Did you know that florists and floral designers each have a different take on creating florals for events?

Maribel of EightTreeStreet Floral {a Wedding Business Club member} has been featured in the article entitled Behind the Blooms: 17 Florists & Flower Designers from New York to Sydney from Flowers Across Sydney. So, let's chat about the difference . . .

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As explained in the article - each role - whether a florist or floral designer - they both provide flowers to customers. But, there is a difference between the two business roles. Floral designers are often based in a studio and focus on creating an aesthetic for weddings, events and corporate functions. While florists can provide flowers for events - they often work in a shopfront setting and create bouquets for special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries.

And, to expand further on this topic, here's an excerpt from the article:

Florists typically have a catalogue of bouquets they provide, while event designers are more flexible in what they offer. So we wanted to know, how much do people know before they come to you? Does it differ around the world? Do they usually have a Pinterest picture to show you with all the colours, flower types and sizes they want, or is there any creative wiggle room?

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Here's what Maribel writes about her experience when meeting with brides:

Some of our clients have incredible Pinterest boards, others have just started the planning process, so we chat about their likes and dislikes and the emotion and theme behind their event. It helps to bring out ideas and learn about who they are and what they love.

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If you're a floral designer, I'd love to hear your insight into this? How do your brides come to you when meeting for a consult?

Happy Monday! I'm thrilled to have Chelsea of Ad Finem Flores joining me on the blog today as we kick off another week of great wedding inspiration. Chelsea is here to share with us her top 5 unique tips on how to select your wedding flowers. I now turn the blog over to her . . .

1. Consider what style of bouquets and centerpieces you want

For a bridal bouquet, there are three main types of bouquets. Consider which bouquet style fits your personality and your vision for the day. The first type of bouquet, a garden, or hand-tied bouquet, is exactly what it sounds like – a bouquet that looks like it was just plucked from a cottage garden. These bouquets often give off a bohemian or rustic feel and are ideal for outdoor weddings, weddings on a budget or weddings with a do-it-yourself feel. 

The second type of bouquet is called a cascade bouquet. These types of bouquets seem to tumble from a bride’s hand. These bouquets tend to be seen in outdoor weddings, more ornate weddings and weddings with a strong focus on flowers. They often go well with a pastel color theme, lace and more traditional feeling weddings.  

The third and most common type of bouquet is called a round bouquet. These bouquets fit well with almost every style of wedding, perhaps a reason for their popularity. These bouquets can often showcase round and star shaped flowers as well as special ribbons along the stems of the bouquet.

2. Pick a main flower

Some women knew the style, color and arrangement of their wedding flowers from the time they heard their first fairy tale as a girl. For others, flowers at a wedding seem like more of a last thought than anything necessary for a wedding. However, before you make any final decisions on wedding flowers, consider which flowers are your favorites, which ones you have a small crush on, and which ones embody beauty to you. Try on a main flower for a couple days; imagine your wedding with that flower in it. If it still flirts with you after a few days, you have your main flower to feature in your wedding.

3. Pick two or three other flowers

Once you have your main flower, consider what other flowers you might like in your wedding bouquet. Sometimes the most unusual combinations of flowers make the most beautiful bouquets and flower arrangements. Consider the shape of your main flower as well and consider finding two or three other flowers that have completely different shapes from your main flower. For example, if you have tiger lilies as your main flower, consider tulips and peonies as your secondary flowers. Your florist will be able to work with a star-shaped flower, a round flower and a more cone-like flower. Your bouquet will have variety and texture with these three flowers and will be gorgeous.

4. Roses required?

Not necessarily. However, florists often use roses as a beautiful compliment to your main flower for many reasons. Roses are always in season and easy to buy. Roses come in an almost infinite variety of colors and shapes. Roses have a very romantic, very straightforward message. There are some very beautiful types of roses that break the cliché of the traditional red rose. Before you sign off roses for some other variety of flower . . . carnations {the symbol of death in many cultures} . . . hydrangeas {possibly the most fragile and easily damaged flower} . . . consider spray roses, garden roses and cabbage roses as options for your wedding flowers.

5. Consider the symbolism of your flowers

One of the greatest things about flowers is the rich symbolism associated with each flower and color of flower. When these symbols are put together, your bouquet can contain a romantic and hopeful story. For example, cornflowers, a beautiful blue flower often used for boutonnieres was once considered a way for men to determine if there was a woman at a wedding who loved them. If their flower did not wilt throughout the wedding, that meant there was a woman at the wedding who was in love with the man. If the flower wilted, then there was no woman at the wedding who was in love with the man. Having a bouquet that has a story in it adds another layer of meaning to your wedding day. Ask your florist to include symbolic flowers in your wedding for specific purposes.

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Ad finem flores is a small scale wedding florist company owned by Chelsea Dibble. They are located in the Denver metro area and cater to weddings in Colorado and southern Wyoming. Any and every budget is accommodated. Chelsea writes . . . "Ad finem flores is extremely unique in the collaboration we have with each of our brides. Every bride's vision for her flowers is painstakingly executed. We want to know your vision for your wedding—the colors, the styles, the small details and the intimate stories of your friends and family. We are passionate about the symbolism of flowers, the second meanings of colors and the ways that flowers can emphasize the important details of you and your groom’s wedding day. Once you become an Ad finem flores bride, you and your groom manage a planning webpage with Ad finem flores. This way, we know exactly what styles of flowers and flower arrangements you are envisioning for your big day. You will have a visual plan of your wedding flowers that you can add to, comment on and orchestrate for your wedding day. Ad finem flores’s work stands out from others because we obsess over how to see the vision of the bride and deliver exactly what she wants for her wedding day."

I've fallen in love with the work of yet another floral designer, Nancy Liu Chin Designs {known for her exceptional flowers, and exceptional event design for weddings and special events}. Below are some of the amazingly beautiful creations from Nancy that I just have to share . . . {the last set are photos from 3 different events} I'm totally smitten with the sunflower arrangements as not only are these my favorite flower, they were also the main flowers for my wedding. I love the rustic feel and the vases with the striped table runner. {larger photos can be seen at Nancy Liu Chin Designs}
The above featured florals are just a tiny sampling of the amazing eye candy that you can see in Nancy's portfolio on her web site. Please be sure to visit her web site and blog for much more inspiration.

And, for those interested, Nancy Liu Chin Designs services San Francisco, Bay Area, Wine Country and Beyond.