preciouspetalsblog

[preciouspetalsblog]

Flowers + their gift of Aromatherapy

It is likely that everyone has at one time or another smelled the scent of a plant; whether it is the scent of a pine forest, a bouquet of roses, a dinner prepared with spices, or the smell of freshly cut grass. Scents are seemingly endless because plants are all around us and therefore so are their aromas. It is true that scents play a large role in our physical and mental well being that we are often unaware of and they have an even greater potential to benefit our health if we become more educated with there uses. This is where the study of aromatherapy comes into play.  

Aromatherapy is a discipline that is geared toward a holistic approach of healing the body with the use of plants (Rodale). It seeks to find the balance between mind, body and spirit by using the healing benefits of plants through the use of their essential oils. To understand what aromatherapy means it is best to look at the word itself.  For example, when you break the word ‘aromatherapy’ into ‘aroma’ and ‘therapy’ its meaning is easier to understand.  The word ‘aroma’ is understood as “scent” or “smell” and ‘therapy’ is known as a “healing process.” So, ultimately it is known as: a process that uses the body’s sense of smell in order to heal itself.  

Aromatherapy’s main ingredient in the process of healing the body is the use of essential oils. Essential oils are derived from wild or cultivated plants (Wikipedia). Wild plants are preferred, as they yield the most active and best-balanced product (Ryman). The essential oils themselves are simply the oils that the plant produces naturally as an internal fungicide, pesticide, or externally as an attractant or detracting element. For example, a plant may produce a sweet smell in order to attract pollinating insects which is crucial for there reproduction. Or a plant may produce an odor to keep grazing animals away. Either way, these oils are known as essential oils in the aromatherapy industry. They are cultivated from roots, leaves, bark, flowers, fruits, etc.

When essential oils are collected, they are used by the consumer in a variety of ways. Common uses include teas and lotions. There are 2 main methods of delivery for the essentials oils to enter the human body: liquid and vapor. When the body senses a vapor, it is inhaled and as the diagram below shows, the olfactory bulb reacts, and a message is sent to the limbic system of the brain. From there the brain controls the rest of the body and thus, the aromatic substance affects the human body.

  Not only are essential oils important in healing the body but also, the plants themselves. Some of the specific plants that are important in healing include Carrots, Aloe Vera, Rosemary, Citronella, Garlic, Echinacea, Thyme, Dandelion, Lavender, and Peppermint. These are to name just a few.

As you know, carrots are a very important vegetable.  They have become one of the world’s most important root vegetables and are rich in nutritive and curative properties. They have been around for centuries and have been used as a blood cleanser, as well as a remedy for healing liver and skin problems, allergies, inflammation of the intestines and as a tonic for the nervous system (Ryman 75).  Essential oils that come from carrots come from the carrot seeds that have been crushed. Carrots are also beneficial for the body’s eyesight.

Aloe Vera is a wonderful medicinal plant that has a manifold of benefits. It is often used as a gel, or ointment lotion for skin abrasions or burns. The clear gel from the plant which has a high-water content of about 96% has been used for many years. Aloe Vera can be applied to the human body both internally, as an Aloe Vera capsule or externally as a lotion.

Both the leaves and the flowers of Rosemary are extremely aromatic which makes this plant a natural body stimulant. It is known as a cheerful herb and can be used for both mental and physical tiredness. Tea made from Rosemary is known to be beneficial to the human liver as well. Another use for Rosemary is to plant it in a vegetable garden to discourage pests from invading.

Citronella belongs to the same family of aromatic, oil- rich tropical grasses as lemongrass and palmarosa (Ryman 89.). It is a major plant used in the aromatherapy industry from which the essential oils are distilled from the leaves. It can be used as an insecticide as well as an antiseptic that can be applied to the skin to stop and itching. It is used a great deal in commercial preparations such as soaps, cleaning products and insecticides.

Garlic has been described as an aphrodisiac, as well as a treatment for a large variety of other conditions, including colds, coughs, high blood pressure, hypertension, diarrhea, rheumatism and snakebites (Boon 122). It is primarily use is to reduce high cholesterol.  The bulb is the part of the plant that is used medicinally. There are current studies being done to determine if the plant can be used as a tick repellant as well.

