Lynchburg Living

2011 Hitched

By Carrie Williams

Every woman knows there are several facets of wedding planning that simply must be top priorities. Photography, for instance, and food, the dress, venue and, of course, flowers!

Flowers are almost always the crowning feature of any wedding centerpiece, but the traditional ideas of floral arrangements have come a long way. These days, brides and their florists are tapping into their creative sides when dreaming up the perfect centerpiece, looking towards combinations of organic and synthetic to create a unique fusion of past traditions and new.

Whether you’re a simple or an extravagant bride, a modern or traditional one, the possibilities are almost endless when it comes to floral arrangements. Local florists in our area have become like artists in their capabilities and ideas.

Enter Elisha Dudley, owner of Petal Flower Company. Holding a degree in Interior Design, Dudley’s designs are fresh, modern and full of unique personality based on her one-on-one interactions with clients. She makes sure to get down to the heart of a bride when planning arrangements for a wedding.

“The question that helps me the most is ‘What is your wedding style?’ Which of these words best describe it–romantic, bold, artsy, exotic, etc. If I can understand the vision that the bride has for her wedding, I can navigate through the thousands of flower types to find the ones that I know will work,” Dudley explained.

Your centerpieces should be a reflection of you and your husband-to-be as a couple. If you’re fun-loving, go for something a little bold in color and texture. Or if you’re artsy, go for the unexpected or dramatic with an added element, such as colorful peacock feathers.

Not afraid of color? Use your centerpieces as a way to show off that side of your personality. Keeping the rest of your table settings and accessories on the subtle side while incorporating a centerpiece full of rich color will easily wow your guests.

“Brides today want unique flowers at their wedding and they are adding all sorts of textures to make their wedding stand out,” Dudley said.

No matter what kind of bride you are, accessories can be your best friend when it comes to dressing up your centerpiece. Typically inexpensive, adding a few pops of color, texture or light can really enhance the visual appeal and impact of your event.

You can almost never go wrong with a few flickering tea candles around your centerpiece. Placing them on small square or round mirrors can be another great way to make your centerpiece arrangement really shine.

Or, for a vintage-themed wedding, try going to thrift shops or places like Estate Specialist in downtown Lynchburg and pick up an assortment of mirrors. Play with different shapes and sizes and don’t shy away from the ones with slightly worn frames or reflective surfaces. This effect is pure vintage. The best part: you can keep them to decorate your home with after the wedding is over! It’s a great way to preserve the memories of your special day.

What if you’re not so sure you want flowers at all? Brides these days are coming up with ways to replace traditional floral arrangements with something a little more imaginative without losing out on the beauty and color that flowers provide.

“There are a lot of new styles that are moving beyond the traditional all-flower arrangements,” said Dudley. “Fruit, painted vegetables, herbs, feathers, jewels, branches, raw cotton and the list goes on. You name it, we are putting it in centerpieces.”

If you’re feeling bold, try going for something completely unexpected, like a birdcage. Certainly not a traditional idea, but old bird cages can be dressed up with ribbon, small appliques or even a few flowers. This look will truly add a distinctive touch to your decor.

Give your guests small cardstock, ask them to write well-wishes on them and then place the notes through the bars of the cage in the center of the table. It will be a sweet memory to go through them after the event is over.

Speaking of the completely unexpected, the most unusual centerpiece Dudley was asked to put together incorporated eggs still in their shell.

“The eggs filled the bottom of the vase and were mixed in the flower arrangement on top. They were fresh eggs that came in brown and different shades of whites and creams. If you think working with flowers is a delicate job …” she said with a laugh.

Weddings today are all about expressing who you are as a bride, as a groom and as a couple. Your flower arrangements and centerpieces are a great way to carry that sense of personal touch throughout your special day. If you’ve run out of creative juices yourself, finding a talented, artistic florist will allow you to retain your sanity.

But, of course, you and your new husband should always be the main centerpiece of your wedding day!