Keeping You and Your Loved Ones SafeAs lovely as flowers are, certain varieties can pose a risk in the right conditions. We want you to make the most informed decision possible when selecting the right arrangement! It is important on the part of both the sender and the recipient to take sufficient care to avoid any accidents. Please read below to make sure you’re protecting your loved ones and pets from potentially dangerous situations. General Rules to Follow
Poisonous and Harmful PlantsPets are very sensitive to contact with plants and are, unfortunately, very curious about them. Take plenty of caution when introducing a new plant or bouquet to your home.
Many of the same flowers that are dangerous for dogs also apply to children. It is important to remember that even flowers that are considered safe to have around children can pose risks in the form of choking or consuming high quantities. Contact with certain flowers/plants is also dangerous due to the thorns, sharp leaves, sap, juices, burr-like seeds, and other natural defense mechanisms of plants. Always exercise caution with children and plants. In the event your child consumes a plant that may be poisonous, contact the American Association of Poison Control Centers at 1-800-222-1222. In emergencies, dial 9-1-1. Allergies and Fragrance SensitivitiesThose with mild, seasonal, pollen-based allergies should generally avoid:
Some people are also very sensitive to flowers with strong fragrances, such as lilies. In some cases, they can cause headaches and irritation. Glass Vases and ContainersUse caution when handling glassware vases, baskets, and potted plants.
Our glass vases tend to be delicate and ornate, requiring careful handling. They have very thin layers of glass, which can shatter easily if it is given an abrupt landing. Be careful of the weight and size of the bouquet. Move slowly while holding the vase. Always hold the vase with both hands. Set it down gently and evenly. Our planters and dish gardens may be heavier than they seem. Use good judgement when lifting and placing them. Small misjudgments can lead to avoidable accidents. The Right Hold Is Everything!A beautiful bouquet is the most iconic and lavish wedding day accessory around! Having a great floral designer like Oviedo Florist's Laurie (we love ya!) is a fantastic start, but you can really optimize the full effect of your bouquet by holding it properly! It may seem like a simple task, but putting just a little thought into how you carry them can make a world of difference! Don't: Hold The Bouquet Too HighHolding your bouquet too high will hide your dress, figure, and confidence! We don't want that! Stiff, raised arms make you look tense and might even make it look as though you're hiding behind the bouquet. Not to mention, your arms will get tired quickly from holding up your bouquet in pictures! Instead, Hold It Low
Don't: Hold the Stems Too LowHolding the stems of your flowers too low can cause you some potential problems. You may have stability, balance, and control issues, especially if your bouquet is full and heavy. If you have problems managing your bouquet, it can make you look tense and stiff! You might also accidentally cover up the pretty ribbon wrap holding your stems together. Instead, Hold Towards the Top
Don't Hold Cascading Bouquets EvenHand tied bouquets are so lovely because they retain a "fresh picked" look. They give off a carefree, yet elegant vibe that we just love! However, without using and floral foam, floral designers cannot as easily manipulate the direction the flowers or greens grow. It comes down to positioning and how you hold the bouquet that gives it the cascading effect! Brides who hold their bouquets even don't get the full effect of the draped greenery. Avoid standing with the stems parallel to your body! The greenery will stick straight out in front of you, as pictured above. Not the desired effect! Instead, Hold at an Angle
Notice the difference in these photos: the greenery falls effortlessly down in a logical (gravitational) direction! It looks natural and easy. Most of the time, the hand-tied stems are not visible from the front, as they are covered from view by the greens. More Good Tips
The Latest Colors in Bridal FashionEvery year, there are some color schemes that take the wedding floral market by storm. These colors paired with the popular bouquet style give us a good picture of what weddings will look like in the coming year. Read on to see what's trending in the world of wedding colors! Purple From Eggplant to Lilac
Shades of Green
The On-Trend Color PalettesBelow are some of the most popular color combinations we are anticipating for the coming year! Along with bouquets filled with greenery, focal flowers like garden roses, peonies, sunflowers, dahlias, gerberas, and china mums will be in high demand. There's also a non-flower focal piece we're using a lot of: succulents! Colors: Dark & Edgy
Why Tussle When You Can Toss?Toss bouquets began as a necessary replacement of other even stranger practices. Brides have always been considered extremely lucky. In medieval times, it was believed that touching a bride would bring you good fortune and prospering romance. Due to these strong superstitions, people became extremely touchy-feely with brides, and it became common to surround them, grab them, and pick off souvenirs like pieces of her dress, bouquet, and other accessories. They completely bombarded the bride and made her extremely uncomfortable and ragged!
