Roundup of my Top Wedding Flower Posts
My least favourite episode of every TV show ever is always the âClip Episodeâ (except for on the Office). You know, those episodes where the characters look back at their fondest memories and thereâs nothing new in the episode, itâs just clips from the past? Yeah, thatâs boring.
BUT, I thought it might be helpful for all of you who are stalled out on your wedding planning thanks to Covid-19 OR those of you who are looking ahead to 2021 and 2022 weddings to round up some of my personal favourite and some of my most popular blog posts to give you a hand or two!
My least favourite episode of every TV show ever is always the âClip Episodeâ (except for on the Office). You know, those episodes where the characters look back at their fondest memories and thereâs nothing new in the episode, itâs just clips from the past? Yeah, thatâs boring.
BUT, I thought it might be helpful for all of you who are stalled out on your wedding planning thanks to Covid-19 OR those of you who are looking ahead to 2021 and 2022 weddings to round up some of my personal favourite and some of my most popular blog posts to give you a hand or two!
Wedding Venue Selection
Top 5 Unique Venues in Winnipeg
Top 5 Best Locations in Winnipeg
*There are a handful of new wedding venues that have recently opened up in Manitoba, or will be opening soon and I havenât yet been able to see them â Gimli, East Selkirk, Morden, the Interlake â which is so exciting to see!
Wedding Flower Budgeting
Floral Inspiration
A Few Favourite Real Weddings
Wedding Flower Planning Tips
Covid-19 Wedding Planning
Looking for a Wedding Floral and Event Designer in Winnipeg?
2021 wedding dates are now booking! Flowers are the best way to make a statement at your wedding. Whether you already have a specific vision or want me to dream up something custom just for you, reach out to Stone House Creative for stunning bridal bouquets, truly unique ceremony backdrops, and beautiful floral centrepieces to create the perfect ambiance for your wedding! Beautiful weddings, designed for and with love.
My Top 5 Must-Haves for an UNBELIEVABLE Elopement
What I love about an elopement is ITâS ALL ABOUT THE PROMISES AND THE TWO OF YOU. In the current climate, Iâm assuming that many of you who are planning an elopement is because you canât have the large wedding that youâd like, but you still want to have the ceremony and make your promises to each other. Whether thatâs your case or not, I wanted to talk about my must-haves for an UNBELIEVABLE elopement!
Photos by Ariana Tennyson
What I love about an elopement is ITâS ALL ABOUT THE PROMISES AND THE TWO OF YOU. In the current climate, Iâm assuming that many of you who are planning an elopement is because you canât have the large wedding that youâd like, but you still want to have the ceremony and make your promises to each other. Whether thatâs your case or not, I wanted to talk about my must-haves for an UNBELIEVABLE elopement!
Love Letters
Iâm assuming that one of the things thatâs making the decision to have an elopement a challenge is that youâll miss your loved ones. So make sure theyâre there with you, in spirit: ask your loved ones to write letters to you, that the two of you can read together on your elopement day. I found this idea on Junebug Weddings, and there are some other amazing elopement ideas here!
Create an Amazing Scene
No eyes will be on you, but that doesnât mean that you donât deserve a breathtaking ceremony backdrop. My goal is always to design a ceremony space that gives you a sense of space thatâs just for the two of you. A space that feels grounded, that creates an ambiance that youâll never forget. How are we going to do this? Florals, furniture, tons of candles, scentsâŚwhatever your style is, Iâm going to make that happen.
If youâre able to have a dinner afterwards, then letâs do that up, too. While youâre taking some photos with your new husband/wife, Iâll re-purpose pieces of that ceremony design and bring in tabletop elements to put together the most perfect evening for two â or, brunch!
Donât Forget To Capture It
Make sure that your photographer and videographer will be there to capture your elopement so you can show it at your party later! Youâll never regret having those photos taken. My favourite photos are always the ones that are taken right after the ceremony is over, and the photographer sneaks away with the couple for a few private moments.
Celebrate the Season
Whatever season your elopement will be in, letâs do it to the max. A super cozy fall ceremony outdoors in the woods. An intimate, romantic ceremony in December in front of your fireplace while the snow falls outside. See what I mean?
Cheer each other down the aisle
You know that moment, when the bride walks down the aisle and the guests all stand to greet her? Or that moment, once the vows have been said and the kiss happened, when the music picks up, and you rush back down the aisle together, hands held high? Just because you donât have a large guest list doesnât mean you canât have those moments. Cheer each other down the aisle!
Bonus Must-Have: Make sure you feel your best
Get your hair done, your makeup done, wear your dress, drink some champagne. Oh, and carry a gorgeous bouquet đ
Looking for a Wedding Floral and Event Designer in Winnipeg?
