HOW TO MAXIMIZE YOUR WEDDING FLOWER BUDGET

The second place we often see couples saving money is centerpieces. While the fewer centerpieces you need, the less money you will be spending is still our number one rule. We have been getting really creative with our couples and doing 2-3 different centerpiece styles per wedding. We are still creating those large grand elevated arrangements that really make a statement but we are also sprinkling in smaller centerpieces like a few bud vases and votives or candles and greenery. Choosing more than one style of centerpiece not only brings a fun added visual element but also is friendly to your budget.

Photography: Ellen Sargent Photography

Another great way to maximize your flower budget is to decrease the number of different types of flowers in your bridesmaid bouquets and arrangements. Monobloom bouquets and monochromatic bouquets are very much coming on trend for 2023 and can be very budget-friendly. For example, we typically use 9-12 different blooms and greenery in a bouquet, and by removing just one type of filler flower or greenery you can potentially save 5-7% on your overall budget. We promise there are so many ways to make that all rose bouquet look modern and timeless. It doesn’t have to resemble the one your mom had in the 80s or 90s. Check them out below!

Photography: Jordan Jankun Photography, Zack Griswold Photography, Illume

By far one of our most popular ways couples have been saving money on their wedding flowers is by repurposing ceremony pieces in the reception space. We do want to give a big warning though because not all ceremony items are able to be reused and not all arbor pieces will look good once cut down from the arbor and laid flat on a table. Arrangements like aisle flowers in particular are easy to repurpose for the sweetheart table, bar, by the band/dj, etc. If you have a moveable arbor think about moving it to a corner in your reception space to make a photo-op moment. Another great repurpose item would be your bridesmaid bouquets. We don’t recommend using them as centerpieces as they can look a little tired after they have been out of the water and moved around a ton. However, they are great for places like bars, bathrooms, cake tables, welcome tables, etc. One last thing to note on this is depending on whether or not you have the manpower to move these items yourself, you may have a small added labor cost from your florist to cover their extra time on site to move the items. Below you'll see an arbor flower piece repurposed in front of the sweetheart table and after that aisle flowers repurposed for the sweetheart table again. 

Photography: Moho Photo, Gold Wing Photography

Our last tip on how to maximize your flower budget is to trust your florist! Cliche, I know but it is the truth. When we suggest using some more traditional blooms like carnations in your arbor or big install pieces it is because it can drastically save you money. Carnations cost around 2.50/per stem while garden roses cost around $15.00/per stem. We, of course, aren’t putting them on full display but rather using them as supporting blooms in the backdrop. Maybe adding in a pop of color or just adding to the overall fullness. We will of course still be using garden roses in your bouquet but trust us even our most luxurious high-end weddings have some budget-friendly blooms tucked in. Peep the full circle arbor below with peonies, garden roses, stock, ranunculus, and carnations! 

Photography: Jordan & Amy Demos 

Have any more tips we missed? Drop them in the comments below and let us know if you will be using any of these tips to help maximize your floral budget?! ​

*Cally & Dylan - Cally and Dylan got married at Sugarbush this past November and what a beautiful day they had! Despite being November it was warm and sunny and really had us rethinking why more couples don’t get married in Novemeber. Cally wanted a classic fall bouquet but nothing over the top and to classic red/orange fall. Together we landed on burgundy scabiosa, burnt orange toffee roses and magnolia leaves to help bring in the fall tones. We kept the palette light and fresh with pops of blush from the snapdragons and lighter gunni eucalyptus greenery.

Photographer: Great Blue Photo Co.

*Andrea & Mitch - This bouquet has us reeling! We cannot get enough of the punchy yellow tones mixed with the softer whites and ivories. Andrea had such an elegant and timeless vision for her bouquet that allowed us to use some more unique blooms and greenery for us. Though calla lilies are a pretty common flower, we don’t get to use them often in wedding work. A lot of the greenery we got to use was also new for us. We LOVED the mini variegated pittosporum and myrtle in her bouquet. Since then we have added these greeneries into our regular rotation for 2023/2024 and are saying a partial goodbye to eucalyptus.

Photographer: Kelsey Regan Photography

*Rachel & Andrew - Rachel’s bouquet might just be our brightest bouquet of 2022! Rachel and Andrew had a bright disco themed wedding and to say we LOVED it is an understatement! Coral charm peonies might be our newest favorite peony slightly edging out the classic white peony. We are so hopeful to use them more in 2023 and 2024! Along with the coral charm peonies, we also loved the butterfly ranunculus, delphinium, stock, tulips. Fun fact, despite tulip being in our name it is not one of our most used blooms.

Photographer: Hunter Berry Photography

*Chris & Kari - Hello winter wonderland bouquet! This bouquet was filled with so many goodies and tons of texture. From the green succulents to the pinecones and pussy willow sticks, we love adding in non-traditional elements to bouquets. Chris and Kari were so laid back and easygoing they really leaned into us to pick the individual blooms for their weddings and we loved it. We can stress enough how important it is to fully trust your wedding professionals.

Photographer: Savannah Brown Photography

*Sarah & Pete - Sarah and Pete tied the knot at The Barn at Smugglers’ Notch this past spring and we are still reeling over both her bridal bouquet and her arbor, more on that in a later blog though! Sarah had a very refined and elegant palette which lent itself really well to some really lush and luxury flowers like peonies, phalaenopsis orchids, and ranunculus. Also within her bouquet was a few more of our tried and true flowers like stock, lisianthus and playa blanca roses.

​Photography: Jordan Jankun Photography

*Emily & Ben - What can I say, we LOVE a cascade bouquet. Above that, we LOVE the color pink so when we got to mesh our to loves together this bouquet was sure to be fire! Not to mention any bouquet with locally sourced dahlias from Honey James Floral and Alaskan Peonies will always be a hit. Peonies in August? Yup, we are so lucky to have wonderful farms in Alaska who are able to ship peonies out of season to us. 

Photography: Margaret Michael Photography

*Ashley & Spenser - BOHO dried floral dreams were made here! We will be the first ones to admit dried florals and BOHO is a little bit outside our normal wheelhouse but we fell in love with this bouquet! Ashley’s bouquet was filled with dried baby’s breath, dried hydrangea, dahlias, ranunculus, scabiosa pods, white ferns, ruscus, seeded eucalyptus, bunny tail and pampas grass. We worked with Madden Made Events to bring Ashley & Spenser’s Boho wedding come true and we just want to be right back in it! 

Photographer: Jamie Desi Media 

*Giancarlo & Kayla - Another bouquet with succulents made our top 10 so you know how much that means we love them! Kayla’s bouquet was also filled with a bunch more of our favorite blooms like anemones, ranunculus, playa blanca roses, stock, veronica and thistle. This all white and greenery bouquet has been an absolute hit lately and we’ve seen it in so many couple’s mood boards. There is something just so classic and timeless about an all white bouquet. 

​Photographer: Juniper Studios

*Amelia & Matt - Another BOHO bouquet for the books! We loved creating this unique BOHO bouquet for Amelia of Amelia Marie Photography. Amelia and her husband, Matt, may have had a bit rainy of a wedding day but they didn’t let that damped their fun. Amelia’s bouquet was filled with unique blooms like local foxglove, local ranunculus, lisianthus, thistle, waxflower, scabiosa pods, veronica, dahlias, quicksand roses, spray roses, pampas grass, bunny tail grass and amaranthus. We also got to use some less common greenery like grevillea foliage.

Photography: Celia Kelly Photography 

Of all these beautiful bouquets, who’s was your favorite?! Are you drawn to the classic white and greenery, punchy bright colors or boho pampas grass?! ​

The Kayla 

Kayla’s bouquet was one of our favorites for a few reasons! The first one was it had so many of our favorite flowers packed into one bouquet along with tons of great texture. Succulents  like orchids are making a hugee comeback. We added them to 6 bridal bouquets this year and couples for the 2023 season are still loving them and adding them into their bouquets. 

Other than those succulents, what else is in Kayla’s bouquet? Her bouquet is also filled with playa blanca roses, ranunculus, anemones, stock, veronica, thistle, eucalyptus and ruscus.

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The Kari 
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Kari’s bouquet was one of the first bouquets we made as the 2022 season started! Kari and her husband tied the knot in a snowy January winter wedding at the Lake Bomoseen Lodge! While you could argue that her bouquet was more than just white flowers, with all the non flower items, we still consider it in our top 5! 

Kari’s bouquet was filled with mums, stock, lysimachia, gold hypericum berries, white tipped pine cones, thistle, pussy willow, succulents, cedar, and parvifolia eucalyptus.

