Two emerging colors I have been asked about most by brides are turquoise and purple (but not necessarily together).  Both are bold and alive and work well with neutrals or accented by other vibrant colors. 

According to Flower Factor the top flower trends for weddings are:

• Bouquets will focus on texture while designed in a more relaxed style than the tight, compact bouquets popular in the past. Floral elements such a fern curls, echiveria and craspedia will offer diversity combined with more traditional blooms.
• Interest in the boutonnières for the gentlemen will continue to grow, making selections of unique designs of unusual materials popular. Emphasis on the men’s flowers will equal that of the choices for the ladies in the wedding party.
• Good lighting creates drama, introduces color and provides atmosphere. More and more focus will be placed on lighting in events and florals, professionally created, will add form, color and focal emphasis for the perfect look. Props such as chandeliers, shades and lamps are often added to further emphasize the lighting effects. Your florist will be able to help coordinate the right floral choices with your lighting needs.
• Lounge areas became very popular in 2011 and will continue to play a major role in 2012. Even smaller events will include areas for guests to visit with each other away from the formal table seating in a more casual setting. Rented furniture creates the space providing a unique and spontaneous look and casual arrangements of flowers add the finishing touch.
• Table sizes and shapes vary within the same event. Long banquet tables and rounds may be combined, as might ovals and squares. Table surfaces will be mixed as well. Linen covered for some and natural surfaces such as wood, glass or acrylic for others combined together in the same venue. Different style centerpieces are created for each table shape giving the overall look of the room a unique and exciting ambiance.

While I don’t know a lot about how much steaks cost, I do have a vast knowledge of flowers.  Below is everything you need to know to set your floral budget!

BUDGET RULE:   The average bride in Columbus spends between 8-10% of her overall budget on flowers.  Example:  If your budget is $20,000 (the average in Columbus) then most likely you are going to spend between $1600-$2000 on the flowers.

RULES ARE MEANT TO BE BROKEN:  While the above is an excellent guideline and proves true in many cases, if you have 12 bridesmaids or 50 guest tables and want flowers for all, the above 8-10% rule may not be enough.  In contrast, if you have one bridesmaid and require no floral centerpieces then the 8-10% may give you a budget larger than necessary.  Or if you have a medium sized party (3-4 bridesmaids, equal number of groomsmen and about 15 guest tables) and want everyone to carry peonies and your centerpieces to be all peonies, you may need to increase your budget allotment, too.

HOW TO CREATE A FLORAL BUDGET:  The below is a sample of the average costs brides incur; individual results may vary.

• Bridal Bouquet~ average size is 10″ round~ With classic flowers, such as roses, freesia, hydrangeas in single variety collections or up to three varieties the average cost is $75-200.  With more premium flowers, such as peonies, orchids, callas or a collection of several different varieties the average is $150-300.
• Bridesmaid Bouquets~average size is 6″ round~With a single variety or a focal and an accent, such as roses accented by waxflower, the average is $25-50.  With multiple varieties the average is $40-80.  EXCEPTION:  For an ultra sleek modern look, your bridesmaids can carry a single full size calla for a little as $10 per bridesmaid.  This is a great way to boost a budget!
• Corsages~Moms have told me over the years they want it petite and we have listened!  Keeping with this fact, a classic miniature rose corsage, rather pin on or wrist, costs about $15-20.  The average overall for corsages is $15-35.
• Boutonnieres~Overall average is $10-20, but single rose boutonnieres can cost as little as $6.  I suggest creating something more special for the groom and a step down for the rest of the gentlemen.  He should also match the bride in some fashion, even if it is simply an incorporation of the wedding color in the ribbon down the stem of the boutonniere.
• Altar Arrangements~Ahh, the tricky one.  I have designed altar arrangements as inexpensively as $50 but they are shorter and not as full as what one may expect an altar arrangement to be.  A “plump” altar arrangement, reaching about three-feet in height and about two feet wide will cost $150+ depending on the types of flowers.  The more varieties, the more it will cost.  The taller you want it, generally the more it will cost.  Full size open cut callas are a great way to break this rule.  They are tall and have a great impact with even just a few in a tall slender vase.  And don’t forget, you probably want two of them!
• Pew/Chair decorations~Traditional handmade bows cost $10+.  Flowers can cost anywhere from $10-50 per piece.  For example, a single hydrangea with a pretty bow tied to it could be as little as $10, while a pomander ball or wreath could reach $50 or more.  Rule Breaking Idea:  repurpose these flowers at the reception!
• Centerpieces~ Tall centerpieces that tower over your guests heads typically begin at $100 and go up.  Short centerpieces with a single variety, such as hydrangeas or roses, average $30-60.  Short centerpieces with multiple varieties average $50-100.  The Rule on centerpieces with flowers submerged:  The only flower that will sink is an orchid (Dendrobium or Cymbidium work best).  Other flowers can be submerged, but they will want to float by design.

