5 Tips to The Best Wedding Ever
This blog coincides with 8 years of wedding planning and wedding floral creation for hundreds of clients!
After years of work, I’m taking time to reflect and give to you 5 tips to the best wedding ever.
Photo by Theresa McDonald
#1 Tip to the Best Wedding Ever: Set an intention.
If you haven’t read “The Art of Gathering: How we Meet and Why it Matters” by Priya Parker, I would strongly suggest reading it now.
Priya walks you through some simple ideas of how to make the most memorable event for you and your guests. One of those tenants is setting an intention.
This intention can help guide you through your wedding planning process. Once you set an intention, each decision you make can be checked with this intention in mind.
For example if the intention you set for your wedding is “honor family” then it’s a no-brainer when deciding who to cross off the invite list. Cousins, check. Neighbor lady, nix. Etc.
Or if your intention is “connection”. Each aspect of your wedding, you can ask yourself - is this detail fostering connection with my guests? Or, how can I make my wedding more of a chance to connect individually with each person?
It’s important to remember that there’s no right or wrong intention. You get to decide.
In case you’re feeling a little stuck, here are a few intentions for you to mull over:
fun,
magic,
friends come first,
celebrate Alaskan beauty,
easygoing,
relaxed,
welcoming,
honor each person,
celebrate us, etc.
Photo by Sarah French
#2 Tip to the Best Wedding Ever: Put your money towards what really matters to you.
Is food the most important part for you? Go all in on the best caterer and book them early.
Is the feeling of you surroundings the most important? Go all in on intentional decorations.
Is honoring people important to you? Write everyone a personalized thank you letter and/or give toasts to some of your most honored guests.
Not sure what really matters to you? If you’re feeling stuck, you can always check back with that intention you set. If your intention is “honoring family”, then you will definitely get all the moms a corsage. And you’ll make ample time to toast those family members in your life.
Photo by Lauren Roberts
#3 Tip to the Best Wedding Ever: Set realistic expectations.
Most of us are brimming with good ideas. In reality though, we have finite time and energy to put into any one place.
Be realistic about what your spending plan can do and what your time can create.
Ask for help where needed and be as real as possible about what to expect of yourself, your guests and your bank account.
Professionals in the wedding industry know best what things actually cost. Enlist a good wedding pro (florist, planner, venue) in helping you come up with realistic expectations.
Don’t be afraid to spend extra on professional help in order to free yourself up for this once (or twice) in a lifetime experience.
I put in the “twice” there because I serve a lot of second marriages.
Second and third marriages are a celebration of our long and varied lives, our changing selves and evolving circumstances.
Photo by Gradient Daisy Media
#4 Tip to the Best Wedding Ever: Delegate, hire out, and ask for help.
You cannot do it all.
Planning your wedding is excellent practice in delegating and asking for help. It might be useful to list out everything that needs to be done and then keep all the aspects you personally want to do because those tasks actually bring you joy. Release everything else to someone else who would love to do them or who just wants to help.
Don’t be scared of enlisting a professional. Professionals are there for a reason - they do a lot of those wedding tasks for their work. They have loads of experience. They know all the questions to ask. They know all the details to keep in mind when working through a project.
In my opinion, the benefit of hiring out far outweighs the cost.
Photo by Gradient Daisy Media
#5 Tip to the Best Wedding Ever: Manage your Mindset.
Mindset is everything.
The way you think about your wedding can make it the best, happiest, most carefree day of your life or the most stressful day of your life.
A rainy wedding day for one couple might break their spirit whereas it might be a sign from the heavens for another couple.
You are in charge of how you think, feel and act on a day to day basis
Create a personal mantra in order to be your best, happiest self on your wedding day.
#6 Tip to the Best Wedding Ever: Bonus Tip
Your wedding day can be a pinnacle experience.
Don’t worry if after your wedding, there’s a period of low energy, emptiness or even unhappiness. Our inner lives are rich with emotions. And after a period of busy-ness and anticipation there can be a low point.
Honor your feelings by journaling, talking openly about them and letting the emotional sensation in your body just be.
Floral Arch
Arches are one of our most popular ceremony pieces. They create a stunning backdrop for the couple.
In this blog I’ve highlighted a handful of arches in order to give you inspiration for your ceremony flowers.
Full floral arch on an a hexagon arch structure. Photo by Joshua Veldstra
This couple chose to build their own arch structure in order to support a full and circular-shaped floral piece. We were hired to set this one up on-site at Raven Glacier Lodge.
Bright pops of color look stunning on a home-made driftwood arch. Photo by Rhonda Bohart
Arches frame the ceremony space for the couple, officiator and attendants.
Our arches can be set up on site, or taken directly from our home studio and set up up on your own. We supply a brief how-to tutorial and attachments to make this a simple process.
Arches stay fresh 24 hours after pick up from our studio. We recommend spritzing them with water, keeping them in the coolest location, and keeping them lightly covered with plastic.
Arches can incorporate fabric to create a a soft and dreamy feel. Photo by Theresa McDonald
This couple got married on the gorgeous grounds of The Lodge at Lone Moose, a gorgeous setting on the banks of the Kenai River.
The best floral varieties for arches include roses, dahlias, mums, carnations, peonies and greenery.
When you hire us to set up for you, we can add in flowers that are a bit more ethereal and delicate like cosmos, ranunculus, anemones and more.
A classic Alaskan day: low clouds, misty and cool. One of my favorite backgrounds for wedding florals. Photo by Kristain Irey
This beach wedding occurred at Salted Roots, a dreamy venue in Seward, Alaska. There are a collection of modern cabins and across the drive is this beach-setting for a cozy and intimate ceremony.
Ombre arch with Alaska grown peonies and dahlias, carnations, spray roses, olive greenery, eucalyptus, and magnolia leaves. Photo by Kristain Irey
Our summers often have cloudy, moody days like you see in the background, which I think creates the perfect canvas for big, lush florals.
This arch and color scheme perfectly match the mood of the day. Couples often choose to complement the mood of the surroundings or make their floral pop.
Bright and juicy floral arch built for a wedding at Mountain Field Flower Farm in Palmer, AK. Photo by Gradient Daisy Media
Photo by Sarah French
The above arch was created on site at Alaska Heavenly Lodge in Cooper Landing, AK.
I always think having as much color as possible it best for our Alaskan background: deep green forests, grey cloudy skies and moody ocean tones.
Interested in chatting about your floral arch and wedding florals?
June Wedding at Alaska Heavenly Lodge
Prepping for her wedding day with floral pins made up of stock and wax flowers. Photo by Sarah French
Anna and Ian were married in early June at Alaska Heavenly Lodge in Cooper Landing, Alaska.
The town of Cooper landing is wedged between the soaring Kenai mountains and the deep green glacial Kenai River.
Near the town epicenter, the great Kenai lake narrows into the legendary salmon-filled Kenai River. Guide services and old cabins are tucked into woods along the highway.
Alaska Heavenly Lodge is perched above the highway with the mountains at it’s backdoor. Gorgeous and stately cabins occupy the property along with a charming main lodge.
The outdoor space for weddings is an open lawn between the cabins and the lodge. Guests face the mountains to the southeast, with the lodge at their backs.
Delivery and set are easy here as the drive goes right up to the ceremony lawn.
Anna and Ian set up a large tent to cover their farm-style table, welcome area and dance floor.
Anna perched above the expansive Kenai Lake. Photo by Sarah French
Weather can be inclement all over Alaska so always be prepared for rain, wind or sun. Summer weddings are always better outdoors but I highly recommend having a backup plan for bad weather.
While the main lodge could be the back up ceremony space at Alaska Heavenly Lodge, a tent may be a better option.
For Anna and Ian’s wedding, they chose to put the caterer in the lodge kitchen. In addition, the lodge is small and would only fit a very small wedding quest list.