The Elizabeth 

Elizabeth’s bouquet was perfect for their romantic elopement in Stowe, VT. The couple took advantage of our luxury elopement package and it turned out to be a perfect fit! Elizabeth really gave us creative freedom with her bouquet and put her entire trust into us. She gave us a few words and pics but let us run wild with flower varieties and bouquet style. So, of course, we packed her bouquet full of some of our favorite flowers. 

Elizabeth’s bouquet was filled with garden roses, stock, spray roses, anemones, lysimachia, ruscus and eucalyptus.

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The Molly 

Molly was a mid summer bride of ours and LOVED peonies just like us! She even opted for an all peony bouquet for her bridesmaids! Just like Kari she and her husband, Molly and her husband tied the knot at the Lake Bomoseen Lodge too! Well truth be told, Kayal and her husband tied the knot their too! You could definitely say it was one of our most popular venues in 2022. 

Back to Molly’s bouquet though! Her bouquet was filled with peonies, of course, along with ranunculus, anemones, lysimachia, stock, lisiamthus, ruscus and eucalyptus.


Which one is your favorite all white bridal bouquet? Leave us a comment and if you can’t pick just one, we totally understand. We couldn’t either.
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Blackberry Scabiosa: This dark moody colored flower is also called the pincushion flower. You most often find it in more wildflower bouquets and arrangements but we like to tuck it into everything. A fun fact about scabiosa is that they are in the honeysuckle family and according to historians were used to treat scabies in the middle ages. While Scabiosa can be purchased year-round we find the local season to be August through October. One the expensive scale we rate Scabiosa $$ out of $$$$$.  

Toffee Roses: Toffee Roses are a truly unique rose. Their warm brown and tan hue is great to mix into a boho bouquet to give it a moody feel. They mix nicely with other champagne, blush, apricot and mauve tones. Toffee roses are available year-round. They are fairly new to the market which means they tend to fetch a higher price tag than other more traditional roses but their unique color is worth it! We give toffee roses $$$$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale.

Tibet Roses: While anytime you see a white rose in one of our bouquets, 95% of the time it's a playa blanca rose this time it's not! These stunning white roses open up so large and have a beautiful creamy white tone. Tibet roses are available year-round. We give them a $$$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale. 

White Majolica Spray Roses: Spray roses are a great filler flower and just like ranunculus come in a rainbow of colors. While these White Majolica Spray Roses are a standard form spray rose, they give a very soft feminine feel. They open up 100% to expose their soft centers. Spray roses are available year-round and we give them a $$$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale.

White Ranunculus: Ranunculus are still a favorite for us! We tuck these fluffy swirling blooms in everywhere. Ranunculus are available in a rainbow of colors and are super hardy out of water. They are available year-round and we give them a $$$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale.

Blush Snapdragons: These blushy-pink toned snapdragons are an amazing lineal flower to add some height and structure to your bouquet. They bloom from the bottom up so you get a stunning ombre of colors running up the flower as it blooms. They are available year-round and we give them a $$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale

Magnolia Leaves: Magnolia leaves are a new one here in our bouquet breakdowns but we think you'll see the much more often! These unique leaves are fairly large but offer a really stunning front green color with a velvety smooth bronze underside. They compliment toffee roses so well and are now a must have fall foliage for us! Magnolia leaves are most available in the fall and winter and are brought in from the southern state as this magnolia variety needs a bit warmer climate to thrive. We give Magnolia Leaves a $$ out of $$$$$ on the expense scale! 

Gunni Eucalyptus: Gunni Eucalyptus, much like Parvifolia Eucalyptus, has elliptical shaped leaves that offer a dainty and feminine touch to the bouquet. Gunni Eucalyptus can be found year-round but during certain seasons the tips of the new growth will have a burgundy red tone to them. While it is not as common as the Silver Dollar Eucalyptus it is just as expensive. For that reason, we give it a $$$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale.

Italian Ruscus: This dark green foliage is great for adding height, weight, and even length to a bouquet. The deep green leaves are often a great contrast to the silvery eucalyptus. The way the leaves are positioned on the stems gives this greenery a lighter more airy look. Italian ruscus is available year-round and we give it a $$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale.

Photography by: The Great Blue Photo Co.

Reason 1: Cost 
Per Lizzo, all the rumors are true- yeah. It is more cost effective to have a winter wedding. Most venues in Vermont offer off season rates which can be more than ½ off in season rates. Other vendors, like us, drop our minimum spend so you are able to book with vendors that may have not been able to before.

Reason 2: Availability 
Most wedding vendors in Vermont slow up considerably in the off season. Therefore you have a much wider pool to pick from. During the summer and fall months you have to think about booking vendors 12 to 18 to even 24 months out if you really want them. With off season weddings, that isn’t the case typically. 

Danielle and George tied the knot at the Old Lantern Inn in Charlotte, Vermont in the early spring. This fun loving couple wanted romantic flowers to match their sweet and romantic wedding. 

Danielle opted for a fun twist on the classic blush and white color palette by adding a pop of pink with raspberry scabiosa. 

Vendor Credits:
Photography: Anne Mientka Photography
Venue: The Old Lantern Inn
Flowers: Tipsy Tulip Designs 
Hair: Shear Envy Salon
Makeup: Emily Littler MUA

Elizabeth and Nick tied the knot in an elegant wedding at The Essex Resort in Essex, VT in late May. Elizabeth, a fellow local wedding photographer, had a clear vision for her day. She dreamt of lush florals with a soft and feminine color palette. She wanted a large floral moment to wow her guests and knew she wanted to make that moment somewhat unusual too.

For Elizabeth's bridal bouquet she wanted something garden style-esk but still refined and elegant to match her other florals. She wanted minimal greenery to allow the soft flowers to really shine. Elizabeth and Emily decided that quicksand roses and blush astilbe would be the perfect pop of dusty pink to compliment the white flowers in her bouquet. 

The Essex Resort provided the couple with a beautiful clean white blank slate for them to decorate for their reception. The couple opted to stick with the white elegant vibe and dress up the tables with large gold compote vases and taper candles. 

One thing the couple wanted to was recreate Elizabeth's grandparents classic wedding photo of the young couple in their car. Elizabeth and Nick found a similar car from Country Boy Classics in Enosburgh, VT and we're able to pull off the photo recreation of a lifetime. 

Are you planning to use peonies in your wedding flowers? Were you surprised to learn that peonies aren’t always available despite the idea that in today’s day and age you can get anything at any time? ​

Emily - The Barn at Smugglers’ Notch - Jenna Brisson Photography 

Emily’s bouquet is fairly self-explanatory why it’s here. It’s big, it’s bold, and yet still soft and romantic. TBH this bouquet also won us the 2021 Best of Flowers award from Vermont Weddings. This bouquet is filled with local goodies like cafe au lait dahlias, garden roses, lisianthus, panicle hydrangea, gomphrena, and bunny tail grass. Along with those local blooms, this bouquet also features some other blooms we sourced from our local wholesaler. Those blooms include thistle, ranunculus, astilbe, pampas grass, bleached ruscus, and a variety of eucalyptus.

Erin - Top Notch Resort - Henry Cotton Photography 

Erin’s bouquet was an all-round favorite from everyone. It is a classic garden-style bouquet with all white flowers and a mix of greenery. All white flowers with mixed greenery is one of the most requested palettes we get. While some may think it’s boring or plain we LOVE it. We find it to be timeless, elegant, and fit any theme or style you have for your wedding. Erin’s bouquet featured peonies, ranunculus, dahlias, stock, garden roses, lisianthus, veronica, hypericum berries, italian ruscus, and of course a variety of mixed eucalyptus.

Abby - Lilac Inn - Colette Kulig Photography 

Abby’s bouquet was another classic favorite of a white and blush palette. Getting married the first week of June, Abby knew for sure she wanted peonies everywhere. When creating Abby’s bouquet we started off the the obvious, peonies. We then added in ranunculus, stock, roses, veronica, lisianthus, hypericum berries, thistle, italian ruscus, olive greenery, and silver dollar eucalyptus. Eucalyptus is technically off-crop in the spring and early summer so locating it can be a little tricky. Luckily we are able to pull from a variety of different vendors to source the eucalyptus. 

Carly - The Barn at Smugglers’ Notch - Zack Griswold Photography

Carly’s bouquet is twist on the blush and white palette by adding in some punchy pinks. Originally Carly dreamed of coral charm peonies in her bouquet but unfortunately, they were not in season locally or internationally. Peonies are locally available from late May to mid-June. However, from July in to part of August, peony growers in Alaska can ship those beautiful blooms to us. From there the peonies are pretty much impossible to get until late fall early winter in November / December timeframe. However, there are many garden roses that offer the same ruffly petals as a peony. In Carly’s bouquet, we used Yves Piaget Garden Roses in place of the peonies. The rest of Carly’s bouquet was filled with ranunculus, garden roses, spray roses, anemones, and a variety of eucalyptus. 

