The summer months offer a floral designer an array of colorful blooms from which to choose; it’s a virtual floral playground where anything goes. It’s also a great time of year to take advantage of summer blooms -- some that can only be found at this time of year -- offering you the best value for your budget.
Tropical flowers love the heat and will hold up well on a hot summer evening. For a recent outdoor event, my client didn’t have a large budget but wanted to add some pops of color to her outdoor seating. She happened to be pickling the day I did a site inspection of her home. Seeing that she had a slew of Mason jars, I asked if I could use some of them for her arrangements. By using one or two stems of colorful orchids along with her jars wrapped in a single leaf accented with some rope, she ended up with a very inexpensive yet attractive centerpiece that guests could then take home at the end of the night.
Another way to add color and filler to your arrangements is to use the abundant fruits and vegetables that are thriving this time of year. I love using green apples in centerpieces or even as place card holders during the summer months. For a recent wedding, the couple wanted a very natural look, but didn’t want to spend a fortune on flowers. What I created was a design using very minimal floral that still made a big impact. Several different sizes of glass vases were used at each table, each filled with a couple stems of mini calla lilies, grasses and floating candles. Green apples and limes were scattered among the vases and were also used at each place setting. This simple addition added color and a natural element, without breaking the bank.
Finally, for an event at a local art museum, most of my client’s budget was spent on rental fees, food and beverages. She really wanted centerpieces, but couldn’t afford big lush arrangements. Working with her, we decided to use modern white vases with just a touch of greenery. Using a cool vase can save you a ton on your budget because you don’t need a lot of floral to create a finished look.
There are so many varieties of flowers during the summer that can truly stand on their own. Find a stem of something you love, place it in a great vase and enjoy!
