Megan and AJ’s wedding was nothing short of heart stopping gorgeous. From the breathtaking scenery and stylishly elegant food courtesy of the River Mill Event Center in Columbus, to the lush florals provided by Nosegay Florist, to the most stunning decor in the entire nuptial universe, the exquisite and radiant bride, this was certainly an affair to remember. Megan’s blatant show of adoration for her new husband was one of the things that I remember most about the day, along with AJ”s exuberance and delight in all of the exciting things that were happening in their honor. I have never seen a couple have as much fun as these two at a wedding. The new Mr. and Mrs. will make their home in Warner Robbins, GA, where they are both in service to our country.
View the entire gallery of Megan and AJ’s wedding here.
Click here for Kathy and Nathan’s wedding pics featuring historic downtown Columbus, GA.
The ceremony was held on a terrace overlooking the Chattahoochee, and Shawneese Benton, of Nosegay Florist in Phenix City, designed and executed the floral decorations and bouquets with her usual amazing flair. Please make sure you read our Q&A with Shawneese, below, and you may be surprised at what you absolutely must know before choosing your wedding flowers.
I recently spoke with Shawnesse Benton, of Nosegay Florist in Phenix City, and this designer really knows her flowers (and brides)
JWP: How does a bride begin to choose the flowers for her wedding – does the go by color, type of flower, or the particular season when the wedding will be held? Or are flowers chosen according to the theme of a particular wedding?
Brides are as unique as the flowers in a garden. Helping to choose her bouquet is usually where we begin the consultation process. Favorite flowers, dress fabric and color, and the season of the year are all factors in designing the Bridal Bouquet. The Bride has great flexibility when it comes to her bouquet. The bride’s bouquet doesn’t match the Bridesmaids’ bouquets. Even though there is a tradition of flowers in shades of white to ivory for the Bridal bouquet, I have interest in the inclusion of color – sometimes bright, exotic color – to the bouquet pallet of the Bridal bouquet.
Bridesmaids are the strength & spirit in a garden.
The Bridesmaids’ dress color and style, and the season of the wedding are the choices made by the bride which will suggest the color scheme of the entire wedding. Even though most any flower can be found at any time of the year now, flowers in their natural season are still a great choice not only because of availability and the corresponding price, but because they are an integral part of the time of year in which the wedding is taking place. The winter months are in some ways easier because all flowers are shipped from warmer climates anyway and a late fall/winter theme can include other natural materials including autumn colored Oak and Maple leaves and even Christmas greens.
JWP: What other services can Nosegay provide in addition to arrangements? Do you have other decorative products? How far in advance should a bride book her florist? When a bride books an appointment to discuss her wedding, what, if anything, should she bring along to assist in the process of choosing her wedding flowers?
Assisting a bride in selecting her wedding flowers is an important part of our job. I need to have an appointed time – uninterrupted – to spend talking with the bride, planning her special day.
I suggest the bride be on time for our appointment. Be ready! There are several things we’d like the bride to have ready (or, as ready as can be.)
1. Dates and times of the various events during the day need to be in place so scheduling of delivery and any set-up times can be determined.
2. The color you have chosen for your bridesmaids and groomsmen is the basis when selecting flowers for the bridal party and decorations – an actual swatch of the bridesmaids’ dress fabric can be very helpful.
3. As you have been thinking about your wedding day (probably for months) you have most likely browsed through many brides’ magazines. Any pictures that caught your eye, that you saved, that will help our designers see your vision should be brought along – pictures of dresses, cakes, reception and ceremony decorations – bring them all.
4. The first appointment will usually be the longest and not the last. If you have a simple change or addition after your initial ordering session, you may stop in or call any time – for more involved alterations, we ask that you call ahead so someone can be available to talk with you.
I have assisted brides for over 25 years; I have seen styles in dresses, bouquets, even the actual wedding ceremony change drastically. Always watching for these style and color changes, I will be able to help make your wedding day as traditional or as contemporary as you wish.
During these past years – the things I have learned is………. listen to my brides and design “what their heart desires”.
JWP: What is the trendiest, hottest, most popular “look” in wedding bouquets and arrangements today?
Ninety five percent of wedding bouquets are hand-tied, where the flowers are gathered together and the stems are wrapped in wide satin ribbon.
Brides wanting more glamorous bouquets choose beads, brooches, jewel pins, pearls, crystal/rhinestone picks, and monogrammed ribbon to dress up plain ribbon-wrapped stems and blooms. With the continuing popularity of the beach and garden themes, brides wanting a more rustic and natural look to their bouquet add elements such as shells/starfish, feathers, berries and pinecones.
The rose continues to be the most popular and elegant bouquet flower. Lilies, peonies, hydrangeas, tulips and orchids represent the trendier choices. Arrangements with a just-picked and looser casual look have replaced the more tightly-bound bouquet shapes of previous seasons. Vivid flower colors will continue in popularity. More and more mothers are carrying small posies instead of wearing the traditional corsage. Silk flowers are also popular for their versatility and life-like appearance.
Brides are choosing centerpieces that are in the same color tones, but of different sizes. They are also changing the shape of the tables, mixing round with square. These trends give the reception tables a more interesting look and a less “coordinated” feel. Unique vase fillers include glass marbles, sea glass shells, acrylic ice, water absorbing crystals/beads, and fresh fruits such as lemons and limes.
Faux rose petals, diamond confetti and shells/starfish remain the most popular confetti. Also, flowering vines or individually cut flowers are placed directly onto table linens. Reception chairs are decorated with either tulle, fabric overlays, floral swags and/or ribbons. Other popular decorating items include Chinese lanterns, garlands and balloons. Disposable cameras, placed on each table, allow guests to capture candid moments.
An increasingly popular trend is the candy buffet or confection bar. This consists of a variety of candies or treats placed in varied sizes of glass containers and grouped on a table. Pretty silver spoons or scoops in each container allows guests to fill small boxes or bags as take-home favors.
Bolts of economical tulle fabric are typically combined with white lights and/or floral garlands for draping between pews and decorating banisters and ceilings. Click for more tulle decorating ideas.
Candles, always a popular choice for centerpieces, lend a romantic feel to any room.
Choices include pillars, tea lights, tapers and floaters. Since some facilities do not allow candles, alternatives include faux tea light candles, battery operated LED lights, and fiber optic lights.
Head tables are replaced with a small table for just the bride and groom. Many couples plan weekend weddings that start on Friday and go for the entire weekend. Dove releases and add drama and excitement to the event. Butterfly releases, despite the environmental issues, also remain popular.