Maximizing Your Wedding Floral Budget

As a floral event designer, I know you have a vision of your dream florals. Trust me, I’ll do everything in my power to make that happen for you. Maybe you’ve always dreamed of walking down the aisle holding a bridal bouquet that overflows with beautiful blooms and elegant accents? If you’re wedding planning on a budget (we totally get it), you might worry your wedding florals need to shrink to balance out the quickly rising costs. We’re here to help! Here are a few tips for maximizing your wedding floral budget. 

First, let me say that I truly prioritize understanding your budget and wedding vision from the outset. It's my goal to tailor a proposal that reflects your dreams without exceeding your financial limitations.

When budgets are tight, we simply get creative! 

10 Tips For Maximizing Your Wedding Floral Budget

1. Realistic Expectation 

I know this one is easier said than done. At Sweet Lilacs we know you probably have a Pinterest board brimming with beautiful blooms (oh, hey, we’re on Pinterest by the way). Keep in mind there is often a disconnect between Pinterest and reality. 

Many of the photos on Pinterest are from inspirational photo shoots where vendors come together to create a fake wedding. These are not actual weddings with actual budgets. My advice is instead of searching Pinterest for inspiration, look at a florist’s portfolio or Instagram. This should give you a better idea of what type of work they can create for a real wedding.

At Sweet Lilacs our designs are relaxed, airy, casual, and romantic. 

2. Choose Seasonal Blooms

Now, we aren’t telling you to plan your wedding around seasonal flowers, BUT if you have your heart set on peonies, plan your wedding for late May or June. If you have your heart set on dahlias, get married in the summer or fall. 

Buying flowers out of their normal season is possible, but it comes with a hefty price tag. You’ll spend around twice or three times as much for your dream blooms. For instance, peonies during the summer or fall months are imported from areas like Alaska or South America or Holland..  You are paying for not only the flowers, but the transportation of these blooms to travel around the world overnight, received at an airport, shipped right to your florist's door and finally presented to you.   Remember, flowers have a lifespan and once they are cut timing is of the essence.

Here are a few more seasonal blooms:

• Astilbes, dahlias, zinnias and lisianthus bring brightness to summer

• For a spring wedding, you’ll have lilacs, ranunculus and peonies in full bloom

• Getting married in autumn you’ll have beautiful celosias, harvest sunflowers and heirloom mums in season

• For a winter wedding  you'll have your choice of anemones, hellebores and beautiful heathers

The good news is that we can come up with a similar look even if you are out of season. We’ll just need to put our heads together! 

3. Floral Installations That Make A Statement 

If you want to make an impact with your wedding flower budget, you can opt for a floral installation. These installations capture the attention and imagination of your guests. As a bonus, they can be used in any area of your venue. Floral installations are a stunning way of welcoming your guests with an oversized archway, or if you are getting married outdoors a hanging installation. At Sweet Lilacs, you know we love our floral arches! 

These showstoppers make a great addition and they're often used as an alternative to an altar. 

4. Source Flowers Locally 

When you're thinking about your floral vision for your wedding and the components of your floral design (that’s what I’m here for), instead of thinking of the type of flower first, consider factors like the vibe you're going for or general color scheme, then let that guide us toward budget-friendly options.

Sourcing locally and seasonally is one of the very best ways to ensure you're keeping costs lower, and you can still work within that initial wedding floral vision. We always source locally when we can! 

5. Find A Florist You Trust 

Working with an experienced and reputable florist is essential when you're looking to work within your wedding flower budget.  From me, you’ll learn where you should spend money and how your floral vision can be realized. Additionally, our extensive network and long-standing relationships have enabled us to source quality and the most diverse variety of flowers from around the world

We'll be there with you every step of the way, including installing your floral landscape on your wedding day! Our team, under the leadership of florist Susan Kelleher, provides exceptional service and inspiration for each bride. 