Nichole - Stowe Mountain Resort - Amy Bennett Photography 

Nichole’s bouquet was a fun punchy fall palette with of shade of burgundy, orange, copper, and white. From the start, Nichole knew she wanted something more bright and vibrant to complement the beautiful foliage Vermont has. The other thing Nichole knew she wanted was dahlias. We were able to source some beautiful local dahlias for her bouquet from a local flower farmer, Bridget’s Bouquets. Nichole’s bouquet also featured cherry brandy roses, snapdragons, ranunculus, pom mums, spray roses, alstroemeria, italian ruscus, and both seeded and silver dollar eucalyptus.

Alexa - Maqaum Barn & Winery - Anne Mientka Photography 

Alexa’s bouquet is one of our favorites because of the flexibility we had with it. Yes, it is technically a burgundy and blush bouquet. However, we were able to incorporate more of a dusty rose/ mauve tone in place of the traditional light pink blush. In Alexa’s bouquet, we added some unique goodies like astrantia and the mauve lisianthus that gave her bouquet that “wow what is that flower” factor. We were also able to include all of our favorite flowers such as the Hearts Rose, thistle, hypericum berries, anemones, and ranunculus. You know we finished off this bouquet with a variety of eucalyptus and israeli ruscus.

Maddy - White Rainbow Farm - Anne Mientka Photography 

Maddy bouquet was another bouquet that we had a lot of flexibility with. Her vision was a palette of mostly white and pops of blue. Blue flowers are incredibly rare in nature however we were able to snag some beautiful local light blue delphiniums and blue anemones. We also added in some blue thistle which not only is an incredibly long-lasting blue flower but one that adds some great texture to the bouquet. For the white in her bouquet, we added Tranquility Garden Roses from Grace Farms, veronica, hypericum berries, solomio, poppy pods, sword ferns, italian ruscus, and parvifolia eucalyptus.

Monica - Round Barn Inn - Ellen Sargent Photography 

Monica’s bouquet was a soft feminine bouquet filled with tons of fluffy petaled goodness. This is the type of bouquet that we love to refer to as classic elegance. The main star of her bouquet was white peonies but they were quickly followed up by romantic antique garden roses, coral ranunculus, watermelon ranunculus, stock, astilbe, anemones, lisianthus, billy balls, italian ruscus, olive greenery, and jasmine vine. Yup, no eucalyptus at all! Truth be told, we kinda liked it and that is just another reason Monica’s bouquet is on our favorite’s list of 2021.

Marianne - The Barn at Smugglers’ Notch - Todd Stoilov / Still & Motion

Marianne’s bouquet was a must-add to our list of 2021 favorites because we finally got to incorporate succulents into a bouquet! We added a few larger focal succulents to her bouquet and wired in a few smaller ones to act as fillers as well. This gave Marianne’s bouquet not only a unique color palette but also some great texture. Along with the succulents, we also incorporated roses, stock, anemones, lisianthus, thistle, olive greenery, italian ruscus, and a variety of eucalyptus.

2021 was certainly a year to remember and I hope you all found our favorite 2021 bouquets just as beautiful as we did. We can’t wait to make this a tradition and next year and share our 2022 favorite bouquets. We may or may not already have one on our list. ​

With 2022 wedding couples booking us earlier than normal, we are getting a little sneak peek into what 2022 weddings will look like. While some of them may not surprise you, others just might! Here are some of the trends we are seeing with our 2022 wedding couples and their wedding flowers. 

Did any of these trends surprise you? Are there any trends you'll be participating in for your 2022 nuptials? Leave us a comment below of your favorite 2022 wedding flower trend. 

The 2021 wedding season will be like no other, to say the least. While 2020 had its fair share of challenges, postponements, and firsts, we are prepared and looking forward to a busy 2021 season. 

This is something we have been watching and dealing with in real-time and we feel it is something that is important to share with everyone. Back in March of 2020 when the world shut down, the fresh-cut floral industry struggled. You may have seen the photos or news stories of fields of cut flowers being destroyed or seen the Dutch auction come to a halt. There is an image of flowers from the Aalsmeer flower auction that will forever be etched into our memory. With over 200,000 large blooms the message was clear, #LetHopeBloom. 

I know a few of you may be thinking well, that not in America. Which, for some part, is the truth. However, American florists rely heavily on other countries such as the Netherlands, Columbia, Ecuador, and others to get the volume and special varieties they need for large events like weddings. One of the leading growers of those stunning garden roses, Alexandra Farms, is located in fertile savanna Bogotá, Columbia. 

We promise this blog isn’t to scare you or upset you. We want to keep all our couples up to date and let them know what steps we are taking to stay ahead of this situation and deal with the upcoming unknowns. We are resilient and resourceful. We will deliver you beautiful wedding flowers for your special day. That is our promise and we intend to keep that promise at all costs.

So what steps are we taking to combat the global fresh-cut flower shortage?

• We are ordering early and often from our local wholesaler.

We have been blessed to have formed an incredible relationship with our local wholesaler who is keeping us up to date on the current happenings and status of the market. Curious what is in their cooler right now? Check out this link to view their frequent cooler tours! 

• We are actively seeking out more local farms to purchase from.

We have recently been in contact with a local farm called Unity Farm in Charlotte, VT, and are excited to be purchasing from them. We pick up our first order of tulips for our mothers day bouquet from Unity Farm next week! We also have recently joined a group of local farmer florists in an effort to purchase more local blooms. 

• We are building a larger cut flower garden this year at our studio. We have invested in hot ticket flowers such as peonies, garden roses, and hydrangea. 

Fall of 2020 we put in over 50 new peony plants and expanded our flower gardens to make room for more hydrangeas and specialty roses. We have also bulked up on our annual seeds and hope to start over 250 annual flowers for this season. Yes, these plants will need time to grow but we are actively seeking out more plants and reconfiguring our space.
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We know this is not the news you want to hear but it will get better. We will do everything in our power to get that specific rose variety that you love but please have an open mind. We promise you will LOVE that Combo Rose or Honey Dijon Rose just as much as a those highly prized Toffee Roses. Check out the comparison below!
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 Toffee, Combo and Honey Dijon Roses (in that order). 

I know what you're thinking, but what about daffodils?! Well, to be honest, daffodils do not play nice with others. When a daffodil is cut the stem secretes a milky substance that can poison other flowers and actually kill them. For that reason we skipped them in our 10 must have spring flowers for your wedding. However, if you are dead set on having them in your bouquet we do have a few work arounds to incorporate them.

​Which flower above is your favorite? Are you planning to use any of them in your spring wedding? Let us a comment below!  

Boutonnières, also know as "buttonholes", are most notably worn by the groom, groomsmen, and male family members of the groom. However, we have been seeing them become more popular for females as well! They should be worn on the left lapel of the man's suit jacket. Boutonnières have a long history. Historians believe that they can possibly be traced all the way back to the Egyptians or the Aztecs. Boutonnières seemed to have gain popularity as a fashion accessory in the 19th century. The choice of a fresh boutonnière was as important as a pair of freshly shined shoes. Moving into the 20th-century and present day, men transitioned the boutonnière into more of an accessory for their wedding day ensemble. Typically the groom's boutonnière matches the bridal bouquet and the groomsmen and fathers/family have similar style boutonnières. Though, we have seen a rise in all matching boutonnières lately.

Photography by: Jenna Brisson Photography

So how much do boutonnières typically cost? This of course varies on many factors such as the focal flower and other flowers being used, the attachment style (i.e. pin on, magnetic or other), and the finished wrap style. Traditionally florists used to just wrap the boutonnière stems in plain green tape. We think that is a little outdated and more prom than wedding though. Some of the most common stem wraps we do include twine, satin ribbon, and silk. A standard boutonnière will usually cost between $19-$22.

Photography by: Shem Roose Photography

It's the wedding day, and you're ready to pin that boutonnière on but you are not sure how. Depending on the man's attire, you will have to choose the correct method for the application. For grooms who are wearing a traditional suit, the boutonnière will be placed on the left lapel. Place your thumb on the underside of the lapel and firmly grasp the front of the boutonnière with your index finger. Once the boutonnière is in the correct place gently fold back the lapel to expose the underside. Gently push the pin into the fabric starting from the outer edge of the lapel. Continue to push the pin through the stems and back into the underside of the lapel. Think of a sewing stitch! If you have a heavier boutonnière you can place another pin in about a 1/2" below the first one. Remember you should be pinning through the top of the stem where it is the thickest. 

