Wedding We have a flower expert? Fantastic!

[MaggieB]

Hello Gypsy (and all you other flower experts!)

I am having a winter wedding on December 6 in a riverside chapel in South Carolina. (Here''s the link to look at the chapel if it helps. http://www.palmettobluffresort.com/PDF/WeddingBro_m3_5_06.pdf


The event planner told me that most people do VERY little in flowers because of the view inside the chapel. However, I saw some pictures from the same chapel that I do not know how to explain. They were hanging from the light fixtures (I think) and they reminded me of snow. I thought they might look pretty for winter.

Anyway, if anyone has any ideas, I would love them. I haven''t decided my colors yet, but probably just winter white with a little bit of beigey gold, not gold lame gold. I was considering having the flower girls carry deep red flowers just to add a bit of bold Christmas color to the scheme.

I was also considering having a candlelight ceremony.

 

[Gypsy]

Hi Maggie,

I have some nice pics of some winter white bouquets. And some red winter bouquets that could done smaller for BMs. I think your idea is lovely. For winter I think using some herbs in the bouquets is lovely too. Silver sage, especially. I'll post some pics this weekend.

As for the snow like flowers... that could be anything from baby's breath to orchids, so I'm at a loss without a pic. If you located one, I'd be happy to help. Anything that hangs from a ceiling may require more than a florist. It may require a designer working with a florist, so that might be something to consider.

By beigey gold-- are you thinking like a deep champagne? It would be lovely to have the bouquets tied with wide double faced satin ribbon in that color.

Candlelight is lovely. Will the chapel allow it? Would you still do bouquets for the BMs or would you do candles or lanterns?

 

[Gypsy]

Okay. So, I PERSONALLY cannot imagine having a wedding at a time of year where Peonies are available and not get them in my bouquet.

For a ''winter white'' bouquet I would do peonies and ranunculus and maybe some roses (but maybe not).

Here are bouquets.

Solid ivory peonies (you can so WHITE WHITE as well, but you said winter white, which means off-white to me) and lily of the valley (pricey and maybe hard to get, but the ultimate brides flower.

 

[Gypsy]

Solid ivory ranunculus.

 

[Gypsy]

Seeded Eucalyptus is a great winter green. Here it is with some Akito roses, hygrangea and stephanotis.

 

[Gypsy]

For BMs. I LOVE this amarylis bouquet. So subtly Christmasy and elegant. It''s got china berries and red roses too. You could totally do this smaller for BMs.

 

[Gypsy]

You said DEEP red. This could be done (much) smaller for BMs too, as a posey. Callas and black magic roses.

Will post more later. John is being grumpy. Very grumpy.

 

[MaggieB]

Thanks Gypsy! I LOVE all of your ideas! What is your background? Are you currently a florist? The peony bouquet is stunning, but I love the red ones too.

As far as the "snow" flower, the flower itself didn''t look like snow, it just gave me a snowy-wintery feeling seeing them cascade from the ceiling. I''m so sorry, I have tried to isolate the picture to show you but it''s in a slideshow and I can''t figure out how to do it. If you feel like looking through the slideshow, here''s the link: http://www.tracylovesdoug.com/ It''s long, but the photography is stunning.

I will keep trying to find a link with just the hanging flowers though.

Oh, and yes, I have confirmed that the chapel will allow candlelight.

Thanks again!

 

[ladyciel]

Date: 5/23/2008 11:27:10 PM
Author: Gypsy
Okay. So, I PERSONALLY cannot imagine having a wedding at a time of year where Peonies are available and not get them in my bouquet.


For a ''winter white'' bouquet I would do peonies and ranunculus and maybe some roses (but maybe not).


Here are bouquets.


Solid ivory peonies (you can so WHITE WHITE as well, but you said winter white, which means off-white to me) and lily of the valley (pricey and maybe hard to get, but the ultimate brides flower.

Gypsy, that peonies bouquet is GORGEOUS. I had no clue they were available in December. I think I''ve always heard they''re a summer flower.

