Wedding STYLE by Kalyn Johnson: How much does budget determine the kinds and types of flowers a couple can have at their wedding? What percentage of the overall budget should be allotted to flowers?

kat flower: budget is most definitely a determining factor in the choice of flowers for a wedding.  and certain budgets preclude certain flowers, i.e. if your budget is small and you are marrying in february, using only peonies, that will no doubt need to be imported, will not give you bang for your buck.  that said, when budget is a consideration (and it almost always is), then it is important that you remain flexible and open to as many options as possible.

i couldn’t begin to advise on what percentage florals should have in a couple’s wedding budget.  but i do recommend that couples weigh how important flowers are to their celebration when creating said budget.

WSKJ: What are some of the latest trends in wedding florals?  Colors? Flowers? Themes?

kat flower: with the proliferation of wedding and design blogs, i think the trend is moving to looser, natural and more organic design.  the flowers have more movement and are not always confined to tight shapes.  i also see more casual, wildflower arrangements, especially for outdoor weddings.

WSKJ: What can a bride with a limited budget to do maximize the effect of the flowers at her wedding?

kat flower: as i said before, the best thing a bride can do is be open and flexible.  using seasonal flowers will always save money.  and think about using flowers more creatively — clustering or grouping bud vase and smaller arrangements, using vessels that have some significance (like your mother’s or grandmother’s perfume bottles/china/glassware) so that it’s not just about the flower but tells a story about your family/traditions/history…

WSKJ: What kind of information from a bridal couple is helpful to you?  Do you like to receive lists?  See pictures?

i like the couple to share as much information as they can — how they met, what do they do for a living, likes and dislikes, concept and colors, how do they envision their wedding day to be, what they would like their guests’ experience to be, what are they wearing, what kind of ceremony will it be and so on.  i also ask them to bring any pictures that inspire them and help illustrate their vision.  as we talk, i help them determine what their floral essentials are so that i can prepare an estimate.

WSKJ: What happens when a couple is unfamiliar with flowers in general?  How do you work with couples who aren’t sure what they want specifically but who know they want their wedding to feel “modern”, “traditional” or “elegant”?

kat flower: more often than not, couples are generally unfamiliar with flowers.  but thank god for the internet!  once they share their wedding concept, design and date, i let them know what’s seasonal and available.  and we also look through the blogs (starting with mine) for different palettes and inspirations.  from there, i usually can produce a sample arrangement as their wedding draws near.

WSKJ: Do you believe that floral decor can help to set the tone for a wedding ceremony?  A rehearsal dinner? Wedding Dinner/Reception?

kat flower: absolutely.  floral decor and lack thereof will play a role in an event’s tone and design.  flowers come in so many shapes, colors, heights, textures and can have a transformative effect to any wedding event.  a couple’s choice of flower can evoke different moods — from romantic, to modern, to dramatic, to casual…

WSKJ: What are your personal favorite flowers?

kat flower: i love all flowers and my favorites tend to vary by season.  i love blossoming branches (quince, cherry blossoms, lilac, redbud, forsythia, etc.) because i love trees. there is something so beautiful, majestic, dramatic about them.  and i like that they are harbingers to the warmer days to come and also fleeting so you have to take the time to pay attention to them before they go away.

i love peonies and garden roses.  i love their fullness, their range of color, how they smell as pretty as they are and how you only need one bloom to make that perfect statement.

i love ranunculus, from the tiny buds to the large fluffy heads.  i love how much the color will vary in one bunch and they seem as if they have hundreds of petals.  i also love how spindly their stems are.

i heart dahlias.  just as blossom branches are precursors to spring, dahlias are that for fall and all its color intensity.  dahlias vary in shape and size and they seem to exist in so many colors.  i am particularly fond of the variegated variety.

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WSKJ: What is like designing for weddings?

kat flower: i love designing for weddings and feel a great deal of responsibility with each event.  after all, there is a level of trust that happens between me and my client.  i am entrusted to realize their vision, their concept and as stated earlier, am a part of creating the tone for the day.  with regard to personal flowers, besides the dress and the groom, the bride’s bouquet is the quintessential accessory that makes the bride feel like a bride.  she will walk it up the aisle, it will wtiness the ceremony, it will be photographed over and over again, making it timeless.  so it’s super important that i get it right.  all in all, i want them to be moved, to be happy that they chose me.  and i am always honored to my flowers played a small part in their celebration.

For more information, please go to kat flower’s website and blog at http://katflower.blogspot.com.  For weddings and events, contact Kathleen directly at kathleen@katflower.com.

[photographs courtesy of Jen Huang Photography, Jenny Ebert and kat flower]