Common uses of Echinacea include resistance to colds, the flu and it is used on skin abrasions and ulcerations. Traditionally, the roots are the primary use, but the flower and leaf parts have uses too. It has been reported to lose its ability to stimulate the immune system if taken continuously for an extended period of time, so it is recommended to take a 3-or more day break after using it for a month or so.

Thyme is widely used for culinary purposes and it produces a very aromatic scent. It is used externally as an antiseptic and internally as a tonic for treating coughs and strengthening the respiratory system (Boon 255). Thyme oil is considered to be a moderate dermal irritant and strong mucous membrane irritant, so it is important that it is used in diluted forms.

Dandelions are often seen as weeds in our lawn, but they can be beneficial to our health when they are used properly. Common uses include fresh dandelion leaves in salads or on sandwiches, the roots as a coffee substitute, and the flowers in the making of wine.

Lavender has a very calming affect on the human body. It is used to aid those with restlessness, insomnia and the loss of appetite.  It is one of the safest and most widely used oils in the aromatherapy discipline. The flowers are the main part of the plant that is used.

Peppermint is a common plant in the American industry and well known for its flavor. However, it has other uses as well. When you do not perspire enough it has been said that you should frequently drink an infusion of elder flowers, peppermint and lovage; taken as a mixed herb tea (Vogel 318).

As you can see, Aromatherapy is an important part of keeping our bodies healthy and the more one learns about it, the more it can be applied and used to benefit our lives and the lives around us.

 Happy Smelling!

Reba

  Works Cited:

Boon, Heather and Smith, Michael. The Complete Natural Medicine Guide to the 50

Most Common Medicinal Herbs. Ontario, Canada 2004.

 McDowell, Robert. Robert McDowell’s Herbal Treatments.

http://www.herbal-treatments.com.au/. 2000-2007

 Rodale, R. The Healing Garden. Rodale’s organic gardening

 Ryman,Danilele. Aromatherapy. The Complete Guide to Plant and flower Essences for Health and Beauty. New York, 1993.      

 Vogel, Dr. H.C.A. The Nature Doctor. Switzerland 1991

 Wikipedia. Aromatherapy. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aromatherapy

[preciouspetalsblog]

Summertime blossoms! #lovethesepetals #wedeliver #stpaulflorist https://www.instagram.com/p/CCCEB4PH40c/?igshid=wvrpps2o35kq

[preciouspetalsblog]

Never stop learning...about flowers

As a florist there are always new tips & tricks coming into the market that propel me forward. The ideas themselves aren’t so earth shattering, in that if you follow samples A, B and C and pair it with 1, 2, and 3, you’ll be the most sought after florist in all the land. Rather, it’s a compilation of understanding the product that is being used, how it can be manipulated or paired with something I hadn’t thought of before and making it my own. Seeing new varieties of flowers, getting to know them by name, understanding their availability and working closely with my sales rep to get it at the right price, secure it for the next event and keep it fresh are just a few of the details I work out in my brain as I take it all in. Then, when I have created the fresh, new, custom design, the goal becomes taking beautiful images of it to share with my customer base. (All of this is of course, to be done in between answering the phone, taking out deliveries, dusting the shelves and taking out the cardboard!) But really, every bit of this process moves me towards my overarching goal; To be the best florist I can be for the community I serve. 

I bumped in to another florist the other day and her customer had made a unique request. She shared her ideas of how she was going to do this or that to make it work, and it made me realize that that’s what its all about. Getting creative, sharing ideas, trying new products and having the confidence to take on a new challenge when it comes your way. I love that she had to design an outdoor pot without using any branches or sticks. That’s 90% of what we typically use! But I have no doubt she knocked it out of the park without using a single stick.

Learning from others in the design room is probably my favorite way to learn. But if I’m not constantly bringing new ideas into the design room, my designs start to get same-old, same old. So, going to shows and seeing new products is absolutely worth it. There are no two ways about it for me. It puts me in a room with my peers and in the audience of a stage-worthy designer. I can bounce ideas off of those around me and jot down notes that are either good reminders, must- haves, or need-to-tries. It’s an opportunity to pump a little more heart beat into my design work. Plus, I love to take notes in my pretty floral-print journal.