We ensure your wedding flowers complement your wedding theme and unique color palette.  This includes everything from YOUR perfect bridal bouquet that compliments your dress to the table centerpieces that look incredible without interfering with your guests' ability to chat during the reception.

Developing that friendly and trusted relationship with clients is at the center of everything we do at Sweet Lilacs. You can be sure you're spending your wedding flowers budget on a first-class service that delivers the bespoke floral you're looking for.

6. Go With Bigger Blooms

Consider going with bigger blooms for your wedding if you are trying to maximize your wedding floral budget. You’ll need fewer flowers if they are bigger, and that cuts down on the amount and the variety of flowers for your wedding florist. I would be happy to provide you with bigger blooms options  in your color palette.  

Using larger, inexpensive flowers to fill out centerpieces and create a sense of grandeur in your arrangements is the perfect way to cut down on your floral budget. Vibrant large open roses, and huge hydrangeas will help to make a statement without breaking the bank.

7. Repurpose Your Wedding Florals 

Here's a valuable tip for managing wedding flower expenses: make the most of your floral arrangements. The advantage of using ceremony flowers is that they are pre-arranged and match your color scheme, allowing you to repurpose them for the reception. Request the help of your wedding planner or a couple of friends to transfer the ceremony flowers to the reception venue. This not only streamlines the process but also helps you save on additional decor costs. Consider repurposing aisle florals and using them to adorn various areas such as the front of the sweetheart tables, guest book table, dessert table, and cake table.

Repurposing ceremony florals to the sweetheart table after photography is a popular option. It adds a touch of personalization and saves resources.

8. Let Your Florist Get Creative 

We absolutely LOVE and adore when brides allow us to flex our creative muscles. When brides allow us to be creative they typically give us some basic ideas and then let our professionalism and creativity come to life.

As an event florist I prefer creating within your budget opposed to creating without consideration of the cost.  Tell me your budget and ask me how I would create amazing floral arrangements within that range. I’ll tell you! 

9. Focus On The Reception Tablescapes

Your guests will spend the most time, on your wedding day, at your reception. Your centerpieces and tablescapes will be front and center. So, you want to give your guests an unforgettable experience. Have them oohing and ahhing over the beautiful florals that are sitting right in front of them.

Your floral centerpieces and tablescapes go a long way to making a huge impact, so they should be a major focus for your wedding flowers budget. We'll work with you so that your budget is spent wisely on creating magical spaces where your guests can savor celebrating your love. 

10. Don’t Skimp On Your Bridal Bouquet 

As the bride, all eyes are on you on your wedding day! Everything from your stunning dress to your gorgeous bridal bouquet that compliments it perfectly will be on display.  For this reason, your bridal bouquet should be where a significant slice of your wedding flowers budget is spent and you want to take people's breath away with the results of your investment. 

Your bouquet is the star of the entire day (well after you, of course) whether that's in your hands as you walk down the aisle, as decor on your sweetheart table after the ceremony, or during the much-anticipated bouquet toss (we will make a smaller toss bouquet, don’t worry!)

We take your dress style into consideration when helping you to choose the perfect florals for your bridal bouquet. Here are a few examples: 

• Wearing a romantic ball gown? Larger blooms like peonies, roses, and hydrangeas  look stunning with a ball gown. 

• Wearing a fun shorter dress? We love to incorporate beautiful dainty florals such as sweet peas, lily-of-the-valley, or hand-tied posies to perfectly compliment your fun dress!

Bridal bouquets are unique to the bride and we love creating them! We love playing with different shades or bright florals for a statement bouquet that is a real crowd pleaser.

Not sure who should get flowers at your wedding? Check out our guide to Who Gets Florals On Your Big Day! 
Looking to stay on trend for 2024? We’ve got you covered with 2024 Floral Wedding Trends We Love. 

Ready to Make Your Wedding Flowers Budget Work For You?