 

[gwendolyn]

Date: 5/24/2008 10:37:54 AM
Author: MaggieB
Thanks Gypsy! I LOVE all of your ideas! What is your background? Are you currently a florist? The peony bouquet is stunning, but I love the red ones too.


As far as the ''snow'' flower, the flower itself didn''t look like snow, it just gave me a snowy-wintery feeling seeing them cascade from the ceiling. I''m so sorry, I have tried to isolate the picture to show you but it''s in a slideshow and I can''t figure out how to do it. If you feel like looking through the slideshow, here''s the link: http://www.tracylovesdoug.com/ It''s long, but the photography is stunning.


I will keep trying to find a link with just the hanging flowers though.


Oh, and yes, I have confirmed that the chapel will allow candlelight.


Thanks again!

Here you go!

 

[gwendolyn]

And one more...

 

[gwendolyn]

Last one. Tried to get a detail shot for you but that''s the best I could do.

 

[CJ2008]

mini-threadjack/comment: gwendolyn, 1. July 14 is my sister''s birthday. 2. LOVE that quote! haha

 

[MaggieB]

Gosh Gwendolyn thanks! I love you!

What is your dissertation on?

Maggie

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Maggie, I think your wedding location is just beautiful (I am from SC)! Honestly, I think the hanging flowers are almost too much. That chapel is so beautiful and elegant. I''d make the flowers as simple as possible.

 

[gwendolyn]

Author: claudinam
mini-threadjack/comment: gwendolyn, 1. July 14 is my sister''s birthday. 2. LOVE that quote! haha

Hehehe, well, if I am not comatose on the 14th, I will wish your sister a very happy birthday.

Author: MaggieB

Gosh Gwendolyn thanks! I love you!


What is your dissertation on?


Maggie

No problem, Maggie! I am writing about a research project I did last month on elementary teachers'' perceptions and understandings of inclusive education.

 

[dogmama]

No problem, Maggie! I am writing about a research project I did last month on elementary teachers'' perceptions and understandings of inclusive education.

Gwendolyn, I''m a CTT special ed teacher in NYC. What sort of findings did you get? I teach 4th grade, and I''ve found that many other teachers have interesting opinions on inclusion.

 

[Gypsy]

Hi Maggie, those are orchids, dendrobium orchids. Lots of ivy and stuff it there. I have to say that I agree with DS that I think the florals are distracting and a bit over the top the way there are done in the pics. I love your chapel and would, personally, do something a little more understated.

Lady C-- Australia and New Zeland! Peonies are available, they will be expensive and imported... but they are available. The only time of year it's REALLY REALLY REALLY hard to get them is September just before and just after. (Just my luck!). I just love peonies.

Maggie I'm an attorney who works with contracts, but for years (while I was in school) I worked for florists, and love flowers.

Here's a cool pic, IMO... of a winter wonderland scene. I know you didn't say anything about reception, but I've this pic for a while and been waiting to post it, and this seems as good a time as any! lol.

 

[Gypsy]

All white reception pics.

 

[ladyciel]

Date: 5/24/2008 4:09:25 PM
Author: Gypsy
Lady C-- Australia and New Zeland! Peonies are available, they will be expensive and imported... but they are available. The only time of year it''s REALLY REALLY REALLY hard to get them is September just b

Drat! Our wedding is the week before yours, I believe. Though, maybe it''s a good thing...no temptation to spend the crazy money to have them flown in...

 

[Gypsy]

JCrow's wedding was in September and her bouquet was all peonies. It is possible. But it can be very pricey, and it's not something most florists I spoke to will commit to absolutely being able to do in advance. At least, not for a reasonable price. Two of them I spoke to said for 450 for the bouquet, they could pretty much guarantee it. I'm not paying anywhere NEAR that much, nor am I willing to. Mine knows my first choice is for white peonies in my bouquet (along with the other things I want in there) IF they are available, but if they aren't we've already talked abouted substituting Polo roses which are large ecuadorian roses that look peony like when open. They can be as large is 4 inches in diameter when open so they are a good alternative. I'd talk to your florist about it. The problem with September is that it's early spring in New Z. and Austral. and late summer/early fall here. Late October they start becoming available again from what I understand.

