IT'S ALIVE!! Things your Florist knows

Well, we (here on the East Coast) are experiencing one of the hottest weekends of the year. I hope you and your loved ones are staying cool and safe - especially those of you who are celebrating with weddings today. If you feel like you're "melting, melting" in this heat just imagine how flowers are feeling today, after all... they're alive too!

This sweltering summer weather will pose a unique problem for many DIY (Do it yourself) Brides. Particularly those Brides who have spent a great deal of precious time and money (perhaps even hundreds) to try to create their own fresh flowers Bouquets, Centerpieces, Ceremony decorations, etc. that may now find themselves faced with flowers in distress. Oh don't get me wrong, there are so many of cases where delicate, utterly lovely flower petals are simply enchanting in a wedding design but having your fresh flowers wilt, discolor, brown or even fall apart in the hands of your bridal party when you simply wanted to save a few dollars is probably not what you had in mind.

The Problem:
"But it looks so easy in the bridal magazine or blog" you say? Yes, of course magazines and blogs are chocked full of wonderful information, exciting inspiration and fun project suggestions. And if you were looking for creative little projects with flowers to try something new, express yourself, and have a little fun (or perhaps even saving a little money) I'm all for the experience. The concern? Well, odds are you're probably no doing just 1 project for a wedding or special event. Not just 1 centerpiece but 9, 12, 15 or even 20 centerpieces which means 9, 12, 15, or 20 small projects involving fresh flowers. And that's not including your Bouquet, your "Tossing Bouquet", the 3, 5 or 7 (each) Bridesmaid's Bouquets, Boutonnieres, Corsages, etc. Also, you'll probably be on a pretty time sensitive schedule and you're probably not equipped with the professional equipment, chemicals or space for the care, storage and transportation requirements needed for the more complex designs. There's a bit of a difference between a small, simple "let's try it and see" home floral project that's meant for you to enjoy at your leisure and "once-in-a-lifetime" event fresh flower projects that you don't want to waste money doing and... let's face it, you definitely want to get right.

The Solution:
I'd suggest working "with" your Event Pro to get creative! Talk to the Florist, Event Designer, or Planner you've hired for your special day. Remember earlier when I said Flowers are "alive"... yes, it's true. Cut flowers are still alive and many varieties are like people... they each have their own distinctive quirks.

Flower Professionals know the proper care, chemicals, special techniques, and treatments used to extend the life of your flowers. Yes indeed, your Pros know. They know which flowers are heavy drinkers and which flowers can hang tough. They know which flowers are in season and which flowers will give you the most visual bang for your buck. They know how to deal with a certain popular flower that has a troublesome stamen that will stain your fingers and clothes with the slightest touch if not processed properly. They know which flower's stem (one of my personal spring favorites) will continue to keep growing even after they have been cut and placed in a bouquet or arrangement - which if not dealt with properly will change the look and form of the design on the "day of". They know which flowers are sensitive to heat, other flowers, ethylene, and more.

Let your Wedding Florist, Designer, or Planner know you'd like to work on a "DIY project" and see if they'd be able to suggest, consult and guide you through a few simple projects. Perhaps a non-floral project with non-perishable materials or items that you can rent from them - no fuss, no muss yet very satisfying.

Blessed wishes to you all... oh, and don't forget to drink plenty of water... cheers!