I have been asked this question a few times i.e what colour flowers go with a blue bridesmaid’s dress.  Read my article on the colour wheel to see which colours match or take a look at the following pictures. Good news is that lots of different colours will work and you can create a really vibrant colour scheme.

(pictures courtesy of theknot.com)

Many people ask me :  Should I do my wedding flowers myself?

My answer is “yes of course, you can visit a flower market or order direct from a wholesaler but remember a few things”

• The price a market will quote you will be less competitive than they would quote a regular customer i.e. florist/shop.
• If you are not having a lot of flowers then it is possible to do them yourself provided you have a few calm and organised creative helpers. However, if you have large arrangements and a lot of buttonholes and bridesmaids bouquets then you could run the risk of tiring yourself out and getting too stressed.
• Wholesalers from Holland deliver bulk to Ireland on scheduled days, it would not be feasible for them to deliver for individual orders. Most wholesalers do at least two deliveries a week i.e. at the weekend Sunday or Monday so that the shops have fresh flowers for the week and then a delivery later in the week i.e. Thursday so that the flowers are fresh again to cover weekend trade such as weddings etc. The flowers do not arrive in as you would get them in a shop and the following preparation would have to be done on these flowers:

• Strip the flowers of foliage, dethorn roses, cut to required lengths. You then need to feed the flowers for at least 4 hours before you work with them so that they will stay fresh.
• Roses and droopy type flowers like gerbera need special treatment so that they take up water. Gerbera need to be wired so that they do not fall over.
• Lilies need to be purchased earlier than other flowers as you need to ensure that they are open for the day of the wedding. Florists can use techniques to speed this process.
• It is a good idea to “green up” arrangements and prep flowers a day before the bouquets etc as it can be exhausting and stressful to do all in one day.

• Leave the flower making time to the day before the wedding.
• Anything that requires the flowers to be wired should be left to the morning of the wedding so that they are completely fresh for the day otherwise they will be out of water for far too long.
• Remember,you will have the pay the VAT on top of the prices quoted.

Flower Markets in Ireland
Smithfield Flower market is located in the same building as the Fruit Market on Chancery St / Mary’s Abbey, behind the Four Courts, up towards Capel St. The flower market is open from 5am to 3pm weekdays and 5am to 11am on Saturdays. Prices of flowers vary based on what you are ordering, the size of the order, the time of year and how well you can negotiate.

Do you have questions about gardening and can’t find the answer check out the Irish Gardeners Forum.

Here you can get ideas from others interested in horticulture, you can search for plant types, likes and dislikes, and ideas on how to lay out the perfect garden. You can also put forward questions and answers.  A great resource for the budding or experienced gardener.

Following its phenomenal successes in 2007 and 2008, Bloom has become a national favourite and one of the most anticipated events on the Irish calendar. Hosted by Bord Bia, Bloom is taking place this year May 28th – June 1st in the Phoenix Park and is set to attract over 50,000 visitors throughout the event. There will be something for everyone with wonderful gardens, floral displays, farmers market, entertainment stages, family fun zone and so much more.

Go to the Bloom website

Orchids are a beautiful wedding flower. It used to be that it was very expensive to purchase orchids but they have become a lot more accesible. Although orchids look soft and delicate, they can survive without water and can also bear rough handling.

Here are some of the varieties of orchids used for weddings

Cymbidium Orchid
This is one of the most popular. These beautiful flowers have large heads and are available in white, yellow, pink and pale green color. This gorgeous orchid has strong petals and can tolerate rough handling. Moreover the cymbidium orchid has good resistance against drying out. Cymbidium orchids are often seen floating in large wide vases. It makes a wonderful showpiece.

Dendrobium Orchid
Also known as the “Singapore child”. These are very smooth, delicate flowers. They are available in a white and purple color .This wedding orchid is suitable for making wedding garlands and decorating centers of the table.

Vanda Orchid
The other variety of orchid is the Vanda Orchid. One of the most popular colours of Vanda Orchid is purple.

Phalaenopsis Orchids
Phalaenopsis Orchids are often used in bridal bouquets and works well alongside other flowers such as roses and lilies. These expensive flowers are not generally used as cut flowers.

Colour has a powerful effect on our mood, which is also worth bearing in mind when choosing which colours to incorporate into any scheme.

Red – helps to create excitement and is the warmest and most energetic shade in the colour spectrum.

Pink – all shades of pink have a peaceful, tranquil effect.

Yellow – communicates happiness and the warmth of sunshine.

Blue – calming, relaxing, harmonious. It’s even believed to lower blood pressure and body temperature.

Green – restful, soothing and ideal combined with yellow and blue.

Purple – rich, elegant and sophisticated. This regal shade is associated with luxury.

Orange – an energetic colour, creating excitement and fun.

Brown – muted and relaxing with strong connections to chocolate.

Black – extremely powerful and best kept as an accent colour. It can be depressing when used in large quantities.

White – fresh and clean, but can be stark and “chilly” if its not combined with other colours.