Photography by: Coryn Kiefer Photography​

Have any other questions regarding boutonnières? Drop them in the comments below and we will be happy to answer them! ​

Please note this post may not be up to date pricing as the 2022 and 2023 wedding season flower shortages have effected the pricing from both local farms and large wholesalers. We have seen anywhere from a 10-15% increase on the cost of wholesale flowers and greeneries. 

This is often a question a lot of couples come to us with, “How much do wedding flowers really cost?” or “How much should I spend on my wedding flowers?” The answer to this question is completely personal and something individual to each couple. There are a ton of different wedding blogs and websites out there saying you should spend only 8-10% percent of your total budget on flowers. While that % could be totally accurate for you and for individual situation, we find that couples we work with tend to spend a little more, somewhere in the 12-15% even up to 18%-20% range. So let’s break it down! What does a $1,500, $3,500, $5,000 and $10,000+ budget look like. Please remember these examples are based on an in season wedding in New England with roughly 4-6 attendants on each side and roughly 100-125 guests. This of course does not include tax, delivery or any breakdown fees. 

$1,500 Budget 

Most Common Flowers and Greenery Used: 
hydrangeas, sunflowers, alstroemeria, tulips, stock, gerbera daisies, mums, standard roses, carnations, leather leaf fern, lemon leaf, isreali ruscus 

Bridal Bouquet: $215-$235
Bridesmaid Bouquet: $105-$125
Boutonniere: $18-$19
Centerpiece: $40-$50

Couples who have around a $1500 budget usually pick up their flowers or have them delivered to their venue. (We do not offer setup weddings or full service weddings under $3500.) This means we create all the bouquets, boutonnieres, centerpieces and other flowers for you and deliver them to you ready to use. This is a great option for couples who are on a budget or are looking for an affordable, easy and convenient flower experience for their wedding. Typically couples who opt for this are not very picky about flower choice. They typically have a color palette and style but aren’t set on having a lush peony bouquet. 

Photography by: Great Impression Portrait Studio​

$3,500 Budget

Most Common Flowers and Greenery Used:
peonies, ranunculus, astilbe, anemone, delux roses, garden roses, lisianthus, dahlias, eucalyptus, huck, olive, italian ruscus 

Bridal Bouquet: $275-$295
Bridesmaid Bouquet: $145-$165
Boutonniere: $20-$21
Wrist Corsage: $45-$55
Centerpiece: $125-$150
Arbor: $325-$475

Couples who spend around $3500 usually have a simple setup wedding. This means all the bouquets, boutonnieres and other wearable flowers are delivered to site ready to be used. The other items such as the arbors or more elaborate centerpieces are assembled on site the morning of the wedding. Typically these are centerpieces that involve loose greenery runners and small amount of other florals in the form of bud vases or blooms tucked into the greenery. The arbor is typically a medium to large sized top corner arrangement with a mix of flowers and greenery. 

Photography By: Darling Photography​

$5,000 Budget

Most Common Flowers and Greenery Used:
peonies, ranunculus, astilbe, anemone, standard roses, garden roses, lisianthus, dahlias, eucalyptus, huck, olive, italian ruscus. (Typically the same flowers as above) 

Bridal Bouquet: $275-$295
Bridesmaid Bouquet: $145-$165
Boutonniere: $20-$21
Wrist Corsage: $45-$55
Centerpiece: $195-$245
Small Arrangements: $75-$95
Arbor: $625-$825
Greenery Chandelier: $245-$265

You’ll notice the cost of the bouquets and other personal flowers stayed the same. We find couples who have roughly a $5,000 budget opt for more lush centerpieces and arbors. If their venue allows they will include a greenery chandelier or two. Some couples also opt to add in smaller arrangements throughout the venue in places like the bar, dessert table, bathrooms and welcome signs. These weddings are typically done as simple setups or full service weddings. Simple setups just like the one above do not require us to come back for a strike. However, if a couple opts for items such as a greenery chandelier or other install, we consider those full service. A small strike fee would be added to the bottom of your estimate to cover our time and travel back to the venue after your event to clean up and breakdown these items. 

Photography by: Ellen Sargent Photography​

Still not sure where you fall on the budget spectrum? That is totally fine! We’d love to setup a complimentary consultation to help you set a budget and create some gorgeous wedding florals. 
Schedule your complimentary consultation below. ​

The Barn at Smugglers' Notch 
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Some of our favorite weddings from both friends and clients have been at The Barn at Smugglers' Notch. From the white shiplap walls, to the gorgeous chandeliers, there is not a square inch of this barn that has not been thought about. Owners Steve and Jennifer take extreme pride in their venue and it shows!

One of our favorite ways to dress up the venue is to add greenery to the chandeliers and staircase. We often find wedding couples opting for greenery garlands to run down the farmhouse tables as centerpieces. Adding the greenery to the chandeliers above helps to bring out the cozy vibe and adds a touch of color. It's a great, fairly affordable option to really dress up the venue and keep your guests talking about your special day.

The location of the barn is another thing we feel we should note. It is tucked into the hills of Jeffersonville and offers a stunning mountain backdrop for your ceremony. While the fields around offer beautiful wildflowers in the summer, the venue truly comes alive in the fall. The foliage here in the fall is out of this world.

Photography by: Ellen Sargent Photography & Coryn Kiefer Photography 

Vermont Swiss and Bloom Farm 

The Vermont Swiss and Bloom Farm is a dreamy barn located in Enosburg Falls. This 1850’s hand‑crafted timber frame barn is surrounded by beautiful gardens of lush blooming hydrangeas. Once you open the doors to the interior of the barn you will immediately fall in love with the character and unique features the barn offers. Our favorite feature (besides that grand staircase) are the chandeliers and vintage couches!
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The farm also offers a large farmhouse for you and your wedding party to stay at. With 7 bedrooms this house holds a ton of people and is the perfect spot to get ready for your wedding. This venue also offers a fire pit! Talk about the perfect wind down to the perfect evening.

While this hasn’t been done at the barn yet, we dream of doing greenery dripping from all the exposed beams and a lush floral install that frames the vintage couches. Thinking of having your wedding here and wanting to create a floral magic moment to wow your guests? We’re happy to do an onsite consultation to show you the endless options that can be done!

Photography by: Great Impression Portrait Studio

The Inn at Burklyn

The Inn at Burklyn is a sprawling estate on 86 acres of lush grounds surrounded by beautiful mountain views. This luxurious mansion is located in East Burke, Vermont but it is totally worth the drive! The mansion itself houses 14 ensuite bedrooms for couples and guests to stay at. The Inn at Burklyn offers multiple ceremony sites with both our favorite being the intimate garden and greenhouse area. 

One of the most notable features at Inn at Burklyn is the gorgeous greenhouse tucked off to the side of the inn. In the summer the greenhouse is crawling with beautiful green vines and blooms. We find that the greenhouse offers a beautiful spot to hang a floral chandelier. Other than the greenhouse, one of our other favorite spots to decorate with florals is the large porch. 

The Inn at Burklyn is certainly a must see for couples who are looking for something a little different than the traditional Vermont barn wedding. We have near endless ideas of how to dress up this beautiful mansion and cannot wait to be back here designs soon.

Photography by: Coryn Kiefer Photography 

Which venue could you see your self getting married at? Do you have any must see venues for us to check out? We love to hear from you all and cannot wait for our next adventure. 

​​Today we had the pleasure of speaking with a couple of amazing wedding photography pros! These pros are here to give us their best advice from selecting your wedding photographer to the must-have photos on your wedding day and beyond. Let's introduce these amazing wedding pros quickly before we jump into the fun stuff! 

Amelia, the owner of Amelia Marie Photography, is based out of Burlington, Vermont but serves all of Vermont, New England, and beyond. Amelia is truly an adventurous soul and is not afraid to jump in headfirst for her couples. Amelia has that warm personality that just invites you in. You will truly leave any session with her feeling like you've made a new friend. 

Ellen, the owner of Ellen Sargent Photography, is based out of Boston, MA but has some very strong ties to Vermont as she grew up on the shore of Lake Champlain. One of our favorite things about Ellen is that she has mastered the art of simultaneously streaming a Boston Bruins game while catching up on the most recent episode of The Bachelor. We have worked with Ellen numerous times on weddings and her talent has never ceased to amaze us. We were recently featured on Vermont Weddings with Ellen after she reached out to us for a Surprise Spring Mini-mony for some of her amazing clients. Check out the feature here!

We curated a list of questions for Amelia and Ellen and they so graciously answered them all in great detail. 
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• Since wedding photographers are one of the most important vendors for couples to book, what is the single most important question that they ask you. 