It’s fair to say that I enjoy being the student just as much as I enjoy being the teacher. I teach monthly at the Koehler & Dramm Institute of Floristry and it is so great for a variety of reasons. It amazes me what a teacher can learn in the classroom. There are no two minds identical and seeing floral design through the eyes of a student, at any level, is unique and beautiful. 

There are times when I watch my 6 year old design at the shop and I love it. Not just because she is my child, but because it gives me insight to how she sees and works with the world around her. Being teachable, in all aspects of life, is a central focus I carry with me and hope to pass on to her.

Each lesson, whether as a teach in a classroom, in the seat of a design show, or along side the design table of my daughter is an opportunity to learn. And when it comes right down to it, I love to learn - especially about flowers. 

Reba

[preciouspetalsblog]

Spring Is In The Air

It’s that time of year, and we are excited for our spring gardens and what they will bring! This weekend I am doing a presentation with the Minnesota Horticulture Society that is all about designing your garden with floral bouquets in mind. If you’re a gardener, it’s going to be a class you will not want to miss!

One of the hottest trends in gardening is growing a cutting garden for your own bouquets. Before the season starts, join me this Saturday morning for a class that will teach you how to design your annual and perennial gardens with the intention of creating floral bouquets. 

I will guide you through planting, harvesting, preparing and designing with cut flowers. I will also give you strategies to follow as you prepare your garden and provide guidance in learning the art of floral design. 

Who’s with me?!

Reba

#cutflowers #mngrown #lovethesepetals #alwayslearning #stpaulflorist #cutflowergarden #mngarden #floralbouquets

[preciouspetalsblog]

Neighborhood Florist

We thrive on community in so many ways! As a local, neighborhood retail florist, our community means so much to us. That is why we spent the afternoon at Harmon Park with the South Robert Street Business Association today. Families came out to enjoy the Neighborhood Inc. duck races, take part in the Touch-a-Truck event and meet local businesses. 

We are here to serve our community and give back in ways that positively impact those around us. 

At the shop we are busy designing with all the fall colors these days and I’m so glad we get to do it for you St. Paul! We are YOUR local florist and couldn’t be more proud!

#shopsmall #harmonpark #weststpaul #lovethesepetals #stpaulflorist #localflorist #srsba

Reba

[preciouspetalsblog]

Why am I a florist?

Its a funny little business, the business of flowers. 

And it is a business I most assuredly love. 

Yes, I have to double wrap the flowers before they go out on wickedly cold days like today, but when Gary smiles ear to ear and tells you that he is a first time Grandpa this very day, you forget about the freezing temps! And I can tell you this much.... a grandpa doesn’t make many stops between home and hospital. But the one stop he does make is to the Flower Shop.

When first-time customer, Andy, calls ahead to check on the prices of rose petals, you know he’s already on his way, and he will be wearing his finest cologne. How can you not smile?

If William wants to make sure his Mom has flowers every month, that’s fine by me! Happy to keep your card on file Will.

Because, Lucy, dear Lucy called and wants to send flowers to her daughter who has been depressed and under the weather for days now. We get it. Anything to lift her spirits!

And if Jay has been buying flowers for his wife on New Years Eve for the last 36 years, you can bet I want to see him again this year and the next and the next....

[preciouspetalsblog]

Wedding Flowers:  Don’t Break The Bank

When I think about putting simple + flowers in the same sentence my mind immediately goes to the flowers picked by my 3 year old. Her flowers are dropped in a mason jar to be set on display by the kitchen sink. My heart, brimming with love, decides right then and there to be inspired by simple + flowers.

So, when I think about putting simple + wedding flowers in the same sentence I feel that same sense of inspiration. I get excited about simple weddings and the joy they bring. 

Helping a bride + groom choose their flowers is one of my favorite things about being a florist - no matter the budget. 

Each couple is unique. Which is why bringing their thoughts and ideas to life on their wedding day is extremely rewarding. If a couple’s vision is to keep it simple with flowers I welcome that idea.  In fact, I applaud the couple for daring to keep it simple. It can actually be quite a challenge this day and age.  It’s good to be reminded about what the day is really about - their marriage and commitment to each other.  This is a day they will look back on and celebrate for years to come. Yes, it should be beautiful! Yes, it should be planned! And yes, I am completely aware that extravagance and over-the-top weddings are all the rage in our culture. But a wedding does not need to break the bank.  

