As promised on Monday, Meredith Waga-Perez of Belle Fleur answered a few questions about floral embellishments for your wedding. So without further ado...
Darcy: We’ve been seeing a lot of garden-style bouquets -- bunches of simply arranged flowers that look fresh-picked. Is that a new trend?
Meredith: Yes, I think the current trend leans towards a looser, slightly more hand-picked style of bouquet. We're still focusing on feature flowers, like peonies or garden roses, but the accent flowers, such as tweetia and sweetpea, are not as tightly clustered together; there's breathing room between the blooms. There are also some pretty amazing varieties of foliage that add wonderful texture to a floral composition. The bouquets are much more graceful and organic.
Darcy: What’s your advice for the budget-conscious bride who wants flowers to be a big part of her wedding?
Meredith: If a bride is budget conscious but wants a full floral feeling, I would definitely suggest using flowers that are lush and robust, rather than selecting small blooms. Cloud-like hydrangea is a perfect example: it's a flower that comes in an array of hues, is available in most all seasons, and is cost effective. Set in large ceramic cachepots, they're all you need to set an ethereal backdrop for your ceremony.
Darcy: When it comes to floral centerpieces, do you prefer tall or short? Why?
Meredith: Personally, I love the combination of both tall and low centerpieces. Regardless of the venue, I find that it adds incredible dimension. Elevated centerpieces create a sense of drama, and in beautiful contrast, the low centerpieces are intimate and personal. However, it's important to remember that if you decide on this concept, the low centerpieces must be slightly over scale so that they are in proportion to the grandness of the tall floral display.
Darcy: What’s the best way to incorporate non-floral elements (branches, moss, candles, etc) into your design?
Meredith: Since the current trend is all about celebrating a more organic style, I've been working with some fabulous non-floral elements. This past Autumn I worked on a wedding concept whereby there were little to no florals. Instead, we focused on fresh ornamental kale in rich purples, sprigs of rosemary, baby artichokes, and olive branches set into petite cast iron urns. The decor was evocative of a Tuscan feast, and the pieces had so much character and depth. I know the style left a memorable impression on all the guests.
Darcy: In the past few years, carnations have made a comeback, especially when grouped en mass. Are there any other unpopular flowers that can be surprisingly chic?
Meredith: My favorite unpopular flowers are irises. The color palette ranges from the softest shades of sterling to the richest jeweled purple, and I just adore the way an iris unfolds: the petals are delicate and demure, yet the interior of the bloom is dynamic, with streaks and splashes of color and pattern. It's surprising to me that an iris is an infrequent request.
Darcy: What are some unique flower combinations for bouquets and centerpieces?
Meredith: Although I am a true romantic and favor the more frothy and luscious blooms available, I also like adding in a touch of the unexpected. The underdeveloped green tendrils of gloriosa lilies, frittilaria, or clematis before they peak can add whimsy and fluidity to a full bodied bouquet of flowers. I always like to incorporate just one element that would challenge any floral enthusiast.
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