Both Ellen and Amelia agree, one of the most important questions is most easily the first question you should ask, "Are you available for our date?" Ellen says it's really important for her to hop on a call, zoom, or (pre-pandemic times) meet up for coffee with couples before they book. Ellen always tells her clients if you don't feel like we vibe, go with your gut instinct and choose someone you do vibe with. You should of course follow up with other more important questions like pricing and packages but keep it simple to start off. Amelia has a great blog called 15 Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer. We highly suggest you check out her blog after you're done here! 
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• When does a couple typically book your services? 

Amelia says, "At least a year in advance is a good rule of thumb. However, like most other wedding vendors, photographers have experienced many postponements and reschedulings in 2020 and 2021. So, keep in mind your dream photographer may be booked farther out than normal due to COVID." Ellen followed up to say, "I'm booking into September 2022 and beyond, which is the furthest out I've ever booked. With this pandemic wreaking havoc on the event industry, I think that any "rules" that existed before March 2020 are out the window!"

• On the wedding day when do you typically arrive? Do you have a suggested number of hours to book? 

Ellen helps couples create a wedding day timeline that best suits their photography desires. Both Ellen and Amelia agree that 8 hours seems to be the sweet spot for coverage. Amelia says that her typical wedding day starts at noon to 1pm and end anywhere around 8-9pm in the evening. This allows your photographer time to get everything from those getting ready shots to those dirty dance floor shots. Ellen says she rarely stays to the end of the reception. She said those late-night photos are best shot on your iPhone. 

• What is your favorite photo to take on the wedding day? 

Amelia says, "I love taking the opportunity to step away from the celebration with just my couple to snap a few portraits at golden hour. It gives the two of them a moment to really soak it all in, and I get to capture them in the most beautiful light of the day!" Ellen agrees but says, "Ohh, that’s so hard to answer! While I work hard to make everyone feel comfortable in front of my lens and assist with posing so there’s no excuse that my clients are “awkward in front of the camera”, my favorite images are often not from any of the posed portraits. I live for candid photos. The photos that freeze time forever and let my couples look back at the belly laughs they shared with some of their favorite people."

• What about photos couples tend to overlook and then wish they had taken later on? 

Both Ellen and Amelia agree that is it so important for couples to create a shot list so that they don't miss those must-have shots. Amelia noted though her style is very candid, authentic, and in-the-moment. However, she makes a point to still get those priceless photos of grandparents, dads, sisters, brothers, etc. Ellen says while she works incredibly hard in the planning phase to ensure it doesn't happen usually if it does it is due to things that are out of everyone's control(like the bus breaking down on the way to the wedding venue). Woof! Sounds like that has happened before. 

• As a wedding florist, we are a huge lover of detail shots. What are some items that couples should have on hand for those detail shots? 

Both Ellen and Amelia recommend having some items on hand for detail shots but think it is a task best delegated to a wedding party member or family member. Ellen says some of the most common items to have on hand are: a full invitation suite, shoes, jewelry, rings (both bride’s and groom’s), any special heirlooms, veil, and dress are typically photographed. She suggests couples consider bringing an attractive hanger so we’re not left to use the one the dress was stored on or one from the hotel’s closet. Ellen says some couples opt to purchase a ring box from The Mrs Box to play on their color scheme and elevate their flat lay. Side note, we love when couples ask us for some styling blooms. Those tiny pops of florals also help add some dimension and interest to your detail shots.

• Do you think it is important for couples to have an engagement shoot with you before the wedding?

Amelia and Ellen both feel so strongly about the importance of an engagement shoot before the wedding that they include it complimentary in their wedding packages. Amelia says, "It’s a great way for the couple to get to know their photographer and vice-versa, as well as have the opportunity to get comfortable in front of the camera and break the ice a bit before the wedding day so you know just what to expect." Ellen says she loves doing engagement shoots because if your portrait time on the wedding day gets cut short, we can still get a lot of awesome shots because the couple has already experienced a couples session and knows the posing, prompts, etc. You spend more time with your wedding photographer than anyone else on your wedding day so it is so important that you are comfortable with them.
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• If you could give couples any last advice when scoping out a wedding photographer what would it be?

We really resonated with Amelia when she said, "My biggest piece of advice would be to invest in a photographer that fits your personality and style." We could not agree more with that advice as it is something we often preach to our own couples who seek us out for wedding florals. Both Amelia and Ellen agree it is important to do your due diligence by not only looking at their social media but also asking for a full gallery of images so you can see what the finished product may look like. Ellen noted, "Do keep in mind that each galley is shot with the couple's vision in mind, so while it might not be exactly what you'd want, look through the lens of do you like the style, do you like the edits, and do you like the overall vibe?"

Thank you so much Ellen and Amelia for letting us #AskTheExperts and breakdown some photography questions. We have worked with Amelia and Ellen many times and a lot of photos in our portfolio actually belong to them. We highly suggest you check them out if you are in the market for a wedding photog. We will leave links to them below! Who do you want to see us chat with next? Venue Owners? Caters? Bakers? Let us know in the comments. 

Ellen Sargent Photography 
Amelia Marie Photography

  #BouquetBreakdown - The "Lindsey" 
​This winter bouquet breakdown holds a special place in our hearts as it was for a dear friend of ours. The bride, Lindsey, and her now-husband are huge winter lovers. They dreamt of a snowy winter wedding with cedar garlands and red berries, a true woodland winter wonderland. This bouquet has been highly sought after as inspiration for many winter weddings since and we absolutely love it. 

So why do we LOVEEEEE this bouquet?

We LOVE this bouquet for its simplicity. While most of our bouquets have between 8-12 different floral ingredients this bouquet has only six. The simple luxurious flowers make for a very clean, classic, and elegant design. This bouquet will be something you look back on in 30 years and say, "wow, I am so glad I choose that bouquet."

So let's break it down! 

White Cloud Garden Roses: White garden roses are the epitome of a classic romantic wedding flower. The swirling petals create a soft cushion-like feel. They always pair nicely with peonies and especially eucalyptus. We opted for the variety white cloud in this bouquet as it is a true white rose. Garden roses are available year-round and we give them a $$$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale. 

White Veronica: Veronica is considered a line flower meaning its blooms are lineal. Some other more popular line flowers are snapdragons and delphinium. While veronica is not nearly as large as the other line flowers it does give a bouquet some nice height. The blooms can be placed deeper in the bouquet to only show a green point or closer to the surface of the bouquet showing the white to green gradient. Veronica comes in a variety of colors and is available year-round. We give it a $$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale. 

Red Hypericum Berries: Hypericum Berries are a unique filler flower that we love. The small cluster of berries adds an element of interest and intrigue. And no, they are not edible but they look it sometimes. They come in every shade of green, red, pink, white, peach, and cream. We also used these berries in the boutonnieres! They hold up extremely well out of water and offer a more masculine feel as they aren't a traditional bloom. Hypericum berries are available year-round and we give them $$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale.

Seeded Eucalyptus: The ultimate texture foliage in our book. The tiny seeds pods on the seeded eucalyptus are just so versatile! We love using them in a winter bouquet to offset the softness of the winter greenery like cedar. Seeded eucalyptus does go off crop in the early spring and some parts of the year can have brown cupped seeded instead of the desired green seed pods. We give seeded eucalyptus a $$$ out of $$$$$ rating on our expensive scale.

Parvifolia Eucalyptus: This eucalyptus is fast becoming another favorite of ours! It has elliptical shaped leaves that offer a dainty and feminine touch to the bouquet. Parvifolia Eucalyptus can be found year-round but during certain seasons the tips of the new growth will have a burgundy red tone to them. While it is not as common as the Silver Dollar Eucalyptus it is just as expensive if not more. For that reason, we give it a $$$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale.

Cedar: Cedar is the perfect winter foliage. It gives you the perfect amount on length and fluff in a bouquet all while giving your bouquet a winter feel. Cedar is available year-round however we haven't used it outside of the winter season yet. We have always dreamed of a Christmas in July wedding though! We give cedar a $$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale. 

What do you think about the "Lindsey"? Doesn't it make you want to get married in the winter with that beautiful snow backdrop and cozy atmosphere? 

Photography: Jenna Brisson Photography 

#BouquetBreakdown - The "Kylie" 
Let's be real, you knew we couldn't do only half of the iconic duo. Very much like the "Kendall" and "Kylie" you are more accustomed to, these bouquets are both special in their own ways. The "Kylie" is soft, she's feminine and elegant. She features some of the classic flowers like roses, stock, and lisianthus but with a twist. We find that the "Kylie" is perfect for those longtime sweethearts who want a romantic and intimate wedding. 

So why do we LOVEEEEE this bouquet?

We LOVEEEEE this bouquet because we got to use some of our favorite flowers that we haven't been able to in a long time. Thanks, Covid.... We love the white, blush, and mauve tones of this bouquet. It's romantic and it's timeless. We also LOVEEEEE the shape. It is a non-traditional oval and we think it compliments the flowers so much more. You know what they say, spread the love!

