All About Roses Continued
Communication & Quality
According to the Society of American Florists, there are close to 120 varieties of roses commercially available. This means that deciding on the composition of your wedding flowers will be a multicolored and possibly mystifying experience.
When meeting with floral designers, try to convey the look and feel you want the roses to have using pictures and descriptive language, or just talk color.
Try not to insist that the designer use a particular variety because on your wedding day, the rose you selected might not be available or might have flaws. Trust that your floral designer will adhere to your provisions and work with the most beautiful roses available.
Design Stratergies
The types of roses used in bouquets and arrangements will vary according to region and to the look you want. There are a few popular types at the moment:
- Black Magic - a velvety, mysterious, dark red
- Leonidas - rust-colored with copper-tipped petals
- Circus - two-toned bright orange and gold
Traditional brides might prefer to work with classic lavender roses like "Sterling Silver" or the consummate whites: "Virginia", "Bianca", or "Vendela" favored by Jennifer Aniston who used Vendelas in her bridal bouquet.
You may even want your florist to use roses in offbeat colors such as mango, fuchsia, and purple, especially at a casual wedding.
Unconventional Uses
Roses lend themselves to all sorts of stylishly unconventional uses as well. Create rose-scented astringents, lotions, and potpourri sachets to give as bridesmaid gifts. Have your flower girls tote rose-studded pomanders or "kissing balls" in lieu of baskets of petals. Instead of towering, formal centerpieces, scatter rose petals spontaneously on the tables and dance floor. Some roses are edible, ideal for whimsical presentations, so talk to your caterer about sprinkling some petals in the salads you serve in the reception, or float them in glasses of pastel-colored punch.
Finally, when you draw baths during the honeymoon, heap several handfuls into the water!
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