Fantastic! We're excited to be part of your romantic story and to bring your wedding floral vision to life.  We'll respect your wedding floral budget and help you to maximize it to create the wedding of your dreams! 

Who Gets Flowers On Your Big Day

Are you wondering who should get flowers at a wedding? Don't worry, this is a very common question, and the decision is ultimately yours. Of course, the Bride and bridesmaids need bouquets, and the groom needs his boutonniere, but who else needs flowers at your wedding? Here is the wedding flower list for the most special people in your life. 

When deciding on which flower to give to whom, keep in mind the person's size: An enormous sunflower on the wrist of your petite grandma could overwhelm her tiny frame just as a dainty single flower on your grandpa could get lost on him.

The Bride

Of course, the Bride is at the top of our wedding flower list! She needs a bridal bouquet, and our boho brides might love a gorgeously whimsical flower crown.

We love the history of the bridal bouquet which dates back to ancient times when brides would carry bouquets of spices, herbs, and flowers to keep bad luck and evil spirits away. 

Today, brides generally choose bouquets based on their tastes and wedding styles. As event florists, we know the bridal bouquet is pretty special, and it's something you will remember for a lifetime. Think of your bridal bouquet as the ultimate accessory for your big day. It should represent you! 

The Groom

Many grooms choose to wear a boutonniere that matches the style or colors of the bridal bouquet. The groom's arrangement is an essential part of your wedding flowers! 

We love that many grooms are getting more creative with their boutonnieres and wearing something more personal than the typical rose or calla lily (we love those, too). The boutonniere should be pinned on the groom's left lapel. 

Another great option that is growing in popularity is pocket boutonnieres.  We always recommend the groom have a boutonniere.  However, if it is a hot day, and the guys prefer to wear nice shirts then no boutonniere is recommended.  It just weighs down the fabric.

Bridesmaids & Groomsmen

Usually, bridesmaids carry smaller versions of the Bride's bouquet. While they don't need to be exactly the same as the bridal bouquet, they should be similar to it and complement it with similar colors and styles.

Recently, we’ve noticed that sometimes the bride wants the lighter bouquet and the bridesmaids have the more colorful one to compliment their dresses, or vice versa. We are all about doing something a little different and letting our creativity flow. 

The groomsmen can wear a boutonniere, but not the same boutonniere as the groom. We need him to shine! Groomsmen's boutonnieres should be different but follow the same style and color palette.

Flower Girl & Ring Bearer 

Flower girls carry a basket of toss petals, but if that's not for you, they can also carry a miniature bouquet or a single stem. Or, if it fits the wedding style, you might want a flower crown for the little ladies.

For the ring bearer, consider a miniature boutonniere. You can also adorn his ring pillow or ring box with a few sturdy flowers. 

Mothers and Grandmothers Of The Bride & Groom 

It's important to remember family members on your wedding flower list. Mothers and grandmothers will wear a corsage with two or three blooms worn on the wrist or pinned to their left lapel. They can also carry a miniature bouquet or a single stem. If you decide to go the single-stem route, you can use a larger floral bloom like a peony or hydrangea and then wrap it with a ribbon. 

Think of it as pampering your mother and grandmother. At Sweet Lilacs we like to give them pin-on corsage, or a more traditional wrist corsage.  Believe it or not, some mom's want to do a lots of hugs and want flowers for their hair.  Some are so nervous and they want to hold a large single flower like a peony or a small cluster of flowers.  

If you are a bride that decides to spoil them with their favorite flower or that special flower they used at their wedding, we love that!  Also, we hide a little bouquet for the mom somewhere near the arch because some couples want to honor their mother with a presentation bouquet during the ceremony.  It is a very touching part of their ceremony.

Fathers and Grandfathers Of The Bride & Groom

The fathers and grandfathers of the Bride and groom should also receive boutonnieres. These boutonnieres can be similar in style to the groom's or completely different. We love to give the fathers and grandfathers something simple but complimentary.  