I’m telling you that simplicity is OK when it comes to weddings, and that includes the flowers. 

Expensive and extravagant does not need to be the norm. It just happens to be the culture of the majority in the wedding industry. The personality and values of the couple should be on full display, and if that isn’t happening, then a great deal of money is being spent simply to spend money. 

Now, let’s not be fooled… flowers do cost money. Whether you buy them at a farmer’s market or a flower shop, they simply are not free.  As a couple you need to decide what simple is for you.  For some, it may be $100-500. For others it will be $500 - $2,000. But no matter your version of simple, it’s always best to have a budget. The bottom line is flowers are a beautiful addition to a day you will always remember. 

Consider these 6 tips as you select your simple wedding day flowers…

Save money by choosing flowers that are in season.

Incorporate a venue that will be in full bloom!

Move and reuse ceremony flowers at the reception hall.

Pick a flower you love. Request a whole bouquet of just that flower.

Least expensive way to make a bouquet look larger? Add greenery!!

Entrust your florist with a color scheme, and let them design within budget.

When it comes to weddings, it’s the details that really make everything come to life. 

Your attention to simplicity within the details will be admired by your guests as they celebrate this new chapter of your lives together as one.  Go on! Dare to plan your simple wedding! Start by picking a few wild flowers; drop them in a mason jar next to your wedding planner and prepare to be inspired by simple flowers.

xo, Reba

A Precious Petals Florist

Additional resources on simple weddings: http://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/weddings-don-t-break-the-bank

http://www.foreverbride.com

[preciouspetalsblog]

Floral Advice for a Bride: Pick Three Colors To Start. You can always add more later

If you’ve decided which colors your maids will be wearing and you’ve booked your photographer, choosing your flowers may be next on the “to do” list. My advice is to consider picking three colors instead of two when it comes to flowers! Most brides find it easy to pick two since they already have their “wedding colors,” but I recommend three to ensure the flowers do not come off looking flat. The third color creates contrast and brings the “pop” to the overall look of your big day. If you have your heart set on a one-color palette, my advice is texture, texture, texture. It can be done beautifully, no doubt about it. Visit http://www.colourlovers.com and http://www.apreciouspetalsflorist.com/west-st-paul-florist/Wedding-Flowers for more inspiration! 

xo, Reba

A Precious Petals Florist

#preciouspetalsadvice #mnbride #mnwedding #weddingflowers #weddingplanning #foreverbride #preciouspetalswedding #weddingbouquets #bridetip

[preciouspetalsblog]

Succulents in Wedding Bouquets

If you have been on Pinterest and looked at any amount of bridal bouquets, you’ve no doubt seen wedding bouquets with succulents.  If you’ve fallen in love with them as I have, or are considering using them in your wedding, I encourage you to do just that! Here’s why…

They are beautiful, fuss-free and long-lasting. For these very reasons they are being used in wedding bouquets all over the world.  

Succulents are beautiful.

Not in a peony, rose or ranunculus sort of way, but in a unique, “look at me, I’m amazing” sort of way.  The sheer number of varieties makes them amazing. Some are fuzzy, others are striped, miniature, thick, thin, round or smooth. The list goes on, and on, and on. This is fantastic for a bride who wants her bouquet to be one-of-a-kind. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t want one-of-a-kind on their wedding day?!

Succulents are fuss-free.

Another bonus to wedding day succulents is their ability to thrive on a limited water source. This keeps both the florist and the bride happy, because on the day of the wedding, that’s exactly what they are going to get – limited water. By choosing a plant that will show zero signs of distress from time of delivery to final dance is a no brainer. Now if only hydrangea would behave so well!

Succulents are long-lasting.

When you bring your bouquet home, the succulents are ready and waiting to join in on the family fun. They can be taken out of the bouquet and individually propagated.  This can even be done after the week-long honeymoon! The succulents will amaze you their resilience.  Once you propagate them, think of it as a living legacy from your wedding day. And depending on how many you incorporate into your wedding, you may just have the beginnings of your very own succulent garden.  