The flowers I chose for Anna and Ian’s wedding were bright and light: the perfect shade for a spring/early summer celebration.
Early June still feels like spring in Alaska so our local choices were limited. Even so, I was able to source tulips from Gardenkeeper Blooms, a small scale urban farm in my neighborhood.
Meg, the owner and operator worked in our flower field for a season before starting her own growing operation. I love being able to buy from her. She’s an expert grower, master gardener and her blooms are always perfect.
We arranged a full length tablescape with a full garland made of spruce, eucalyptus and more that tapered to single stem trailing greenery.
All throughout the tablescape were candles, bud vases and larger arrangements in a white footed compote. The larger arrangement is pictured above.
Above you can also see the beautiful yellow double tulips from Gardenkeeper Blooms.
The couple in mid-ceremony with a one piece floral arch, lush forest greenery and towering mountains as their backdrop. Photo by Sarah French
A common refrain from my booking couples is that “Alaskan nature is so beautiful, so we don’t need much”. And while depending on your ultimate aesthetic, this may be true, I encourage folks to use floral to complement the surroundings.
Big floral pieces look stunning with a background of green.
And when thinking of a floral palette the best photos have bright or light floral colors. They stand out and really pop against the dark green or often gray backdrop of Alaskan scenery.
The light and bright roses and orlaya of the floral arch pop against the dark green background. Photo by Sarah French
Vendors for this June wedding at Alaska Heavenly Lodge include:
Photography by Sarah French
Catering by Delicious Dave
Dress by Sweet Caroline Styles
Mobile Bar by Travelin Tavern
Cakes by Sugar Mountain Cupcakes
Hair by Blush Hair Company
Makeup by Jenna Bakk
Local Alaskan Wedding Flowers A to Z: Part 4, R through Z
Most people planning their wedding aren’t experts on flowers.
There are so many varieties, color combinations, textures, seasons etc.
That’s why I’m here - to help get you through the process of figuring out what will look most amazing at your wedding.
In order to help you become more flower literate, I’m creating a series of blogs to work through the entire alphabet of local Alaskan wedding flowers, A to Z, in order to show you all the flowers I grow or source locally.
Now I can’t promise every flower will be in here, but I’m going to attempt to give you a good picture of the possibilities of local Alaskan wedding flowers
Each variety has a brief description and is categorized by type: Focal flower, secondary flower, seed pod or head, foliage, and interesting element.
In this blog I’ll be covering local flowers R through Z.
Ranunculus from the Gardenwild gardens.
R
Ranunculus
Category: secondary flower
Season: June through July
Colors: white, yellow, orange, red, pink, purple
Feel: whimsical, lush, extravagant
Shape: round ball/disc with layers of petals
Rudbeckia
Category: focal or secondary flower
Season: early August through late September
Colors: yellow, orange, maroon
Feel: wildflower, prairie flower
Shape: open disc of petals surrounding cone shaped center
S
Saponaria
Category: secondary flower
Season: early July through late July
Colors: pink, white
Feel: cottage garden, light, airy
Shape: tiny flowers on the end of each stem
Scabiosa
Category: secondary flower
Season: early August through September
Colors: black, purple, blue, pink, white
Feel: whimsical
Shape: soft disc at end of elegant stem
Snapdragons from the Gardenwild gardens.
Snapdragon
Category: secondary flower
Season: Mid July through September
Colors: white, pink, red, orange, purple
Feel: garden-like, dimensional
Shape: cluster of flowers form a spike like structure
Statice
Category: secondary flower
Season: early August through September
Colors: purple, white, pink
Feel: unique, interesting
Shape: small cluster of dried flowers on each stem
Copper Red Strawflower in the Gardenwild Gardens.
Strawflowers
Category: secondary flower
Season: early August through September
Colors: yellow, orange, red, maroon, white
Feel: unique, interesting, whimsical
Shape: flattened ball of straw-like petals
Stock
Category: secondary flower
Season: early July through Late July
Colors: white, cream, yellow, purple, light pink, magenta, antique brown
Feel: lush, luxurious, full
Shape: large cluster of smaller flowers at the end of a strong stem
Sunflowers
Category: focal flower
Season: early August through September
Colors: yellow, orange, plum
Feel: bright, cheery, bold
Shape: large round disc of petals
Z
Zinnia
Category: secondary flower
Season: Late July through September (although only abundant during very warm summers)
Colors: white, pink, green, purple, red, orange, yellow many interesting colors
Feel: old fashioned, cottage garden
Shape: open disc with layers of flowers
That concludes Alaska Wedding Flowers A through Z!
If you’d like to see what other flowers we have in store for summer weddings you can go here for A through C.
Local Alaskan Wedding Flowers A to Z: Part 3, M through P
Most people planning their wedding aren’t experts on flowers.
In order to help you become more flower literate, I’m creating a series of blogs to work through the entire alphabet of local Alaskan wedding flowers, A to Z, in order to show you all the flowers I grow or source locally. There are so many varieties, color combinations, textures, seasons etc.
That’s why I’m here - to help get you through the process of figuring out what will look most amazing at your wedding.
Now I can’t promise every flower will be in here, but I’m going to attempt to give you a good picture of the possibilities of local Alaskan wedding flowers.
Each variety has a brief description and is categorized by type: Focal flower, secondary flower, seed pod or head, foliage, and interesting element.
In this blog I’ll be covering local flowers M through P.
To read the previous alphabet Alaska Wedding flowers, click here
Giant Orange Marigolds
M
Marigold
Category: focal flower
Season: late July through September
Colors: bright orange, yellow
Feel: celebratory, showy
Shape: round ruffled ball/disc
Mint
Category: foliage
Season: July through September
Colors: soft green
Feel: gardenlike
Shape: long stem with soft oval leaves
Monarda (bright red flower at the top of the bouquet) is part of this wild garden-filled bridal bouquet.
Monarda
Category: secondary flower
Season: early August through September
Colors: bright red, soft purple
Feel: unique, interesting
Shape: cluster of tiny tubular flowers atop a long stem
Nasturtium flowers make this wedding detail shot pop. Photo by Lauren Roberts
N
Nasturtium
This is one of 10 flowers I labeled “The Questennestial Garden Flower”. You can read more about all the flowers I think lend themselves to a garden-inspired arrangement. Check out the blog HERE.
Category: secondary flower and foliage
Season: early August through September
Colors: bright green foliage, orange or red flowers
Feel: whimsical, garden-like
Shape: vining foliage with big round leaves and interesting looking flowers
Nicandra
Category: foliage and seed pods
Season: early August through September
Colors: bright green
Feel: unique, interesting
Shape: leaves and small seed pod “lanterns” on long stems
Nigella
Category: secondary flowers and seed pods
Season: early August through September
Colors: soft purple, blue, or white flowers with green to black seed pods
Feel: garden-like, whimsical
Shape: flowers wild little things with layers of flat petals and a bursting center. The seed pods are like small balloon-like seed pods atop each stem
O
Orlaya
Category: secondary flower
Season: late July through September
Colors: white
Feel: old fashioned, cottage garden
Shape: clusters of tiny flowers create a medium sized open disc
Bright red poppy in the Gardenwild garden. Photo by Lauren Roberts
P
Phlox
Category: secondary flower
Season: mid July through September
Colors: purple and white, bright magenta centers with caramel-cream petals
Feel: old fashioned, cheerful
Shape: a few small open disc like flowers on each stem
Poppy
This is another one of 10 flowers I labeled “The Questennestial Garden Flower.” You can read more about all the flowers I think lend themselves to a garden-inspired arrangement HERE.
