16 June 2011

The June Rose


'Tis June, the month of my birthday, summer's start, and bridal bliss (and an inspiration for my business name!). It is the most popular month in America for a wedding, and rightly so. The natural world here is in full bloom and love is in the air...
A rose is June's flower and one of my favorites for weddings and otherwise. Roses come in many beautiful colors and varieties, and many of them have a wonderful feminine scent. As a florist one of the best things about roses is that they are reliable. Grown in mass quantity and always available as they are grown 'round the world, you can use them in many ways and in many multiples, without worry about finding the color you want or having them in season. They also last a good several days and open as they go. They create a lovely base, accent or background as well as a stunning central focus. They are a classic.
I, in fact, used roses at my own wedding, before I was in the floral business. I had a small, simple wedding and, strangely enough, did not want flowers to be the star of the show. I started with a detailed dress that needed neutral colors and simple florals...so I chose the rose. I used Vendela, a rich cream color with a touch of pink hue, that opens big and luscious, for my own bouquet and hair (though roses actually aren't the best for hair as they wilt out of water quite fast). For my maids we had Peekaboo, a warm medium pink rose. Thinking back, it's hilarious that as a wedding florist I used what is probably the most common wedding floral theme - pink and white roses. But I am a believer that what is popular is not necessarily bad. Where would we all be without some of the most popular music or movies, that are indeed classics! Some of my best work has been in roses. And the Vendela rose is still and always a breathtaking choice for brides- June or not.