Where the magic begins.... →

Have you ever considered the idea that wedding flowers are a crop? They are grown in huge fields all over the world just for your bouquet. Holland, Ecuador, California, Japan, Alaska, Colombia and Kansas. Even in my backyard! As I have mentioned here before I love the idea of adding something I’ve grown to every bouquet, just a little blessing from me to you for a happy life. 

This year adding my own flowers has become a big challenge. I moved last fall from my house with very established cut flower gardens and a beautiful variety of shrubs for unique greenery. My new house sadly has no flowers! (I know right?) So this spring on days when it was warm enough, I started planting all the things I love and miss. Hopefully at this time next year my yard will be filled with blooms. 

Here are a few of my favorites things and a couple of surprises:

Eucalyptus- favorite wedding varieties are seeded, silver dollar or Gunni

Citronella- Not only does it smell like lemons, I love the cut-leaf foliage

Scabiosa or pincushion flower- it comes in so many great sizes and colors

Astilbe- there are two tiny little buds showing. This is a fluffy filler that comes in white, pale pink and red

Zebra Mallow- just another sweet little purple flower

Dusty Miller- who doesn't love pale gray fuzzy foliage?

Heuchera- a foliage plant in many beautiful colors with dark veins

A skink- not what I wanted to see but I've been told they eat bugs. So I guess we'll be friends.

Tree Frog- my other friend

Nora's first day as a freelance gardener/florist. Not a bad start- she only ate one leaf!

So wish me luck, sunny skies and weekly rain! I can't wait to have blooming flowers at my fingertips when it's time to work on your beautiful wedding.

7 Beautiful Wedding Backdrops →

If your wedding ceremony is in a church, the backdrop is already beautiful. Most churches are decorated with subtle colors, ornate crosses, altar tables, candles, etc. And sometimes churches do not allow you to add much to the altar area as far as backdrops and flowers. If this is true of your wedding just be happy that you can spend more money on flowers at your reception!

If your wedding is somewhere other than a church, you may need to provide a beautiful backdrop- something behind the two of you that will frame every picture. Here are 7 ideas that work both indoors and outside. 

Cali and Daniel Page, Photo by Jenna Edds Photography

Two vase arrangements of dahlias, eucalyptus and amaranthus on a narrow table with candles made the perfect simple backdrop in front of a rustic brick wall and windows. The view from these windows at the Lyon County History Center in Emporia, KS was definitely part of the backdrop for this wedding ceremony. 

Jenna and Justin Hill wedding, Mary Cramer Photography

Jenna and Justin Hill wedding, Mary Cramer Photography

This wedding had a backdrop both outside and inside at the Bowyer Building in Emporia, KS. The wooden planks with two open doors we decorated with Baby's Breath wreaths. And inside, the wooden ladder arbor with the hanging chandelier we draped with a garland made with asparagus fern and salal and a mixture of coral flowers and baby's breath.

Alex and Alex Medenciy wedding, Claire Ryser photographer

This is the perfect backdrop for your sweetheart table. The greenery garland with mixed berry flowers framing a lighted M, along with a gorgeous centerpiece of anemone, protea, blackberries, artichoke and carnations was perfect for the couple's Farmer's Market theme.

Melea and Kale Stone wedding, KHRogg Photography

This is a traditional backdrop that many churches will allow you to use and decorate. The candleabra is decorated with mixed greenery, white tulips, stock and roses.

Elizabeth and Kyle Terstriep wedding, Tracy Routh Photography

This formal wedding at Mildale Farm in Edgerton, KS was mostly Baby's Breath and pink roses. We used greenery garland covered in Baby's Breath for the wrought iron arch backdrop and it was the perfect frame for this happy couple!

Alex and Alex Medenciy wedding

This was such a fun challenge! This was the bride's vision of a floral curtain for the wedding ceremony in her family's barn. I used foraged branches from a maple tree, ruscus, and asparagus fern, then made strings of flowers using carnations, stock, and roses. The result was stunning. 

As you can see, you are only limited by your imagination when it comes to the perfect backdrop for your wedding. The options are endless! I would love to hear your ideas. It is my goal as your florist to bring your visions to life!

I am a Flower Nerd (and you can be one too!) →

I really do love flowers. I grew up vegetable gardening with my dad and flower gardening with my mom. I got my college degree in biology. I volunteer as an Extension Master Gardener in my community. I pride myself on knowing the names of everything I grow and use in my bouquets. I know how each plant grows and where they grow best. I might even know the Latin name. I am a Flower Nerd and I am proud of that!