Category: secondary flower
Season: late July through September
Colors: red, white, orange, yellow, pink, black
Feel: delicate, rare, unique
Shape: open disc to large ruffle ball
Local Alaskan Wedding Flowers D - H
Most people planning their wedding aren’t experts on flowers. There are so many varieties, color combinations, textures, seasons etc.
In order to help you become more flower literate, I’m creating a series of blogs to work through the entire alphabet of local Alaskan wedding flowers, A to Z, in order to show you all the flowers I grow or source locally.
Now I can’t promise every flower will be in here, but I’m going to attempt to give you a good picture of the possibilities of local Alaskan wedding flowers
Each variety has a brief description and is categorized by type: Focal flower, secondary flower, seed pod or head, foliage, and interesting element.
In this blog I’ll be covering local flowers D through H.
OK, let’s dive in!
Local Alaskan Wedding Flowers A to Z
Part 2: D-H
Dahlias are front and center on this floral arch. Photo by Lauren Roberts
D
Dahlias
Category: Focal flower
Season: late July through Late September or first frost
Colors: almost all colors except blue
Feel: refined beauty to lush feathery extravagance
Shape: a range small textured ball to large dinnerplate sized disks
Top right of bouquet: Dill seed head and the spiky eryngium flower. Photo by Lauren Roberts
Dianthus
Category: Secondary flower or focal flower
Season: July through September
Colors: white, pink, red, maroon, “black” or deep purple/maroon
Feel: unique, cottage-garden
Shape: round dome made up of individual small flower discs
Didiscus
Category: Secondary flower
Season: July through September
Colors: white and light blue
Feel: airy, romantic
Shape: soft feathery disc
Dill
Category: seed head
Season: July through September
Colors: Green to brown (Seed head)
Feel: antique, unusually, multi-dimentional
Shape: large umbril disc
Dusty Miller
Category: Foliage
Season: Late July through Late September
Colors: light green/soft white
Feel: feathery, soft
Shape: long thick oval leaves
E
Echinacea
Category: focal flower or interesting element (cone)
Season: August and September
Colors: Cone only, light purple
Feel: wild-flowery, prairie-flower-like
Shape: open disc of petals on a cone shaped center
Eryngium
Category: Interesting element
Season: August through September
Colors: white/soft green, frosty blueish-purple
Feel: bold, different, spikey
Shape: thistle-like spikey flowers
Feverfew is usually white, but here it is in a fun yellow to orange color. Photo by Gardenwild Floral
F
Fennel
Category: foliage
Season: July through September
Colors: green and bronze
Feel: feathery, soft
Shape: feathery, intricate frond-like leaves
Feverfew
Category: secondary flower
Season: Late July through September
Colors: antique white with ow without yellow centers
Feel: fun, cottage garden-like
Shape: small pompons, mini discs
Bright red Godetia makes this retail arrangement pop. Photo by Lauren Roberts
G
Godetia
Category: secondary flower
Season: August through September
Colors: white, purple, magenta, pink
Feel: old fashioned
Shape: upturned conical flower on strong stem
Grasses
Category: interesting element/seed head
Season: July through September
Colors: bronze, dark brown, green, cream
Feel: breezy, light, airy
Shape: drooping or erect spikelet
H
Heliopsis
Category: Secondary flower
Season: August and September
Colors: bright yellow with deep orange/red center
Feel: cheery, loud
Shape: open disc of petals
Hibiscus
Category: foliage
Season: Late August through September
Colors: Deep reddish green
Feel: textured, unique
Shape: decorative, deeply cut foliage with maple-like appearance
Hyssop
Category: secondary flower
Season: July through September
Colors: light purple/lavender
Feel: soft, unique
Shape: a soft spikelet of flowers at the end of the stem
Local Alaskan Wedding Flowers A to Z: Part 1, A through C
I get it, most people planning their wedding aren’t experts on flowers. There are so many varieties, color combinations, textures, seasons etc. That’s why I’m here - to help get you through the process of figuring out what will look most amazing at your wedding.
In order to help you become more flower literate, I’m creating a series of blogs to work through the entire alphabet of local Alaskan wedding flowerst: A to Z, in order to show you all the flowers I grow or source locally.
Now I can’t promise every flower will be in here, but I’m going to attempt to give you a good picture of the possibilities of local Alaskan wedding flowers
Each variety has a brief description and is categorized by type: Focal flower, secondary flower, seed pod or head, foliage, and interesting element.
In this blog I’ll be covering local Alaskan wedding flowers A through C.
OK, let’s dive in!
Local Alaskan Wedding Flowers that start with “A”
Yarrow or Achillea
Achillea
Category: Secondary flower
Season: Early-July through Mid September
Colors: yellow, white, pink, peach, magenta
Feel: antique, vintage, delicate, intricate
Shape: dome-shaped
“Hot Biscuits” Amaranth
Amaranthus
Category: Seed head
Season: Late August through Late September
Colors: dark magenta, light red, golden brown, green
Feel: unique, vintage, garden, lush, loose
Shape: cylindrical seed heads either spikes or draping
Dara is the white to maroon lacy looking flower. Lauren Roberts Photography
Ammi
Category: Secondary flower
Season: Early July through Late September
Colors: green, white
Feel: cottage garden, textured, wild
Shape: large open dome made up of tiny flowers
Ammobium
Ammobium
Category: Interesting element
Season: Mid July through Late September
Colors: white with bright yellow center
Feel: dainty, unique,
Shape: small round flowers made up of small spiky petals
Anemones
Anemones
Category: secondary or focal flower
Season: Late June through Early August (unless it’s hot, then only July)
Colors: red, burgundy, blue, purple, white
Feel: delicate, captivating
Shape: open disk
Atriplex
Category: Seed pod
Season: July - September
Colors: red-bronze to bright green
Feel: unique, textured
Shape: tiny seed pods clustered at the ends of straight stems
Local Alaskan Wedding Flowers that start with “B”
Bells of Ireland
Category: Foliage
Season: Late summer (August-September)
Colors: Bright green
Feel: textural, interesting
Shape: stems with little green cups attached
Bupleurum
Category: Foliage
Season: Late summer/fall (August-September)
Colors: bright green to bronze
Feel: light, airy, textured
Shape: thin and delicate stems with small leaves and tiny green-bronze flowers
Local Alaskan Wedding Flowers that start with “C”
Calendula
Calendula
Category: Secondary flower
Season: July - September
Colors: bright orange and pale yellow
Feel: soft, gardeny
Shape: open disk
Campanula
Campanula
Category: secondary flower
Season: July - September
Colors: white, pink, lavender, dark purple
Feel: whimsical, soft, ethereal
Shape: medium sized bell
Coreopsis
Category: secondary flower
Season: July - September
Colors: bright yellow
Feel: meadow-like, wildflower-ish
Shape: open disk
Cosmos
Cosmos
Category: Secondary flower
Season: July - September
Colors: white, pink, magenta, dusty red
Feel: Whimsical, light
Shape: open disk
This is one of 10 flowers I labeled “the Questennestial Garden Flower”. You can read more about all the flowers I think lend themselves to a garden-inspired arrangement HERE
Cress
Category: seed head
Season: July - September
Colors: soft green
Feel: textured, light, voluminous
Shape: many small seed pods on strong stems
Cynoglossum
Category: secondary flower
Season: July - September
Colors: blue
Feel: wildflower-like, whimsical, dainty
Shape: many tiny open disks per stem
Go here to read part 2 of Local Alaskan Wedding Flowers D through M: https://www.gardenwildfloral.com/wedding-blog/2024/4/9/local-alaskan-wedding-flowers-d-h
What do Wedding Flowers Cost?
Most people beginning the process of planning a wedding have no idea how to plan all the costs associated with their wedding. And there is a lot to put together.
It’s my goal here to give you a picture of what you can expect to pay for wedding flowers.