So let's break it down!

White Snowy Jewel Roses: Snowy jewel roses are another favorite of ours. They have an incredible rose fragrance and open up beautifully. If left to bloom completely, they will open up 100% of the way exposing the inner yellow center. One thing to note is while they are a white rose, they are not as white as a Playa Blanca Rose. Snowy jewel roses have a little more of a cream tone to the center of them but it is something we have come to love! They are not available all year but are most often available during the traditional wedding season. We give snowy jewel roses a $$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale. 

White Lisianthus: Lisianthus is our most popular wedding flower. Lisianthus is available in a huge spectrum of colors. Yes, even find those hard to get mauves, champagnes, and yellowy apricots. Lisianthus kind of reminds us of spray roses in the way the fresh-cut blooms look. The rosettes in the middle have the same shape as spray roses and open up to reveal a gorgeous center with tiny little stamens. Lisianthus is available year-round and we give them a $$$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale.

White Mums: White mums are a wonderful substitution for dahlias when they are out of season. Mums have an incredible vase life and come in a huge variety of colors. We know, mums are best known for being those little button-sized flowers you put on top of your hay bales on your front porch in the fall. These mums are much larger and are roughly the size of a dahlia. They are also available in a large more "dinnerplate" size as well. Mums are available year-round and we give them a $ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale.  

Amnesia Roses: Amnesia roses are another love of ours. They are so unique and fit every mauvy, dusty pink lavender palette under the sun. When paired with other pastels and ivory flowers they give an antique vibe. However, when paired with brighter tones they give off more of a modern vibe. Amnesia roses are a very unique color and don't have any truly great dupes making them very desirable. While during peak wedding season they can be hard to get a hold of, don't fret! We have our secret sources who seem to always come through. They are available year-round and we give them a $$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale. 

Blush Stock: Stock is such a beautiful timeless flower. It has an incredible scent that is reminiscent of cloves. Stock is said to mean a happy life when added to a bouquet. Stock comes in a large variety of colors from white, blush, salmon, lavender, fuchsia, dark purple, and more. It is available year-round and we give stock a $$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale.

Blush Alstromeria: Alstromeria is a great inexpensive filler flower. It comes in a variety of colors and typically has 4-7 blooms per stem. Their common name is the Peruvian lily and I am sure you can tell why. They look like mini lilies with their petal shape and bloom structure. Alstroemeria is a very hardy flower and makes a great choice for arrangements that will be out of water for an extended period of time. Alstromeria is available year-round and we give it a $ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale.

Peach Hypericum Berries: These little berries are so versatile and we love sneaking them in everywhere. Did ya notice they were in our last bouquet breakdown as well? While no, they are not edible but they can certainly look it sometimes. Hypericum berries come in every shade of green, red, pink, white, peach, and cream.  Hypericum berries are available year-round and we give them $$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale.

Silver Dollar Eucalyptus: All hail the king! Silver dollar eucalyptus is back in our bouquet breakdowns and we've really missed it. This silvery sage green foliage is super versatile and used in nearly every bouquet we create. It always pairs well with other eucalyptus varieties and contracts dark foliage like ruscus. Silver dollar eucalyptus is available for the most part year-round but does go off crop for a short stint in the spring. We give silver dollar eucalyptus $$$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale. 

Seeded Eucalyptus: I know, shocker! You know we love it and have to use it in nearly every bouquet. We find the seeds give an amazing texture to any bouquet but fit best with cascading summer bouquets or fall weddings. Seeded eucalyptus can be found year-round for the most part. It does go off crop in the early spring and some parts of the year can have cupped seeded instead of the desired green seed pods. We give seeded eucalyptus a $$$ out of $$$$$ rating on our expensive scale.

Italian Ruscus: This dark green foliage is great for adding height, weight, and even length to a bouquet. The deep green leaves are often a great contrast to the silvery eucalyptus. The way the leaves are positioned on the stems gives this greenery a lighter more airy look. Italian ruscus is available year-round and we give it a $$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale.

So what do you think of the "Kylie"? Isn't she so sweet with a flair of fierce?

Photography courtesy of: Amy Bennett Photography

#BouquetBreakdown - The "Kendall" 

These cooler fall days have us ready to cozy up on the couch with our laptop and write away. We have had so many incredible bouquets over this wild 2020 wedding season. The "Kendall", however, seems to be the fan-favorite of the year so far. It's bold, it's vibrant, its texture and adventurous. It's perfect for that fall mountainside elopement. 

So why do we LOVEEEEE this bouquet?

It's the uncommon flowers in this bouquet for us. Please somebody get that TikTok reference. We loved using dahlias as the star of the show instead of the standard rose. It opened up our realm to use more uncommon flowers and more local flowers. Which, we think gave this bouquet the overall perfect fall vibe. 

So let's break it down!

This bouquet is jam-packed with a huge variety of different in-season local blooms. While the dahlias may be the star of this show there are some other fun new faces like strawflower and oats. 

Orange Ball Dahlias: A first here on our bouquet breakdowns. These ball dahlias are a great option for a bride who doesn't love the standard rose for a wedding. It is still a nice round flower but has a very unique petal structure. Ball dahlias come in a wide variety of colors and sizes. The one downfall of the dahlias is that they are very finicky. They prefer to not be shipped and only last a few days after being harvested. For that reason, we only purchase local dahlias. Local dahlias can be found in the summer and fall. We give ball dahlias a $$$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale. 

Orange Amaranthus: Orange upright amaranthus is another fall favorite. It often comes in a few different hues ranging from bronze to bright orange. Just like the red upright amaranthus, the orange features the same fuzzy lineal bloom. We find orange amaranthus is best when bought from local growers. It is available from the summer to the fall and we give it a $$$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale. 

Orange Strawflower: Strawflower is a new found love for us! It is a truly unique flower and dries just as beautiful as it looks fresh. The strawflower gets its name from the feel of the petals. Don't be fooled though, once completely opened the flower reveals a velvety smooth core. Strawflower comes in a huge variety of colors from white, blush, peachy all the way to burgundy and plum. It is a wonderful local cut flower and is in season from the Summer to the Fall. We give it a $$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale.  P.s. Check out the strawflower up close in the boutonniere photo below. 

Peach Hypericum Berries: Hypericum Berries are a unique filler flower that we love. The small cluster of berries adds an element of interest and intrigue. And no, they are not edible but they look it sometimes. They come in every shade of green, red, pink, white, peach, and cream.  Hypericum berries are available year-round and we give them $$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale.

Burgundy Ball Dahlias: Much like the orange ball dahlias, these are a great option for brides who don't love roses. Ball Dahlias come in a huge variety of colors and while they are finicky, the are the hardiest of all the different dahlia types. They prefer to not be shipped and only last a few days after being harvested. For that reason, we only purchase local dahlias. Local dahlias can be found in the summer and fall. We give ball dahlias a $$$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale. 

Red Astranthia: This fun filler can often be found in the background of our boho, rustic, wildflower, and garden-style bouquets. The flower bloom itself is very unique in the fact that the stem bears many blooms. Each bloom itself has a collection of soft tips that create a circular focal point that is enclosed by an outer ring of pointy petals. Astrantia comes in a few different colors but white and mauve are our two favorites. It is available year-round and we give it a $$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale.

Red Amaranthus: Red Amaranthus is a fall favorite. It is available in both an upright and hanging form. For this bouquet, we used both the hanging and upright form. Red upright amaranthus features a fuzzy lineal bloom on a red stem. Typically the bloom is roughly 3" to 6" long. Amaranthus is available year-round but we find it best in season for the late summer and fall. We give red amaranthus a $$$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale. 

Blue Thistle: Thistle typically will have 4 to 5 blooms per stem which gives you a great bang for your buck. They are a little sharp the more mature the bloom is but we promise, it's totally worth it. Haven't you heard, beauty is pain. Blue thistle is available year-round and we give it a $$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale.

Oats: Yup! Just like you would eat. These funky oats were amazing for adding texture and movement to the bouquet. They floated and danced above the bouquet in the wind. Oats are available in the fall season and are sourced locally. We give them a $ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale. 

Bunny Tail Grass: Bunny tail grass is a tan soft fluffy grass that has gone to seed. While it isn't a large showy bloom like the roses, bunny tail grass tucked into the bouquet it is just important as any other floral element. This grass is also sourced locally and available in the summer and fall. We give it a $ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale.

