Florals by Novella Theory
Incorporating flowers in your Oregon, Washington, or California elopement is such a gorgeously fun way to add a pop of color and whimsy to your elopement day! When you decide to elope, you get to remove the notion of unwanted costs and stress: focusing on what truly matters to you + your partner. While including a bouquet during your elopement isn't a requirement, we are definitely partial to the beauty that they can lend to your day.
If you are wondering how to choose the best flowers for your elopement, we've got you covered! We've talked with three experts who provide their expertise on including florals, bouquets, and boutonnieres in your elopement day.
Florals by Present Season
"It's really important to let your florist know where and when you plan to elope. The temperature and other factors such as wind will inform the ingredients that we select to ensure the blooms can hold up", says Christina of Novella Theory Floral Co. "Whenever possible and when not in use for photos, bouquets should be kept in water and out of direct sunlight. In general, it is important to remember that flowers are fragile and so it is always important to treat them with care!"
Florals by Novella Theory
Adina of Tangled Roots Floral has this advice to share:
"I recommend picking your flowers up as close to your start time as possible; if that ends up being the day before, keep them out of direct sunlight and store them indoors. On the trail, bring a plastic bag and some wet paper towels to wrap around the stems when your bouquet isn't in use!"
Florals by Tangled Roots
Unfortunately, the floral industry is not immune to issues that often arise and contribute to waste + pollution. Flying in flowers from across the globe can have a huge carbon footprint, and many flowers are often sprayed with dangerous chemicals. Worryingly, floral foam breaks down into microplastics that can then harm sea life and soil quality. Thankfully, many florists are now committed to sustainability: and we only work with florists who share our penchant for being environmentally conscious.
"We consider sustainability to be at the front of everything we do with a focus on locally grown flowers, composting all organic material, and minimizing trash to the landfill by avoiding single use plastics. We never use floral foam in our work and also avoid using any chemicals, dyes or paint on organic ingredients. We are certainly not perfect and are continually improving our processes to ensure the lowest possible impact on the earth." shares Christina/Novella Theory Floral Co.
Sometimes, faux flowers can be the way to go! It is ultimately up to you and the vision you have for your elopement day: whether or not you decide to go with faux florals or naturals. Aubrey of Gracefully Bloomed provides her thoughts on faux flowers:
"I truly believe that faux florals are a beautiful choice ANY time, but especially in these instances:
-If you are traveling for your wedding! Driving, flying, or hiking. You don’t need to worry about your flowers holding up while getting bounced, moved, or lightly jostled, nearly as much as with fresh flowers. They stand up beautifully, and will arrive at your destination with you in a condition just as beautiful as when you got them.
-Are you taking your flowers somewhere hot, cold, rainy, or windy? Go faux. Not only do they stand the test of time, but they stand up to the elements beautifully. I’ve had brides come to me who were amazed at the state of their flowers after a windy cliffside photo session, or to tell me about guests who were shocked that not a bloom had wilted!
-This is a huge one, and not enough people know it— if you are taking flowers into a national park, by environmental regulations, they MUST be faux! The ecosystem of a national park is delicate, and of course we want to preserve it. Bringing in blooms which are not naturally found in that area presents a threat (spreading foreign pollen, seeds, and even cross-contamination for our bee friends). Leave no trace: this is a great way to do that, and not miss bringing your own beauty into the parks.
-Have you fallen in love with the work of an out-of-state florist? No need to look at the budget for flying them out. The beauty of faux florals is that they ship wonderfully! About 50% of my clients are out of state, and I LOVE sending my florals to so many new places.
So many faux-floral-pros listed above, and the one that spans across all instances and situations is the unique opportunity to keep your arrangement FOREVER. I have had so many brides send me photos of their arrangements, months and years after their wedding, set in a vase and placed on an end table, hallway stand, entertainment center, and under a beautiful wedding-shot canvas. It is a beautiful keepsake you can have for a long, long time."
Florals by Gracefully Bloomed
Scouring through apps and websites such as Instagram or Pinterest can lend a hand in inspiring you for your elopement day, but they can also be overwhelming! With so many gorgeous florists and different flower varieties to choose from, how do you decide?!
It's so important to have a budget in mind as you narrow down what florist to work with, as well as your elopement location. Florists are ARTISTS: each one with their own unique flair and style! You want to hire a florist who's work truly speaks to you, and whose business model and ethics you can get behind.
"My best advice is to choose a florist who works with seasonal, local blooms, as most flowers that are already growing during the chosen time frame are naturally best equipped to handle the weather!" says Adina/Tangled Roots.
Christina of Novella Theory Floral Co. adds: "We always recommend that couples select flowers based on seasonality and what is available locally to get the freshest and best quality blooms. We always work with our couples to develop a color palette and aesthetic and then shop for fresh local flowers in the days leading up to the elopement."
Elopement flowers, florals, and bouquets are special in that they have to be able to handle the adventure that goes into an elopement day! If your elopement day includes hiking near Mount Hood, exploring Yosemite National Park, soaking up the mountain air at North Cascades National Park, or anything in between: having local, sustainable, and alluring florals can contribute to the beauty of your elopement day.
If you're ready to get started on your elopement:
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