Unlike other customer experiences, the cost can be a bit more complicated when it comes to flowers. So much depends on what each bride is looking for.
I liken the pricing of wedding flowers to the pricing of a contractor for a home remodel.
Everything is custom.
Everything is dependent on the couple’s unique vision and desires.
Does the bride want a huge cascading bouquet with lots of variety?
Or does she want something more small and delicate?
Does the couple need large table arrangements for 25 tables? Or maybe garlands for 10 tables with candles.
Are floral pieces going to be moved from ceremony to reception? Is there a floral installation or arch involved?
You can see why it’s not simple to put a price tag on any one of these items.
After reading the following blog, I hope you are able to put together a better sketch of what your wedding flowers will cost.
What do wedding flowers cost? The Bridal Bouquet
So let’s get into the nitty-gritty by starting with the bridal bouquet - arguably the most important floral piece.
Your flowers will be part of your wedding photos which will be with you for a lifetime and beyond. This is your special floral piece. Give yourself permission to get exactly what you want. Do not skim here.
That said, every bride has her own aesthetic and may like something more simple or more wild.
Our bridal bouquets start around 350.00. Each piece is a work of art and completely custom.
Our flower designs make you feel chic, elegant, and magical; exactly how every bride wants to feel.
What to wedding flowers cost? The Bridesmaids Bouquet
The style of your bridesmaid’s bouquets largely depends on your bridal bouquet, but not always.
Usually, brides choose to have smaller versions of their bouquet for the bridesmaids. However, if you are choosing a cascading bouquet, don’t think you need to get your attendants a cascade as well. Their bouquets are usually much smaller and simplified. Our line of signature bridal bouquets start at 135.00.
Sometimes customers choose to give their bridal party a single bloom to hold. This can be a simple and elegant visual statement. Single blooms start at 15.00 each.
What do wedding flowers cost? Floral Combs & Crowns
A stylish addition to your wedding attire are flowers for the hair.
Floral combs are 65.00.
Floral crowns start at 99.00. Floral crowns come in three sizes:
full crown with foliage and flowers all the way around
half crown
1/4 crown
What do wedding flowers cost? Boutonnieres and Corsages
Expect to spend 35.00 - 65.00 on each one.
The lower price reflects a standard boutonniere worn on a shirt or coat. Usually the groom and the grooms attendants wear these.
It is often customary to give one to each any men of honor at the wedding such as fathers and grandfathers.
The upper price covers a slightly more elaborate wrist corsage. Corsages can be worn on the wrist or pinned onto a jacket/blouse/dress.
Corsages are usually given to women of honor at a wedding including grandmothers and mothers.
Attendants of the bride could also wear these as an alternative to the bridesmaids bouquet.
What do wedding flowers cost? Custom Arrangements
Custom arrangements may include any of the following:
Chapel flowers
Altar Arrangements
Table garlands
Table Centerpieces
Arrangements for the bar or
Arrangements for the welcome table
So much about your final price depends on the style of your arrangements, the flowers you choose, the vessel you desire, and the size of the arrangement.
Expect a small and simple table arrangement to start at 85.00. A larger, more elaborate one could reach 750.00+.
I know this is a huge price range. That’s why I spend so much care putting together your proposal.
I want to make sure you get exactly what you want.
I want your event to feel exactly as you envision it.
I want your guests to feel honored, welcomed, and loved.
What do wedding flowers cost? Floral Arches/installations
Arches and installations are dreamy. They are gorgeous, add a layer of luxury to your event, and create an amazing backdrop for your ceremony.
It’s always important to remember that the photos taken in front of an installation like an arch will be with you forever. Installations are well worth the money because they are an investment in creating an abundant surrounding that will remain with you for a lifetime in your photos.
A simple arch may start around 700.00. Expect to spend well over 1500.00 on anything more elaborate.
Other floral installations that you may want to consider in and around the reception area may include floral walls and hanging florals.
If you want to communicate abundance, magic, and beauty, installations are for you.
Interested in booking flowers for your wedding? I’d love to get to know you better and put together a proposal.
Why You Want Garden Flowers for Your Wedding
Lots of brides come to me looking for “wild-flowers” and while I love wildflowers too, they really do best staying in nature since they tend to be so delicate. Aside from fireweed, which is incredibly sturdy in the vase, most wildflowers don’t do well once cut.
I think what most people really mean when talking about that wildflower look is “garden-flowers”.
Bouquets reminiscent of an overflowing garden.
Arrangements bursting with variety and unique textures.
So if you’re not sure what type of flower you’re looking for, or if you think you want wildflowers, I’m going to show you why you really want garden flowers for your wedding.
What are garden flowers - aren’t all flowers from the garden?
Gardens change depending on where you live. Each locale has certain varieties that do best in a given climate, state, town, and micro-climate. I categorize “garden flowers” as those that grow locally and don’t tend to ship well.
In Alaska, there are many flowers that grow well in the garden. I’m only going to highlight a select number in favor of being concise and not overwhelming you.
If you’d like to dive in deeper to all the varieties check out my next blog: Local Flowers A to Z where I give an example of every flower I grow for my wedding clients (which is over 40 varieties!).
What do most garden flowers have in common? They tend to be airy and whimsical, unique looking, textured, and delicate (meaning they don’t ship well so you’re never gonna see these in a grocery store bouquet).
Here are my top 10 favorite garden flowers to use in wedding designs
Cosmos
Cosmos is the quintessential garden flower. It grows into a full lush plant with lacy foliage. On the end of each stem pops open a delicate and wondrous bloom, with paper thin and lightly textured petals. They mainly come in white, pink, magenta and a dusty red.
Cosmos. This variety is called “Rubenza”
Ranunculus
While these do get shipped in from other places, and I honestly don’t find them too often in people’s gardens, ranunculus is the best and most fresh from the garden. They also grow fabulously in Alaska.
They come in a rainbow of colors, last forever in the vase and add a unique vibe to any arrangement or bouquet.
These yellow ruffly beauties are ranunculus. The purple bells are campanula. Photo courtesy of Corrine Graves.
Poppies
Ephemeral, delicate, and brightly colored, poppies shout “garden” from the rooftops. I will only use poppies in a wedding design if they’re from my garden (I usually won’t even buy them from a local farmer). Because, once cut, they decline rapidly.
I want them to be cut at the perfect moment and treated with care in order to look the most amazing in an arrangement.
A white poppy! Photo courtesy of Chugach Peaks Photography
Columbine
Columbine is an early blooming perennial. Their small flowers on long stems remind me of little ballerinas.
Popping these onto an arch or into a bouquet adds movement and curiosity.
This bouquet is loaded with flowers from the garden including columbine (flower in the foreground).
Nasturtium
This is one of my favorite flowers to put in a bouquet. It grows on a vine, so adds a slight whimsical cascade to the bouquet. It has vibrant green foliage and bright yellow, orange and red flowers.
Our garden-style bouquets get transformed with a pop of nasturtium.
Bee Balm
A fuzzy and interesting looking flower in purple and red. Bees love it, so it’s fabulous for your garden and a gift to nature. Plus it adds one of a kind texture to any bouquet.
Chock full of garden flowers including blue forget-me-nots, red bee balm and purple campanula.
Forget me not
This is our Alaskan state flower but in a variety that has been designed to be a cut flower. This is my go-to for a “wild-flower” bouquet. Plus, as it’s hard to find a true blue flower, I use it all the time if someone is requesting blue as part of their color palette.
Campanula
This flower has a series of beautiful bells on a sturdy stem. Varieties come in either pink, purple and white. These flowers add a feeling of delicacy to a bouquet and create depth whenever they’re used..
