HOW TO CHOOSE THE PERFECT WEDDING FLOWERS
TOP TIPS FROM PORTUGAL WEDDING FLORISTS
Matching the intended vision for the wedding with the choice of flowers can become a difficult task. There are many factors to think about: color palette, the most resistant flowers depending on the season, how far in advance these choices must be made… The important thing is not to panic.
That's why we've brought together a handful of talented wedding florists from Portugal to help with some tips and ideas. Having a trustworthy professional who will help you throughout the entire process is extremely important. Not only for the advice but also because it can help to realize something that only resides in your imagination or on paper.
Wedding florists in Portugal, Branco Prata:
WHO I AM AND WHAT I DO?
My name is Sofia and I am the creative director at Brancoprata, a multidisciplinary studio founded in 2003, in Porto.
At Brancoprata there is a team of dedicated and demanding professionals, ready to respond to the most challenging projects that may arise. Brancoprata specializes in the areas of floral design & styling, and photography.
As for me, I am responsible for the creative direction of all the projects in which we participate. My goal is to help our clients find a common thread that at the same time distills and reflects their own DNA and then translate it into the creation of a floral environment that is definitely “yours”.
COLORS IN A WEDDING ARE MOST OF THE TIME THE STARTING POINT FOR CHOOSING FLOWERS. WHEN AND HOW TO START CHOOSING THE COLOR PALETTE? WHERE TO START?
Usually, I try to conduct the process in another way: before even talking about colors or other details, I like to talk to the couple about the most varied subjects. I don't like to set up a questionnaire at this research stage, as I want the conversation to flow naturally and without any plan.
It is often small things they mention that have nothing to do with the event, however, it is these details of shared information that easily become the starting point.
For me personally, the spaces where events take place have a huge impact when choosing the path to follow, much more than the color scheme. The sensations that space can evoke are important, it was these creative impulses that led the couple to choose the place, and this has to be considered as something very important.
I don't want my couples to choose yellow just because it's been named the Pantone color of the year, or because it's so popular on Pinterest. I believe that this process has to go beyond a simple folder of inspirational images, it's almost a self-reflection that they have to do, an analysis of what they like, what truly attracts them (and which is obviously within the scope of the defined budget).
Regarding the question itself:
I have grooms who, after defining a color scheme, look for the flowers they like the most, however, there are also couples who, when they come to us, already have a flower of choice that can't be missed on the day of the event and everything unfolds from there. Often the secret, or if you like, the basis of success is being able to combine everything in an interesting way, and tailor it to your expectations, always managing to surprise them positively.
I also think it's fundamental to look for the true intention behind the choices that the couple makes, almost “force” them to look for a justification because in doing so I guarantee that much more inspiration will come than anywhere else.
Don't choose anything because it's beautiful or because it's in fashion, or because they want to do it better than their friends... go beyond that, accept the search, research, almost "research" process, I guarantee it's an excellent way to start a life together... and more, I guarantee that choosing the right flowers will come naturally in the middle of this process... after all, everything will make sense.
Photos: André Teixeira, Branco Prata
HOW TO CHOOSE THE PERFECT WEDDING FLOWERS
Wedding florists in Portugal, Bosque Conceitos Florais:
WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO?
We are two walking in this Bosque (forest in English).
Gustavo, Civil Engineer by training, I adopted the profession of florist and did not forbid myself to walk with the flowers and colors. Tiago, although initially disliking floral art, was the first to be won over for what I do and since then, with his passion for photography and visual aesthetics, he has supported and registered our entire growth.
Like someone planning a garden, we are together in the act of 'sowing' the best flowers and breaking new ground. These paths allow us greater diversity of ideas or concepts, guaranteeing those who seek us out that spontaneity, creativity, and sustainability are the precepts for all the projects we propose.
Without ever having doubted the origin of our seeds, we continue to work on our floral concepts with the motivation to generate memories and emotions for those who walk the paths of the Bosque with us.
IS IT POSSIBLE FOR YOU TO DESIGN A ROMANTIC AND/OR CLASSIC WEDDING, KEEPING THE FREE AND NATURAL RECORD THAT CHARACTERIZES YOU SO MUCH?
