Staff writer

June is prime wedding time. But a month that is half in spring and half in summer can be rather temperamental when it comes to the temperature. One day may be sublimely mild, while the next could suddenly turn hot and sticky. The further into summer we go, the more likely hot weather will be a concern for brides-to-be. So, if you're one of the many couples dreaming of an outdoor wedding in June, July or August, thinking about the kind of flowers you want is an important part of planning. Which ones will last beautifully through the ceremony, picture-taking and reception? You don't want blooms wilting in the sun, says wedding planner to the stars Jo Gartin, author of "Jo Gartin's Weddings" (Rodale, $22.95) and regular contributor to InStyle magazine. Her solution? Pick orchids.

"Orchids are great summer flowers. They are very resilient and don't need a lot of water," said Gartin in a phone interview from her California home. Her particular favorite is the cymbidium orchid, which she uses in bouquets, table arrangements and anywhere the bride wishes. And as for what hues to choose, Gartin recommends following the latest wedding flower trend — bright colors.

"Oranges, reds, citrus tones, they have a great summer feel," she said. Bridgeport florist David Tadua, owner of Tom Thumb Florist, agrees. He often uses vibrant colors in the 30 to 40 weddings his shop does each year.

"We've been doing a lot of purples, lavenders and lime greens," he said, adding

Advertisement
that old-fashioned roses, a good choice for summer, are making a strong comeback at weddings. Because flowers come from all over the world at all times of the year, brides can usually pick almost any variety they'd like, no matter the season. It's important, however, to realize that some are more fragile than others, like freesia and tulips, and may not do well in warm weather, Tadua said. One of his clients, Katherine Mitchell of Bridgeport, compromised a bit for her June 23 outdoor wedding. For her bouquet, her four attendants and four flower girls, she chose sturdy miniature pink calla lilies, but Mitchell got her favorite flower for the indoor reception — white tulips.

"I like the casual [droopy] look of tulips," she said. For safety's sake, the arrangements, which her mother-in-law made, will be refrigerated until 15 minutes before the reception, she said. Kathleen Murray, deputy editor of the wedding Web site, The Knot, said the flowers she recommends for summer weddings are calla lilies, orchids, roses, dahlias and zinnias. In the heat, avoid sweet peas, French anemones and hydrangea, which are best saved for the fall, she said. And she agrees that brides do indeed love bright colors this season. "Green cymbidium orchids are very popular," she said. "Paired with pinks, they make a color statement."

As a couple sets their wedding plans into motion, Murray suggests they talk to a florist about six months before the wedding date to discuss what kind of flowers they'd ideally like. "Be more focused on style than specific flowers," she said, then plan on a return trip to the florist. "As [your] day comes closer, the florist checks market conditions and makes decisions [on the best flowers to buy]." While hand-tied bouquets continue to be a popular choice for brides, Murray said some other trends include smaller nosegays for attendants and bouquets that aren't exact replicas of each other.

With brides being more open- minded to each woman in the wedding party when it comes to the bridesmaid's dress — taking each one's shape and style into account — so the flowers are following suit, Murray said. For example, "Each girl will have a different bouquet, same color but a different palate [of flowers]. A lot of times it will be different shades of the same palate," she said.

Pomanders are very big for flowers girls, said Murray, while Gartin has designed a simple circle of flowers for the young girls to carry in lieu of baskets of rose petals.

The ring bearer's traditional satin pillow also has a twist. They are being made out of flowers, too, said Murray.

At the reception, florists are becoming event designers, added Murray, with floral arrangements taking a more prominent place not just on the tables but hanging from the ceilings and scattered throughout the reception space. In her book Gartin recommends adding flower accents everywhere — from the bar area to the restrooms.

At the tables, make sure the arrangements are casual, not fussy, and keep them short or see-through so guests can easily converse, said Gartin.

"Flowers can really set the tone for your celebration, so let choosing them be something you have fun with," Gartin writes in her book.