White campanula adds whimsy and texture. Photo courtesy of Kristian Irey
Nicotiana
This cool looking flower comes in a soft brown color (super cool, right?) and a green-white bloom. It has a few blooms spaced along a stem that adds height and a vertical element.
Nicotiana in the most unusual color.
Dill
While not an actual flower with traditional petals, dill is a culinary herb with an airy flower that turns into a super cool seed head. It adds space and dimension to a bouquet or arrangement. I often use the foliage, flower or seed head in designs. It adds dimension and draws in the eye.
Now that you’re familiar with some of the garden flowers I love to use, it’s time for us to talk about your wedding!
Loaded with dried garden flowers including the seed heads of dill. Photo courtesy of Lauren Roberts.
Do I need a floral arch at my wedding?
One of my favorite floral pieces to sell my customers is the floral arch. I offer arches as a part of my full service line of floral products and when simplified, as part of my a la carte line.
The main difference being, I will go to your venue to set up your arch with a full service order. That means I can create more elaborate arch creations.
My a la carte arches are simplified versions. I make sure they can pack easily into a floral box to be safely transported to your event. If you’re wanting to go the a la carte route it’s important to have a flower point person who will do the set up for you. The last thing you want to be thinking about on your wedding day is setting up your flowers.
If you’ve read this far, I’m guessing you’re trying to decide whether you need a floral arch at your wedding.
Read on to learn more about floral arches, the symbolism they embody and how to get the most out of your floral arch investment.
Triangle floral arch at beach wedding in Seward, AK.
What is a floral arch
Floral arches are continuous pieces of foliage and flowers hung on an arch or garden arbor as a backdrop for the wedding ceremony. It can be made up of primarily foliage, primarily flowers or a mix of both.
Why invest in a floral arch
Since floral arches take so much floral product (greenery and flowers), their price point can be a significant part of your wedding flowers.
So why invest in a floral arch?
Remember that your wedding photos will be with you for a lifetime. The photos of your ceremony will include any floral elements you've invested in for that part of your wedding, whether it’s altar flowers, arch flowers or other installations to accompany you and your partner.
It defines the ceremony space. It signifies that there’s a wedding happening. It provides a frame for your gorgeous wedding photos.
Even though the actual time spent in front of them can be minimal, your photos are for a lifetime. Think of your investment in ceremony flowers as an investment in your “photoshoot”.
I’ve planned and created many floral pieces for photoshoots. They're used only once but the photos I have forever to use whenever I need. They are worth pure gold.
In retrospect, each piece is totally worth it and I’m usually thinking, next time I’ll do something more elaborate.
Remember that your wedding photos will be worth pure gold as well.
The history of the wedding arch
Weddings are full of symbolism. In fact most of the things we partake in during a wedding are for symbolism and most people don’t really know why we do the things we do.
We follow these guidelines in order to have a complete feeling wedding. Wedding arches are full of symbolism too.
The arc of an arch represents the link between past and present. Present and future.
It honors this stage of life as you link you and your partner’s lives together as one. What a beautiful thing to symbolize.
Types of Floral Arches
Asymmetrical, symmetrical, full, triangle, circle, traditional square; there are so many varieties.
In order to decide which type to go with, first figure out if your venue has an arch and what shape it is. You can start there.
If you want to get creative or have a specific vision in mind, you can build your own to transport and set up.
Look around on Pinterest or Google and see what you really love in regard to floral arches.
Look at symmetrical floral arches and asymmetrical arches and decide which you like better. This is purely a personal preference and there is no right or wrong answer.
What do Floral Arches Cost
My base cost for a two piece floral arch - each piece being roughly 2-3 feet long is around 400.00 per piece.
One larger piece to hang at the top of the arch or asymmetrically usually starts around 750.00. If we’re adding more expensive floral like peonies, roses and dahlias the price may start higher
If you’re wanting a full floral arch, aim to put aside 3,000.00 - 5,000.00 for your arch flowers. If you’re wanting only half your arch covered in flowers, plan for around 1,500.00 - 3,000.00.
Curious about what other wedding flowers cost? GO HERE to read my blog called “What do Wedding Flowers Cost”.
How to get the most out of your arch flowers
Since you and your partner only stand under your arch for a short time, I love having folks brainstorm on how they can double duty their arch flowers.
Here are a few ideas to get the most out of your investment.
Invite couples and family members to get photos in front of your arch.
Remove the arch after your ceremony and have it placed on your head table or sweetheart table, at the bar or in front of your head table, on the ground.
Use it to create a throne behind you on your chair.
Get creative and brainstorm a few more ideas.
If you’re repurposing your arch from ceremony to reception, be sure to have a point person in charge of moving it.
Give them specific instructions, a timeline for moving it and all the supplies they might need to make the transition go smoothly.
I hope this helps clarify your desires for having a floral arch at your wedding. I’d love to help you plan your gorgeous wedding flowers!
GO HERE to take the first step in planning wedding flowers with us.
5 ways to go the extra mile for your guests
Part of a fabulous wedding is thinking about the experience your guests will have. I like to have couples walk themselves through how their guests will experience the wedding day. From entrance to exit.
#1 How to Go The Extra Mile for Your Guests: Shower Them With Flowers
Flowers make people feel loved, honored and well cared for.
You can shower your guests with flowers in a variety of ways:
Corsages for the extra-special women.
Boutonnieres for the extra-special men.
Beautiful flowers on the table while your guests dine. This could come in the form of a garland, cluster of bud vases or luxurious centerpieces.
Wow them with lush and romantic backdrops. This could come in the form of floral arches, floral walls and extra-lush arrangements placed at the bar, the welcome table and wherever else guests will be spending time. You could also give them an opportunity to have their picture taken with some of the florals.
Curios what wedding flowers cost? GO HERE to read our blog: “What do Wedding Flowers Cost?”
A floral arch is a popular way to adorn the ceremony with lush floral. GO HERE to read more about the floral arch
Corsages are an inexpensive way to honor your guests and make them feel extra special.
#2 How to Go The Extra Mile for Your Guests: Write a personal note to each guest.
We all know how it feels to travel to a wedding and then barely get to see the couple. And let’s face it, you’re going to be busy! It’s unlikely you will get to spend as much time as you like with each of your guests.
That’s why I love this simple act of writing an individual note to each guest.
I received a note from my step brother on his wedding day and I’m still thinking about it many years later.
If you plan ahead, you can pull this off in relatively little time. Plan to write a few notes per day so that you’re all finished by your wedding day. In addition, this note can serve as a marker for your assigned seats.
What a fabulous exercise in practicing gratitude. You will generate so many warm, loving and positive emotions in regards to each of your guests that you will be overflowing with joy.
And joy is the place where you need to be spending most of your wedding day!
I gave the idea of the personal note to Nicole and Garrett who were married in July of 2022 at The Salted Roots Cabins in Seward, AK.
#3 How to Go The Extra Mile for Your Guests: Give toasts to your guests of honor.
Everyone likes to be recognized. This is such a lovely and traditional way to call people out, and recognize them.
Think of 3-5 people you and your spouse could recognize and write a quick 30 - 60 second toast to each.
If you’re shy about speaking up in front of a crowd of people (like I was at my wedding), practice before-hand, know it’s OK to feel nervous and don’t be afraid to use notes.
#4 How to Go The Extra Mile for Your Guests: Make a point to look each guest in the eye at least once and give them a hug or warm handshake.
Your wedding is not only for you and your spouse. That’s what elopements are for!
Make time in your wedding schedule to connect one on one with each guest, even if it’s just for a few minutes each.
If you have a longer guest list, you could make this happen by organizing a receiving line, or scheduling in a time to visit each person during dinner.
Another idea I love is setting up a small table behind the bride and groom with two chairs. Folks can be invited to visit this table and spend some one-on-one time with the bride and groom.
