Something Blue

Photo by GSP photography This is a rustic look used for a table set in a local pub. The unique setting was created by Something Blue.

Something

Blue

Christine HINZMANN Citizen staff

As long as the bride feels like their flowers reflect them, they’ve won, said one local floral designer. Melissa Beer of Something Blue Floral Design moved from Ontario to Prince George three years ago and has done floral design for the last 14 years. “Fresh flowers hold such a memory for most people,” Beer said. “It’s about memo- ries and setting the mood during your special day.” Beer went to school for hor- ticulture so it started out as an interest in developing gardens before she went into the designing aspect of it. Beer joined Chapel Designers, which is an international collective of wedding and event floral designers in 2015 that offers education and information on what’s current but Beer is quick to say there’s nothing wrong with a classic wed- ding. It’s just good to have information about the latest trends, too. “I tell all my brides that there’s no right or wrong,” Beer said. “They may see something that they think is how they have to do it - it’s tradition and this is what we’ve always done but as long as they’re wedding feels like their own at the end of the day, they’ve won the bat- tle in the planning process.” During a consultation, Beer will talk about what a bride’s favourites might be that has some sentimental value to them and try to incorporate them if possible and then she works with the style, the feel or a colour to try and bring all of the other elements of the wedding together. “Most brides walk away from their floral consultation feel- ing like they have a complete vision for their wedding,” Beer said. Brides don’t have to worry too much about the seasonal aspects of floral design any more, Beer said. She can access all kinds of flowers from everywhere at any time of the year. “It’s all about compatibility and trust for the vendors you’re working with and that’s so important,” Beer said. “Brides are hoping this will be their only wedding so they want to get it right. I think trust is a really impor- tant thing and budgeting is an incredibly difficult aspect I think unless you’ve been very close to the process

before. Being open to understanding that there is a higher cost for flowers - they are a luxury item nowadays and they are a bit of a treat but a wedding without them would be very bleak.” Beer said people have to understand that not every client is right for every vendor and not every vendor is right for every client. “We all go to these workshops and we all watch the same demonstration and we’re all given the same flowers but nobody designs exactly the same,” Beer said. “We’re all our own artists and that’s the creative aspect of this career. It all goes back to trust. It’s a big day to leave in someone else’s hands and I don’t take that lightly.” Because it’s a perishable art form, Beer, who is aware of the fleeting passage of time, advises brides to make sure they get the right photographer to capture their special day and if it’s done right, floral design continues to have a lasting impact on their special day. Photo by Pearl Loerke Photography Here is a unique bouquet that is created by Something Blue as a true statement piece.

Melissa Beer is owner of Something Blue Floral Design.