2021 wedding dates are now booking! Flowers are the best way to make a statement at your wedding. Whether you already have a specific vision or want me to dream up something custom just for you, reach out to Stone House Creative for stunning bridal bouquets, truly unique ceremony backdrops, and beautiful floral centrepieces to create the perfect ambiance for your wedding! Beautiful weddings, designed for and with love.
A Primer on Different Wedding Bouquet Shapes
One of the first questions I like to ask in a flower appointment is about what you LIKE. Tell me, what kind of bouquet shape are you drawn to? And if youâre one of those people who doesnât know what they like yet, then consider this your primer on different wedding bouquet shapes.
So Iâm totally biased, but I really think that your wedding flowers should be your favourite part of your wedding. Aside from your new husband or wife, that is⌠;)
Flowers are an incredibly unique thing in that they are living, breathing art. No two flowers are ever the same - they grow and open up in many minuscule different ways - and so no two bouquets will ever come together in the same way. Your wedding bouquet is a perishable work of ART - I treat it that way, and I hope you will, too!
One of the first questions I like to ask in a flower appointment is about what you LIKE. Tell me, what kind of bouquet shape are you drawn to? And if youâre one of those people who doesnât know what they like yet, then consider this your primer on different wedding bouquet shapes.
Classic, Round Handtied Bouquet
The classic, rounded bridal bouquet will always be a desired look. Full and sort of voluptuous (never thought Iâd used that adjective to describe a bouquet!) , this bouquet shape is best suited to a bride wearing a classic ballgown with an elegant, romantic, timeless sense of style. The setback with this style is that a lot of the rounded bouquets youâll see are VERY boring and can come across as super dated in style - but it doesnât have to be that way! With a combination of ruffled blooms mixed with textured fillers, different sized and shaped flowers, and some space and movement between the layers of the bouquet, you can achieve a much more modern take on the classic, rounded bridal bouquet. It does NOT have to be a dome of roses that looks like a generic grocery store bouquet. Letâs elevate it.
Photos by Charmaine Mallari
Cascade or Teardrop Bouquet
The cascade bouquet has seen an uptick in popularity over the last few years, but these bouquets are designed VERY differently than they were in the 80s and 90s! We are not looking for that overly pointed shape and I do not design the bouquets in a plastic holder (which are filled with toxic floral foam, FYI). Instead, we started with a luscious combination of trailing greenery to create the teardrop shape, and then start layering in a combination of focal flowers, line flowers (to evoke that draping feel), and textured fillers to finish it off. The modern cascade bouquet is lush, full, and often oversized. Simply due to the number of stems needed to create the shape, these bouquets can get pretty heavy - just a warning!
Photos by Cynthia Bettencourt
Garden Style Bouquet
If youâve been following my work for any time period at all, youâll probably be able to tell really quickly that my personal favourite bouquet shape is a garden style design! Every single gardenesque arrangement is going to come together differently - sometimes theyâre wider, sometimes we incorporate a lot of trailing greeneries, often Iâll create an asymmetrical shape. The goal is to create a lot of movement and depth between the flowers, placing each bloom on a different plane, so that the bouquet has an airy quality and feels more natural and freshly picked (though please donât misunderstand: this design style is not as simple to create as it might look. Itâs not simply shoving a bunch of draping greenery at the bottom of a rounded bouquet).
Photos by Charmaine Mallari
Modern Sheath or Arm Bouquet
Itâs not often that I get a request for a sheath bouquet (also known as an arm bouquet or a pageant bouquet)! Jessica was having a mid-century modern inspired wedding and this shape was very current then so it was really fun for me to try my hand at this. The design has to be very intentional - a limited number of stems can fit, you need to incorporate some long, reaching stems to create the shape (here I used those gorgeous oncidium orchids and locally grown delphinium), and of course, I need to teach YOU how to hold it correctly! If this bouquet were held vertically, it literally looks like the worst DIY bouquet of all time. Held correctly, over the arm, and it feels somewhat dainty, light, and romantic.
Photo by Brittany Mahood
More to come from this gorgeous wedding soon!
Looking for a Wedding Floral and Event Designer in Winnipeg?
2021 wedding dates are now booking! Whether itâs an intimate wedding for 30 or a celebration the likes of which have never been seen before, reach out to Stone House Creative for stunning bridal bouquets, truly unique ceremony backdrops, and beautiful floral centrepieces to create the perfect ambiance for your wedding!
2020 and 2021 Wedding Flower and Decor Trends
Every year, I put together a âwish list;â concepts or ideas that I would love to play with or design more of for clients. What I love about doing this is that it makes it a bit easier to think on my feet during a consultation - I already have some great ideas in my back pocket, and if one of those ideas might be perfect for you, then I can suggest it right away. While I often talk about the big wedding flower and decor trends around engagement season, this year I want to highlight some of the design concepts on my wish list!
