Every bride wants to put her signature on her wedding, and designers
can help select a floral style that reflects the couple's personality. Outdoorsy
types may choose a country garden theme. Artistic people may prefer contemporary
design. And those of long-standing communities may opt for traditional arrangements.
The aim for individuality is a key reason to include Hawaii tropical
flowers in wedding arrangements. Even a few tropicals give bouquets, corsages
and ceremonial decorations a unique, unforgettable look.
But some designers aren't wedded to the idea of arranging with tropical
flowers. "Tropicals become problematic not because of the flowers,
but because of a designer's mind set," says Bob Bigham, AIFD, of Yuba
City, CA.
For instance, some designers think tropicals are too exotic or hard-edged
and should be arranged only with like-climate flowers, Bigham says. If this
sounds familiar, he suggests examining tropical flowers one by one.
"Look closely at their individual qualities, then compare them with
the intrinsic characteristics of different floral design styles," he
explains. "You'll find temperate and tropical flowers marry well for
an attractive, memorable touch in wedding arrangements. With this new perspective,
you'll not only discover design possibilities, but gain an expanded choice
of materials."
HTFC interviewed three notable floral designers to find out how they
incorporate tropicals into country garden, contemporary and traditional
wedding styles. Each designer has his or own expression, but all agree that,
for marvelous matrimonials, Hawaii tropicals add individuality, longevity,
sophistication, movement and color in unusual presentation.
"I DO" WEDDINGS WITH TROPICALS
Here's how three notable designers incorporate tropical flowers into
popular wedding design styles:
Country Garden
Bob Bigham, AIFD, Yuba City Florist, Yuba City, CA
The country garden style expresses an uncultivated look with the feel
of free abandon. "The key elements are lots of texture, color and
variety, all available in Hawaii flowers," says Bob Bigham.
In a bouquet, King protea -- like the garden peony -- creates a strong
center mass, Bigham says, and vines or plumosa fern woven over the top
imitate a bramble berry patch. Proteas are especially appropriate for Eastern
Orthodox weddings, replicating the ceremonial crowns held above the bride
and groom.
For centerpieces and hall decorations, Bigham creates the look of a
garden harvest by cutting gingers, proteas and heliconias short and placing
them at the base of an arrangement in place of fruits or vegetables. Then
he shelters these heavier masses with lighter materials such as oncidiums,
dendrobiums, ferns or vines.
Contemporary
Pat Terry, Terry's Enchanted Garden, Detroit, MI
"Contemporary arrangements emphasize line, and space is a key element,"
says Pat Terry. The overall image is stylized, even abstract, allowing
design flexibility.
"Tropical flowers are ideally suited for Afro-centric weddings,"
she says, adding that many tropicals originated in Africa. "Their
clean, bold, abstract forms and saturated colors complement the African
fabrics I use to accent arrangements."
The broom is the key ceremonial element in Afro-centric weddings. Terry
constructs brooms herself, using bristles of store-bought brooms and replacing
handles with carved bamboo. Bold flowers such as proteas, anthuriums, gingers
or birds of paradise form the centered design anchor, out of which dendrobiums
or oncidiums stream up and down the broom.
Bouquets are kept simple, but bold. Terry starts with several birds
of paradise as the focal point, then embellishes them with dendrobium or
oncidium orchids, African fabric ribbons and wire hoops suggestive of Masai
women's bracelets.
For a corsage, Terry cuts a protea pincusion in half so the flat side
lies against the body. She then adds greenery by splitting and bending
ti leaves or tying in one protea leaf.
Traditional
Carol Smith, AIFD, The Flower Patch, Bolivar, MO
"Life in the Midwest runs at a steady hum," says Carol Smith,
"so most brides prefer traditional floral arrangements." Overall,
designs are a balance of line, mass and filler, and aren't too loose, tight,
minimal, opulent or bright.
Tropicals in subdued colors and gentle forms that blend well in traditional
designs -- yet add individuality -- include mink proteas, anthuriums (particularly
tulip types), pink ginger and dendrobium orchids.
Inserting a few standard varieties into a predominantly tropical bouquet
-- such as anthuriums grouped with roses at the base -- maintains the traditional
look.
To create a memorable gift for each guest, Smith threads wedding programs
with a small oncidium or dendrobium spray.
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