But not everyone is like me. When it is time to think about wedding flowers do you know the names of flowers you love? Or just know how you want your bouquet to look? Today I want to help you be a Flower Nerd so when you have that consultation with your wedding florist you will both be on the same page. Win, Win!

The flowers you most likely see on Pinterest are what a florist might refer to as premium flowers. They are most beautiful in their own season (i.e. peonies in May), sometimes difficult to acquire, and always more beautiful than everyday flowers. Yes they are slightly more expensive than what you would spend on yourself normally, but this is your wedding. Your goal is to only do this thing once, so feel free to splurge just this one time. 

Ranunculus  This is a beautiful flower with many layered petals and it comes in several colors- pinks, orange, yellow, purple, variegated and more. Ranunculus are at their best from January to May. They are available most of the year except the hottest months of the summer (end of July, August & September) when some varieties become difficult to obtain.

Anemone  This is the flower that looks a little like a poppy and has a contrasting center. The most popular color is crisp white with a black center, but other colors include bright red, pink, magenta, purple, and blue. Anemones are typically in season from October through May.  

Garden Rose  These beautiful flowers look nothing like the standard rose you normally see. Their ruffled layers make them a perfect substitute for peonies and they have a lovely rose scent. David Austin in England is a famous breeder of these roses which have the character and fragrance of old garden roses and the colors that brides love today. Peach, pinks, blush, coral, pale yellow, cream, reds and white- so many options and all incredibly beautiful. And they are available almost any time of the year!

Other flowers I love to include in bridal bouquets are things that add texture. You know from my photos that my bouquets are never boring. There are flowers like scabiosa, astilbe, thistle, stock, dahlias and celosia that add depth, color and character. If you look closely at the bouquets in these photos you will see herbs and berries like fennel, elderberry and blackberry, all from my garden. I always add something that I have grown to your bouquet as an added blessing from me to you. 

There is so much joy in flowers, and for me part of the joy is getting to know each flower personally. I hope I have encouraged you to learn a little more about what you want in your bouquet, or maybe even to start your own flower garden, so you can be a Flower Nerd like me!

5 things to think about before your floral consultation

Sometimes wedding consultations become so routine for the professional that we forget this is probably the very first time you have planned a wedding! Everything is new to you and completely unknown, from flower costs to delivery details. The best way to get the most out of your wedding floral consultation is to gather a little information ahead of time. So let’s talk about five things you should know before you meet your florist!

March wedding with tulips, hellebore, scabiosa and roses in blush, cream and burgundy. Photo by K+H Rogg Photo

1.) The estimated size of your wedding. Your florist wants to know approximately how many guests will attend and how many will be in your bridal party.  These numbers give an idea of how many tables will be at the reception and how many personal flowers (bouquets, corsages, boutonnieres, etc.) will be needed.

2.) Your colors and the overall feel of your wedding. These things help us to start picturing what you are dreaming about for your beautiful wedding. Pinterest pictures of color palettes and favorite flowers/bouquets are also helpful. Is your theme Romantic or Modern? Vintage or Glamorous? Choosing flowers will be much easier with these details in mind.

3.) Who will be receiving flowers for your wedding? Of course there is the bride’s bouquet but what else? Flower crowns or bouquets for bridesmaids? Boutonnieres for groom and groomsmen? Think about who else you would like to honor with corsages or boutonnieres- moms, dads, grandparents, ushers, hostesses, attendants, flower girl, ring bearer? 

Connor and Hannah Kraus at Woodlawn Farms, Tecumseh KS. Garden bouquet of David Austin roses, stock, dahlia, scabiosa, and celosia designed by Jennifer Bennett. Photo by Hallie Sigwing Photography.

4.) Ceremony and Reception Flowers. There are two parts to most weddings- the ceremony and the reception- and flowers are used to decorate both. Aisle flowers or altar arrangements at the church? An arrangement with the guest book? Flower Arch for the backdrop? And centerpieces for the reception tables, buffet, bathroom, chairs? Flowers for the cake? You don’t need to know all these things before your consultation, but think about the options and bring pictures of both venues if possible.

Winter wedding reception with mixed greenery and candle light, Anderson Building, Emporia, KS. Photo by Holli B Photography

5.) What is your budget? No idea? Because you have never planned a wedding? That’s okay but it is helpful if you have done a little homework before we meet. Your flowers will generally be about 10-15% of your overall budget. My best advice is not to cut costs on your bouquet because it will be in every photo of you, and will probably be the photo sitting on your nightstand in 50 years, reminding you of your beautiful day.

Now you’re ready! Please contact me if you would like to meet to talk about flowers for your beautiful wedding. I can’t wait to see what you are dreaming!