 

[Rhea]

Date: 5/23/2008 11:28:39 PM
Author: Gypsy
Solid ivory ranunculus.

Tell me more about these flowers, please!! They''re winter flowers?

 

[Gypsy]

Date: 5/25/2008 5:00:48 PM
Author: Addy

Date: 5/23/2008 11:28:39 PM
Author: Gypsy
Solid ivory ranunculus.

Tell me more about these flowers, please!! They''re winter flowers?

Yes, winter and spring. They are like small firm peonies. I just love them. They come in a TON of colors too, bright yellows, oranges, pinks, fushia, deep red. They are quite wonderful.

I''ll post another white bouquet with them in a couple of minutes (my computer has to be re-booted).

 

[Gypsy]

This is another winter white bouquet. It's got mixed flowers: ivory roses, ranunculus, stephanotis and that silver stuff is called dusty miller. Also has some rosemary or something I think. And seeded eucalyptus as well.

 

[Gypsy]

Maggie, I also found this red bouquet which I thought was lovely. I''ve seen red tulips like those at christmas, and have used them in holiday arrangements, so they shouldn''t be too difficult to get (just standard tulips, not dutch or french or parrot or anything fancy). Plus its got seeded euc. I think this would be really lovely for a winter wedding like yours.

 

[Gypsy]

All ivory peony and just large and in charge and SO bridal.

 

[MaggieB]

Thanks ladies for your honest opinions I think I just thought that if I was doiing candles down the aisles, where would I put flowers? Then I saw the hanging floral arrangement and they did seem wintery to me. Anyway, I agree that it is kind of over the top. I was thinking of doing a scaled down version, but if you guys think I shouldn''t, hey - that''s just more money saved to spend elsewhere! What would you do as far as chapel flowers with the candlelight ceremony?

Also - Gypsy, I''m a little bit confused trying to read your emails to the other girls. Are peonies available in the winter in the southern U.S.? Are you saying that you think it will run $450 for a bouquet? Honestly I haven''t priced a single bouquet and maybe that is what to expect, but it definitely seems pricier than I guessed! Maybe I can afford my peony bouquet with all of the money I''m saving from the hanging arrangement

 

[Gypsy]

I''m sorry for the threadjack Maggie.

About the peonies:

I think if they are in season a reasonably sized bouquet (smaller than the last solid ivory one, that would run you serious bank as it is huge) of peonies should run you a few hundred dollars. Lets say 250-300 for winter since they have to be imported.

The 450 what I was qouted for FIVE stems of peonies added to my bouquet-- which runs WITHOUT the peonies about 150-200. So that''s a price increase of over 200 dollars for five stems of very hard to find peonies IN SEPTEMBER. Which is almost complete OUT of season for peonies.

Yes, nixing the orchids would save you a ton of money. If I were estimating that orchid snow thing... it would be anywhere from several hundred to over a thousand. They are large, time consuming peices (stringing orchids like that) and will require a lot of set up at the chapel... and set up costs a lot of money. As for southern US versus anywhere else in the US for availability of peonies in December, it will depend on your florist''s distributer and importer. They ARE available though, but will have to be imported.

 

[MaggieB]

Gypsy, please don''t apologize for the threadjack. I greatly appreciate all of your help and I also appreciate it when people ask further questions in a thread I start that perhaps I hadn''t thought to ask yet. I did not mean to give you the impression that I was irritated (if I did give you that impression). I literally just couldn''t understand the cost. Thanks for clearing it up for me.

Well I had already ruled out the hanging flowers from the earlier comments, but now they are super duper ruled out!

Feel free to come back and post pics if you ever come across any ideas for the candlelight thing. Meanwhile, if I find pics, I''ll post them to get your opinions

 

[Gypsy]

No worries Maggie. If I run accross ideas for candlelight I will definitely let you know.