Wedding season is upon us, which means florists and designers are especially busy right now with bridal clients. Brides sometimes ask for simple, safe and elegant. But that doesn’t mean your design can’t still be exciting.
Most clients don’t want to look like they’re trying too hard, and, so, they tend to shy away from anything outside the norm. They tell me, ”Preston, I don’t want anyone to think I spent a fortune on flowers.” My reply? “Why not? It’s your money.” Or, they might say, “My friend used way too many flowers; I thought it was in bad taste.” I usually reply, “Obviously, your friend loves flowers.” My favorite from clients though is, “If you use any flowers that aren’t white, it won’t be elegant.” I don’t even have words to answer that one!
Here are a few suggestions for creating exciting dramatic elements in your designs, even when a client has requested safe simplicity:
1. If you’re doing centerpieces for a large number of tables, suggest to your client that you create at least three different table arrangement designs (using the same flowers). Guests love to discuss whose table has the “best” flowers.
2. Votive candles are another great way to keep things simple and still make an event pop. Place at least ten to twenty of them on every table. I guarantee the result will be equal parts romantic and dramatic. Plus, votive candles don’t cost very much.
3. For an especially striking look, consider creating arrangments of various heights — some tall, some short.
4. Opt to use only flowers in one color family; your designs will automatically be more stunning than those that use flowers in contrasting colors.
5. If you use too many different types of flowers, your design will look restless. Instead, use no more than 2 or 3 different flowers.
6. In every floral arrangement you have two elements. First, there is the container. Second, there are the flowers. Make sure your choice of container is unique. Consider creating your own floral containers for a truly one-of-a-kind look.
7. It’s all in the details. Even flowers in a simple and understated arrangement should tell the story of perfection: You want fully open flowers with perfect petals. To achieve this, time your flowers so they’re open on the day of event.
This may surprise some of you, but I’m all for understated elegance. However, there is a very fine line between simplicity and boredom: always be careful not to cross it!
Now, a few questions for you:
- What does elegant mean to you?
- How do you stretch a dollar without sacrificing exciting design?
- Can you create an elegant arrangement without using white flowers?
- Which of the following containers do you think is the most elegant: Glass, Basket, Terra-Cotta or Porcelain?
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George Bernard Shaw once said: “You see things and say, ‘Why?’ But I dream things that never were and say, ‘Why not?’” That quote embodies how Preston Bailey approaches every event.
Kesha King
April 12, 2011
I am certainly from the school of thought that less is better. I really believe that simple glam is highly underrated.
Rowaida Fl
April 12, 2011
Thank you for the great tips. Simplicity is beauty. I will chose glass or crystal container. You can create an arrangement without using white flowers.
Doyin
April 12, 2011
Simplicity can be tacky or classy, it just depends on how it’s done.
Kelli Tayor/Daniel Taylor Photography
April 12, 2011
Love this advice, Preston. We see so many routine florals and I wish more artists would use the kind of suggestions you’ve named here.
ALEXZ
April 13, 2011
Hi Preston, I answer your questionnaire.
For my “smart” means, impressive, unique, something that can never pass up.
The white flowers for me there can only be the “smart”, there are diversities of flowers in shades of very precious, as the variety of orchids, hydrangeas, delphiniums, etc.. To this I answer that if you can arrange flowers to create an unused white flowers.
From my point of view, the bases would most elegant of lists as follows: the glass, porcelain, terracotta. Shopping Definitely not! But for each base creates a style. The elegance is always accompanied by the theme of the event. Because the three bases listed above can design elegant styles, always according to the base, obviously the issue.
See what you think of Mr. Preston, I hope your comments in my mail or through the middle. alexisglez500@gmail.com
A greeting
Savannah (Pearls and Pages)
April 13, 2011
Elegant does not mean just white. Elegant…more like a state of mind.
Like so many things! I think elegant is wrapped up in the entire design.
Trying to determine elegant? What kind of color scheme in general is being used? Golds? Super elegant! And that’s not white! Silver? Elegant! These colors can also be vintage and chic. And antique! Heck, and eclectic. White, too, can be so many things. And elegant can be achieved in many ways….
What kind of fabrics and textures are being used? Special patterns? Romantic lighting? Collection of votives (great one, Preston!)? Lighting? Music selection? Dress code? Venue? Wrap it all up and it can be elegant, EVEN if you choose to do eggplant-colored flowers. Or pinks, blues, yellows, lilacs…I don’t think a client can look at the flower color or type and think, “This is what will make the wedding elegant.” Everything must work together in the design in order to make something “elegant” or “antique” or “rustic,” etc.
Great points and topic, Preston!
Cheers!
The French Bouquet by Anne Marie Foy (I LOVE her!
http://www.thefrenchbouquettulsa.com/blog
Sara Shaw
April 13, 2011
White flowers are always elegant. With one more color changes to a different feeling.
Each type of flower & color gives off a feeling. When I design I put a good feeling into
each arrangement. It’s like any piece of art . I like to use something that sparkles &
lots of candles. Peaceful, Beauty, love & light are my goals.
arlene
April 20, 2011
Yes you can definitely create an elegant arrangement without using white flowers.