5 Things to Consider When Planning your Wedding Flowers

Wedding planning can be A LOT!

Especially since for most of us mortals, the biggest thing we've organized is a dinner party.

Just the sheer number of decisions to make can be daunting.

So just to get you prepped for ONE (but one very important) part of your wedding, YOUR FLOWERS, here's a few things to start mulling over in order to get exactly what you want.

And while you're thinking these things through, remember that YOUR FLOWERS WILL BE MEMORIALIZED IN YOUR WEDDING PHOTOS FOREVER!

It is for this reason that while the experience of your wedding is so important. People remember what you do and how you make them feel…

Your attire and flowers are right up at the top of the list for importance.

So here are 5 things to consider when planning your wedding flowers.

1) Size.

Size does matter! But it's all dependent on what you want.

Big, small - YOU decide! Sometimes size can match your body size but mostly I tell people just to go with what feels good.

Do you want your flowers to make a statement? Go bigger.

Do you like small and dainty? Go smaller.

Do you want to communicate abundance? Go bigger.

Leanne is holding the quintessential Turnstone Farm bouquet: it is big and wild and reminiscent of holding a garden in your hands.

2) Shape.

Cascade, upright, vertical, loose, tight. What kind of shape do you like?

Hop on google and peek around - get a sense of what you like! If you're looking for trends, here's what's hot right now: loose, wild-flower like, slightly cascading, or vertically sprawling (and I'm loving it). But honestly, you don't need to give a crap about what other people like. This is YOUR FREAKING wedding.

Elizabeth wanted a large and wild-flower like bouquet. Most of my large bouquets can be held in such a way as to create a slight draping cascade.

3) Color.

Often when folks come to me, they have already decided on a color palate. I just match my seasonal blooms with their attire and other decorations. But if you're not sure yet, peek around on Google. See what you like. Ask yourself why you like something.

Color can be fun!

Let it be fun!

And after designing and seeing hundreds of wedding photos, the most colorful bouquets look the best in photographs.

Fun fact: I used to be scared of color. As an artist, I felt like there were just too many options.

That's why I've always loved black and white photography and printmaking. You can keep it simple!

But since flowers came into my life it's fair to say that I"m color-obsessed. If you're stuck on color - I'm here to help.

Rebekah and her bridesmaids are holding bright and cheerful fall bouquets which really pop against the woodland backdrop.

4) Varieties.

Here’s what I would recommend - be open to having lots of different varieties in you floral designs! Roses and carnations don't have to be boring. Wildflowers don't have to be boho. But they can be!

I say if you're obsessed with a variety and it's in season let's make it happen! But if not, there are so many amazing flowers.

I want to fill your bouquet and arrangements with as many varieties as possible. Because you know what's in right now? Texture. How do you get texture? Lots of variety!

Marielle holds a farmed and foraged bouquet of Alaskan Grown flowers and foliage.

5) Floral pieces.

Maybe I should have started with this one. But I think deciding what you need to have is so dependent on the following.

What do you want your wedding to FEEL like?

What is most important to you?

These answers may help guide your decision as to whether you need a full floral arch or want to give bouquets to the moms (which is an idea I honestly LOVE - as a mom, I will be a joyful, tearful mess if I get a bouquet from my kids on their wedding day).

For Rosalyn, the most important floral pieces were her bridal bouquet and her full floral arch.

And finally, I'm here for you. Comment below if you have any questions about planning your flowers!

Then click the button below to schedule your wedding flower discovery call, if you haven’t done so already.

Cannot wait to hear from you!

Thank you to Lilly of the Wild Photography, Echo Photo, Chugach Peaks Photography, Lauren Roberts Photography and Joshua Veldstra Photography.

Magical Wedding at Raven Glacier Lodge with Rosalyn & Tyler

I had the pleasure to design dreamy and magical wedding flowers this past summer at the lovely Raven Glacier Lodge.

If you haven’t experienced this amazing place, let me just say that I expected woodland fairies to pop out from behind every tree.

Raven Glacier Lodge is a mystical and enchanting place.

Weddings here are intimate and are sheltered amongst the towering hemlocks and spruce of a temperate rainforest.

A rushing creek populates the background, giving folks a sense of calm and quiet peacefulness.

Rosalyn & Tyler wanted to express a wildness in their florals. Ultimately, after seeing their photos I saw also saw magic, romance, and enchantment.

Rosalyn’s most important pieces were her full arch and bridal bouquet.

I love a woman who values herself!

We debated the single flower bouquets. Rosalyn was worried they might look small but instead evoke modest luxury. Each bridesmaid holds a single stem Cafe au Lait dahlia (with a couple of stems of filler and foliage) straight from the Turnstone Farm field.

I like couples to think about what is really important to them on their wedding day. Priorities are important to identify and own.

This is a big day, and although there are many reasons for having a wedding, staying true to your vision is a must.

Rosalyn made it clear that a full arch was a non-negotiable.

The flowers I chose for this wedding were straight from the Turnstone Farm field (dahlias, snapdragons, anemones, and ranunculus) and bought in from other American Grown farmers.

August weddings are perfect for Alaskan-grown flowers. The fields are usually flush with all sorts of variety.

This particular summer was a more traditional summer - cooler and cloudier. My anemones bloomed almost all season (they are usually considered a spring-blooming flower) and my second planting of ranunculus did amazing.

Thank you to Joshua Veldstra Photography for these romantic and evocative photographs.

He is one of my favorite wedding photographers. Those who seek to capture romance and magic in their wedding photographs, he is your guy.

