizing to the client’s special request.” Diana studied all phases of floral design and shop operation at Texas A&M University in the Horticulture Department’s well known Buddy Benz School of Floral Design. Her TMF certification was earned by passing 12 specialized classes offered by the Texas State Florist’s Association, each followed by an individual examination and a final comprehensive exam based on both theory and practicum. “Each client brings a fresh set of requirements with her event order, which presents a challenge to personalize and keeps my creativity stimulated and fresh.” Diana Miller, Texas Master Florist Dallas, TX (972) 239-8872 |
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Comments:
By: Jill
Very comprehensive, credible information. Thanks Diana and WeddingWishes for finding it.