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| ASHLEY RAPPLEYEA / Scroll |
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| Bundles of flowers are prepared to make round centerpieces to sit on tables. |
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Flowers have an immediate impact on happiness. Recently, research participants in a State University of New Jersey study felt less depressed, anxious and agitated after receiving flowers and demonstrated a better ability to enjoy life.
No wonder brides carry around a bundle of flowers on their wedding day.
Too often LDS girls wave aside flowers as something that is too expensive or something Aunt Suzy can do. “It is this Wasatch spirit,” Ben Romney, chairman of the Horticulture Department, said. “We are taught to wear it out, fix it, or do without.” What are brides willing to do without in order to “save a few dollars”? What are they really giving up?
A wedding reception is the time when people come together to honor the couple and the very sacred promises tthat couple have made. The right flowers can transform an ordinary reception into a magical event both the family and the guests will remember for years to come.
Bruce Sutherland, owner of Rexburg Floral, smiles warmly as he recalls his daughter’s reception this past fall. “We must have had over a thousand roses. They were beautiful,” Sutherland said. Not only were the flowers beautiful, but they were a reflection of his daughter’s tastes and desires.
The wants of each bride can be met with literally hundreds of different flowers available to florists. Florists match the flowers to the bride during a bridal consultation.
Consultations can take anywhere between 45 minutes to a couple of hours. Consultations help the florist better understand the personality of the bride and her vision for the event.
Florists encourage brides to do a little homework before the meeting. “Look through magazines; have your colors chosen and maybe make quick list of flowers you know you don’t want,” Lamey Hymas from The Floral Shoppe, said.
A little preparation on the bride’s part can help the florist design the perfect arrangements for her. Ashley Birch, junior from Spokane, Wash., talked to several florists before choosing an in-house designer at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. She recommends asking to see past
Once a florist is hired, the process begins by looking for the right colors.
“We usually work from the colors of the dresses, decorations in the reception hall or work to find complementary colors,” Sutherland said.
Florist work to find a color combination that fits the mood of the reception. Oranges and yellows are considered fun and casual while reds and blues are more traditional.
After a bride chooses her color combination, she decides what flowers will go in each arrangement. The florist can play a more central role at this point. Florists know the symbolism behind each blossom, the flowers in season, and what flowers will reflect the bride’s wishes.
The final step in the creative process is to choose the shape and design of each arrangement. The current trend is more of a round shape, steering away from the more traditional cascading arrangements.
Sutherland offers a quick suggestion for all brides in this situation. “It is fun to be in style, but it is better to be you. Who cares if it is in Vogue magazine?” Sutherland said.
Some LDS couples try to avoid the hype by ordering flowers online and assembling the arrangements themselves. “Many times they will get exactly what they paid for- an inferior product and an inferior service,” Romney said. Florists are often called to come save the day when moms and friends realize their enrichment night activity on flower arranging isn’t going to be enough.
Families often opt for a professional florist simply for the peace of mind, knowing it is in capable hands.
When prospective brides ask themselves, “Can I really afford nice flowers?” a better question may be: what will be missing without them?