It was usually unmarried ladies which were the most interested in making contact with the bride and with the highest hopes for good marital fortune and thus why the toss bouquet would be directed at them. Through the years, the practice shifted and became an informal game at the reception where single, eligible ladies clump together to accept the toss bouquet. In recent decades it has been paired with the gentlemen's toss of the garter - another tradition that resulted from demanding (and nosy!) wedding guests. At Oviedo Florist, one of our favorite parts of creating wedding florals is the toss bouquet! It tends to be a combination of hardy flowers from the bridal and bridesmaids' bouquets. They're meant to be a fun addition to the wedding, so we love to add long ribbons and pops of color. At Brittany's wedding, pictured above, we used white stock, pink roses, baby's breath, and ruscus (greenery) so it matched her bouquet and held up during the toss and catch.
The Marriage of Flowers & WeddingsFlowers at weddings are a longstanding tradition in American weddings. Through history, this custom has evolved its size, scope, and fashions countless times. It is believed the practice of carrying bouquets originated in ancient civilizations such as Greece, Rome, and Egypt. These primitive bouquets consisted of wheat stalks, grasses, herbs, and blossoming branches of fruit trees, meant to symbolize fertility and warrant good omens. Flowers were included and later dominated in wedding bouquets. They began adorning the bridal party, family, ceremony, reception space, aisle, animals, cars, signs, mantles, and more! Flowers were in the air, underfoot, and everywhere in between. We've come a long way since the days of warding off evil spirits! Flower arrangements and bouquets in modern weddings are more decorative and typically coincide with the season or theme of the event. Fashions of wedding flowers cycle overtime. A bride today may carry flowers that are drastically different from her mother's bouquet, but share many qualities with that of her grandmother or great-grandmother. Scroll down to take a trip through time and see how floral bouquets changed with American fashion and culture over the last one hundred years! 1910 - 1919
1920 - 1929
1930 - 1939
1940 - 1949
1950 - 1959
1960 - 1969
1970 - 1979
1980 - 1989
1990 - 1999
2000 - 2009
2010 - 2020
Get Excited!Though we may be a little biased, we think flowers are the most fun part of wedding planning! They are a very personal, fashionable, and sentimental part of your special day, and we want you to get excited about choosing yours! We're ready to help you pick the flowers of your dreams. Here's what you need to have planned and ready before meeting with our consultant:
Gift Baskets!We've been working hard here in the shop to bring our customers new products. While we already know there is a flower for every occasion, we wanted to also have a gift basket for every occasion! We will be adding new ones all the time as our creative designers bring forth new ideas. Keep an eye out for seasonal designs as well! Check out our new line of Gift Baskets below. The complete listing of our current Gift baskets can be found on www.oviedoflorist.com
Just Because... I love youHolidays and occasions have always been designated as the times to send gifts and show feelings. Not to dismiss the importance of celebrating loved ones at holidays or celebrating achievements, but the element of surprise is missing from the equation.
