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The power of the flower…and other things
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Last month I was lucky enough to be invited into the studio of leading floral designer, Chantal Flores to have a look around and to see some of her latest floral works.
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As always, Chantal really is leading the way with her innovative designs, combining unexpected textures and objects such as candelabra, chandeliers, perspex, swarovski and wire mesh to create unusual and standout floral designs which are quite literally breathtaking.
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I often have brides asking me what they can do that is unique and unusual for their weddings and I think a great place to start is with the flowers. So with that in mind, I asked Chantal for her top five tips on creating wedding flowers with wow factor.
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Tip 1
Think outside the box. Don’t be afraid to experiment and break boundaries. Look to an array of sources for inspiration and be flexible. You might think that you want roses, have only ever wanted roses, and won’t change your mind…but as you research the options, peonies or hydranga or a combination of all three may be more fitting to the overall look and feel you are trying to achieve, not to mention your budget.
Tip 2
If you don’t have a large budget but want flowers to play a role in your wedding day, look to create a dramatic focal point for the day. One stand-out floral feature such as a floral archway or oversized pedestal complemented by several minimal accent pieces is a great use of your budget. This not only gives your guests a focus but is extremely impactful.
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The key is to be realistic and to use the money you do have to the best effect.
Tip 3
Floral arrangements don’t have to simply be made up of flowers. In fact, Chantal is a firm believer in using different textures and materials to create really beautiful and unique floral displays. She will often use pearls, crystals, wood shavings, bark, textiles, and unusual foliages in her designs, and is also known for using fruit such as orange peel and dried apples to create truly stunning and original arrangements that guests find intriguing and create talkability.
Tip 4
This may seem like a strange top tip, but forget the flowers. Instead think about the ambience that you want to create. Perhaps consider events that you have been to in the past and write down a series of adjectives that you are looking to achieve with your wedding flowers. This will help your florist to come up with different suggestions and will lead to a unique floral design.
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Chantal likes to get to know her clients through a series of consultations, finding this approach helpful in not only defining what they are trying to achieve, but also in designing floral arrangements that most impotantly reflect the personalities of the bride and groom.
Tip 5
Don’t limit yourself. One size does not fit all when it comes to flowers. There are for example, occasions when creating drama is best served by using one colour but there are others when this course of action would create flat, dimensionless arrangements. Depth and richness can be introduced by using several shades of one hue, whilst clashing colours can create show stopping interest, and harmonizing colours, peace and reflection. Options are limitless, so do not limit your imagination.
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Credits
Images courtesy of Chantal Flores