Officiant, Ushers, & Readers

The officiant, ushers, and readers can also be given flowers at your wedding. We would love to provide any of these VIPs with a corsage or boutonniere. For officiants, we always ask, how would you like the photos to appear.  With them wearing a boutonniere or not?  Often, there are female officiants and some want wrist corsages or flowers in their hair.  We've made a few flower crowns for female officiants and they always looked great!

Wedding Flowers For Guests

Of course, no one says that flowers at your wedding can only go to a chosen few. If you would like every guest at your wedding to receive at least something small, you can provide an individual flower to guests on arrival or before they leave. 

We love to make cones for petals to shower the bride and groom after they've said their vow.  It’s a fantastic celebratory shot for your photographer to capture. We have escort boards to create favors for guests or we can place them at their table place setting. We are here to make your dreams come to life! 

We would love to help you create the wedding of your dreams with our flowers! Reach out, and let's talk about what you are looking for - we love a good challenge! 

2024 Wedding Floral Trends We Are Loving

Range Of Light Wed

2024 is already giving us plenty to be excited about in terms of wedding florals, and as an added bonus—they're also really pretty to look at. To get the scoop on the most popular wedding flower trends for 2024, we’ve collected what our 2024 brides are requesting and we are loving it!

Colorful Wildflowers

You may have heard that bright and vibrant florals are on trend this year. We are seeing our brides loving colorful seasonal wildflowers such as dahlias, zinnias, lavender, yarrows.  Many brides just view seasonal flowers as bright cheery celebrations for their special day. When you think of wildflowers, you probably imagine yourself running through endless fields and with your dress billowing in the breeze. This romantic feeling is why many couples add wildflower wedding bouquets to their big day.

We will consider your wedding venue, date and palette before choosing the perfect wildflowers to complement your day.

Romantic Florals

Romantic florals are making a huge comeback. I have heard so many brides envision a “Bridgerton” style wedding.  They love the mixed pastel colors of flowers.  They envision a romantic glowing atmosphere for dinner strewn with flowers.  

Floral arrangements that mirror the energy of popular songs or capture the colorful nuance of blockbuster films are a fun way to express your taste. Pop culture influences seem to be playing a significant role in shaping floral designs in 2024. They offer a fresh and dynamic approach to traditional arrangements.

Elements Of Modern Minimalism

We are seeing menu cards, signage and table numbers have elements of modern minimalism, and combine perfectly with textural florals.  We are seeing a lot of baby’s breath with pops of open round fluffy flowers such as garden roses and ranunculus. 

On the flip side, some request mostly textural greens, but the greens are a mixture of 5-7 different foliages that create that fluffy look.

Weddings still view the flowers as the equalizer that will combine tradition with modernism.  

Floral Installation Pieces

Going beyond the bouquets and centerpieces, one of the flower trends of 2024 is blooms showing up in dramatic, bold floral installations that really pack a punch! Whether you choose a halo of flowers enveloping the venue entryway or a flower strewn wedding cake table, we are always thinking of ways to use florals to create a focal point that really wows your guests.

If you are on a budget, statement pieces are the way to go.  Photographers are there to photograph the wedding couple, but we help them create a beautiful setting. A stunning arch or an open arch piece. Be sure to repurpose these pieces to the reception area. Perhaps a hanging installation above the dance floor with disco balls.  A backdrop for the sweetheart table. 

Candles & Creating A Romantic Atmosphere

Many 2024 couples are dreaming of romanticism.  More than ever, candles are requested the most where it is permitted. The warm glow of candles really creates a romantic atmosphere that most brides are looking for.

The Armory

Real Candles vs. Flameless Candles

Whenever possible we use real candles because, honestly, the flameless candles do not create the same atmosphere.  However, at some wedding venues real candles are a fire hazard and are not permitted.

We prefer fairy lights over flameless candles, as they create a similar glow and atmosphere.  We string them in the garlands, trees, in mason jars (they look like fireflies) and behind sheer curtains for backdrops.  Flameless candles offer a weak glow and the colors are either a bright fluorescent white or orange glow. 

