To wed in Bermuda, the gorgeous subtropical scenery will be paramount. Fortunately choosing floral arrangements to match the luscious natural scenery is easy with the Bermuda’s experienced and capable professionals.

El Shaddai has been owned and run by Shirmika Brown for nine years. Ms. Brown and company’s signature, favors modern design over traditional looks, infusing tropical flowers for the Bermuda touch. Cocoa wreaths and tropical bouquets are popular with brides at El Shaddai.

“Obviously, we do what the bride wants. This year, people have been looking for a more tropical look. People have been wanting something out of the ordinary. We like the challenge,” says Sally Sewell, one of El Shaddai’s staff of four. Two hail from England, two from Bermuda.

“We do a lot of local weddings and overseas weddings,” Ms. Sewell says. El Shaddai works with wedding sizes ranging from just a bride and groom to a recent wedding with 300 guests and 15 bridesmaids.

Bermudians tend to have large weddings and El Shaddai services the flowers for several large events each month. “It keeps us on our toes,” Ms. Sewell says. “From April to July, it’s wedding madness, really.”

Bermuda’s climate is unfavorable for many local flowers to flourish, so El Shaddai imports their flora from around the world. “Most of the destination brides want local flowers. We use the local greenery to bring a bit of Bermuda to it,” Ms Sewell says.

“They are absolutely the freshest that you can get,” Julie Mayor says of the flowers at Just Roses. Their selection is purchased and shipped from Europe on a weekly basis. “We’re the only florist that brings in our flowers directly from Holland.”

Just Roses knows the value of the bridal couple’s opinion and the individualism of their wedding day. “We try to do everything on an individual basis so we don’t mass produce the same designs,” says Julie Mayor. “Working with flowers, you get
a great deal of satisfaction because you know when the recipient receives those, they’re going to have a smile on their face. It’s a happy job.”

Just Roses has been in business 18 years. Their staff of four flower designers covers a wide range of work, from traditional to contemporary. “There’s a very wide variety at our disposal. Everything you can possibly think of, we can pretty well get. There’s thousands of flowers,” Ms. Mayor says.

Just Roses often utilizes tropical flowers with weddings. “The overseas brides particularly like to have them, because it gives them more of a Bermuda feeling,” Ms. Mayor says. Wedding favorites at Just Roses are hydrangeas, roses and calla lilies.

Just Roses offers couples a DVD showcasing their wedding work. “Just by talking with them, we get a good feel for what it is that they like and then we come up with various suggestions,” Ms. Mayor says. “It puts their mind at ease, knowing they are being looked after here.”

Devonshire-based Demco’s mission is all-encompassing: “Committed to serving all your floral needs.”“At Demco Florist,” the Web site reads, “We can accommodate you with anything from a fresh flower arrangement to a dish garden or perhaps an
exotic arrangement or a balloon bouquet.”

Basket arrangements are available alongside year-round green and blooming plants. Demco offers an assortment of many-colored roses. Owner Mrs. Araujo mentions their new gazebo’s that are perfect for beach ceremonies. For more
touch-and-go couples, Demco hosts a simple order form online, as well as full-service Web and telephone contacts.

“Weddings are one of our many specialties,” Demco states online. “Our professional designers will assist you with any needs you may have. We strive to make your special day one to remember.”

Whether servicing a wedding, corporate event or private home, Petals takes floral arranging seriously and creatively. “We have a commitment to our clients to use the freshest flowers, enhancing them with just the right accent of natural Bermuda
foliage,” says senior floral designer Marguerite Clark. Some of the luscious color schemes Petals has applied this season include elegant ivory-white complemented with subtle green hues and striking mixtures of orange, hot pink and lime green tones.

The company formed in 2001. “It filled a niche in the market place by offering a fresh, innovative, European approach to floral design that is both refined and luxurious,” says owner Nikki Begg.

Petals meets with couples to understand the nuptial vision they seek, discussing the comprehensive gamut of floral arrangement – colors, flowers, containers, lighting, linen. “During the meeting we present images of past work for ideas,” Ms.
Clark says. “People enjoy seeing our designs and the quality of our work. The images act as a springboard for their concept becoming exactly what they’d imagined.” Ms. Clark says Petals frequently receives spectacular feedback, with comments like, “It was a gorgeous party because of you.”Ms. Begg adds, “We
work within their budget, expound upon their ideas and create something simply sensational. We enjoy the relationship we have with our brides and they often comment at the high level of professionalism and service they consistently receive – and, of course, the quality of our flowers.”