By Grace McDonald of Flower Clvb
It’s finally time for your wedding. You’ve been engaged for what feels like half your life after postponing at least twice and now it’s here! All is well in paradise until your florist messages you saying the blush roses that are going to make your dream day perfectly special are unavailable. Oof “unavailable,” I just hate that word, don’t you? If you are a bride who has received a message about flower sourcing and availability, you are in good company.
While there are indeed flower shortages across the globe, I am here to say that beautiful flowers ARE alive and accessible to you and your florist for your wedding. They might not be the exact flowers you had originally hoped for but they will certainly be just as, if not more enchanting. As a florist who goes to great lengths, seeking out unique varieties for my clients, I can assure you that the arrangements I can design for your wedding with alternative blooms will be extraordinarily breathtaking. That is always my goal.
Below I want to share some tips for brides who are navigating florals during this season but before I begin, I want to explain why some flowers are proceeded by that icky word, “unavailable.” Flowers are in high demand right now since everyone from last year and this year is getting married at the same time. On top of that there are major transportation delays due to weather and staffing shortages. So many variables go into getting a bloom from field to bouquet and so that is why I want to offer some encouragement and assure you that there is an abundance of flowers ready to make your wedding memorable and breathtaking.
10 Tips for Brides Navigating Floral Shortages.
Don’t panic! Take a deep breath and remember why you are getting married. Think about the aesthetic elements that are most important to you. If it is a color then focus on the color palette. If it is a particular flower, then exercise some flexibility in color. Perhaps we need so sub a rose for a dahlia. Are they different? Yes, but are they both beautiful? 100%!
Identify the words you would use to define your wedding. Express those to your florist. In considering words, think about the style of the space where you are getting married. If you are getting married in a mansion or ballroom perhaps, “elegance,” or “classic” might be some of the descriptions you choose. If your wedding is in a refurbished warehouse or brewery, perhaps you are going for a more “industrial” or “modern” look. Of course any of these terms can describe your vision for a variety of spaces but sharing these words with your florist will help them understand the kinds of flowers, textures and shapes that will achieve the look you are envisioning.
Prioritize color palette over specific blooms when you can. If you have an image reference, talk with your florist about the particular tints and tones that you like about that image and trust your florist to find them in the flowers that are available.
Solidify, shape, texture and mood. The shape and spiral sensation of a rose can be found in ranunculus or certain carnations. The size and impact of a round focal flower can be accomplished in dahlias, peonies or even mums to name a few. While we would love for Poppies to grow all year, perhaps an anemone, zinnia, reflexed tulip or lisianthus can do the job. In this process you might discover a new flower that you love even more than the original.
Pivot your neutrals toward a monochromatic path. Follow your neutrals and see what colors they lead to. If you were going for more beige neutrals perhaps they will lead you into some peachy hues. If you were thinking grey, consider incorporating shades of purples and plums. A white and green wedding looks lovely, with creams, and even buttery yellows. Or….
Go all out on color! When I was getting married I was so afraid to include color, fearing I would regret it but you will never regret color done well. Think about what you normally wear outside of your wedding day. Are you someone who enjoys muted tones or do you like to wear color? If your fashion sense involves lots of vibrant tints than color is important to you. Do not sequester that on your wedding day.
Incorporate seasonal blooms. Sometimes when people think of seasonal blooms they think of farmers market flowers. But local flowers can achieve any look from classic, traditional to modern and wild. Even if your theme is elegant, often the design style and shape of flower is what makes the difference in accomplishing a particular look.
Think Local! If you care about climate change, ask your florist for local flowers. Buying flowers seasonally and locally lifts an incredible burden off florists, as well as the earth’s resources. If demand switched from imported to local flowers than the carbon footprint of flowers would decrease significantly. Floral foam is not the only pressure on the earth, it’s also pesticides, transportation, bleach, etc.
Make a plan A, B and C: If you are getting married in this uncertain state of the world, I am sure you are also well acquainted with making back up or alternative plans. When it comes to flowers that you love, work with your florist to come up with multiple options that mirror some of the blooms you love. It is important that you communicate with your florist about the reasons why a particular flower is special to you and then together as a team, you can identify flowers that fit just as well.
Trust your florist! Remember, you chose your florist for a reason. They are working hard for you and want your wedding to be beautiful. While I cannot speak for every florist in the industry, do know that floral design is an industry full of passionate and caring designers and artists who care both for you and the earth.
Your flowers are here and they are waiting to shine for you!