Providing Experiences For Guests

We love the trend of providing a memorable experience for your guests. Our brides are getting married at the top of the mountains such as Bear Valley and Dodge Ridge.  Guests take the lifts up to the top of the mountain and can ride back down.  The 360 views are incredible, and the receptions are held down below at the rustically beautiful lodge.  

Packages

Range Of Light Wed

People are traveling and moving in 2024! That means that destination weddings are back in a very big way, and we are loving it.  Choosing a small wedding or elopement service that provides everything you need can make the planning process so much easier. We live close to the Sierra Nevadas (a huge destination for weddings), and many people ask for not only flowers, but for table runners, table numbers and sings. 

We are finding that many travel from the East Coast and dream about their wedding in the grander of the mountains.   We understand you travel quite a ways and do not know the local community, and we are here to help.

Check out Range Of Light Wed for more information on our Small Wedding/Elopement planning services right here in the Sierra Nevadas.

As couples gear up for their 2024 weddings, a trend is emerging: emerald green bridesmaids' dresses. This rich, jewel-toned hue promises to be a stunning backdrop for both the bridal party and your chosen floral arrangements.

From a photographer's perspective, emerald green offers a subtle blend from the traditional black suits worn by groomsmen, allowing for more dynamic portraits. And speaking of flowers, event florists are absolutely thrilled to have such beautiful background canvas to work with! Emerald green provides the perfect contrast to make those blooms truly pop.

But where does this deep green fit into the rest of the wedding décor? This is where things get interesting. While incorporating emerald green can be breathtaking, it's important to consider its impact on the overall color scheme.

Here are some questions to ponder:

• Do you go full emerald? Emerald tablecloths can create a dramatic, immersive atmosphere, but may feel overwhelming in certain settings.

• Play with contrasts? Black tablecloths with emerald green napkins offer a chic, modern vibe, while cream or white linens contrasting with emerald accents exude a garden style vibe.

Remember, green doesn't always have to be confined to fabric. Lush foliage can incorporate the emerald hue beautifully,  whether woven into hanging installations, adorning floral centerpieces, or simply gracing the surrounding scenery like in plants.

Ultimately, the key is to balance boldness with harmony. Embrace the beauty of emerald green while ensuring it complements the rest of your chosen palette. After all, your wedding day should be a reflection of your unique style and love story.

As a floral event designer, I'm constantly exploring the intricate world of floral wedding dreams. What colors, textures, and arrangements will paint the backdrop for your most cherished memories?  While many brides have Pinterest boards brimming with inspiration, translating those dreamy images into reality requires a clear understanding of vision and budget. 

This is where my expertise comes in. I don't just see flowers; I envision the entire scene – the colors dancing with the light, the blooms echoing the style of the venue, the fragrance weaving its magic through the air. It's about creating an impactful experience that resonates with you and your guests, and it all starts with a thoughtful conversation.

• I prioritize understanding your budget and wedding vision from the outset. It's my goal to tailor a proposal that reflects your dreams without exceeding your financial limitations.

• If there's a slight variance, I offer creative alternatives to achieve a similar look within budget. We can focus on statement pieces like the bouquet, boutonniere, ceremony florals, and sweetheart table that will shine in photos and enhance the atmosphere.

• When budgets are tight, we can get creative! Repurposing ceremony florals to the sweetheart table after photography is a popular option. It adds a touch of personalization and saves resources.\\

• To ensure a smooth transition, working with your wedding coordinator or helpers for this shift might be ideal. Our team excels in fast-paced setups, but for such a short window, coordinating with existing personnel can be more cost-effective.

• Remember, you're not just investing in flowers; you're investing in our expertise. We bring arches, candles, stands, lighting, and even disco balls to life, creating stunning visual displays onsite.

