A flair for floral design

"The more details and pictures a bride shares with the floral designer, the better the designer can define the bride's personal style and make sure the floral arrangements match her style and maximize her budget," said Dawn Roberti, owner of Natural Flair Floral Design.

Wedding colors, the design of bride and bridesmaid dresses, linens, photographs and details, details, details are all needed.

"Look at the setting — it plays a huge part in how the designer needs to take the bride's personal style and match it to suit the venue,"said Roberti.

The difference between a florist and a floral designer said Roberti, is that not all florists are designers. A floral designer pulls from knowledge of techniques, mechanics, new trends, color and their own creativity to custom design floral arrangements.

"My job is to execute the bride's vision and look for cost effective ways to stretch her budget," said Roberti, who has been a floral designer for 22 years.

Trends for 2012 are the colors orange and blue, not necessarily together, and texture.

"Texture in floral design this year is in foliage and grasses," said Roberti. "Vintage romantic is very big in our area and so is a modern look with natural materials from the environment."

Another trend is the move away from the bridal party sitting together at a head table at the reception to what Roberti calls "family style" seating. "Round tables and long tables where the family sits across from each other are more intimate and provide a better party atmosphere."

LED lighting, including submersible lighting, is another exciting addition to wedding arrangements.

"It's an added dimension and it's beautiful, especially the flickering LEDs that look like votive candles," said Roberti.

Roberti suggests that brides book their florist six to nine months in advance. "But for a designer who specializes in weddings and special events as we do, you'd should book 12 months in advance. Generally the bride should secure the venue and the photographer first and then the florist."

Roberti works by appointment but maintains a lot of flexibility. "I do a lot of evening and weekend appointments because that's when brides and grooms are most available."

She has tips for brides to maximize their floral arrangement budget:

Use arrangements in more than one setting — at the ceremony and then reuse them at the reception. "We don't just drop off the flowers and leave," said Roberti. "We will transfer the arrangements from the ceremony to use at the reception, set them up and come back and pick up any rental items later so the family doesn't have to clean up."

Use two or three different styles of arrangements. "They don't all have to be big and grandiose," said Roberti. "Mix it up with smaller arrangements for visual impact and interest. Having all the arrangements the same can be boring and smaller arrangements cost less."

"Upcycle" — Use something you already have to incorporate into the overall design. "Some brides have brought containers or objects that have personal meaning to them," said Roberti.

Be sure to check out the gallery and blogs at Natural Flair's Website naturalflair.net to view the beautiful designs created for recent weddings and events.

To contact Natural Flair Floral Design call Roberti at 530-677-0878 or 530-624-1910 or online at naturalflair.net.

Wendy Schultz

Wendy Schultz has been a columnist for the Mountain Democrat since 2002 and a staff writer since 2005. She covers Placerville city events and City Council meetings, writes feature stories and reports on things of interest in El Dorado County.

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