#5 How to Go The Extra Mile for Your Guests: Write Thank-You notes.
There’s nothing better than a hand-written thank you note mailed to someone’s door a week after they attended your wedding.
Give yourself a deadline for this, so you don’t forget. Then set aside 30 minutes per day until it’s completed.
Make sure you put this task in your calendar or planner so you know it will get done.
If you take a few of these ideas and implement them, your guests will leave your wedding feel loved, cherished and full of warmth.
Photos courtesy of Chugach Peaks Photography and Kristian Iray Photography.
Chugach Mountain Elopement with Theresa McDonald
Shelby and Kevin eloped in the Chugach mountains with elopement photographer, Theresa McDonald
The summer of 2023 was a rainy one for us in Alaska. And if you’re planning a wedding, what the weather will be like on your specific wedding date is definitely an unknown. Shelby and Kevin came to pick up their flowers on the day before their wedding and we sent them off with hopes for a sunny day in the mountains!
Unfortunately, Mother Nature did not deliver. It rained and rained and blowed and blowed. I thought of them up there in the mountains and thought for sure they had made a back up plan.
I was amazed that they went ahead and braved the weather!
And you know, sometimes the worst weather, creates the most memorable day and the most dramatic pictures.
The flowers for Shelby’s Chugach Elopement bridal bouquet included peonies, spray roses, heavenly smelling stock, astilbe, ranunculus, campanula and eucalyptus.
Photos for this Alaskan elopement were taken at the Glenn Alps Trailhead in Chugach State Park just minutes from Anchorage.
It’s an easy walk from the parking lot to many different photo opportunities with the wilds in Alaska in the background.
The rain and low clouds in the background create a magical backdrop for photos.
Are you preparing for an Alaskan elopement?
GO HERE to schedule a free wedding flower consultation.
I can’t wait to hear more about your wedding day!
The Lodge at Lone Moose Wedding
The Lodge at Lone Moose offers the classic Alaskan wedding expereince.
A large and cascading Gardenwild bouquet adorns the bride during their wedding ceremony at The Lodge at Lone Moose.
Theresa McDonald took the amazing photographs of this wedding at the Lodge at Lone Moose during the summer of 2023.
The Lodge at Lone Moose is a quintessential Alaskan destination. And is an amazing venue for a wedding. It sits on the shores of Kenai River and backs up against a deep wooded forest, creating magnificent backdrops for wedding photos.
The bridal suite inside the lodge, located on the top level and overlooking the reception area is quaint, cozy and elegant. It’s the perfect place to adorn the bride with beauty as she preps with her attendants.
Gardenwild Floral bridesmaids bouquets with Alaskan peonies and amaranth create an interesting and elegant arrangement.
The head table arrangement with bud vases on either side made the head table stand out.
Being right on the Kenai River lends to awesome Alaskan experience and fabulous photos.
Alaskan taste pairs with luxury interior. The rustic outdoor experience that includes cabins, places to park RVs, gravel roads, spruce forests contrasts nicely with the luxurious and upscale interior of the lodge. This is a classy place!
The reception area inside The Lodge at Lone Moose.
Fall Wedding at Forget-me-not Nursery
Sophia and Jonathan were one of my last weddings of the season for 2023. For their wedding, they chose the magical Forget-me-not Nursery, located a short drive from Anchorage, Alaska in the quaint valley of Indian.
The leaves were at their peak during the last weekend of September and this created a golden and magical ambiance. This ambiance is expertly captured by Joshua Veldstra in his captivating photos.
Bride and her garden inspired Gardenwild Floral bouquet posing with the resident antique Ford.
The Garden-Inspired Gardenwild Bouquet
The bride chose a loose and garden-inspired medium sized bouquet full of blues, whites and greens. A full floral crown rounded out the woodsy and nature-inspired theme to the T. Flowers that we chose for her bouquet included thistle, campanula, ammi, white ball dahlias, cress and eucalyptus greenery.
Personal Wedding Details
Details are important in a wedding. A boutonniere with dried and woodsy meadow elements, dainty bell flowers mingling with strong and striking thistle.
Our full floral crowns come fully adjustable with a silk ribbon to tie everything together.
The space at Forget-me-not Nursery
Forget-me-not Nursery offers a spacious, light and airy interior with room to host a decent sized guest list.
What I love most about this venue is the feeling of being outdoors even when inside. A comfortable inside space is a must-have when getting married in Alaska, as weather and temperatures can be unpredictable especially at the end of September.
Sweetheart table inside the Forget-me-not Nursery in Indian, Alaska.
Resident plants and flowers adorn the inside reception area. This means that you can do as little or as much wedding decoration and floral as your heart desires.
This venue offers outdoor seating under the fall canopy of leaves. Mountains tower to the north and the stunning Turnagain Arm sparkles to the south. The Turnagain Arm offers rocky crags for dramatic photos and a potential glimpse at beluga whales if you’re lucky.
The ceremony space at Forget-me-not Nursery is tucked into the woods in the lovely Indian Valley just south of Anchorage, Alaska.
Big thanks to Joshua Veldstra Photography for these photos.
Big thanks to Forget-me-not Nursery for hosting another amazing event.
Two July Weddings at Forget-me-not Nursery
I always love the pictures that come from weddings held at the Forget-me-not Nursery in Indian, Alaska.
This summer I was blessed to create bouquets and personal flowers for two couples getting married there.
Big thanks to Chugach Peaks Photography for these stunning photos.
Emily and Jeffery were married on July 1st, 2022. Emily chose a modest sized bridal bouquet loaded with peonies from the Turnstone Farm gardens and other fun and seasonal blooms.
In early July, expect to find spring blooms abound here in Alaska: stock, ranunculus, anemones, peonies, columbine and various typed of foliage.
The bridesmaids for Emily and Jeffery wore wrist corsages, which I think is so elegant. I love corsages because they adorn the person for the whole event.
Since the nursery sits just off the highway along Turnagain Arm, couples can easily go down to the beach to get some uniquely Alaskan pre-wedding photos.
The Forget-me-not Nursery in Indian, Alaska is a garden-inspired wedding venue dream! It is surrounded bu lush forests and the beautifully landscaped grounds of the nursery. It it magic.
Autumn chose to do most of the flowers for her wedding (her husband-to-be also built this amazing arch). She did, however, want her bridal bouquet to be professionally done.
The picture above right is a shot I got of here bouquet in my studio. It was one of my most favorite of 2022. Chock full of garden goodness. I love when I can pull all the gems from the garden to pop in a bouquet. That is why I think the bride with a more open mind regarding color palette gets the best bouquets.
Like these photos? Go here to learn more about Chugach Peaks Photography.
Fox Hollow Wedding in Anchorage Alaska with Orange Crush Themed Flowers
One of my favorite color themes of 2023 was this orange crush themed wedding held at Fox Hollow Chalet in Anchorage, AK.
Fox Hollow Chalet sits on the edge of the Fox Hollow golf course just minutes from our local airport. Which means it’s super convenient for guests while offering spectacular views of the surrounding Anchorage mountins.
The arch at Fox Hollow is a classic square frame which can hold a variety of flower-arch configurations. Aside from a full flower arch, my favorite way to use an arch is to off-set the arch pieces asymmetrically. Bright orange, light orange and green popped beautifully on this cloudy mid-August day.
Gerbera daisies, spray roses, alstromeria, protea, crespedia, safflower, calendula, dahlias and lilies rounded out the arch flowers. Theh dahlias and lilies I picked from my flower garden, which makes this extra special.
Bud vase arrangements were wildly popular in 2023. They’re a simple way to bring color to the table and have almost endless design possibilities. Poppies, ranunculus, stock, calendula and spray roses brighten up these vintage-looking bottles.
