The County is farm country, and that means flowers in abundance grown right here. Their seasonality, however, requires giving up some control — not always an easy task for those about to say “I do.”

“There are almost always flowers available, but we can never quite guarantee which ones are ready to go,” says Kate Crothers, an interior and floral designer who recently opened her practice to weddings and other events.

“I see flowers a little differently than a commercial florist might. I don’t think flowers and foliage are the final touch, I think they are the biggest building block when you are creating an event that truly stands apart,” she says.

“They are the medium that’s going to transport your guests to a time and place that leaves the ordinary behind.”

Visions and Realities

The more magical the arrangements, of course, the greater the expense. Some wedding favourites, like peonies, cost $10 a stem. Lavish floral budgets at luxury weddings can surpass $50,000. 

“It doesn’t go as far as you might think,” Ms. Crothers notes. “Flowers are expensive and they add up. Even with that budget I’ve had brides having to pull back on their vision a bit.”

There’s a floral budget for every couple and occasion, though. Some opt to cut costs by purchasing directly from growers and doing their own arrangements. 

Alison Westlake, of Coriander Girl, advises prioritizing. “Choose carefully where you are spending your dollars and put the money where it will matter most,” Ms. Westlake advises. “That means the ceremony space. If you’re on a budget, spend your money on something really special.” 

Marilou Perron, owner of Early Grey, started working in the County as shop manager at Coriander Girl before starting her own business.

“The wedding industry is pretty close. Everyone is really friendly,” she noted. Vendors help each other out in the busy season.

Though Ms. Perron has witnessed a slowdown since 2022, weddings continue to make up half of her business.

“There are more venues every year and that brings in more clients,” she notes.

By the Seasons

For florists working in the County, following the seasons offers inspiration and a variety of options at any time of the year. “I’ve beenlucky with clients who have given me carte blanche. If I had a bride who was committed to a coral peony and the peonies were late, I’d be in trouble,” says Ms. Crothers.

When clients reach out, often through Instagram, it’s usually because they are drawn to a given florist’s aesthetic vision. They are often given free rein to follow their instincts — as long as it’s within budget. 

“They used to say ‘bring out the weedus roadsidea,’ as in weeds and roadside,” joked Ms. Westlake. “I just love wildflowers and everything I was seeing was really structured.”

“When we design we want it to seem like an English garden, like a wild meadow,” says Ms. Perron. “We like local flowers, things that are a bit wild, grasses, interesting greenery. Something you wouldn’t see at an everyday flower shop.”

“We joke about how all of my weddings have big ditch energy,” said Ms. Crothers. “If I can stand back and feel like I’ve designed a summer ditch, I’ve done my job.”

Ms. Crothers forages for a good deal of the foliage in her arrangements. But the focal flowers at the centre of an arrangement are almost always cultivated, and for that, the local growers have the supply in high season. For the shoulder seasons, Ms. Crothers buys from wholesalers. 

But winter offers an opportunity to introduce the beauty of dried flowers. These form the basis of large, sculptural projects Ms. Crothers produces for weddings, restaurants, hotels and retail spaces.

“I get really excited about building wild, large-scale installations so those are the projects I gravitate towards. I’ve suspended a meadow from a ceiling before.” 

Gravity-defying installations like the ones Ms. Crothers specializes in are becoming more popular. So are grounded ceremony arches, a semi-circle of flowers at the feet of the couple, Ms. Westlake notes.

“Right now people are leaning towards very colourful weddings as opposed to the classics, whites and blushes, which is really fun,” says Ms. Perron.

Variety

“There’s an increasing number of flower farmers in the community,” notes Ms. Westlake. Although the seasons for growth in this part of the world are late spring, summer, and early fall, some growers are able to extend their output with hoop houses.

Local sources aren’t limited to flower growers either. Interspersing fruit into a floral arrangement is a whimsical choice that has maintained popularity over the years. 

“Even tomatoes, like Vicki’s Veggies. I go and get a ton of tomatoes in fall and do a tomato tablescape with vines and greenery. Lean into what’s in season,” says Ms. Westlake.