XO, Reba

A Precious Petals Florist

[preciouspetalsblog]

What to do when your Wedding Flowers Arrive

It may seem obvious, but take a moment and revel in the beauty of your flowers. You’ve done all the prep and planning you can possibly do and now is when it all comes together. I can’t stress it enough…. Take the time, breathe deeply and smile in it. It’s going to be a beautiful day. You can even do it while your make-up artist turns her back and selects your lip color! Just be sure to do it.  Why?! Because it will help you relax. Flowers have the power to refresh the mind, body and soul.  This works out great because chances are you will have had a busy morning.  

When you hear overhear somebody say “Excuse me... I’m here with the wedding flowers,” ...that’s your cue

When the flowers arrive, it’s all about delegating. You’ll watch your bridesmaids’ ooh and aah over the blooms you’ve selected for them to carry down the aisle, they will gush over the bouquet created especially for you, and after taking a moment to immerse yourself in the fragrance and beauty of your flowers, you will want to delegate.  

Unless you have a wedding planner on site, you will need to put someone in charge of flower placement. Here are a few questions that inevitably arise upon delivery. Where would you like the bridal party flowers to be placed? Is there someone in charge of pinning the groom’s boutonniere? Would you like to keep the boxes and floral covers for future transportation? These are details that a personal attendant, aunt or maid of honor can overlook so that you don’t have to fuss over them. Give him/her initial direction, and let them coordinate the details from there. For example, they will want to organize who will be bringing the guest book bouquet to the reception venue.

Flowers love having their picture taken

When it comes time for pictures, your flowers will be ready to shine. They are there to show you off, and play the part of “stunning accent” to your entire day. Keep in mind as you take pictures with your flowers to relax your arms. Especially as you walk down the aisle. Keep your arms lower than a 90 degree angle. For pictures. show them off with different poses. Your photographer will direct you to put your, flowers to the front, off to the side, behind your back, or up in the air. This will keep any details on your dress from being covered, but rather accented by your bouquet. And why not let your handsome groom hold the flowers behind his back?! 

Take them, send them, give them a home

When the day is over, plan to give some of the flowers a home if possible. Whether it’s a centerpiece given as thank you gift to the hostess couple or the pew bouquets gathered into a vase for your dining room table, it’s something you will want to consider ahead of time. You may not be able to re-purpose everything, but do what you can to make the most of your flowers. After all, they will be gorgeous in the morning too!!

 XO, Reba 

A Precious Petals Florist

[preciouspetalsblog]

A Guide to Finding Your 5-Star Wedding Day Florist

There are flowers that have been drawn in pencil, painted, colored in crayon, pressed between papers and forgotten. There are flowers that will grow in the wild and never be seen by anyone but a butterfly. And then, there are some oh-so-lucky flowers that will be harvested, cared for and artistically designed for you to carry down the aisle on your wedding day. Let’s make sure you pick the right florist to do the job.

First of all, let me fill you in on a little secret. There are as many florists who would love to do your wedding flowers as there are ways to display them. And let’s be honest, there are a lot of ways to display them.

My advice? Meet with at least two florists before you book your flowers. Am I really encouraging you to visit the competition? Yes! Why? - Because it’s your day and your flowers. You need a florist who communicates well with you, and not only understands what you want, but can create and design exactly that.

Use these five, 5-star tips to find and book your wedding day florist:

1.     Check Previous Work – What have they done, and how long have they been doing it? Do they have a gallery of pictures for you to view? If so, do you like what you see?

2.     Excitement & Fresh Ideas –Are they tuned in to what you are saying? Do they have fresh ideas? Or are they trying to talk you into something that you’ve seen a million times before? 

3.     Communication – How will you be able to communicate with them if you have any questions or potential changes to your order? Does that work for you?

4.     Reviews – Nobody is perfect, but when it comes to reviews, the good ones should out-weigh the bad ones. The good thing is people tend to learn from their mistakes. The bad thing is some don’t. Check the reviews.

5.     Pricing – There is nothing like being over charged for a product just because it’s your wedding day. Comparing prices will give you confidence in choosing a florist that fits your budget. Hint: Use our wedding calculator.

When it’s all said and done, you don’t have to be a detective to find a florist. However, you do have to spend a couple of hours with a couple of florists to make sure you’ve chosen the right one.

 Cheers to you and may you find your 5-star florist and live happily ever after!