Every year, I put together a âwish list;â concepts or ideas that I would love to play with or design more of for clients. What I love about doing this is that it makes it a bit easier to think on my feet during a consultation - I already have some great ideas in my back pocket, and if one of those ideas might be perfect for you, then I can suggest it right away. While I often talk about the big wedding flower and decor trends around engagement season, this year I want to highlight some of the design concepts on my wish list!
A Floral Nest
Oh, how sweet would it be to say your vows, take your newlywed portraits, or enjoy your first dinner as husband and wife completely surrounded by flowers? These nest styles have been popular for a few years, and Iâve been dying to give my take. I can imagine a truly stunning indoor ceremony completely brought to life by layer upon layer of flowers - maybe in the Oak Room at the Manitoba Club, or a more modern space at the new Convention Centre thatâs just begging for some freshness?
Florals by Max Owens Design, Photo by Charla Storey
Classic Ceremony Urns
Iâll never get tired of designing a beautiful arch for a wedding ceremony, but once in a while itâs nice to do something a bit different. I love the option of popping a couple of big urns with seriously statement-making floral arrangements at the front or back of your aisle, and whether you want yours designed with a classic, rounded shape or something a little more asymmetrical and garden-inspired, I can make it happen!
Florals by Moss Floral, Planning by Lindsey Brunk, Photo by N Barrett
Florals by Sweet Root Village
Wow Factor Head Tables
A lot of my couples are asking for something DIFFERENT than greenery across the front of their head table, and I do not blame them one bit. Chances are, if youâve been to a wedding in the last 5 years, greenery was spilled across the front of the head table. Now thereâs a good reason for this - it looks good! But itâs time for a change. Let me have some fun đ
Budget tip: if you want the wow factor, but you donât have a wow budget, consider opting for a sweetheart table for the two of you, instead of a table for your entire bridal party. I can make a major statement with far fewer flowers on a table for 2 vs a table for 12!
All designs below by Fairmaven Floral, who does a stunning job of wow factor head tables!
Modern Event Design
Have you seen Justin and Hailey Bieberâs wedding? (Never thought Iâd mention them on my blog, lol!) Their wedding is the perfect example of modern event design done well: a crisp, neutral palette, black accents, repeated smaller floral arrangements in a modern style (please, please send your mason jars to the thrift store!), and nothing that feels cold or overly âglamâ (thatâs right, I donât want to see a single crystal or blingy bit anywhere). Iâd love a palette of black/nude/blush or black/blush/berry and Iâm bringing in some gorgeous smoke glass candle holders that I know some of you are going to LOVE.
Siren Floral Co; Pinterest; Planning by Mindy Weiss, Floral by Markâs Garden, Photo by Jose Villa; Floral Design by Blush & Bloom, Planning by Baum Event Company, Photos by Purple Tree Photography;
Scaled Back Bridal Bouquets
Weâre seeing a gradual decline in the oversized, massive wedding bouquets that have been requested over the last 5 years. Now Iâll always love a big, juicy bouquet, but Iâm totally on board with this trend for a few reasons: with a smaller bouquet you can show off your dress (and your waist!) more, your arms wonât be exhausted, and your flowers will feel a little more timeless. Weâre still designing in a garden-inspired aesthetic, but a little sleeker in shape and texture - less of the wide, horizontally designed bouquets and more slightly manicured shapes.
Centrepieces that Require ACTUAL Floral Design
Sometimes itâs hard to remember that we are actually florists, with skill that sets us apart. Why? Because it can feel like people donât value floral design. Now I understand that everyone values different things and thatâs perfectly fine - and this is a different conversation for another day. But floral design is an art form, a living custom art form using perishable product - there is no chance that two floral arrangements can EVER be exactly the same, even if they have the exact same types of flowers and the exact same number of stems. And you know what this FLORAL DESIGNER wants to do? Actually design floral arrangements. lol! Greenery has its place, and I know itâs been trendy for a few yearsâŚbut simply tucking greenery in and around some candles isnât exactly art (which is not to say that anyone and everyone can do it, and make it look nice). If you appreciate floral centrepieces and you know that you want to place a gorgeous piece of living art on your wedding tables, Iâd suggest budgeting from $125 - $175 per table for us to create something that looks remotely like the $500 arrangement youâve saved on your Pinterest board đ
Floral design by me, photo by Kayla Barker Photography
Warm Toned Colour Palettes
Whether youâre looking for a neutral palette or something a little more bold and colourful, Iâm gravitating towards warmer undertones. This might mean a golden mustard accent to a mauve/purple palette, a base of taupe to an otherwise all-white palette, or camel tones added in with corals and rich greens. All of the pictures below are giving me SERIOUS inspo that I cannot get out of my head!
