Flower seasonality is one of those core concepts in floristry that often gets very
little attention in the wedding planning process. Why? My guess is it’s because clients don’t think about it and florists don’t bother educating them on it. I sure didn't think about it when I was planning my wedding. Of course I knew that certain flowers would only be available during certain times of year, but it definitely wasn’t a focus of mine during the planning process.
“That’s why you hire a floral designer - to make informed flower selections that consider your color palette, vision and budget.”
Truth is, with a qualified floral designer on your side, you really shouldn’t have to think about the specifics of flower seasonality. Afterall, that’s why you hire a floral designer - to make informed flower selections that consider your color palette, vision and budget. However, experience has taught me that sometimes clients have very specific expectations about which flowers they want used, and so, I'd like to spend a few quick moments educating you on the topic.
Seasonality
Take peonies, for example. Gorgeous right? Would you believe me if I said peonies are only available for a few short weeks every year? It’s true. And by a few, I mean like 8-10 weeks or so. Seriously. Growing flowers is hard and requires perfect alignment of many factors like weather, temperature, preparation, composition, sunlight, pollinators.. you know, nature!
"Many flowers are subject to seasonal restrictions and can only grow during a limited time of the year."
And all these factors directly impact when and how quickly flowers grow. So while some flowers are less temperamental and can thrive in nearly any climate, many flowers are subject to seasonal restrictions and can only grow during a limited time of the year. After all, flowers are living organisms that have to be cared for every single day in a very specific way! So if you really, really want peonies for your wedding, your date would have to align with the exact dates they’re in season, which is totally possible. However, even with the perfect date, there are still other factors that may impact the availability of these gorgeous blooms, such as supply and demand.
Supply + Demand
If the beloved Meghan Markle, whose favorite flower is the peony, decides to schedule her vow renewal on the exact same day as your wedding and her florist sources every peony from North America and South America, you’d better believe supply of peonies would drastically decline. And can you guess what happens then? Yep, the price of those darling, fluffy peonies goes up - way up. Bet you didn’t expect to get a lesson in microeconomics, huh?
Substitutions
So, me being the ever-so-strong advocate for you and your budget, when peony costs triple or quadruple or aren’t even available because of the season, I’m going to immediately look for a substitute - and there are plenty of substitutes that will still ensure you have beautiful wedding flowers. Sticking with seasonal blooms also means I can potentially source part of your flower order locally. And because the flowers aren’t being shipped internationally, this naturally translates to cost savings! Even better? The quality of the blooms will nearly always be much better when sourced locally. Win. Win.
"Even when a certain flower is unavailable, there is always a great substitute."
Have your heart set on a particular flower for sentimental reasons? That’s okay! I promise to always try to keep requests in mind when making your flower order. The thing to really remember, though, is we’re dealing with nature. Meaning, I can’t wish up a particular flower for you if God says it can’t be grown that time of year, or if it’s unseasonably hot, or if there’s a drought, or *dare I say it* there’s another global pandemic and flights are cancelled - are you knocking on wood too? :)
Here’s the good news though - even when a certain flower is unavailable, there is always a great substitute. Always. There are many absolutely stunning flower varieties that are available all year long in many color varieties. So there’s no worry when it comes to trying to keep with your desired color palette. My floral industry experience has taught me which flowers to buy during which time of year and which to stay away from, always ensuring you have the freshest blooms.
"We find it’s best to provide a small collection of 5-6 reference photos to help you communicate your likes and dislikes then let us run with it!"
Here’s the bottomline: I can never make promises about flower varieties. I simply don’t have the ability. No florist does. So, my very best advice to couples is to be open to my ideas and avoid being overly prescriptive in terms of specific flower varieties to use. We find it’s best to provide a small collection of 5-6 reference photos to help you communicate your likes and dislikes then let us run with it!
Alright, what questions do you have about flower seasonality?
Ready to talk through your budget questions? Email me at info@fluxfloral.com.
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