Flowers: Why I love them and a little wedding day advice. Plus, 2014 wedding floral favorites. – Minnesota Wedding Photographer

I don’t usually write very wordy blog posts. I tend to let photos speak for themselves. But when I’m passionate about something I can get a little zealous. Or a lot zealous. So brace yourself (and keep in mind I was an art major not an english major).

If you know me at all or even follow me on Instagram you might notice that I love flowers. I like to pretend I’m a florist and attempt arranging them myself. I even took a class to try and learn more about arranging and keeping fresh flowers in your home. Florists get nothing but the utmost respect from me. Ya’ll, (I just really wanted to use that here even though I’m a total Midwestern girl) arranging flowers is HARD. It’s not for the faint of heart or easily discouraged. But it is a lot of fun and I always enjoy giving it a go.

I’ve been a vegetable gardener for quite a few years now (thanks Dad for all your help and free lessons). This year I want to make my garden area bigger and attempt to learn more about flower gardening. I’ve heard it’s not an easy task in plant hardiness zone 4b where I reside. Oh I’m sorry did I lose you yet? Basically it’s so cold during a good portion of the year that our growing season is short and not every plant can thrive easily here. I’ve stocked up on some books and magazines in my yearning for spring and warm weather.

 
So now that you’ve read a bit about my flower and gardening craziness let’s talk weddings and flowers. First of all I am so incredibly giddy that I get to photograph such beautiful blooms because I am a wedding photographer. I could shoot flowers all day long and not complain.
 
Flowers are a big part of a wedding day. They help form color palettes and themes. They set the mood. They add an organic live element of fine art to your day. And they are most definitely a huge part of your wedding day photos. You, your family, friends and guests will enjoy your flowers the day of and you will see them in your wedding photos as a part of your day for the rest of your life. They are that final cherry on the top of a wedding day (and yes your wedding photos too).
 
The best advice I can give in regards to flowers on your wedding day is simple. Hire a professional. Professional wedding florists live and breathe flowers. A good wedding florist will buy only the freshest and highest quality blooms to ensure not only that they are beautiful but that they last throughout the entire day. Many florists are also experts at event design and styling because the two often go hand in hand.
 
I have watched many florists work before and it truly is an art form (Remember? Ya’ll, arranging flowers is HARD). Perhaps in my next life I will be a florist. But for now I will continue to play for fun and encourage my clients to not let this part of their big day stress them out. Hire someone you know will go above and beyond for you on your wedding day so all you have to do is ooh and aah over how beautiful your flowers are.

And because I can’t get enough I’m now sharing some of my favorite bouquets and arrangements from my 2014 wedding season.

Ashley and Andy had jaw dropping florals at their wedding. Ashley told me that she told her florist she wanted the bouquets to be “wild.” Nailed it! I love all the pink ranunculus and garden roses in Ashley’s bridal bouquet.  And check out those bridesmaids bouquets,  can you believe those are bridesmaids bouquets? Unreal! So gorgeous. Each bridesmaid’s bouquet was different and unique. Even the spritely little flower girl had her own loose and flowing bouquet packed with pink garden roses to match Ashley’s bouquet. Ashley and Andy’s florals by Lake Pepin Floral.

 

Camille and Adam had gorgeous florals everywhere on their big day. Camille’s mom is a florist and I have to say I absolutely adore her work! Camille’s bouquet was full of peonies, garden roses and pink stock.  The bridesmaid’s bouquets had a punch of color and had one of my favorites, succulents (!!), in them. Colorful floral chandeliers of roses, peonies, lilies, and hydrangeas hung from the ceiling of their reception venue. The arbor for Camille and Adam’s ceremony was draped in lace and yes, more gorgeous flowers!

 

Christine and Stephen were married in Duluth and I loved her fall bouquet by Angela’s Bella Flora full of deep purples and greens.

 

Sarah and Dan had a lovely blush palette at their weddings from the bridesmaid dresses to the florals. The flower of the day was definitely a drop dead gorgeous stand alone garden rose in honor of the bride’s mom. All bouquets and centerpieces were lovingly done by Aneta of European Floral.

 

Jessica and Alex chose a palette of cornflower blue with bright pops of pink and yellow. Jessica carried a bright and colorful bouquet tightly packed with different types of roses.

Kaitlyn and Jason were married at one of my favorite venues, the Weisman Art Museum. I love that they chose sculptural and unique blooms for their centerpieces, they seem to fit with the venue perfectly. The crowning achievement of these centerpieces? The orange birds of paradise.

Laura and Eric were married on a brisk November day at the James J. Hill Library. I loved her airy and whimsical bouquet by Hyacinth Events which was full of thistle, anemones, and succulents.

Kara and Neal were married inside a private barn.  They had a color palette of oranges, greens and navy. Bumble Bee Floral did a stunning job with these nautical themed centerpieces.