Surprise is one of the best ways to show love. It shows thoughtfulness, care, and attentiveness. A spontaneous display of affection is not to be underestimated and can really make a difference day to day in love and life. "Just Because" is the best occasion because it doesn't take an event to show someone how important they are to you! Surprise someone today with flowers, just because! Pop into our shop and pick up a freshly made arrangement from our display coolers or choose a beautiful arrangement from our website! Shop our "Just Because" Arrangements here We suggest choosing an arrangement with impactful flowers that are common favorites among women like sunflowers, lilies, and roses. Below are some of our best-selling favorites for "just because" occasions! The Trendsetting American DuchessThough the real life fairy tale wedding of American actress Meghan Markle and Prince Harry has passed, it's influence in the bridal world is just beginning. Designers and wedding vendors worldwide (ourselves included!) are preparing to offer royalty inspired options reminiscent of Meghan and Harry's special day. Here are some trends we expect to see in the world of wedding florals: Meaningful FlowersThe world watched as Meghan Markle walked down the aisle with her elegant bouquet. Royal traditions, tribute to the late Princess Diana, and sentimental acts of love were abundant in Meghan's bouquet. It was said in a statement from Kensington Palace, "Prince Harry handpicked several flowers yesterday from their private garden at Kensington Palace to add to the bespoke bridal bouquet designed by florist Philippa Craddock." Her bouquet was filled with forget-me-nots, sweet peas, lily of the valley, jasmine, astrantia, myrtle, and astilbe - each carrying their own special meaning to the bride and groom. Meghan Markle's bouquet resting on the Grave of the Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey, a royal family wedding tradition started by the Queen Mother in honor of her brother, Fergus. The Trend: We expect brides will be more interested in the meaning behind their wedding flowers. From the Victorian language of flowers to what your mother carried in her arrangement, brides will look to create an arrangement that tells a story. To learn how to add meaning to your bouquet, read our post: How to Personalize Your Wedding Flowers Simple, Meaningful BouquetsThe size of Meghan's bouquet surprised many with it's less-is-more attitude. She broke the royal tradition of large, over the top, heavy bouquets with flowing greens and big focal blooms and opted instead for a small, compact, practical bouquet. A side by side comparison of royal bridal bouquets, from left to right: Princess Diana, Kate Middleton, and Meghan Markle. The Trend: The trend for the last few years have been larger bouquets with lots and lots and lots of flowing greenery. A lot of recent brides have gone for that messy elegance, wildflower, freshly-picked look. We may finally begin to see more simple bouquets featuring lots of small blooms instead! Meghan made a statement with this silhouette, and we may see it catch on with American brides. All white bouquets with touches of greens may also be making a comeback. Recently, brides have been expanding their horizons and using many colors, working to create a feel or vibe for the bouquet as opposed to sticking to a single color. We may now see brides taking Meghan's lead and option for a white or monochromatic bouquet! Meghan and Harry, the newly minted Duke and Duchess of Sussex, making their way down the aisle following their wedding ceremony. "Little" Bridal Parties & AccessoriesChildren in American weddings traditionally have a few flower girls and ring bearers, but in royal weddings, young page boys and bridesmaids comprise the majority of the bridal party! Harry had his elder brother William as his best man, while Meghan opted to walk down the aisle without a maid of honor. All of the bridesmaids and pageboys were between 2 and 7 years old. The bridal party included Harry and Meghan's nephew Prince George and niece Princess Charlotte. One of the royal family's official wedding portraits including Harry, Meghan, and their young bridal party. Quantities of ring bearers, flower girls, and junior bridesmaids or groomsmen may increase as a result. The cute little team can take on tasks like keeping the rings, carrying a train or veil, and collecting the bridal bouquet. It is a great way to get little ones involved in a wedding, if you are choosing to invite children. The page boys and bridesmaids walking down the aisle behind Meghan. The Trend: We're planning on seeing lots of flower crowns, flower petals, and little boy sized boutonnieres to go along with increased quantities of children in weddings. Every bride will want her littlest attendants to look as precious as Meghan Markle's. Flower crowns are already making a huge statement in weddings right now, but we're expecting this trend to grow even more! Princess Charlotte waving at crowds and cameras following the wedding. Arches Like Heaven's GatesWe can't even begin to imagine how long it took florist to create the royal wedding arches! They both include an abundance of greenery and fragrant blooms, making them as lovely to smell as to see. A close up shot of the outdoor floral arch and doors of St. George's Chapel at Windsor Castle. Each flower was meticulously placed to create a heavenly entrance for Meghan. The true scale and scope of the arch is not truly noticeable until we see Meghan standing beneath it. Meghan entering the chapel doors with two of her page boys carrying the veil. The outdoor arch at the front of the church stretched across the entry and wrapped down the edge of the staircase. The larger-than-life doorway makes for a regal, fairytale exit once Harry and Meghan walk outside to greet the crowds. A wide shot of the entrance to St. George's Chapel, including the staircase. Harry and Meghan exiting the church, now newlywed and carrying the titles Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The indoor arrangements and arches were equally as impressive as the outdoor florals. Inside, there was a set of arches dividing the entrance and the main portion of the chapel where the ceremony took place. The arches covered several pillars and covered the width of the chapel's hall. Arrangements were also made for the altar. Though they were significantly more understated than the arches, they were still opulent and certainly fragrant. It added a perfect touch to the most formal portion of the venue. A close shot of the arches inside St. George's Chapel. The Trend: The popularity of wedding arches isn't going anywhere! Having a dramatic setting for your vows or creating a gorgeous, selfie-worthy backdrop for photos at the reception have become increasingly important to brides, and we can see why. We loved Meghan's take on this trend and expect many brides to take inspiration from her. Also, large blooms and tons of greenery are in fashion right now in a variety of uses. They can be loose, arranged, on arches, hung from above, and incorporated in bouquets. The Royal Wedding reinforced this style in arches and displays, but we expect the look to reach out to other areas of wedding florals! A wide shot of the indoor arches spanning the width of the chapel. Creating Your Own Fairytale WeddingOur staff loved talking over the details of the royal wedding. There are so many current and emerging trends we saw brought to life in Harry and Meghan's ceremony we can't wait to try out.
