The flowers of the future

By Sandra Trethewey, Farmgirl Flowers

The Coronavirus pandemic's impact will influence many wedding trends for 2021. I think there will be two clear directions when it comes to planning. Clients will either adopt a 'bigger is better" approach and postpone their wedding until bigger weddings are allowed. Others will opt for elopement or micro-weddings, scaling back their guest list, and celebrating with their closest loved ones. These smaller weddings will have much more sentiment and meaning, where personalisation and presentation will be a focal point. Creating an experience from the minute guests arrive.

So, what wedding flower trends can we expect to see in 2021/2022? There will undoubtedly be a carryover from 2020 due to the postponements, as brides will keep their original style and ideas. I think that the floral wedding buzzwords will be light, natural, ethereal, delicate, and sustainable.

Couples are making a conscious choice to use locally grown and sourced flowers to cut down on their carbon footprint. They want sustainable floral arrangements. There is a 'back to nature’ trend, a real organic feel to florals, big open garden roses, naturally styled, with lots of texture and unstructured, wild, and loose arrangements. Styling sees earthier, more neutral tones created with a mix of bleached dried flowers and grasses such as pampas grass, bunny tails or wheat sheaves, and seed pods—all sustainable and eco-friendly.

Expect to see nude, muted colour schemes with neutral shades, golds, creams, and muted florals with subtle colour variations. We will see less bold colours and more subtle undertones such as peach and soft

pastels. Green and whites are timeless and will always have their place, but I think that white might stand aside for buttery tones. The use of natural textures, fabrics, and pairings used cleverly will complete the look.

Just because your wedding may be small, your flowers certainly don't need to be!

Words of wisdom for the DIY Bride

My advice – do not try and do it all yourself. Round up a team, as flowers take time, effort, and energy. Get all your flowers done the day before your wedding.

You will need to find a flower farm or florist to supply the stems. Planning is paramount. Contact your supplier 8-12 weeks before your wedding date to check what is in season. You will need to calculate all the stems you need and place your order. Take note of payment procedures and request confirmation.

Aim to collect your flowers a day or two before the wedding. Collect them in a closed vehicle with an air conditioner, especially in our South African summers. At the venue: make sure you have lots of buckets, half-filled with clean water, and add a flower preservative. Flowers need to be kept in a cool place. Create a working area and place a large canvas or plastic sheet on the ground under your work tables. You will need oasis or chicken wire to add structure and support to your vases, tape to secure it, a few pairs of sharp garden secateurs, and a team of people to help you. Always have a toolbox of pins, cable ties, wire, pliers, florists’ glue, tape, a hammer and some nails.

Encourage your team to work neatly. Otherwise, when they're all tired, you're going to be left cleaning up a huge mess. A clean-up team is always a win and worth every cent.

Choosing a floral designer

Floral artists pride themselves on their unique style and will create something specially for you. Take time to research who you would like to design your flowers and choose someone that you connect with. Once you find someone you would like to work with, the first step is to send an enquiry to check if they are available on your date.

How does the quoting process for wedding flowers work?

Most floral artists will only quote after an initial consultation, as every wedding is unique. If your date is available, the creative process starts, usually with a chat over a cuppa or an online meeting if you are further away. Here, your designer gets to understand your vision by going through all the details of your special day. This part of the process is fun and exciting! After this, your floral designer is likely to provide you with a moodboard or storyboard, and once the design process has evolved, a quote will follow.

Can I see what my flowers are going to look like before my wedding?

You can request a mock-up if you would like one. These are paid for separately and are yours to take home and enjoy. As flower availability can change from day to day, your floral designer cannot promise that your mockups will be the same as the finished product on the day. The purpose of a floral trial is to simulate the ‘feeling’ and personality of your wedding flowers rather than selecting specific flower types, which may not be available for your big day. Setting your heart on a specific flower can lead to disappointment so keep an open mind and remember that your designer is using a fresh, delicate product, that is seasonal and grown naturally. Some creative freedom always yields the best results.

I may be biased, but I believe that flowers are the best way to make a statement at your wedding!

African Bear Photography