BUDGET SAVING RULES:  Below is a list of ideas you can do to stretch your floral budget as far as possible!

• Use flowers that are in season.  Tulips can be obtained any time of the year, but you will pay as much as triple in the summer or fall than you would in the spring.
• Utilize flowers available year-round.  Roses, hydrangeas, fugis, lilies, freesia, callas, gerberas, stock, lisianthus, snap dragons, solidago, statice, waxflower, delphinium and orchids are great choices no matter what the season.  Plus, you don’t have to worry about a bad crop and the flower not being available when it should; they are available all the time from somewhere in the world.
• Provide your own vases/containers. Be sure to take them into your florist ahead of time for a trial-run to make sure they are the appropriate size.
• Provide your own “extras” such as ribbon or candles.  Rhinestone belts on bouquets and circumfrancing centerpiece vases are quite stunning and can be purchased via the internet yourself, saving money with the florist.
• Contract your own linens, even lighting if you can.  Most venues will charge you a “middle man” fee for doing this for you.
• Repurpose flowers!  Pew/chair flowers can become centerpieces or escort table decor while altar arrangements can greet your guests as they enter for dinner or adorn your Tuscan-style head table.  Your bouquets also can be instant head-table or Tuscan table decor.  Incorporate candles or rose petals between the bouquets for added ambience!

Now, calculate!  And be sure to give your budget to your florist and be upfront about how much you can invest in flowers.  Your florist will appreciate the honesty and you’ll appreciate not getting sticker shock from the proposal! 

How to set up a Tuscan Table:  You’ll need four eight-feet long by four-feet deep rectangle banquet tables, but you can customize the length of your table with more or less.  Place two tables side by side, then place two more tables end to end with the tables you placed side by side for a 16-feet long by eight feet wide “table.”  Make sure the tables are completely touching so there is no gap between tables.  Cover the tables with  linens to coordinate with your theme and colors.  For a long yet narrow Tuscan table, simply place two or more eight feet long by four feet wide rectangle banquet tables end to end and cover with linens.

How to decorate your Tuscan Table: Your tablescape can involve a collection of flowers, branches, crystals, candles…anything that fits your theme and color scheme.  The tablescape goes down the center of the table, from end to end unless you have guests sitting at the ends of the table.  Varying heights of your pieces adds volume and interest to the table for a more grand, sophisticated feel.  All tall pieces add drama and grandeur while all short pieces create a homey feel.

Designer’s Tip:   Use your bridal bouquet and the bridesmaid’s bouquets as floral decorations on your Tuscan table.  It’s instant decor without costing you a penny more!  Place vases or decorative containers straight in a line down the center of the table, spacing them out evenly from one end to the other with the bridal bouquet in the center of the table in a taller, more prominent vase/container.  Connect the vases with a blanket of fresh rose petals and interspersed votive candles for a romantic ambience.

Below are some examples to inspire you!

Traditionally, brides carried white flowers to go along with their white gowns.  Over the past decade we’ve seen brides changing their tunes and going for color in their bouquets to be more of a statement piece rather than an accent to the gown.  This year we’ve noticed a swing in that movement back to brides carrying white/ivory, or at least predominately white/ivory with hints of color.

White is super sleek, very elegant and timeless.  Brides are looking for all three of those adjectives in their wedding visions, plus a touch of personalization:  casual black and white weddings can showcase both colors in the flowers by utilizing gerberas with dark centers while a glamour-infused wedding can incorporate rhinestone belts and sashes around the centerpiece vessel and cake.  Country chic or garden-inspired weddings incorporate textural greenery while classic styles embody an Audrey Hepburn channeled look by emphasizing big blooms.

