Thinking Beyond the Roses

By Rebecca Mitchell

Photography by Carrie Patterson, Flo McCall, Jonathan Adams, and Carrie Patterson

When you think of wedding flowers, what comes to mind? Roses? Peonies? Calla Lilies? Hydrangeas? Gone are the days when wedding flowers meant soft, pastel-colored flowers arranged in bouquets and surrounded by overpowering greenery. Today’s wedding flower options include bright colors, bold pairings, adventurous additions of fruits and vegetables, and natural-looking bouquet-tying techniques.

Deciding on your wedding floral theme—colors, arrangements, and presentation—may feel like a daunting task—and rightfully so since today’s florists have access to global floral markets, making the possibilities seem endless. According to Phillip’s Flowers, one of the leading U.S. florists, California is still America’s top cut-flower producer—with Florida second. However, American cut-flower producers are finding strong competition from their international counterparts. Columbia, Ecuador, Holland, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Chile are among America’s top cut-flower suppliers. It’s not unheard of for a tulip from Holland or a chrysanthemum from Columbia to wind up in your floral bouquet that was created by a local florist.

Since flowers can set the tone of your wedding and represent your personal style, your wedding flowers’ value should not be underestimated. Choose a floral theme that best matches your budget expectations and illustrates the combined personalities of you and your soon-to-be spouse. The season in which you get married can greatly influence your flower options. While international floral markets provide accessibility to a near-infinite variety of flowers, this diversity can come with a hefty price tag. Jan Kew, owner of Creative Botanicals in Jackson, likes to use locally grown flowers. Her favorite flowers, available April through September, are grown locally by Bindweed Farm in Blackfoot, Idaho, and by Alpenglow Farm in Victor, Idaho.

Whether you choose locally grown flowers or those that are shipped in from a distant place, tap into your florist’s knowledge and don’t be afraid to outline your wishes and let your florist fill in the details.

Spring Flowers

Amaryllis, Anemones, Baby’s Breath, Calla Lily, Carnations, Daffodils, Day Lily, Delphinium, Forget-me-not, Gardenias, Iris, Lilac, Lily, Lily of the Valley, Orchid, Roses, Violets

Summer Flowers

Anemones, Asters, Baby’s Breath, Bachelor Buttons, Calla Lily, Canterbury Bells, Carnations, Chrysanthemum, Clematis, Cosmo, Dahlia, Daisies, Day Lily, Delphinium, Gerbera daisy, Hydrangea, Iris, Lily, Orchid, Pansy, Peonies, Roses, Stephanotis, Straw Flowers, Sunflower, Tuberose, Viburnum, Violet, Zinnia, Zephyr Lily

Fall Flowers

Anemones, Baby’s Breath, Calla Lily, Carnations, Chrysanthemum, Coreopsis, Cosmo, Dahlia, Delphinium, Gerbera Daisy, Hydrangea, Orchid, Peonies, Phlox, Roses, Scabiosa, Sunflower, Zephyr Lily, Zinnia

Winter Flowers

Amaryllis, Baby’s Breath, Carnations, Chrysanthemum, Forsythia, Peonies, Roses, Orchid, Spray Orchid

Note: An easy way to view photos of the listed flowers is to search for stock photography online. Simply go to a stock photography website (such as ShutterPoint Stock Photography, Getty Images, or Corbis), enter the flower name in the search field, and click “search.”




	>> home Thinking Beyond the Roses By Rebecca Mitchell Photography by Carrie Patterson, Flo McCall, Jonathan Adams, and Carrie Patterson When you think of wedding flowers, what comes to mind? Roses? Peonies? Calla Lilies? Hydrangeas? Gone are the days when wedding flowers meant soft, pastel-colored flowers arranged in bouquets and surrounded by overpowering greenery. Today’s wedding flower options include bright colors, bold pairings, adventurous additions of fruits and vegetables, and natural-looking bouquet-tying techniques. Deciding on your wedding floral theme—colors, arrangements, and presentation—may feel like a daunting task—and rightfully so since today’s florists have access to global floral markets, making the possibilities seem endless. According to Phillip’s Flowers, one of the leading U.S. florists, California is still America’s top cut-flower producer—with Florida second. However, American cut-flower producers are finding strong competition from their international counterparts. Columbia, Ecuador, Holland, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Chile are among America’s top cut-flower suppliers. It’s not unheard of for a tulip from Holland or a chrysanthemum from Columbia to wind up in your floral bouquet that was created by a local florist. Since flowers can set the tone of your wedding and represent your personal style, your wedding flowers’ value should not be underestimated. Choose a floral theme that best matches your budget expectations and illustrates the combined personalities of you and your soon-to-be spouse. The season in which you get married can greatly influence your flower options. While international floral markets provide accessibility to a near-infinite variety of flowers, this diversity can come with a hefty price tag. Jan Kew, owner of Creative Botanicals in Jackson, likes to use locally grown flowers. Her favorite flowers, available April through September, are grown locally by Bindweed Farm in Blackfoot, Idaho, and by Alpenglow Farm in Victor, Idaho. Whether you choose locally grown flowers or those that are shipped in from a distant place, tap into your florist’s knowledge and don’t be afraid to outline your wishes and let your florist fill in the details. Spring Flowers Amaryllis, Anemones, Baby’s Breath, Calla Lily, Carnations, Daffodils, Day Lily, Delphinium, Forget-me-not, Gardenias, Iris, Lilac, Lily, Lily of the Valley, Orchid, Roses, Violets Summer Flowers Anemones, Asters, Baby’s Breath, Bachelor Buttons, Calla Lily, Canterbury Bells, Carnations, Chrysanthemum, Clematis, Cosmo, Dahlia, Daisies, Day Lily, Delphinium, Gerbera daisy, Hydrangea, Iris, Lily, Orchid, Pansy, Peonies, Roses, Stephanotis, Straw Flowers, Sunflower, Tuberose, Viburnum, Violet, Zinnia, Zephyr Lily Fall Flowers Anemones, Baby’s Breath, Calla Lily, Carnations, Chrysanthemum, Coreopsis, Cosmo, Dahlia, Delphinium, Gerbera Daisy, Hydrangea, Orchid, Peonies, Phlox, Roses, Scabiosa, Sunflower, Zephyr Lily, Zinnia Winter Flowers Amaryllis, Baby’s Breath, Carnations, Chrysanthemum, Forsythia, Peonies, Roses, Orchid, Spray Orchid Note: An easy way to view photos of the listed flowers is to search for stock photography online. Simply go to a stock photography website (such as ShutterPoint Stock Photography, Getty Images, or Corbis), enter the flower name in the search field, and click “search.”