Many approaches to using flowers for a wedding

Intermountain Catholic

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The Flower Box displays a wedding scene in the window of their store using traditional white colors.

SALT LAKE CITY – "Choosing flowers for a wedding can be really complex or it can be simple," said Pat Donley, owner of the Flower Box and Saint Thomas More parishioner. "Sometimes couples know their colors and we make suggestions on the type of flowers that would be available at that particular time of year. Other times they won’t have any idea, will bring in pictures out of a magazine and want us to duplicate it, or give us free license to do whatever we want within their budget."

People have different needs and he tailors the flowers for each occasion based on the time of year, he said. Sometimes people have outdoor weddings and use their plants and garden flowers for color. "There are so many ways to approach decorating for a wedding that we don’t have minimums on what people can do. A bride can order as little as a bouquet, or also order the boutonniere and corsages, or we can do the whole wedding including the reception. We can even provide fresh flowers for the cake."

The wedding season runs June through September, "but I have actually done weddings every month of the year," said Donley. "We have done Christmas and Valentine weddings; it is just based on what people want."

Wedding bouquets can range anywhere from $75 to $300 depending on how elaborate they are and the types of flowers they use, Donley said. "People now are using colored wire, jewels and pearls and a lot of glitzy and metallic accessories and accents in the bouquets. The bridesmaids’ bouquets are less elaborate. The color trends for this time of year are fuchsias, brilliant greens and orange tones," he said. "But we can still do the traditional colors of white and cream. In the traditional colors, a bride will use an all white bouquet with flowers such as white calla lilies, orchid sprays, white roses and white hydrangeas, which are popular this time of year. Hydrangeas come in a variety of colors and are available year round."

When they place flowers in the church, Donley will talk to the priest or the wedding planner at each parish who will let him know what is acceptable. It is not acceptable to drop rose petals because they can get crushed into the carpet or tile and discolor, and they don’t use rice.

When planning a wedding, go to someone who has experience and knowledge in the floral industry so they can bring up all the possibilities regarding the type of flowers and what is available based on the seasons, Donley advises. "It’s good to set up a wedding consultation by appointment," said Donley, who has had his store for 27 years. "Then we can determine their budget and what flowers will work best so we can help them have a beautiful wedding."