We Alchemists love flowers. There really isn’t a flower we don’t love. It makes us sad to hear someone disparage Carnations – we say Dianthus – because we love their smell and en masse they are frilly fragrant gorgeous things. We love to create with Baby’s Breath – we say Gypsophila – because it’s light and unexpected and can be unpretentiously chic.
Left photo – Photography: Rebecca Yale Photography – Right photo: Photography: Drew Newman Photographers
There is, however, one thing that can get florally tricky for us – the color blue. Blue is just tough… Scientists say that the color blue reduces stress, creating a sense of calmness, relaxation and order. That may be true when we ladies are on a beach looking at a clear sunny sky, but when a bride wants her wedding’s signature color to be blue, we tend to take a deep breath…
If not done well, we Alchemists feel that blue flowers can look “forced” and sadly a bit FTD. Truth be told, there aren’t a lot of gorgeous blue options in the flower world. There are certainly Hydrangea and Delphinium – tried and true – in a variety of shades, but other than these two blue beauties, it’s seasonal slim pickings…
So, what to do when blue is the request and it’s time to change it up from the usual? How do we make the client happy and keep from singing the blues at the same time? How can you use blue when it needs to be more substantial than the last “something” in the famous rhyme that begins, “something old, something new, something borrowed?” Well, sometimes you look elsewhere…
Left Photo: “Lady Sings The Blues” Poster – Right Photo: Lady Sings in Blue
We are currently designing a wedding for which we have purchased a good deal of beautiful blue Transferware vessels and accent pieces. Ask Alchemist and Warehouse Master Ashley how she feels about ALL of the new inventory! Blue and white pottery has been popular since way back when and it’s still fresh and on trend today. It will never go out of style. For this upcoming event, the beautiful color and classic look of the porcelain allow us the opportunity to open up the floral playbook while still delivering that blue “message”…
Photography: Garrett Nudd Photography
Sometimes we can best bring blue into an event with linens or stemware. Whether in a gorgeous tablecloth, pretty napkins, or a statement water glass, a little blue can go a long way. With amazing purveyors like Party Tables, I Do Linens, BBJ Linen Rental, La Tavola Fine Linen Rental, Wildflower Linens, Southern Vintage Rentals, and more, there is something for everyone’s taste and budget to let the blue shine through.
Left Photo: Wisteria Flower Dinner Napkin – Right Photo: Southern Vintage Rentals
Photography: 2 Young Birds Photography
Requests for blue weddings are never going away and why should they? A company named Spoonflower conducted a long term study which determined that blue is by far the most popular color in the country, despite the last election results. It is here to stay, and when we Alchemists get requests from excited and eager brides who want their wedding to reflect America’s favorite color – their favorite color – we take our cue and find that “something blue”.
Photography: GK Photography