34 / 132
32 | FALL & WINTER 2018
CHICAGO WEDDING & PARTY RESOURCE
CHICAGOWEDDINGRESOURCE.COMMerry
&
Bright
A winter wedding doesn’t mean saying goodbye to flowers.
Check out these expert tips for beautiful – and seasonal – floral
By Cathy Cassata, CTW Features
You’ve always dreamed of a winter wonderland wedding, and
now it’s finally happening! But going with an ambiance of merry
and bright doesn’t mean you have to let go of all things floral.
“We’re always shocked when brides give up the idea of
greenery at their winter weddings,” says Sean Koski at the
event planning company. “Winter can be a difficult time to plan
a wedding, but don’t fight the season.”
In fact, you can embrace it with the following winter-filled tips
from floral artist and event planners.
WHITE WONDERS
Dusty Miller’s silver-gray foliage is the way to go, according
to Koski. “Dusty Miller looks almost frosted. Something
everyone in the winter season can relate to, so we feel it’s a
perfect addition to any winter floral arrangement,” he says.
Inexpensive flowers that compliment Dusty Miller include White
Anemone coronaria and white dahlias.
A LITTLE COLOR
If all white isn’t your thing, adding some color to the mix is
always a sure way to brighten things up. Winter weddings are
usually indoors. Keep the flowers bright. People are in the
mood to party.
Andrea Ancel, lead designer at FTD, floral and gifting company,
agrees. She says adding deep rich jewel tones of reds, purples
and plums creates a sophisticated and lush color palette.
“Whether you’re looking for a classic holiday red, or to add
deep rich tones of burgundy, carnations are a go-to option for
color and texture,” says Ancel.
FLOWERS WITH FRAGRANCE
Flowers aren’t all about looks, notes Held. He suggests
incorporating florals that appease your guests’ sense of smell.
“Use fragrant flowers where guests will notice them the most,
at the escort card table, on the napkins, in the bouquets,” Held
says.
Daphne, wintersweet and honeysuckle will do the trick, as well
as rosemary trees, lemon cypress, holly and hydrangea plants.
“These wintery scents will bring every wedding guest cheer,”
says Ancel.
In addition to fragrance, Ancel points out that texture ignites
the sense too. She suggests Amaryllis, Christmas cactus
and paperwhites as non-traditional floral elements that give
impressive texture.
MORE THAN FLOWERS
Nothing says winter like seasonal touches of pine and berries.
“Berries include cranberries, pepper berry, hypericum berries
and eucalyptus because there are so many varieties to choose
from,” says Ancel.
FLOWERS & DECORATIONS