The inside of Fox Hollow Chalet has an airy vaulted ceiling that makes the relatively modest space feel open and expansive. Windows face to the east offering stunning mountain views of the Chugach range.
The Top 3 Best Places to Elope in Alaska
Eloping in Alaska is a dream come true for many couples.
Alaska is known for rugged and hard to reach places. But there are so many wonderful and easy to reach hideaways that can create your epic elopement. From wild beaches to jagged mountaintops you can pick the landscape that you most love.
The wide variety of landscapes available and relatively easy access were the reasons I chose these top 3 best places to elope in Alaska. You’ll find a glacier, an alpine mountain valley and an ocean beach from the top 3 options.
Read to the bottom to get some additional ideas for some unique and unconventional eloping ideas.
#1 Best Place to Elope in Alaska
Couple traversing a ridge in hatcher’s Pass. Elopement bouquet by Turnstone Farm. Photo by Echo Photo
Hatcher’s Pass made my #1 Best Place to Elope in Alaska.
It’s an hour and a half drive from Anchorage. Even the drive from Anchorage will blow your mind as you travel over glacial rivers and past high rocky peaks. You can stop in the quaint old farming town of Palmer, Alaska for a bite to eat or a beverage and even walk down to the rushing Matanuska River. Once on Hatcher’s Pass Road, you can drive all the way into the alpine (above tree line). The tundra covered mountains offer backdrops for stunning photos.
The rustic Hatcher’s Pass Lodge is above tree line in a valley that was once used for gold mining. Now it’s a hiking, skiing and berry picking destination. The lodge is a popular place for photos and a great place to base your elopement out of.
The road is paved all the way to the lodge. You can park there to access fabulous mountain backdrops or hike up the the now defunct mine or find any rocky mountaintop to make your destination.
Another fun adventure, is to drive up the unpaved road to Summit Lake. Get amazing vistas and spot a paraglider or two before you continue down the other side to Willow. Photo opportunities on the Willow side of the Hatcher’s Pass Road include rolling tundra and the picturesque Willow Creek.
See more photos from a Hatcher’s Pass Elopement here: Hatcher's Pass Elopement Blog
#2 Best Place to Elope in Alaska
This blue glacial ice makes for an impressive backdrop for your Alaskan elopement. Big and wild Turnstone Farm bouquet in the foreground. Photo by Lily of the Wild
The Knik Glacier made my #2 Best Place to Elope in Alaska.
The Knik Glacier is accessed via a quick and dramatic helicopter ride. Step right off onto the ice for a once in a lifetime experience.
You can also plan your trip in the fall to not only get glacial ice photos but also get stunning fall colors.
Helicopter tour companies include:
Alaska Helicopter Tours
Alpine Air Alaska
Greatland Adventuers
Walk on glacier ice for your magical Alaskan Elopement. Classic baby’s breath and rose bridal bouquet in the slightly wilt Turnstone Farm style. Photo by Henry Tieu
See more of this fall elopement on the Knik Glacier HERE.
#3 Best Place to Elope in Alaska
Couple on a remote beach in Resurrection Bay. Made possible by a sailboat. Dark and moody Turnstone Farm bouquet. Photo by Megan Freeman Photography
Resurrection Bay made my #3 Best Place to Elope in Alaska list.
This is the place to go for all you ocean lovers out there.
There are many options for your Resurrection Bay wedding ceremony. You could keep it simple with a beach ceremony and photos followed by an unbeatable and intimate dinner at The Cookery.
Or you could book a sailing excursion out of Resurrection Bay near Seward, Alaska
Sailing charters out of Seward, Alaska are a romantic and timeless way to explore and celebrate your marriage.
Resurrection Bay Sailing Charters is the only charter company at the time of this writing that I know of doing sailing charters.
Go here to see more photos from a sailboat elopement: Sailboat Elopement Blog
A sunny day at an Alaskan beach is every couple’s dream-come-true. This couple had their wedding ceremony on the beach near Miller’s Landing. The bride is holding a colorful Turnstone Farm bouquet. Photo by Erica Rose Photography
Other great things to do in Seward, Alaska include:
Eating at The Cookery (I just had to list this twice)
Grabbing a beer at Seward Brewing
Visiting the Sealife Center
Hiking the Caines Head trail to the beach and possibly beyond
Hiking up the legendary Mount Marathon
Planning your visit to coincide with the 4th of July for the annual Mount Marathon race and festivities
Hiking part of the Lost Lake Trail
Low clouds and sea weed make for a rustic tone to this quintessential Alaskan wedding. Elope on the beach near Seward, Alaska to experience the natural wonder of the ocean. Ombre bridal bouquet by Turnstone Farm. Photo by Kristian Irey
More Alaska Elopement Ideas
Rent Kayaks and explore a quiet beach outside of Whittier, AK.
Hike up into the Chugach State Park (a 15 minute drive from Anchorage) and take your pick of lakes (Rabbit Lake) , mountaintops (Flat Top or Near Point) or rushing creeks (McHugh or the Eagle River) for a super unique experience.
Head up to Denali National Park (a 4 hour drive from Anchorage) and day hike up the Mountain Vista trail, snap photos by Riley Creek, ride the bus as far as you can go for an extra remote and wild experience or bike ride into your choice of gorgeous locations.
Ride the Alaskan Railroad to Seward, Portage or Denali.
Plan a winer elopement to Alyeska on skis or explore the local resort town of Girdwood, Alaska on snowshoes.
Book a cabin at Kesugi Ken Campground and hike up Curry Ridge.
Book a cabin on Nancy Lake and rent a canoe from Tippecanoe.
Pick any beach: Miller’s Landing in Seward, Kincaid Beach in Anchorage, any local beach in Whittier, Anchor Point on the Kenai Peninsula, or Bishops Beach in Homer.
Helicopter tour from Talkeetna onto a glacier of Denali, our country’s tallest mountain.
Fall Elopement in Alaska on the Knik Glacier
Fall comes early in Alaska.
When deciding to elope in Alaska, think about which Alaskan backdrop you most desire.
From snowcapped peaks to bright fall colors. From lush greenery and bright fields of fireweed to moody and dramatic ocean cliffs. The choice is yours.
Moriah and Rodrigue chose a classic Alaskan elopement, a glacier landing. They timed it so that fall colors were just beginning to show.
Fall comes even earlier in areas surrounding glaciers and in the mountains so its not out of the question to get some fall colors in early September.
If you’re looking for more vibrant colors choosing a slightly later date will do the trick.
It’s a fine balance though, between fall and winter in Alaska. Unlike other locales, Alaskan falls can be quick, very cold and wintery. Be prepared for the weather.
Walking on a glacier may be a once in a lifetime experience.
Alaska will make you smile like this, guaranteed.
Glacial ice offers a stunning backdrop for your wedding photos.
Moriah chose colors to go well with glacial ice: white, blue, sage green and soft pink.
The Bouquet.
Moriah wanted a blues and whites bouquet in a classic shape with dried flowers. White roses were special to her so I made sure to add some of those in too.
Most of the dried flowers I use either come from my cutting garden or from my favorite dried flower farm in Oregon.
When mixing dried flowers with fresh the challenge is to keep the fresh ones hydrated without getting the dried ones wet. So I usually send off the bouquet with fresh flowers in water tubes. The couple can then remove the tubes before pictures begin.
Look close at this bouquet and you will find: dried peonies and lavender!
The Boutonniere.
I used dried flowers to match the bridal bouquet including baby’s breath and lavender. And then made the focal point a stunning blue thistle.
Check out another Knik Glacier elopement here: https://www.turnstonefarmalaska.com/wedding-blog/knik-glacier-elopement-feb-2022
Big thanks to Henry Tieu Photography for sharing these stunning photos with me. Go here to check out more of his stunning work: https://www.henry-tieu.com
July Wedding at Raven Glacier Lodge in Girdwood
One of my favorite venues is the Raven Glacier Lodge in Girdwood, Alaska. In this blog I’ll talk about what weddings do best here, I’ll highlight the reception area, and talk about the ceremony location and options for your guests.