• Every week, we transform spaces into unforgettable experiences, and we're passionate about making your wedding day truly magical.

We are local experts in Yosemite, Sonora, Pinecrest, Murphys, Arnold and Bear Valley.  Tuolumne and Calaveras Counties hold no secrets for us. This is our backyard.  We've set up in countless open spaces, off the grid and on, and understand the unique restrictions and enhancements of each venue. But our deepest knowledge lies in the landscape itself.  We know how flowers and setups will thrive in our climate, ensuring your vision flourishes amidst our picturesque surroundings.

 This, truly, is the greatest advantage of living and working where we do.

Gratitude

In the mornings, I wake up with strong streams of thoughts and images. I understand they are physical energy and need somewhere to go.  I am determined to get my blog going.  This morning, I felt a wave of overwhelming gratitude for my incredible team.

I feel so lucky and grateful for their talent and skills.  It has been so cold and they dressed up in beanies, vests and gloves to help us organize for the year.  They tackled mountains of disorganized containers, a disarray of mixed up candles and dusty components of arches and props.

I also have a virtual assistant Vanessa who is the key at the front end.  This is where the initial contact is made.  She fields the questions with lightning speed and she is a magician with crafting all our social media.  All I can say is that Vanessa keeps me on track.

Sweet Lilacs is going into our 9th year of business.  I am estimating close to 1700 events.  That is a lot.  I am so grateful to be part of so many special events.  I consider the florals the jewelry of the events.  We excel in embellishment and finishing touches.  I still cannot forget a bride last year uncontrollably crying with tears of joy as she walked through her wedding ceremony and reception area.  We worked so hard to implement her vision and strived to do good work.  That reaction was so rewarding.

I thought about how ready we are for 2024.  I am so very grateful to my team this past year.  They are all coming back for the 2024 season.  We truly enjoy working together.  We are supportive of one another and we truly like one another.  Our early morning pow wows are so memorable.  Our creative bursts are goofy and laughable.  I am looking forward to our adventures this year.

After brewing my cup of coffee, I started scrolling through social media and I found this photo on the Banksy facebook page.  This is exactly how I felt this morning.  Just pure gratitude.

Amazing how messages are placed in front of you.

Balance.  I am always trying to find ways to balance my life.  We worked so hard this last year and believe it or not, I am just now settling into this slow time.   In the event floral industry, balance between work and play is created over the year.  Not on a daily or weekly basis.

The holidays are not a relaxing time for me.  So much hype goes into Christmas and the New Year.  Throw in family relationships, the uptick of Covid and the stress level is right back up.  

I try to spend much of my down time, January - March this year, traveling around visiting art museums, galleries, the ocean, mountains and lakes.  When home, I try to find another art medium to play around with.  I’ve watch the Great Pottery throw down series.  Now that’s a funny series!  I also love to get reacquainted with my art friends.  Do I produce anything in clay or other mediums?  No.  But I like to look and immerse myself in this world.  Maybe someday I will.

For the last couple years, our saving grace has been traveling in our sprinter van.  Joleen Willis introduced us to this whole concept.  I followed her posts for a month while she traveled in her little van and I was obsessed! This is our little sanctuary.  We bought the van in 2018, stripped down with very low mileage.  Jim built up the whole van, watching so many youtube videos.  It is fully loaded with all the bells and whistles, kitchen, shower, toilet and solar.  We are able to camp in remote places for about a week without replenishing our water supply.  

I never knew how much we needed this van.  This van is our home away from home.  We no longer check into hotels or grab fast food.  When we get tired, we find a place to park.  It was important that either of us can drive the van.  Also, to drive the van in any major city or remote area.  All we need is place to park.  

We designed and installed our first wedding in 2022.  January 8, 2022.  I was training and working with a freelance designer to see how we both like working with one another.  This is extremely important to me.  I watch for a number of things.  I watch to see if they like the work, if they enjoy weddings and special events, they can listen to instructions, execute instructions under pressure, take constructive criticism, if they complete the work, how well they work under pressure, confidence level, maturity, an artistic eye, no drama and most importantly, the speed of their work.  Admittedly, the expectation to be part of our team high.

