Even though my clients are Rock Stars, they don’t have an unlimited wedding budget. Very often I work alongside my clients to establish a wedding budget and create a game plan to maintain it and make sure the wedding doesn’t come with a price tag that breaks the bank.
Something I’m noticing a lot of chatter about regarding staying on budget is using flowers that are “in season.”
I have a few thoughts on this:
1. Yes, you absolutely can save some money by using flowers that are accessible during the time of your wedding. Let’s face it, business is business – supply and demand is a thing. But…
2. This isn’t a hard and fast rule – while it is possible to save money, sometimes the difference is so negligible it simply doesn’t make sense. I once had to source blue hydrangeas from a farm in Quito, Ecuador because they weren’t yet in season right here in Massachusetts. Guess what? Through the connections I have in the industry, we paid less for the flowers (including shipping!) than we would have during “hydrangea season” here in the states.
3. I will always encourage my clients to make their wedding unique and personal. If flowers are important to you, or if there’s a specific bloom that has meaning or speaks to you, then you should have it at your wedding. There’s always a way; I’m a true believer of that.
However, if flowers aren’t a wedding priority, and you’re not interested in importing from farms abroad, I’ve assembled a list of winter flowers for you:
Lisianthus
Photo credit: Rameshng
Lisianthus is an elegant flower perfect for arrangements with an “antique” feel. Lisianthus is available in white, pink or “blue” (typically violet) and can last 2-3 weeks in a vase.
Roses
No matter the time of year, there’s always a market for roses which means they’re almost always in season. For winter weddings, try matching deep red roses with evergreen for a romantic, winter appearance.
Snapdragons
Snapdragons are tall blooms available in shades of red, orange, and purple. We see these flowers used to create tall, dramatic centerpieces. Besides serving as a dramatic focal point, snapdragon oils have been extracted from the flower and seeds and is believed to have anti-inflammatory powers.
Amaryllis
Amaryllis flowers are funnel-shaped and are typically white with red veins, but you can also get them in shades of pink or purple. In a natural setting, Amaryllis is a taller flower but doesn’t have leaves along the stem, making it easier to trim to any size.
Calla Lilies
Chances are you’ve seen white calla lilies used in wedding flower arrangements, but did you know they’re available in multiple shades, including green, pink, purple, yellow and orange? Another interesting fact: the word Calla comes from the Greek term for beautiful.
Warning: if you are a DIY enthusiast and plan on growing your wedding flowers, take caution with calla lilies: they contain a poisonous ingredient called oxalic acid. If ingested, contact a poison control center immediately.
Orchids
Typically used in smaller quantities because it’s a pricier option, orchids are an elegant addition to any wedding and are available year-round. There are many varieties of orchids, some are more resilient to the cold weather than others, but typically the flower will survive colder months as long as frost doesn’t form on the leaves – easily avoided since the flower can be cared for indoors.
