Winter 2019 | Diy Flowers

by Marybeth Wehrung

date posted: March 11, 2019

When making the decision to get married in the Hudson Valley, known for its long farming tradition, you might have considered a local and seasonal menu, rustic event venues, and local bands, photographers, and other services to imbue your event with the spirit and energy of the Valley. However, you might not have considered that verdant foliage and flowers, grown right here in our rich soils, could also be a source of Hudson Valley terroir, and reflect values of sustainability, seasonality, and local economy for your floral decor.

If you and some of your dearest friends or family are DIY savvy, creating your own arrangements from locally grown flowers is a wonderful way to have your very own vibrant, of-the-moment, seasonal arrangements on a small budget. My DIY wedding customers have made everything from simple stems in bottles to sophisticated tablescapes and wedding party personals, using the flowers grown at my farm.

Many of the Hudson Valley’s skilled flower farmers offer DIY buckets of specialty cuts for pick-up on the farm, and some farmer-florists also offer à-la-carte wedding personals like bouquets and boutonnieres to lend polish to your informal arrangements.For couples seeking more curated designs, with specific flower colors and types, and services like delivery, hiring one of the Valley’s many talented florists and event designers is the way to go. You can still support sustainability and the local economy by asking your designer to source your flowers from local farms.

Creating your own arrangements from locally grown flowers is a wonderful way to have your very own vibrant, of-the-moment, seasonal arrangements on a small budget.

When considering doing your own, be sure you and your helpers can dedicate several hours a day or two before your event to do the work, and have ample workspace, as well as floral tools and vessels, and a cool place to store your flowers. Do your research on constructing the items you’d like to make. Make a mock-up or two a few weeks ahead, and have a plan for your flower team. DIY is not for everyone, and some of you will be happiest leaving your flowers in the hands of a professional designer who will deliver the specific designs you request. For those who choose to take it on, the experience of creating your own unique floral elements together with friends and family will be another personal touch on your wedding day that you can be proud of.