Dear couples, as caretakers of what moves us - nature - we have been showing all our couples that the fusion between this greater force and floral design is and will always be our trend. As a creative duo, whether for a romantic and classic wedding or an intimate and minimal wedding, we are not shy about showing you the greatest diversity of styles and environments that our flowers achieve. Although there are so many species and palettes on the table, just as a beekeeper does not neglect his bees, we do not neglect those flowers that challenge us the most - the wild ones. They are the ones that, together with other properly selected flowers, allow us to execute the floral design we believe in, taking us to the airiest points of the table centers, giving fluidity and the right movement to the bouquet, and bringing us closer to the free component and natural, that we no longer abdicate in our events and works in general.
It is worth noting that, so far, we have been talking about the philosophy of bringing nature to the table as an important tool to our floral art, however, it is also true that it constitutes small access to the important and urgent subject of sustainability.
Applied to the middle of events, it is a complex word and we are still at the beginning of its awareness, however, as people who are aware of the environment and its needs, reducing our footprint as florists and instilling this precept in our customers and partners is one of ours. top priorities. As flower professionals, it is not enough to ban the use of floral sponges - which are harmful to the environment - but also to choose national, wild, and garden flowers from small local producers. Currently, and although we are already witnessing an increase in the supply of small and medium national flower suppliers, we are aware that these are the first steps - but the right ones - towards improving our industry and consequently promoting economic and environmental sustainability.
Therefore, to all couples who are in our line of thought and want to have a romantic and/or classic wedding but with a natural twist, we suggest that you take a chance on nature-inspired fusions and palettes for a floral result with a strong aesthetic and artistic, distinguished and at the same time conscious.
WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/BOSQUE.CONCEITOSFLORAIS/
HOW TO CHOOSE THE PERFECT WEDDING FLOWERS
Wedding florists in Portugal, La Vie En Rose - Arte Floral:
WHO I AM AND WHAT I DO?
You know the classic question we ask every child "what do you want to be when you grow up?" My answer has always been the same: florist. Only years later, after graduating and working as a designer, and feeling that something wasn't right, did this memory take me and everything made sense. From here I dedicated myself to that vocation that was actually my first and that never let me be happy anywhere but in the middle of the flowers.
More than just flowers, they now also bring feelings and memories, and just as they bring me childhood flavors and smells, my clients bring memories of happier days, where they were designed to always live in their most beautiful memories.
HOW TO CONVEY WHAT I IDEALIZE?
Better than transmitting ideas and inspirational images (which are also important, of course!) the couple should transmit likes, share personal information, what kind of movies they like, what music they listen to, the way they dress, dream trips... all the elements that show what they are. It may seem meaningless, but in fact what often happens is that customers bring an already created image of what they think they want (because they saw it at their friend's wedding, for example) and thus close the possibility that something will be created for them because they are already suggested. When they allow us (suppliers) to get to know this more personal side, at least two things happen:
We managed to create something that is REALLY like you and that many times you didn't even realize that the best way would be that one, which in the end makes a lot more sense. Almost like an epiphany;
They manage to understand if the syntony with the supplier is ideal and if he understands you. Always think that on your wedding day you will most likely spend more time with all the vendors than often with some of the guests and that is why this harmony is so important for you to feel comfortable.
BONUS TIP:
Talking in more detail about the bride's bouquet: I feel that there is some general difficulty for brides to know what to do with the bouquet throughout the day, many even seem uncomfortable with it because they don't know what is the most beautiful way to position it. In this regard, I will say the following: ask for help! Ask both the person who created your bouquet and the photographers if they are holding the bouquet in the right way. Of course, we flower suppliers love to have beautiful photos of our work, but more than that, you will want to have these photos of your bouquet and if you don't you will miss it, go for me, I was also a bride!
WWW.INSTAGRAM.COM/LAVIEENROSE_ARTEFLORAL/
HOW TO CHOOSE THE PERFECT WEDDING FLOWERS
Wedding florists in Portugal, Isabel Castro Freitas:
WHO I AM AND WHAT I DO?