Seeded Eucalyptus: Obviously, we had to throw some sort of eucalyptus in here. The tiny seeds pods on the seeded eucalyptus are just so versatile and just give the bouquet that much more dimension and interest. Seeded eucalyptus does go off crop in the early spring and some parts of the year can have brown cupped seeded instead of the desired green seed pods. We give seeded eucalyptus a $$$ out of $$$$$ rating on our expensive scale.

Parvifolia Eucalyptus: More eucalyptus! The elliptical shaped leaves of the parvifolia eucalyptus offer a dainty and feminine touch to the bouquet. Parvifolia Eucalyptus can be found year-round but during certain seasons the tips of the new growth will have a burgundy red tone to them. While it is not as common as the Silver Dollar Eucalyptus it is just as expensive if not more. For that reason, we give it a $$$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale.

Photos courtesy of  Amelia Marie Photography 

Trending Wedding Flowers for 2021

With 2021 wedding consultations in full swing, we thought we would breakdown some of our favorite trending color palettes and flowers for this upcoming season. These popular flowers and color palettes are pulled directly from our consultations and bookings for 2021. From bright pops of color to the simple white and green we are here to break it down for you. We will start with our three base color palettes and then add in some popular touches to switch them up a tiny bit. ​

#BouquetBreakdown - The "Liberty" 

We're back for another #bouquetbreakdown and this bouquet gives us all the patriotic vibes. From the deep reds to the bright whites and pastel blues this bouquet screams America. No matter the season this bouquet is always going to pop. 

So why do we LOVEEEEE this bouquet?

Well, we are very patriotic and very much love our country but we also love the bright colors. It is not often we get to use such bold colors in wedding work. When our bride, Sarah, was needing a color palette redesign we were ecstatic to offer the red, white, and bloom palette. She surprised her now-husband with the flowers and he loved them so much he had them preserved for her after their intimate wedding. 


So let's break it down!

We have categorized the blooms by color this time and we're starting off with that bold pop of red!

Red Spray Roses: These bright red spray roses were the main blooms for our pop of red. Spray roses are a great all-purpose flower and just like ranunculus come in a rainbow of colors. Spray roses are available year-round and we give them a $$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale.


Red Mini Gerbera Daisies: These red mini gerbera daisies were our supporting actress in the red category. They have a very different bloom structure than the red spray roses and therefore gave a nice definition to the red category in our color palette. Mini gerbera daisies are available year-round and we give them a $$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale.  


Red Astible: We love using this fluffy red astible in bouquets. We find that adding in even the smallest amount gives the bouquet so much more dimension. Astible is a line flower which means it blooms vertically instead of in one round ball. Some of our other favorite line flowers in delphinium, stock, veronica, liatris, and snapdragons. Astible is available year-round and come in a variety of colors from white, blush, pink, red, and burgundy. We give astible a $$$ our of $$$$$ on the expensive scale. 


White Anemones: Anemones are another unique blooming flower. They don't have any great dupes which makes them highly sought after. Their dark black centers can throw off a navy tone in some varieties. Anemones are also available in a wide variety of colors such as white, red, blue, purple, pink and even a beautiful burgundy wine color. They are a very delicate flower with tissue paper-thin petals. They are often placed last into a bouquet. Anemones are available year-round and much like ranunculus we give them $$$$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale. 


White Lysimachia: A new face to the bouquet breakdown! Lysimachia is a fun new mini line flower. We love it because each individual bloom is star-shaped. We know, we know a little cliché for the red, white, and bloom pallet but we couldn't help ourselves. These blooms very much remind us of a more plump veronica. Lysimachia is available year-round and we give it a $$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale. 


White Stock: Stock is a fairly fragrant flower that reminds us of a spice smell, almost clove-like. They are made up of little clusters of ruffled petals that grow upwards towards a small spiked top. They can be purchased year-round and come in a huge variety of colors. We give stock a $$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale.


Blue Thistle: Blue thistle another bouquet breakdown classic. When you're thinking you still need something blue for your day, this is almost always our go-to. Thistle comes in a variety of colors and some of our other favorite colors include green, white glitter, and purple. Blue thistle is available year-round and we give it a $$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale.


Blue Delphinium: Another new face to our bouquet breakdowns. Delphiniums are a wonderful flower to add a pop of blue. There are very few naturally true blue flowers and delphinium is one of the best in our opinion. They can range from light to dark blue and come in both a regular and hybrid form. For this bouquet, we chose the standard form to give the bouquet a lighter more whimsical vibe. The hybrid version is often much larger with thick stems and near 100 individual blooms. Delphinium is available year-round and we give it a $$-$$$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale. 


Dusty Miller: This fun pop of bright silver foliage is a great addition to any bouquet. The soft silvery leaves help bring out the light and bright silver tone of the eucalyptus. It is typically grown as an annual in our area and not many people think to add it to their bouquet. One thing to note about dusty miller is that it is a very water thirsty foliage. It can often wilt in the hot summer so it needs to be tucked into bouquets and supported by other greenery and blooms. Dusty miller is available year-round and we give it a $$$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale. 


Willow Eucalyptus: Willow eucalyptus has long beautiful wispy leaves. While it is not super aromatic like the baby blue eucalyptus it does have a nice hint of eucalyptus scent. It is a wonderful greenery for cascading bouquets as it has a nature drape and incredible movement. Willow eucalyptus is available year-round and most often February through May can be found to have seed pods like the seeded eucalyptus. We give it a $$$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale.


Seeded Eucalyptus: Like we've said before it hasn't  *quite* outran it's cousin Silver Dollar Eucapytus but it is getting there! We find the seeds give an amazing texture to any bouquet but fit best with cascading summer bouquets or fall weddings. Seeded eucalyptus can be found year-round for the most part. It does go off crop in the early spring and some parts of the year can have cupped seeded instead of the desired green seed pods. We give seeded eucalyptus a $$$ out of $$$$$ rating on our expensive scale.


Italian Ruscus: This greenery is great for adding height, weight, and even length to a bouquet. The deep green leaves are often a great contrast to the silvery eucalyptus. The way the leaves are positioned on the stems gives this greenery a lighter more airy look. It is available year-round and we give it a $$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale.


Would you consider the red, white, and bloom palette for your wedding?! We hope so! 

Photography by Coryn Keifer Photography ​

#BouquetBreakdown - The "Celeste" 
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Hiiii! We're back for another #bouquetbreakdown and this one is LONG! We hope you've got your snacks and a glass of wine ready! This boho-inspired bouquet has a whopping 18, yes 18 ingredients! So what makes this bouquet "boho"? The texture, the color, and dare we say, the free-spirit vibe. The mixture of the traditional greeneries, not-so-traditional greeneries, and grasses poking out gives this bouquet more of a loose, meadow feel. Yup, you heard right grass. Well, technically grasses.

So why do we LOVEEEEE this bouquet?

We love this bouquet because it's different. It's unique and wild. This boho bouquet is perfect for a mountainside or woodsy elopement. This bouquet could even be rocked in a more rustic venue or lakeside ceremony.

So let's break it down!

Within our 18 ingredients, we have 7 different types of greenery and 11 different flowers. A lot of these flowers are old favorites with a funky twist on the color and variety.

Toffee Roses: Toffee Roses are a truly unique rose. Their warm brown and tan hue is great to mix into a boho bouquet to give it a moody feel. They mix nicely with other champagne, blush, apricot and mauve tones. Toffee roses are available year-round. They are fairly new to the market which means they tend to fetch a higher price tag than other more traditional roses but their unique color is worth it! We give toffee roses $$$$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale.

Mauve Mums: Another new face to our bouquet breakdown! These mauve toned mums ofter a great alternative to the expensive dahlia. Their petal structure is fairly similar to the expensive dahlias but for half the cost. One of the best things about mums is that they come in endless amounts of colors and sizes. These mums are available year-round and we give them a $$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale.

Cream Hypericum Berries: Hypericum Berries are a unique filler flower that we love. The small cluster of berries adds an element of interest and intrigue. And no, they are not edible but they look it sometimes. They come in every shade of green, red, pink, white, peach, and cream.  Hypericum berries are available year-round and we give them $$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale.

Burgundy Snapdragons: These burgundy wine toned snapdragons are an amazing lineal flower to add some height and structure to your bouquet. They bloom from the bottom up so you get a stunning ombre of colors running up the flower as it blooms. They are available year-round and we give them a $$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale

Nigella Pods: These neatly structured pods add an unexpected texture and design element when tucked into bouquets. Each pod has a viney, lace-like cone that encompasses the pod. As the pods age and dry out they go from light green to a deep burgundy. Nigella Pods are sourced locally and therefore only available in the summer months of July, August, and September. We give them a $$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale.