When it comes to deciding colour of flowers for any occasion it can help to use a traditional colour wheel. According to established colour theory, adjacent colours harmonise well but, if you’re seeking to make a flamboyant statement, opposites combine to more dramatic effect.

Tips

Once you have chosen your main colour, you need to choose one or two more colours that are toning, harmonious, complementary, or triadic.

o    A tonal scheme (monochromatic) means you use a colour in different tones.  There is one colour, but different tones of that colour (various shades of purple for example).
o    The harmonious colours are those that are close to each other on the colour wheel.  For example, pink has purple on one side and red on the other side.  Those are harmonious colours.  Purple has pink on one side, and blue on the other side.  These too are harmonious colours.
o    The complementary colours are those that are opposite to one another on the colour wheel.  For example:  purple and yellow; pink and yellowy greens.
o    The triadic colours are three colours on the colour wheel that are an equal distance from one another.  A popular modern choice is red, blue, and yellow, and is for those who feel comfortable with a bold colour choice for their wedding.

The wheel will help you establish the basics, after which you can think about the possible variations within your chosen colours, since every one will have many tones.

• What you don’t want to do is fixate on one tone and try to make everything match it exactly. An all-white wedding can be visually stunning. but too much of any other single colour may be a step too far.
• Choose your favorite palette and then use subtle variations to tie everything together, from the invitations to the flowers. If you want contrasting colours, look at those on the opposite sides of the wheel, but remember to choose combinations that are in keeping with the season.
• Red and green look great together, but create an instant association with winter festivities, which would be strange if you were having a spring wedding.
• Pastels are better suited to a wedding in warm weather, when rooms are likely to be full of light.
• Colours should also be in keeping with the style of the wedding. Fresh, light colours such as blue, white, yellow and pink suit a beach wedding. A Valentine’s day theme would naturally focus on red, and an October wedding will feel right dressed in russet, gold and green shades.

There was a time when every bride had a white wedding, with just the merest hint of another colour to accent the reception party. These days, brides tend to be more adventurous, you’re more likely to see a palette of up to 5 different colours – for example, an English country garden theme might include pink, lemon, green, lilac and brown etc

Your bouquet will take centre stage on your wedding day, so its important that it complements your style.  Were you aware that what you wear on the day can influence your choice of wedding bouquet, it is vital you choose a style that suits your body shape and your dress.  For example, if you are petite don’t make yourself look even smaller with something too big, opt for either a simple posy or a more structured design that has length, like an elegant trail phaelonopsis orchids.

Do not hide your dress!  If your dress has intricate detail on the front, don’t cover it up with a bouquet you need both hands to carry , instead, consider either a sheaf of blooms carreid in the crook of your arm or a trail of flowers, attached to your wrist and swept over one arm.

Alongside size and shape, its equally important to think about the colour of your flowers. Not every flower suits every skin tone, As a general rule , if you have dark hair and /or a dark complexion, brightly coloured blooms look best, while light hair and fair skin best suit softer tones.

Below are names and some information on the different types of wedding bouquets:

• Overarm – Commonly seen in Europe these bouquets are designed to lie along your arm and cascade down from your elbow to your wrist. Best for slim figures, outfits with lots of detail, long, slinky dress styles.
• Trailing – Best for tall figures as they help to draw the eye downwards, A-line, ballerina or princess skirts, long, flowing trains.
• Pomander – Foam spheres are covered in flowers and held by a ribbon handle.  Pomanders are great for flowergirls and perfect if you want to show off your dress and keep one arm free. Best for petite figures, short or calf length dresses, 1950s style halterneck dresses.
• Posy – These are small, rounded collections of flowers closely bound or handtied so they are easy to carry. Best for medium heights and builds, bias cut dresses, an understated modern look.  To avoid these looking a little stiff, they are best softened with filler flowers, such as bupleurum, or surrounded with loops of beargrass.
• Structured – Defined shapes crafted with flowers. Heart shaped designs are popular, but any shape can be created.
• Crescent – The crescent bouquet resembles a half-moon. This is a very 1950s look, increasingly popular with brides looking for something different to hand-tied bouquets.
• Wands – Single stems of flowers decorated with wires and beads.  These are great as a statement design,  you need plenty of confidence to carry this off as there is not a lot to grab hold of.
• Waterfall – As the name implies, a waterfall of flowers that cascades down to your toes. This style is usually mounted onto the finest wire and then taped together into a lightweight handle.  As a result, it is an incredibly labour- intensive bouquet to create and therefore can be more expensive.
• Shower / Cascade – A cascade or shower bouquet is narrower than a waterfall design but almost as long. It looks best crafted from statement flowers like vanda orchids or calla lillies suspended on wires. Best for taller and fuller figures, full skirted gowns, dresses with a train.
• Teardrop -A smaller, shorter bouquet with a defined shape. Generally more formal than a shower design, it can look a little rigid if it’s not made properly. Best for fuller figures, traditional dress shapes, a-line skirts that flare from the waist.

Summer is finally here and we are now able to provide a selection of seasonal flowers to compliment our usual range….

Our Summer Flowers