I am passionate about nature, from the scale of the landscape to the detail of a flower. Graduated in landscape architecture, and since 2015 I have dedicated myself to flowering beautiful days such as weddings, baptisms, communions, and other parties. I have a flower and gift shop inspired by the world of “botany” in Porto called FLORA Botanical Gift Shop. I love the diversity of my work and the opportunity to bring love in the form of flowers to each person.
FOR THOSE WHO MARRY IN PORTUGAL, WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU CAN GIVE? IS THERE ANY CARE TO BE TAKEN IN CHOOSING FLOWERS?
As in any other part of the world, the selection of flowers for a wedding in Portugal must always take into account the issue of seasonality. In terms of sustainability, it is always preferable to opt for seasonal and domestically produced flowers, more resistant, with a smaller ecological footprint in terms of transport, and generally at more affordable prices compared to flowers from the Netherlands or Ecuador. When choosing the floral mood board, it is also important to take into account the local weather conditions, for example in places like the Alentejo and the Douro, where temperatures above 40 degrees are reached in summer, it is essential to select species that are more resistant to heat and that do not wither so easily. Furthermore, although the international flower market always fascinates us with so much beauty every week, it is increasingly urgent (not only ecologically but also aesthetically) to think about the use of native species - perfectly adapted to our climate - such as the olive tree, oak, heather, rosemary, wild scabiosa among many other wonderful plants that our country is home to.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE PERFECT WEDDING FLOWERS
Wedding florists in Portugal, Cristina Aqueduto Eventos:
WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO?
We create a place where we love to be! For us, every detail, no matter how simple, is a contribution to the glamor of an event that is intended to be unforgettable. We are experienced, we are dreamers, we are perfectionists... We are 100% dedicated to each event so that it is personalized and unique. This is our life and what we love to do!
The AQUEDUTO space is the result of the dedication shared by Cristina and Francisco, also associated with MAISON CHRISTINA brands designed for the design of signature events.
EVEN IN A SIMPLE AND MINIMAL ENVIRONMENT, HOW CREATIVELY CAN YOU USE FLOWERS, PLANTS, AND OTHER ADDRESSES IN YOUR WEDDING CEREMONY AND PARTY?
We create by expressing our aesthetic sense, our feelings, and emotions...In particular events with such emotional relevance as weddings are very close to our hearts. Inspiration is fundamental in the creative process... It is difficult to say exactly what inspires us, however, we are easily inspired!
Music, a photograph, a painting, it can be a color, it can be an element of nature... We are influenced by objects, shapes, textures, their history... that's why we surround ourselves with inspiring objects. light is very very important in our creations and we believe it is one of the most important elements and sometimes underestimated.
Having the ability to design an event is much more than choosing fabrics and chairs... it's having the ability to design and create everything from space planning, lighting, floral design, furniture, fabrics, and even sometimes the couple's clothing...and help in the decisions that go together to make the event cohesive, functional, elegant, and with a sophisticated look.
Here are some inspirational images and tips on how you can decorate your wedding ceremony and party:
- Hanging flowers and plants & large installations. There are countless possibilities to use hanging flowers and plants... at the main entrance of the ceremony space or party venue, above the bride and groom's table, above running tables, in the buffet tables...The suspended centers and large installations create a big impact.
- Use dehydrated flowers and plants. Dried flowers are a decoration trend and do not generate as much noise thinking on the sustainability side as they bring a message of durability and reuse. Used independently or combined with natural flowers, you can create a sophisticated and cozy atmosphere.
- Incorporate fruits and/or vegetables in floral creations. Nature is inspiring and following a sustainable attitude, a very interesting alternative is to use fruits in the decoration. Exhibited in special pieces or together with natural flowers, they create environments full of color, texture, and natural beauty.
- Use family pieces (vases, dishes, furniture, decorative objects...) as floral support. Family pieces with sentimental value are decorative pieces that pass from generation to generation and bring a personalized touch to such an intimate party. Creativity has no limits.
Photos: Cristina, Aqueduto Eventos