Brides: if you're inspired by the royal wedding, our consultants would love to help you with that vision. Give us a call today to schedule a free consultation! Make It YouIf you're a bride-to-be that's clicking through Pinterest pin after pin, endless online articles about wedding tips, and more advice from your family and friends than you thought possible, it can be tough to find your own voice over everyone else's. If you're struggling to find originality, take a minute for yourself. Relax. Put aside the noise and do some self reflection. Your wedding and all the details it encompasses should be yours, no matter what that looks like. Here at Oviedo Florist, it is our number one goal to capture your vision for your wedding flowers. We want to make your wedding flower experience as simple and straightforward as we can! We are here to help you develop your dream wedding and bring it to life on your special day. Developing that vision can be very easy or very difficult and is different for everyone. Here are some helpful hints on how to make your wedding flowers uniquely yours. In the Victorian language of flowers, some blooms carry positive connotations and well wishes, such as hydrangeas which symbolize perseverance and ranunculus that represent romance. Be aware that certain flowers also carry negative connotations, such as scabiosa, which symbolize unfortunate or unreciprocated love. Flowers carry meaning based on color as well. Red roses symbolize love and romance, lavender roses represent love at first sight and enchantment, and yellow roses can signal jealousy. Read into these meanings as much or as little as you like! Personal flower meanings are good decision drivers, too. If you have a favorite flower, one your fiance gave you on a special occasion, or flower your grandmother grew in her garden, you may consider using those as well. Ask your mother, grandmother, aunts, or other special ladies in your life what flowers were in their wedding arrangements. Different flowers have different meanings for everyone - feel free to explore yours!
Other accessories like buttons, brooches, and veils also work well on bouquet wraps. If these is a different way you are thinking you would like to include a family heirloom or dress fabric into your bouquet, our designers would be happy to work it in! Think pearls or gems in the center of flowers and ribbons through the bouquet.
Don't be afraid to play with color, or opt for a monochromatic palette. The color of your greenery can help set the tone. Dark greens add a mysterious, bold, romantic edge while lighter, bright greens are more playful, charming, and free spirited. Fahima, the lovely Oviedo Florist bride pictured below, attached a small locket with a photo of her cat that had recently passed away. Her tribute to her black cat was incorporated in other areas as well, with her shoes and the cake toppers! The little touches made the wedding more personal and was unique to her. The photograph on her bouquet was a sweet and subtle way to remember her best friend. Think about honoring a loved one, whether human or a furry friend, by including a momento or photo in your bouquet.
Likewise, you can opt for cue signs that welcome your guests or guide them through your plans. We can create sprays of flowers, garlands, and hanging greenery to adorn any custom sign you desire! Note: you will need to provide your own sign, we do not make them! Give us your sign's dimensions and we'll take it from there. Wedding Flowers by Oviedo FloristIf you are interested in our wedding floral services, visit our wedding website: www.oviedofloristweddings.com
Our site includes a gallery of photos, reviews, how to set up a free consultation, and more about Oviedo Florist Weddings. We look forward to speaking with you about your dream wedding! |
AboutAll things flowers with a AuthorMolly Garboski Categories
All
Archives
April 2019
|