XO, Reba

A Precious Petals Florist

[preciouspetalsblog]

Picking Your Wedding Flowers: How to pick your wedding flowers even when you nothing about them.

Are you a bride that’s just not that into flowers?  You plan to have flowers at your wedding, but you have no idea where to start. And if you are honest with yourself, you really don’t want to invest all that much time into picking them out. You want something nice + simple. Nothing over the top and certainly nothing that extends your budget beyond its initial scope.

You have options:

Option 1. Hire a wedding planner; ask them to present two wedding flower packages that take into consideration your style and budget. Make your choice and check it off of your to-do list! Wah-la!

Option 2. Call and set up a consultation with a professional florist. Lend 1 hour of your time and let them take it from there.

What to expect.

Here are a few things that will help you navigate your way through the wedding flower consultation.

Don’t stress. You don’t have to know a lily from a rose. Your florist will know that. If it’s not flowers you have a passion for, simply communicate what you are excited about. Do you love your dress? Show a picture or two…. or three! Do you love your venue? Tell them why! Because, believe it or not, an experienced florist is able to make a gorgeous bouquet without so much as the word ‘lily’, ‘rose’ or ‘orchid’ being uttered from your lips. They will be able to guide you toward a style and selection of flowers that reflects and coordinates with what you already love about your upcoming wedding!

Break it down.

Your wedding flowers fall into two groups: the fixed arrangements which will decorate your venue; and the bouquets which will be worn or carried by the bridal party + company.

Since you as the bride are the centre of the occasion, your bouquet will be the first order of business during the consolation. Once style and color schemes are selected for your bouquet, the majority of your “work” has been done!

The fixed arrangements for the venue will be planned as a continuous scheme off of your bouquet. This will form a cohesive design for your event. So, when it comes to choosing your fixed arrangements, you will mainly be deciding how many you want and where they will be located. The florist will be able to take it from there.

A job well done!

After the consultation, you might be surprised by how much fun you had with your florist.  Florists are creative and passionate about what they do, and if you’re not careful, you might leave with a little more love for flowers than you came with.  And if not, that’s ok too. Believe me, your florist is already dreaming about how beautiful it will be when it all comes together on the big day!  They can’t help themselves.

XO, Reba 

A Precious Petals Florist

[preciouspetalsblog]

Be Inspired to Plan your Wedding Flowers

On one hand, I love spontaneity. It’s refreshing, inspiring, and memorable. On the other hand, I love planning. It is gratifying, energizing and reliable.  I wonder, is it possible to have both while planning your wedding flowers?  Yes, I believe it is. In fact, I would encourage you to be a free spirit as you plan your wedding day flowers.

Stop to smell the roses. Literally, next time you see a flower shop, stop in. Don’t tell yourself you’ll do it another time. This is your chance to be spontaneous! Even if it’s nowhere nearyour wedding venue + you have no intention of buying a single blossom, simply exposing yourself to a world of flowers apart from your local grocery store display will do you well. It will create a memory. You will see things you like + don’t like. I can’t think of a better place to gather creative ideas to use as inspiration for you own than a flower shop! Believe me, your subconscious will thank you when it comes time to do the planning. For now though, just enjoy the blue thistle that you see inside the cooler. (Thank goodness it is labeled so you now know what it is!) And you may even notice a coral rose that you never knew existed until now. Is that a green tea carnation that will go perfectly with your bridesmaid dresses!? Who knew?!  Oh and when you see that rustic watering can on the corner shelf, it may be just the inspiration you needed for the reception tables.  Best of all, when the florist offers a free piece of advice about keeping flowers fresh go ahead and jot it down, because you will want to pass it on to your personal attendant before the big day!

After you have been fabulously spontaneous, you will be inspired and that’s when you know it’s time to schedule a consultation with your local florist to begin planning your wedding flowers. You will want to block off an hour of your time + come as prepared as you can. Your list of what to bring may include, but is not limited to: dress swatches, pictures, floor plans, ribbons, artificial flowers, your mom, the groom, etc.  By the end of your consultation you can expect to be educated, excited and impressed by their service. Yes, your florist should impress you.  You will also need to be able to trust your florist. Their expertise + experience should encourage you to give them the freedom to add the ‘Amaretto’ rose to your bouquet when it blends beautifully with the ‘Versilia’ rose that you chose during the consultation. It’s a beautiful vision of planning every detail until the unexpected stem of perfection is spontaneously added to make it the bouquet you always dreamed of carrying down the aisle.

