Ask the Expert – Wedding Flowers: Boutique Blooms

Articles, Planning & Advice

You’ll soon find out that your wedding flowers are the one key element of your day that bring all your planning and wedding look together. Today in our quest to help your planning go as easily as possible we’ve been chatting to Rebecca from Boutique Blooms in Swords all about achieving your perfect wedding flowers, and choosing the right florist!

Flower Expert, Boutique Blooms

Rebecca

About Rebecca, Boutique Blooms, Swords:

Here at Boutique Blooms I ensure all attention is paid to every detail of your big day. My attention to detail drove people mad in my past career but now it’s what sets me apart. This precision makes your wedding the most amazing day of your life. When working with me you can rest assured nothing will be overlooked. I incorporate the personality of the Bride and Groom and in many cases the whole family. Boutique Blooms tailor-makes all packages to ensure your wedding is simply perfect. No request is too big or too small. I support couples who want to raise the bar and wow their guests – these requests are what keeps my passion alive.

Flower Expert, Boutique Blooms

Q: How do brides choose their florist, have you any simple secrets to share?

A: Unfortunately, there is no secret to picking a florist. It’s simply find a style you like and find a local florist that can work in that style. Local can be either close to you or close to the venue. Close to you is easier for face to face meetings and updates. Close to the venue may mean they are familiar with it and may reduce delivery costs. Meet the florist, you will know if they are the right fit for you and your wedding after a consultation. Look at the florists’ portfolio and ask if they are familiar with your venue. Ask questions, a good florist will be able to answer most or point you in the right direction.

Q: How can a bride explain her dream look to her florist?

A: The best way to explain your dream wedding is to supply photos, mood boards or images and lots of them. Think style and colour as there is a million shades of pink so we need to ensure it’s dusky pink and not shocking pink. The images will also portray texture and this is very important to achieve the right look a bride wants.

I find brides either know what flowers they like or want a lot of direction. For the more decisive bride a few images will suffice but if you’re not sure, bring plenty of pictures. A trained eye will be able to see the common thread between them and put together exactly what you are looking for.

Q: What happens at a floral consultation, what should brides expect?

A: Consultations are all slightly different depending on the florist and the client. They should all result in the same outcome. Both parties will have a clear idea of the style and colour palette for the wedding. They will both know exactly what products are required and where they will be delivered to.

During my consultations I work off a list of set questions, this helps us ensure we don’t forget anything. I find using this allows my couples to consider options they may not have thought about or overlooked initially. We discuss each aspect, bridal flowers, church and venue flower etc. I will refer to pictures and the bride will share pictures too. Sometimes it takes a bit of digging to find out what exactly it is they like about each picture, but this is all part of getting to know each couple. I will make recommendations based on the venue and dresses etc. they have already chosen. It is like a two-way interview and collaboration all rolled into one.

Flower Expert, Boutique Blooms

Flower Expert, Boutique Blooms

Q: In season flowers, should brides choose them, and are all flowers not readily available these days?

A: I would recommend using in season flowers where possible. There are two reasons, quality will always be better when in season. The second reason is cost, if something is readily available the cost goes down. When in season they have less travel to do which can affect the condition and the cost of transport will be a factor.

Having said that, if you have your heart set on a flower I would recommend to go for it. Almost everything is available maybe with the exception of Peonies, but your florist will be able to advise and recommend alternatives.

Q: Floral style – should you choose a florist whose style you love, or can they adapt to suit you?

A: I would always recommend going with a florist whose style you love. This is their natural style and they will be comfortable and confident delivering your dream flowers.

Most florists can adapt so ask if they have worked in that style in the past and if they have pictures. Florists tend to share pictures of their work they love and unbeknownst to them it might all be in one palette or style, so don’t be afraid to ask.

Flower Expert, Boutique Blooms

Justin and Jordyn wedding Captured by Sean and Kate

Q: What floral trends should we be looking out for in the coming months?

A: For 2018/2019, understated and nature are the trends I see. I think foliage will be big. Simplicity in colour is invigorated with texture and flow. Natural greens with berries and thistle are no longer under appreciated. They bring an edge to the wedding while not overshadowing the dress or venue.

Muted tones of pinks and peach will also feature big in 2018/2019, these work really well for the more, soft romantic styled wedding.

Q: The floral must-have for 2018?

A: Cascading bouquets are back with a bang. They work for every venue and setting and can be big or small. Once it cascades it’s bang on trend!

Q: What details will my florist want to know about my day?

A: From a design perspective your florist will need to know your colour palette first and foremost. Finer details like the dress and the venue décor can impact the style of bouquet and flowers recommended. City venue can mean funky, bright colour and tropical flowers; country house can be soft shades, deconstructed and romantic look.

Practically your florist will need to know timings and locations to ensure delivery and set up will all be completed on time. Quantities are important, table numbers and pew ends. Having the exact requirements will help get the most accurate price.

Q: Repurposing flowers? Could bridesmaids bouquets be successfully reused as table centres at a July wedding? What varieties of flowers would be robust enough for this?

A: I would recommend repurposing flowers were possible but make sure you talk to your florist about this during consultation. The florist can recommend what stems will work best and what products will transfer well. Bouquets are not reliable to repurpose as they are out of water all day and the heat of your hands, plus outside factors will accelerate their decline. I would recommend using church flowers in your venue. These are usually in containers or oasis and have a good chance of looking equally well when moved.

Flower Expert, Boutique Blooms

Five secret floral tips

  1. When your bouquets are delivered on the morning of the wedding put them in the coolest place. It can be very warm where a bride is getting ready and the heat can affect the flowers.
  2. Use a colour palette instead of sticking to one shade. Flowers are natural and will come in slightly different shades; embrace this to avoid colour clash.
  3. Mix up your table centrepieces. This detail can look very luxurious and the additional detail is very pleasing to the eye.
  4. Book your florist as soon as possible especially if you are having a Christmas wedding or over a bank holiday weekend. Florists book up very quickly around these dates. Many florists take time off over Christmas, so you might find it hard to book your first choice.
  5. If I can give one piece of advice to a bride, it’s don’t be influenced by others. Everyone has different weddings. Stay true to who you are and have the day that most reflects this.