Wedding Flowers & Decorations

This week we visited the very talented and popular designers of Uptown Blossoms in Anchorage, Alaska to talk wedding flowers and decorations.

Q: What trends do you see that our stylish brides will want to be aware of?

A: We are seeing a few exciting trends emerging internationally and from the lower 48 including a movement towards looser arrangements and free-form cascades. Flowers from all over the world are being mixed in arrangements and it is more about the color and texture than the particular flowers. Mason jars are definitely out.   Carnations and mums are coming back into style.

Q: How early should couples come in for a consultation?

A: Even if a couple is not quite ready to put down a deposit, it is a good idea to visit with a designer to go over floral arrangements and decorations to begin a plan and more importantly, get an estimate. Doing this early in the planning process will help couples stay on track with budgeting. Also keep in mind that arrangements can take quite a bit of time to create.   If you are planning a large event, you will want to book your favorite florist early so that they can block off that time in their schedule for you.

Q: What can couples do before their consultation to get the most out of their visit with the designer?

A: Know your budget for floral arrangements and decorations. Also knowing your theme, colors, and (unexpected) the flowers you DO NOT like is important and helpful. Flowers are perishable and substitutions sometimes necessary. Knowing what flowers to stay away from helps your designer make choices you will still love. If you want a specific flower, consider choosing a wedding date in that flower’s season. Out of season flowers can be difficult to procure from international sources and shipping to Alaska has it’s own inherent risks.

Q: What are some additional considerations for couples?

A: Keep in mind that arrangements for decorations often include rentals of containers, arches, etc. If you are not using an event coordinator, be sure to appoint a friend or family member to return these items to avoid additional costs. If you are considering skipping the delivery, remember that arrangements are often packed for transport in large boxes that may not fit into some vehicles. Remember that in addition to safe transport to your venue, the florist will also setup and fix onsite any potential issues that could have happened during travel.

Q: What advise can you give to the DIY couple?

A: Floral arrangement is more time consuming and difficult than it appears. If you are thinking of doing this yourself, make sure you know what flowers will be available on your date and do a trial run a couple months ahead of time. If your cousin’s best friend has offered to make your arrangements, ask her to make you a sample. Being prepared to avoid any additional stress on your special day is the key to the DIY event.

We asked the pros what their favorite arrangements would include by theme:

CLASSIC		Colors in peach, pink, white and cream with soft textures and silver gray foliage.
GARDEN		Arrangements would be of wildflowers with natural accents in free form and hand-tied shapes.
VINTAGE		Softer textures and colors in creams and ivory with pops of burgundy with heirloom and keepsake accents like broaches, buttons, vintage books, locks and keys.   Consider tucking a small photo of parents on their wedding day into a bouquet.
RUSTIC		Similar to a garden arrangement but incorporate more wood, berries, branches, and other elements you would find in nature.
MODERN		A highly structured and monochromatic arrangement with metallic or gray accents. Any color may be featured and any type of flower in this color.

Here are some additional suggestions for seasonal flowers and elements:

SPRING		Daisies, freesia, and bulb flowers are fresh choices for spring.
SUMMER		Peonies continue to be a popular summer choice.
FALL		The focus in fall is on color and textures like berries and thistle.
WINTER		Evergreens, berries, metallics are beautiful choices. Pro TIP:  Avoid white arrangements that will blend and get lost against a white dress and white snow.

Pro TIP:

Find a designer you trust and whose work you love then approach your floral design with an open-mind. Allowing your designer some flexibility can result in really special arrangements that may not have been possible if they had been given a very limited choice of flowers to work with. Some very beautiful flowers have very short growing seasons and if your designer has the latitude to include those rare blooms when available, your arrangements can be quite spectacular and unique.

Bonus Pro TIP:

Avoid selecting bouquet colors in the same hue as the gowns (bride and bridesmaids) because the bouquets will get lost against the dresses in the photos. The pop of another theme color in the bouquets will be lovely and photograph beautifully.

We had a fantastic visit with two talented design managers, Hope and Brian, of Uptown Blossoms and we know you are loving their tips just as much as we are!

Uptown Blossoms is located at 242 West 34^th Ave in Anchorage, Alaska and features two AIFD certified designers. They deliver statewide and can even ship to the more remote corners of Alaska so give them a call at 907.561.7673 or stop by their lovely shop in Anchorage.

Next week:  Choosing your wedding photographer (a subject dear to our hearts)!

Happy planning!

Elegante Light Photography

Visit our Pinterest site for more creative ideas or schedule a consultation with us to help create you special day.