Florals by White Oak Floral CO, Photo by Purple Tree Photography
Florals by Siren Floral Co; Sweet Root Village
The Wonderful Wedding Show is coming up this weekend! I wonât be there, but some of my flowers will be :) Youâll be able to see some of these trends in action.
Looking for a Wedding Floral and Event Designer in Winnipeg?
2021 wedding dates are now booking! I might be biased, but flowers are the best way to make a statement at your wedding. Whether you already have a specific vision or want me to dream up something custom just for you, reach out to Stone House Creative for stunning bridal bouquets, truly unique ceremony backdrops, and beautiful floral centrepieces to create the perfect ambiance for your wedding!
What's the Actual Cost of a Bridal Bouquet? Late Summer Boho Bouquet Breakdown
Iâm often asked by brides-to-be on Instagram about the cost of a particular wedding flower arrangement that Iâve posted. I wonât lie - I often donât hear back from those inquiries.
I canât always give specific pricing because itâs not necessarily relevant to the inquiring brideâs date, or flower requests, or it might not be appropriate to share what an actual couple has invested in their flowers, so I generally give price ranges that someone might expect. For reference, my bridal bouquets start at $225 and often come in between $225 - $250. Couples who are attracted to my work generally fall within a similar design style (garden-inspired, romantic, floral-heavy), and that means incorporating certain types of flowers that start at a higher price point - garden roses, peonies, ranunculus are all examples. I wrote an entire blog series on wedding flower costs in Manitoba and if you want to know more, you can read that here!
Iâm often asked by brides-to-be on Instagram about the cost of a particular wedding flower arrangement that Iâve posted. I wonât lie - I often donât hear back from those inquiries.
I canât always give specific pricing because itâs not necessarily relevant to the inquiring brideâs date, or flower requests, or it might not be appropriate to share what an actual couple has invested in their flowers, so I generally give price ranges that someone might expect. For reference, my bridal bouquets start at $225 and often come in between $225 - $250. Couples who are attracted to my work generally fall within a similar design style (garden-inspired, romantic, floral-heavy), and that means incorporating certain types of flowers that start at a higher price point - garden roses, peonies, ranunculus are all examples. I wrote an entire blog series on wedding flower costs in Manitoba and if you want to know more, you can read that here!
So, with all that said, I wanted to break down this actual bridal bouquet that I designed for a photo shoot at Manitoba Club in late August. Iâll be sharing the full shoot soon, so consider this a sneak peek!
Bridal Bouquet Ingredients
Zinnias*
Lisianthus*
Garden Roses
Cosmos*
Amaranthus*
Gardenia Foliage
Acacia Foliage
Lunaria
*Denotes locally grown here in Manitoba - yay!
Bridal Bouquet Cost: $285
Youâll probably ask, what makes this bouquet $285? Like I said, most of my bridal bouquets come in between $225 - $250, and this one incorporates a lot of the typical types of blooms that Iâm drawn to: garden roses as a focal flower, lisianthus and zinnias are the perfect secondary flowers (truly some of the best locally grown flowers available - theyâre just totally delish!), and a few varieties of greenery.
Youâll be surprised to find out that one of the most expensive part of this bouquet is actually the lunaria - the unique, silvery white flat seed pods popping out here and there. I only included 3 stems - for a total of $45! Iâm sure all of you would agree that theyâre totally stunning, but even so, I doubt most of my clients would feel really strongly about including a few stems into their bouquets when they find out the cost.
On the other hand, the garden roses are also pricey but they play a more important role: garden roses are a more impressive and immediately noticed focal flower, and they really create the foundation of this colour palette. These garden roses come in at $18/stem, and with 7 stems in the bouquet, make for a total of $126 - just shy of half of the cost of the bouquet.
I also designed a couple of corresponding boutonnieres, a ceremony space, a completed reception tablescape, and some other accents (like a cute lounge and bar set up!), but youâll have to wait to see the rest!
Vendors:
Planning and Venue: Manitoba Club Weddings ~ Photography: Black and Gold ~ Florals and Design: Stone House Creative ~ Linens and Chairs: Planned Perfectly ~ Stationery: Little Dove Calligraphy ~ Rentals: Trend Decor ~ Cake: Cake Studio ~ Dress: Bliss Bridal Boutique ~ Suit: EPH Apparel ~ Makeup and Hair: Fifth | Makeup: Whatâs Her Face Beauty | Hair: Hair by Abs
Hire a Talented Wedding Floral and Event Designer in Winnipeg
2021 wedding dates will be opened in the new year, and in the meantime, you can get on my waitlist! Couples interested in full event and floral design will be contacted first about their dates. I offer a limited number of dates for event design each year, in order to allow me to work closely with each couple. Combining event and floral design is the perfect option for couples who live out of town, or couples who feel they need a little extra help in creating the visual plan for their wedding day. Click this link to learn more!
