Wedding flowers to remember
Sep 6th, 2008 by Laura
I was recently asked by Wedding Flowers Magazine to write about why I am sourcing local and sustainable flowers for my wedding in 2009. The article appears in the October issue and is out now – so do look out for it. In case you can’t get hold of a copy, here’s what I wrote:
“Imagine clutching a beautiful bouquet of flowers that were grown especially for your big day.
That’s what I’m looking forward to in June 2009 when I get married in Suffolk. My flowers are all coming from my Granddad’s greenhouse, a local flower grower or the fields near to my parent’s house.
I’m hugely concerned about the carbon emissions, water usage and pollution caused by flower growing and transporting. For me, knowing where my wedding flowers have come from and how they’ve been grown is really important. And besides my day job is to promote eco-travel in the UK and Ireland, so making sure my wedding stays clean and green is a no-brainer!
The best thing about ecologically sourced flowers is that I don’t feel limited in any way for choice. It’s a real opportunity to think creatively about our flowers and arrangements. So I’m looking at lisianthus, delphiniums and chrysanthemums for the bouquets which can all be grown in Suffolk for a June bloom.
For winter weddings, why not try a touch of holly or explore some barks, stems and evergreens. We’re planning to create fabulous green arrangements using ivy that grows in abundance in the local lanes. The ivy wreaths will look great in our barn venue and will cost very little.
In any case, buying flowers in season will save you money. You just need to get permission from the local farmer or council to pick wildflowers or shrubs. We’ll also be ‘growing’ our wedding favours using seeds, tiny pots and Granddad’s green house.
For additional decoration, Mum and I are going to learn the craft of willow weaving to create standing sculptures for the barn entrance.
I’m convinced that the combination of a personal touch and seasonal flowers from Suffolk is going to inspire my family and friends. It really puts your guests in touch with the local landscape particularly if they are not from the area. Giving them something to take home and continue to grow is also a beautiful reminder of the day.”