A beautiful and intimate venue for your Alaskan wedding is the Raven Glacier Lodge in Gridwood, AK.
Wedding party with Gardenwild (previously known as Turnstone Farm) flowers outside the Raven Glacier Lodge.
Just a short and stunning drive from Anchorage is the picturesque ski town of Girdwood, AK.
Girdwood is home to a few impressive wedding venues including the Raven Glacier Lodge.
I’m always thrilled when I get to design flowers for this magical space. For this mid July wedding, the couple chose soft and bright pinks to really pop in the sheltered forest surroundings.
Peonies were the perfect flower to create exactly what they were looking for. Lush, fragrant and luxurious, peonies are the quintessential wedding flower. And with this wedding date lining up perfectly with Alaskan peony harvest, I was delighted.
Alaskan Peonies were the star of this Turnstone Farm bouquet for a wedding at July Raven Glacier Lodge.
What type of weddings are best for Raven Glacier Lodge?
Smaller weddings. Wedding sizes of 75 or less do great here. (Don’t quote me on this, please check with the lodge owner) From my recollection, weddings that I’ve designed for here have around 30 - 80 guests.
Simple weddings. If you want ease of planning, Raven Glacier Lodge is fabulous as they do all your food in house. There’s lodging inside for the couple and a limited about of wedding guests. Lots of other lodging is available close by, so your guests will have quick travels to and from. Although, it’s always better to book early in order to secure rooms for everyone.
Intimate weddings. Due to the towering sitka spruce and hemlock forest, and the homey lodge interior, Raven Glacier Lodge has a cozy feel. Your guests can stroll the surrounding forested paths, walk down to the babbling creek or hang out by the fire pit. Cherished conversations and connections among your guests are sure to blossom here.
The reflecting pool at Raven Glacier Lodge offers magical photo options.
Just married couple under soft and lush peonies on the Raven Glacier Lodge arch.
The arch at Raven Glacier Lodge
The arch at Raven Glacier Lodge is a classic garden-style shape. It can be moved to wherever you’d like to have your ceremony. Most couples choose to have their ceremony near the reflecting pool. It offers a serene backdrop for your event and numerous possibilities for photos.
The arch I sent our for this couple was pre-made at my Anchorage studio. The couple delegated “flower fairies” from their wedding group to attach it. This is a lower cost option for folks that want a floral arch but want to save on delivery and set up fees.
Want to learn more about wedding floral arches? GO HERE to read our blog.
Just married couple descending the stairs to the reception area at Raven Glacier Lodge.
The reception space at Raven Glacier Lodge
The reception area at Raven Glacier Lodge is outdoors on the patio.
Depending on the weather, you may need to ask guests to bring layers. I’ve set up for multiple weddings here where the air was chilly. But being in the presence of the forest is well worth the temperatures.
The bar area is tucked under the porch and stairs. And the stair descent offers a dramatic entry for the just married couple.
The dance floor is at the base of the stairs. It is a nice size for any number of dancers.
Just married couple on the dance floor with cake table in the foreground.
Looking for more inspiration for weddings at Raven Glacier Lodge?
GO HERE to see a fall wedding at Raven Glacier Lodge.
GO HERE to see a big full floral arch at Raven Glacier Lodge.
Thanks to Emily Jordan Photography for the amazing photos in this blog.
Are you planning a wedding at Raven Glacier Lodge? Reply below to ask any questions you may have about the space.
How to plan for your dream wedding flowers.
Here are 4 simple tips to help you plan your dream wedding flowers.
I help plan around 20 + weddings per year. From elopements to large, full traditional weddings I create my client’s dream wedding flowers.
After meeting with hundreds of clients over the years I’ve come up with some simple and actionable tips for streamlining your wedding flower planning.
In this blog I’m breaking down the wedding flower planning process into four simple steps:
1) Make a list of the items you need.
2) Curate an inspiration photo collection.
3) Schedule a meeting or consult with your desired florist.
4) Book your florals and move on.
How to plan your wedding flowers STEP 1: Make your dream wedding florals list.
Planning your dream wedding flowers starts with deciding what floral pieces are most important to you.
I like to have people visualize traveling through their wedding as a guest in order to help them decide where to place flowers. Dream big here and write down everything.
Write down everything you need for your ceremony and everything you need for your reception. Create a list of “must-haves” and “may-likes” and be open to suggestions when the time comes to talk with your florist.
Not sure what you need or what is customary? Don’t be shy about asking your florist any and all flower related questions. Most florists want to give you exactly what you want - nothing more and nothing less.
Your bridal bouquet is the centerpiece of your wedding. Take time to decide what you want here and come up with one to three photos of your dream bouquet. Photo courtesy of Joshua Veldstra.
How to plan your wedding flowers STEP 2: Wedding flower inspiration photos.
Creating a curated pintrest board or a select collection of inspiration photos is key when planning your dream wedding flowers.
I suggest honing your inspiration photos to 1-3 photos per piece. For example, if you want an arch, find 1-3 photos that best represent your dream arch. Fewer is best as it's easier to communicate what you’re looking for if you can narrow your focus.
Just start searching around for images on the web. Keywords my clients are most recently into include: “garden inspired wedding bouquet”, “unique and boho wedding flowers”, “wildflower wedding bouquet”, “dried flower wedding bouquet”.
In addition, search for your specific pieces like “floral pillar with peonies” or “full floral arch with roses”. You can also include your venue in the search in order to see how others have decorated with flowers.
Don’t get wrapped up in needing to know floral varieties. In fact, I suggest you do not request specific varieties. This will allow the florist to use whatever looks the most amazing when buying or sourcing locally.
Let your florist pick the flowers. You focus instead on your desired colors and floral style. This will free you up to focus on other aspects of planning your wedding.
Gardenwild Floral elopement centerpiece for an Alaskan destination wedding. Photo courtesy of Turnstone Farm/Gardenwild Floral
How to plan your wedding flowers STEP 3: Your meeting with a wedding florist.
Most florists offer a consultation to talk about your wedding. Some charge a small amount for this meeting and some offer complementary meetings.
Here’s how to get the most out of your meeting with your florist.
Talk with your florist about your vision and the guest experience you want to create. If you’re not sure yet what you want, take some time to sit down and think this through.
Think about how best to highlight flowers at your particular venue. Think about how you want to honor your guests with flowers. If you’re not sure about any of these things, ask your florist if they have recommendations for using flowers at a particular venue. Ask them how best to honor guests at a wedding.
Bring your list of floral items to your meeting. Sometimes florists can give a price range over the phone, other times they will come back to you with a more precise quote later.
I usually give a price range over the phone. Then after our creative call and after I see inspiration photos and exact numbers of all the floral pieces, I can then write up a detailed proposal that includes itemized pricing.
Most often, people come to our first meeting without their inspiration photos organized. If you have your photos, great! Either way is fine.
If you can get your photos ready before your first meeting, then we can look them over together and you can tell me what you like about them. But most often, folks go out and get them after our meeting.
And finally, have a list of questions to ask your florist. This can be anything from pricing, to delivery details to the booking process.
How to plan your wedding flowers STEP 4: Book your florist and move on to the next thing.
Decision fatigue is a real thing. And when planning a wedding, making lots of decisions can wear you down.
I suggest making quick and informed decisions and then having your own back and moving on. What do I mean by having your own back? Make your decision, love it and don’t second guess yourself.
Early Summer Wedding at Alyeska Resort with yellow ranunculus bouquet. Photo courtesy of Corrine Graves.