After working a few days with someone, I am very good at accessing whether they will be a good fit in our work environment or not.  Expectations are high and our workload can be demanding.  

Our work environment can be a dream for some people and a nightmare for others.  

When I started Sweet Lilacs, I created my ideal work environment.  Working mats all over the floor of the workshop, large counters for design work, music blaring in the background, no answering customer calls, focus on design work, large assortment of flowers and foliage to create, TONS of creative freedom to produce a look and style, a supportive environment very similar to an art studio where ideas are constantly bounced around, very little egos, no prima dona designers, no drama, everyone helps out one another, flexible days and flexible hours, very few set rules, label everything with our color coding system, read the paperwork carefully, clean up after yourselves.

When we get to the work, this all falls into place.  Everyone jumps in to train one another, help out each other, load and unload the trucks, clean up, laugh, talk about our lives, talk about our problems and just have a good time. Kindness, consideration, honesty and lots of laughter.  Some thrive in this loosely organized chaos; some need a more structured, systematic workplace. 

I am the number one supporter of my team and my team has my support.  I know that everyone that works for any length of time at Sweet Lilacs, works hard and wants to do a good job.  We all have the same goal, to make this event, the best it can be through our talents and hard work.  I cannot do my work without a good strong team behind me.  This is what make Sweet Lilacs work.  

It has been a rough year.  In the last 7 months, we created florals for so many weddings.  This past year 2021, our season officially began May 1st and did not end until November 27.  For most of those weeks, we worked straight through without a single day off.  Often, we never knew who would show up for work.  The core was always here, but the extras, we just never knew.  Not being able to predict the every changing climate, we just dealt with weddings on a weekly basis.  

I understand that was not the best way to conduct business, but we dealt with weddings that downsized from 150 to 30 guests; some switching to just an elopement, but so many weddings went ahead and had outdoor events for 150.  Then of course there was the hot weather and the fires.  We just never knew if there was going to be another last minute change.  We were just happy to get through another week.

•  First and foremost, I have a great core staff.  They cared so much about our work, completing the order and giving whatever extra we can give.  We all wanted the wedding day to be so pretty and happy and beautiful.  

• Second I have the best wholesalers that just kept feeding me with supplies. We kept going every single week! My wholesalers, North Bay Farms, never missed a beat! Often, they were pushing me to get my order in, so they can fulfill my requests. On my part, it was usually last minute and I hate operating that way. I gotta hand it to those guys, the flowers and foliage arrived without a hitch. So many florists complained about flower shortages; but I never felt the sting.

As a result, we were able to deliver the florals to all our brides on a timely manner. I realize now, after this season has settled down, we were among the few vendors that survived this year pretty unscathed. So many of my fellow vendors are leaving or left our industry to move in another direction. Some are regrouping and reorganizing to better compete. Many are retiring and closing up shop. I will miss my friends.

I hope, next year is better.  I hope to be better organized.  I hope to provide the same quality of flowers, design work and service to all our customers.  I hope the same core staff comes back next year. 

I hope we all do better in health and well being.  

This photo was taken about a year ago, right before Covid hit our industry. I love working with Joleen Wiliis because she has such an artistic eye. These photos were taken at Lone Pine.

We started off so strong and bright and eager. We were looking forward to a new year of weddings and we were so booked. I was already looking for freelancers to help out on many weekends. But, Covid hit us with a vengeance. One day, I had nine postponements. Thankfully, only three cancellations total for the year. Sure, we are able to stay in business, but our sales have dropped.

So, here I am, a year later bracing myself for the upcoming year. Are we going to have wedding receptions this year? Should I start looking for freelancers? When will the wedding season begin? What is happening with this new strain? So many questions.