Choosing Flowers For Your Wedding
By Nicolle Camarata

After you have picked your partner, date and location it is time to call your florist and plan the flowers for your wedding. Flowers can be instrumental in creating the atmosphere you want for your wedding. They help set the stage for the biggest day of your life and there are as many types of flowers as moods you can hope to create.  It may be hard to decide where to start. 

Though you can usually get any flower at any time of year, you’ll have to pay top dollar for some that are out of season. The key is to pick an arrangement that won’t break the bank. If you choose flowers that bloom in the month of your wedding, or are readily available, you’ll pay a lot less and have a larger and more beautiful selection to choose from. 

Most brides and grooms don’t have their heart set on a particular type of flower and being flexible can help you allocate funds to something more important to you. To plan your most beautiful and economical flowers you just need a little education and a candid florist like the staff at R. Blooms. They can help you pick the perfect arrangements for your budget. With two locations, one in Vancouver and another in Lake Oswego, you can place floral orders for your wedding and find unique home décor to decorate your lives together. 

Their top-notch team helped me map out a seasonal flower guide to pass along to you.  I was surprised to find out that my favorite flower, the Lilac, is only available late March to early April at a reasonable cost. I was also surprised to find out how many flowers are available year round at no additional charge. If you are still dating Mr. Right Now with no Mr. Right in sight you can easily plan your imaginary wedding with Roses, Stephanotis, Orchids, Freesia, Ivy and Gerbera Daisies, as they are easy to get 365 days a year.

Also, flowers that are bulb plants, such as Iris, Tulips and Daffodils can be “forced” in a greenhouse to be made available, though they are smaller and last fewer days compared to their natural counterparts. Brides beware that the fashionable and beautiful Oriental Lilies that are available in pink, yellow and white are year round but the pollens in the middle of the flower are notorious for staining unsuspecting wedding dresses orange when not removed. It is the policy of R. Blooms to remove the sneaky pollens as soon as they enter the building, but check with your florist before ordering. 

In Spring, you can choose from Daffodils, Hyacinth, Lilies, Lilacs, Snowball, Pansies, Peonies, Sweet Peas, Tulips and the coveted Lily of the Valley, which is only in season the last of April to the beginning of May. In summer there is an abundance of beauty to choose from which includes, but is not limited to, Sunflowers, Roses, Hydrangeas, Queen Anne’s Lace, Daisies, and Dahlias.

The flowers in Fall are Asters, Chrysanthemums, Marigolds, Gerbera Daisies, and Statice. For winter weddings the most affordable choices in this region are Jasmine, Orchids, Holly, Poinsettias, Paperwhites, Phlox and Camellias, an old-fashioned but gorgeous flower that make a unique accent in a bouquet. 

The most expensive flowers to order out of season are Lily of the Valley, Lilacs, and Peonies. 

“There are ways for couples to get what they want and keep the cost down,” said Richard Bloom of R. Blooms. He suggested having the bridesmaids carry a few flowers, like a simple Calla Lily arrangement, instead of elaborate bouquets. He also added that bridesmaids could drop them into vases at the reception for added decoration at no extra charge.

Richard also pointed out that not every aunt and uncle needs a corsage or boutonniere.  “It can really drive up the cost of a wedding because you end up ordering one for every important family member and it really isn’t necessary.” 

Good tips from a man who knows matrimony. 

Visit R. Blooms at their new location at 525 W Eighth Street, Vancouver, Washington 98660 or call for more information at (360)737-7929.  You can also find them across the river at 449 Third Street, Lake Oswego, Oregon 97034 and that store can be reached at (503)636-5876.

Nicolle Camarata is a fashion reporter from Portland Oregon where she can be seen weekly on KPTV and heard on 1190 KEX.  Visit her website at www.nicolleshopsportland.com.

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