Girdwood Wedding at Raven Glacier Lodge with Rebekah & Chaz

One of my all time favorite venues for weddings is the Raven Glacier Lodge in Girdwood, Alaska.

It is nestled among towering evergreens. It is a magical place. My assistant last year, said she expected fairies to jump out at every turn. Yep - that’s how it feels!

In addition to it's magical setting Raven Glacier Lodge has an infamous host and owner.

Kathy is not on social media, doesn’t seem to have a webpage and is quite the challenge to get a hold of. Every bride I talk to gives a big sigh and says how hard it is to try to track her down!

But, let me tell you - it is totally worth the struggle. As far as I know, there are not too many venues of this nature in the close proximity to Anchorage: small, cozy, pure magic, the perfect micro-wedding destination.

I had the great pleasure to create florals at this venue a couple of times in 2021. Here is one of those weddings!

Rebekah and Chaz wanted fall colors for their flowers.

I incorporated lots of greenery for a slightly loose and wild look. Bright rusty-orange and burgundy dahlias were the stars of this wedding.

Special thanks to Joe Connolly at Chugach Peaks Photography for these gorgeous photos.

Getting married in Alaska? Let’s talk wedding flowers! Click the button below to schedule a wedding flower discovery call.

10 Things to do Around Anchorage, Alaska

It’s a big and fabulous ask to invite friends and family up to your Alaskan wedding.

For some folks, it might be a once-in-a-lifetime adventure!

As a lifelong Alaskan, with stints in the mid-west and West-coast, I have some favorite places I want you to be able to share with your guests.

Here are 10 things that your guests will love to do, in and around Anchorage:

1) Walk the Coastal Trail. Start at Westchester Lagoon and walk north or south along the coast. Stunning views of the water, the Anchorage, and surrounding mountains will WOW everyone. You can also rent bikes near the downtown Coastal Trail access point and ride all the way to Kincaid park if you have some extra ambitions folks. If you want to start walking from Kincaid Park, you can easily access Kincaid Beach. A 2-ish mile walk down the main paved Coastal Trail will bring you to a marked trail leading to the left (south) and down to the beach. This is a magical place and you feel like you’re in the middle of the wilderness. Plus on a sunny day, it’s a warm and sunny treat!

2) Visit Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop. The best bakery in Anchorage with locations downtown, on the south side of town, and in my cozy and cute Airport Heights neighborhood. Grab a coffee and a croissant, a delectable cupcake, or a crusty loaf of bread!

3) Visit Whittier. If you have a car, please take a trip to this funky seaside town south of Anchorage. There you can get amazing vistas of Prince William Sound and its quaint harbor, grab a fish and chips, hike up to Portage Pass and it’s quite the adventure to get there - you get to drive through a mountain! The tunnel allows cars through every 30 minutes. In all, it’s the quickest way to get to the “real ocean”.

4) Hike Bird Ridge. This is for the fit individual who wants to get up high quickly! Located along the scenic stretch of highway along Turnagain Arm.

5) Visit the Peter Bronz Pottery studio. This cozy and quaint studio is also located along the Seward Highway in Bird Creek. My favorite keepsake when I travel is a locally crafted ceramic mug. Peter has a lovely studio. You can walk in and view his work and purchase products on the honor system (it’s not staffed).

6) Visit the Eagle River Nature Center. Located 40 minutes north of Anchorage, this nature center is nestled at the very end of Eagle River Road. It has stunning views of towering peaks, a rushing river, and gorgeous trees.

7) If you’re in and around Eagle River after the nature center, hop on over to Odd Man Rush Brewing and Pizza Man. Pizza Man is a classic establishment that has been around for 30 years.

8) Visit a brewery or grab a cider. The brewery scene has exploded in the last few years, here in Anchorage. There are so many options. But here are a few of my favorites: King Street Brewery, Anchorage Brewing, Cynosure Brewing, Onsite Brewing, and Double Shovel Cider Company.

9) Grab an Ice cream at The Motley Moo or Wild Scoops. Motley Moo is by far the true ice cream artisan. Delightfully creamy and all your classic favorite flavors. Wild Scoops has all sorts of exciting and wild flavors. Although the quality doesn’t measure up with Motley Moo, their adventurous flavors will delight everyone!

10) Enjoy a coffee at Black Cup. As a coffee lover, my first task when visiting a new town is finding the best coffee. I’ve done the hard lifting for you! Hands down, this place thas THE BEST COFFEE.

Well, there you have it. I hope this gets your guests out around town a bit and enjoying some truly awesome places in Anchorage.

Miller's Landing Wedding in Seward, Alaska with Caitlin & Nate

Caitlin and Nate had a beautiful beach wedding in Seward, Alaska.

Weather in Alaskan can always be hit or miss, especially by the ocean where clouds can roll in and get stuck for days or even weeks on end. That is why this couple was so incredibly lucky to have a sunny break on their big day.

I remember sending flowers off with Caitlin the day before and both crossing our fingers in hopes of good weather!

My favorite part of Caitlin’s bridal bouquet was the incredible variety of florals I was able to fit in. Part of a beautiful bouquet for me is lots of floral types and textures.

Here are some of the varieties: Hydrangea, Anemone, Ranunculus, Rose, Dara, Amaranth, Oregano (I love popping in a bit of garden herb if at all possible), Strawflower, Yarrow, Snapdragon, and Dahlia.

Looking to get married in Alaska? I’m here for you! I offer one of a kind flowers using Alaskan Grown and American Grown blooms .

Click the link below to take the first step in booking your wedding flowers!