Wine Hellebores: Hellebores have a beautiful deep cup-shaped bloom that is often so heavy it faces down. They are also the first things to bloom in the spring, often while the snow is still on the ground. While they do make beautiful cut flowers and garden flowers be sure to keep pets and kids away as the blooms and plants are toxic if ingested. Hellebores are certainly at their peak in the winter/spring but can be found year-round from other growers outside the US. We give hellebores a $$$ out fo $$$$$ on the expensive scale.

Bunny Tail Grass: Bunny tail grass is a tan soft fluffy grass that has gone to seed. This soft grass elevates any fall or boho bouquet to the next level. While it isn't a large showy bloom like the roses, bunny tail grass tucked into the bouquet it is just important as any other floral element. This grass is also sourced locally and available in the summer and fall. We give it a $ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale.

Explosion Grass: Explosion Grass just like the name says, is an explosion of long soft tendrils from the top of the grass. It very much reminds us of a firework! While some may consider it a weed, we consider it a must-have textural element for boho brides. Explosion grass is available from local farms during the summer and fall. We give it a $ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale.

Cone Leucadendron: This unique greenery very much resembles a pine cone. From the overall shape to the way the "petals" are formed on the cone. Leucadendron itself is part of a much larger flower family and comes in a variety of sizes, colors and textures. It is technically a tropical flower and available pretty much year-round. We give it a $$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale.

Blue Thistle: Thistle typically will have 4 to 5 blooms per stem which gives you a great bang for your buck. While yes they are a little pokey they are so worth it. Haven't you heard, beauty is pain. Blue thistle is available year-round and we give it a $$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale.

White Astrantia: This whimsical filler can often be found in the background of our boho, rustic, wildflower, and garden-style bouquets. The flower bloom itself is very unique in the fact that the stem bears many blooms. Each bloom itself has a collection of soft tips that create a circular focal point that is enclosed by an outer ring of pointy petals. Astrantia comes in a few different colors but white and mauve are our two favorites. It is available year-round and we give it a $$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale.

Green Frill Lisianthus: This fun pop of green will bring the light and bright out in any arrangement. As the bloom ages and opens more it starts to turn a more creamy white color. Just like the white lisianthus we love it. There are always multiple blooms per stems and the smaller unopened blooms are usually confused for spray roses. Lisianthus is available year-round and we give it a $$$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale.

Double Ruffle White & Green Ranunculus: This special ranunculus is a showstopper. It is uniquely colored. The green shining from within the white-edged petals gives the bloom great dimension. It may not be for everyone and every bouquet but we are certainly here for it! Ranunculus are available year-round and we give them a $$$-$$$$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale.

Italian Ruscus: That famous "hot" cousin of the Israeli ruscus that everyone wants. This greenery is great for adding height, weight, and even length to a bouquet. The deep green leaves are often a great contrast to the silvery eucalyptus. The way the leaves are positioned on the stems gives this greenery a lighter more airy look. It is available year-round and we give it a $$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale.

Israeli Ruscus:  Israeli ruscus is a great traditional greenery that is amazing at adding some bulk and brightness to a bouquet. It may be hard to see here but it does have a beautiful deep green color. We find that it works as an amazing base for those larger bouquets. It helps cradle the blooms while still letting the other greens shine. Israeli ruscus is available year-round and we give it $ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale.

Leatherleaf Ferns:  Leatherleaf fern is the most traditional greenery used by florists and we find it to be a little underrated. It is a beautiful true deep green shade that allows the flowers' blossoms to be highlighted. Leatherleaf is available year-round and we give it $ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale. You'll typically find this tucked into all of our arrangements in one way or another. 

Grevillea Foliage: This jagged almost saw style greenery transitions from a dusty green to rusty red. Grevillea Foliage is available nearly year-round but peaks in the fall and winter. We give Grevillea Foliage a $$$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale.

Silver Dollar Eucalyptus: You thought we could go a bouquet breakdown without it. Whoops! I told ya we used this stuff in everything. Silver dollar eucalyptus is available for the most part year-round but does go off crop for a short stint in the spring. We give silver dollar eucalyptus $$$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale. 

So would you dare to rock this boho bouquet? The "Celeste" is not for the faint of heart.

Photography by: Danielle Allendorf 

#BouquetBreakdown - The "Juliet" 

When we're asked to describe what we envision as the holy grail of wedding bouquets, we immediately think of the "Juliet". Juliet just like the fairytale name suggests is a romantic, timeless love story featuring white blooms in a bed of lush greenery. 

So why do we LOVEEEEE this bouquet?

Whether you're getting married in a rustic barn, lakeside retreat, or winery this bouquet is for you. The white blooms bring a very bridal feel while the greenery giving you the pop of color to distinguish the white blooms against the white dress. It's been deemed one of our all-time favorites and we can't wait to share more imagines from this stunning mini-mony with you! 

So let's cut to the chase and break it down.

Duchesse de Nemours Peonies: These brilliant white peonies came straight from our personal cut flower garden. They are a garden favorite as they smell heavenly and have stems that often produce multiple blooms! Peonies are typically in season from May to June with limited availability through July and August from flower farms in Alaska. We give peonies a $$$ to $$$$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale

White Ranunculus: Ranunculus are still a favorite for us! We tuck these fluffy swirling blooms in everywhere. Ranunculus are available in a rainbow of colors and are super hardy out of water. They are available year-round and we give them a $$$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale.

White Lisianthus:  Lisianthus is another one of our best-kept secrets when it comes to wedding flowers! Lisianthus is available in a huge spectrum of colors. Yes, even find those hard to get mauves, champagnes, and yellowy apricots. Lisianthus kind of remind us of spray roses in the way the fresh-cut blooms look. The tiny rosettes in the middle have the same shape as spray roses and open up to reveal a gorgeous center with tiny little stamens. Lisianthus are available year-round and we give them a $$$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale.

White Perennial Scabiosa: Perennial Scabiosa, not to be confused with the Scabiosa Scoop, is another great filler for a more rustic or wildflower style. Unlike its cousin Scabiosa Scoop, the perennial version lacks the fluffy center. The stems also can branch to have multiple blooms per stems. While Scabiosa can be purchased year-round we find the local season to be June through October. On the expensive scale, we rate Scabiosa $$ out of $$$$$.  

White Hypericum Berries: Here we go again with the texture thing. Someone get us a thesaurus! While yes they are great for texture they are also great for adding small pops of color in bouquets. The small cluster of berries adds an element of interest and intrigue. And no, they are not edible but they look it sometimes. They come in every shade of green, red, pink, white, peach, and cream.  Hypericum berries are available year-round and we give them $$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale.

White Veronica: Veronica is a truly unique filler flower. It is considered a line flower meaning its blooms are lineal. Some other more popular line flowers are snapdragons and delphinium. While veronica is not nearly as large as the other line flowers it does give a bouquet some nice height. The blooms can be placed deeper in the bouquet to only show a green point or closer to the surface of the bouquet showing the white to green gradient. Veronica comes in a variety of colors and is available year-round. We give it a $$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale. 

Green Thistle: Green thistle another great textural filler flower. The stems typically have 4 to 5 blooms which gives you a great bang for your buck. I know you hear this a lot from us but it does give the bouquet great texture. Texture is so important when making a bouquet really stand out and look ultra-lux. Green thistle is available year-round and we give it a $$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale.

Silver Dollar Eucalyptus: Good ol' faithful! I told ya we used this stuff in everything. Silver dollar eucalyptus is available for the most part year-round but does go off crop for a short stint in the spring. We give silver dollar eucalyptus $$$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale. 

Parvifola Eucalyptus: More eucalyptus! The elliptical shaped leaves of the parvifolia eucalyptus offer a dainty and feminine touch to the bouquet. Parvifolia Eucalyptus can be found year-round but during certain seasons the tips of the new growth will have a burgundy red tone to them. While it is not as common as the Silver Dollar Eucalyptus it is just as expensive if not more. For that reason, we give it a $$$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale.

Israeli Ruscus: The good ol' trusty Israeli ruscus! It's a great traditional greenery that is amazing at adding some bulk and brightness to a bouquet. It may be hard to see here but it does have a beautiful deep green color. We find that it works as an amazing base to those larger bouquets. It helps cradle the blooms while still letting the other greens shine. Israeli ruscus is available year-round and we give it $ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale.

Olive Greenery: Yes! A new greenery to our bouquet breakdowns! Olive, just like the name suggests has a beautiful olive color to the leaves. They very much match the silvery tone of eucalyptus while adding another leaf shape and texture. And, Yup! It still is one of the oldest symbols of peace. Olive is available year-round and we give it a $$ out of $$$$$ on the expensive scale.  

So tell us, would you want the Juliet for your special day?!


Photography by: Ellen Sargent Photography