Falling for Florals
Oftentimes in the midst of hectic wedding planning, it’s important to take some time, stop, and smell the roses. We mean this literally, of course, because fabulous florals can serve as the cherry on top of your big day. They can really give your wedding that extra “nudge” to push the aesthetic and beauty over the top, and embody the exact vibes you are going for! There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing your wedding florals, though. And as we head into one of our favorite seasons for flowers, we thought it would be appropriate to bring in the experts to better understand all things fall-florals, and things to keep in mind when defining your vision.
Enter Gail, owner, designer, and consultant from The Stem’s End Floral Co! We were lucky enough to have the opportunity to sit down with her and pick her brain about what she’s excited about for Autumn, her thoughts when designing one of our favorite weddings, and her advice for couples curious about florals! Read on for our exclusive interview with her.
Tell us a bit about flowers that are in season for a fall wedding.
Fall is such an exciting time as a florist because local flowers are thriving! I’m a huge fan of dahlias and zinnias which are still in abundance in the fall and available from local flower farms.
The Stackhouse-Johnson wedding featured some of our favorite autumn florals to date. Can you tell us about your vision for Colby and Tyler’s florals?
Rich fall tones with as many local flowers as possible! We were able to use so many stunning dahlias from local flower farms. We went with a lush floral focus and not many greens. I think this gives everything such a luxurious saturated look.
Do you foresee any unique fall floral trends as we head into the official fall season?
It is interesting I’m seeing two trends and they are polar opposites. We are designing a lot of very dark and moody fall weddings as well as light and bright neutral fall. Both are so elegant but very different!
What’s the best way to pick your wedding flowers and define your vision?
I’m a big believer in going with what you love! Look for inspiration that gets you excited for your wedding day and that feels true to your personal style. The beauty of working with a skilled florist is that you don’t need to stress about knowing what flowers in particular you need or what is in season. Based on your inspiration photos your florist will help guide you through what would be best. Of course always mention if you have a personal favorite flower you would like included. If you love your florist’s style I suggest letting them run with your vision, you will be much happier with the final product!
How early should couples book a florist?
If you are wanting to work with more of a boutique style florist that only takes on a limited amount of weddings, I would consider trying to book 12-18 months out. It is typically helpful to have at least your date, venue, and general colors and aesthetic chosen before talking to a florist. We leave a lot of room for revisions throughout the planning process. We completely understand that our clients will most likely make changes. There is no stress to have things fully figured out when booking.
Do you have any tips on how to repurpose wedding flowers?
I definitely suggest booking with a floral preservation specialist ahead of time. These services can book out up to a year in advance. I love the versatility of pressed flowers or resin designs. If you aren’t married to the idea of preserving your bouquet as a whole, I love when bits and pieces are used in smaller pieces. The resin mold with pressed flowers to hold your ring is my personal favorite!
Whether chock full of greenery, or bursting with vibrant colors, your wedding flowers help set the tone for your big day and allow you to express yourself. We are so grateful to Gail and The Stem’s End for helping their couples do just that, and for sharing their sage advice with us!
Photo Credit:
Kate Neal Photography + Jensen Photography