So go ahead, be spontaneous. You might be surprised how fun it is to plan your wedding flowers!

XO, Reba

A Precious Petals Florist

[preciouspetalsblog]

Green Plants for your Wedding: How to Personalize your Wedding with Green Plants

It’s all about the entrance.

Of the bride, yes! But, be intentional about what your guests will see as they enter your venue. Make their first impression of your wedding day a memorable one and consider doing it with green plants. From my perspective, with a background in horticulture, the options are exciting and endless!

Start with the guest book.

Your guest book is the one place you know every guest will go. This is your opportunity, as the hostess to say, “Welcome to our wedding, our beginning, our happily ever after.” Make your greeting an extension of your personality. Are the two of you…

Artistic + cultured? Consider Bonsai. Bonsai plants are a masterpiece of love + patience. These dwarfed plants have a knack for starting beautiful conversations. And, like your ring, each bonsai has a one-of-a-kind beauty.

Happy-go-lucky + Creative? Bamboo is the way to go. These easy-to-care-for plants are considered lucky because of their beautiful vitality and strong growth - Need I say more for your big day?

Outdoorsy + Adventurous? Bring on the fern. This plant is all about the great outdoors. From tropical rainforests to high altitude mountain ranges, fern plants are extremely diverse and exciting. Fitting for Annie Anderson & Ben Barry don’t you think?

A little bit of this + that?  Succulent plants were put on this earth just for you. Like a geko, these plants have the ability to capture and adapt to the look of their surroundings. Zen, elegant, bold or rustic is well within its capabilities.

No need to break the bank.

Fads in weddings come and go, but one thing that stays constant is a bride’s desire to save money. Thankfully, green plants are kind to the budget. That in itself is a beautiful thing!

Take it home + make it your own.

After you say I do, your plant will help you say “Welcome to our fun, full of love home!” It will be a keepsake for years to come on your coffee table and let’s not forget that science shows that we are less stressed and more productive around plants. What a great way to start the next chapter of your life together. “Cheers!” to a green happily ever after….

XO, Reba 

 A Precious Petals Florist

[preciouspetalsblog]

Winter Wedding Flowers: Can I take my wedding bouquet outside?

Flowers can be an impressive way to set the mood at your wedding, especially in the winter. As a florist and January bride myself, I couldn’t agree more. But what happens when, on the day of your wedding, the temperature drops? Romantic snowflakes fill the air and beg you to take outdoor pictures. The question is – “Will your flowers be ok outside in the cold?”

You should know the facts.

Like humans, fresh flowers are made mostly of water, some as much as 90%. As you know, water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit. What you may not know is that frozen flowers do not look the same as their un-frozen counterparts – they look drastically different. When the water inside a flower freezes, it causes the plant cells to burst, resulting in irreparable damage. Damage that will show up on all of those ceremony pictures your photographer will be taking in a few hours.

Ok, so you check the temperature, it’s above freezing! Let’s go?!...

Not so fast!

WARNING! Fresh flower damage can even happen above freezing temperatures.

Flowers that are exposed to a temperature of 33-38 degrees Fahrenheit will naturally go into hibernation, and your gorgeous bouquet should not be asked to hibernate on your wedding day. A good rule of thumb is if the temperature is above 40 degrees Fahrenheit your flowers should be fine outside.

Still need to get those outdoor pictures with your flowers? There are options…

Options to consider:

1.)   Artificial flowers can be taken outside at any temperature. When my sister-in-law (December bride) asked me to duplicate her fresh flower bridal bouquet in permanent botanicals, she not only got to take her bouquet outside for wedding pictures, she had a keepsake bouquet for years to come. And since it was made up weeks in advance, she knew exactly how it would look on the big day. Now what bride doesn’t love that?!

2.)   Consider taking outdoor pictures after the ceremony. When the wedding officiant announces “you may now kiss the bride,” your florist exhales “you may now take your flowers outside!” Go get those winter wonderland pictures you’ve always dreamed of- snowflakes and all!

XO, Reba 

A Precious Petals Florist