So this year we’ve noticed a lot of brides embracing the color PINK!  Pantone’s color of the year is a versatile shade of pink called “Honeysuckle” and has been sweeping the nation since it’s announcement.

The color PINK is actually named after the flowers called “pinks,”  a flowering plant with frilly edges.  Pink is a very popular color, just ask Victoria’s Secret or the local auto-body repair shop Three-C and they will tell you what a fabulous color it is!  It’s also a national symbol for breast cancer.

Pink is the ultimate “girl” color and can be combined with a number of other colors.  What’s hot this year is pink paired with purple, pink paired with white/cream, and pink paired with other shades of pink.  For spring, pink and green are timeless and for fall pink accented by chocolate-brown is still a winner.

Above are several PINK inspirations from our portfolio.  So go on, take a look and get inspired by pink!

So for her bouquet, we created a collection of freesia, lisianthus and callas in various shades of purple, all nestled around soft cream-colored roses.  Her five attendants then carried scaled down versions, but minus the callas as she wanted them to be a special flower, just for her.

The Mothers wore corsages of miniature roses accented by freesia while the gentlemen sported roses accented by lisianthus.

The ceremony was marked by two large Boston fern plants, gently swaying in the light breeze that day.  I remember the weather was GORGEOUS that day–I was so excited for Sarah and Casey!

The reception boasted of floral centerpieces on half the tables designed of hydrangeas and lisianthus (sorry, the photographer didn’t snap a picture) crowning an hour-glass shaped vessel with a sash of purple satin ribbon around the waist.  The cake was prominently showcased beside the bridal party table and I loved the simplicity of it–the sashes of black ribbon really made the individual lisianthus blooms shine.

Sarah told me that the flowers were “beautiful” and “awesome!”  I appreciate her sharing these images with me so I can share them with you!

{Details}  Photographer:  Welsh Photography     Venue:  Jefferson Country Club, Blacklick Ohio     Cake:  McClain Creations     Budget:  Around $1,000

Jenn’s wedding to John was to take place at a private residence near Hoover reservoir in early June.  I had the honor of working with her amazing bridal consultant Jen from J Lauren Events initially.  We connected well and away we planned!  When I was able to meet Jenn face-to-face for the first time, we instantly connected as well and I knew this wedding was going to be fabulous.  Jen and Jenn had a well thought out and planned presentation of the look, feel and all the components of the wedding.  Everything from dresses to color swatches, containers for the centerpieces to linens, layout/floorplan to decorations around the venue were given to me in a printed packet. Perfect for referencing as we designed!

There were so many flower options that I knew Jenn would just love!  We created her bouquet using lisianthus, stock, roses, veronica, miniature spray roses, hanging amaranthus and oh yes, my favorite component, the scabiosa pods!  Her bridesmaid’s carried scaled down versions that were similar, but not exact and did not perfectly match one other, either, lending to the uniqueness of the designs.

The ceremony outdoors was picture-perfect.  Her bridal path was lined with mason jars, each boasting antique-green/pink hued specialty hydrangeas.  I loved the natural arch as the backdrop (sorry, not provided by us).

Her centerpieces…ah!  Can we say, stunning?  I loved the wooden boxes she provided and we first created a bed of assorted unique and different greens for texture.  Then we incorporated stock, veronica, lisianthus and more for the various textures you see.  The mercury glass vessels she provided for the other half of the tables were equally intriguing but had more height with the larkspur and roses.  Her head table was adorned with a long and large wooden box that had a plethora of all the blooms.

The back of Jenn and John’s chairs for the reception had a personal touch that I loved–a custom chalk-board with the word, “Bride” or “Groom” inscribed.  We added a garland of plumosa accented by a rose in each corner for added interest and texture.

We all had a blast creating Jenn’s stunning wedding and I know Katie, Heather C. and Amber really enjoyed setting it up and seeing it all come together.  They took so many pictures I had a hard time choosing which ones to showcase on this blog!  I can’t wait to see the photographer’s pictures, I know Amy at C Studios outdid her self on this one!

So, instead of featuring just one wedding, I thought I’d feature highlights from all six.  Below are pictures we snapped of bouquets, altar arrangements and centerpieces, in no particular order.  Enjoy!