The combination of colorful, fragrant flowers tied together in the following are some of the best florists on the Island.

Just Roses

Carrying a large variety of flowers directly from Holland, Just Roses is a unique full-service floral and gift shop that prides itself on providing tailored services for their clientele. The owner, Julie Mayor, has been in the floral business for over two decades. “People love our modern and contemporary designs,” she says, “our tropical flowers tend to mostly be used in them. Also, orchids are making a big comeback; more brides want them since they are exotic and unusual.”

Reliable and friendly, customers return to Just Roses because they know the quality is good and the flowers will stand up. Julie explains, “Over the years, we have built a good name and reputation for ourselves. The quality of flowers we get from Holland are of much better quality – they are bigger, and there are more blooms on a stem. If you compare a lily from Florida to Holland, the difference is phenomenal.”

With experienced floral designers, you can trust Just Roses to produce floral art to specifically suit your requirements – from traditional and classic to contemporary or modern design.

Gardine’s

After living in New Orleans for over 45 years, Gardine Gibbons decided to move back home to Bermuda. She brought her passion for flowers with her. Gardine is now going on twenty years in the floral business and enjoys every minute of it.

If a wedding couple needs help choosing the best flowers, they rely on Gardine to lend her expert advice: “I can tell a bride which flowers are durable and which are too delicate to hold up through their wedding day.” Gardine’s customers can request and obtain nearly any flower they wish, whether they are seasonal or not. For wedding bouquets, Gardine states that gerbers, orchids, and gardenias are popular, as are bridal roses.

When asked what makes Gardine’s unique from other Bermudian florists, Gardine answered, “I think what makes us stand out is that we do wonderful novelty products, such as fruit and gift baskets. Our designs are unique, and we are mostly traditional, but we also incorporate contemporary styles.”

Whatever your needs are, the friendly florists at Gardine’s can service you – pleasing the customer is their top priority.

Designer Flowers

Located in Southampton and Hamilton, Designer Flowers has a talented team providing exquisite floral designs for every occasion. They provide quality flowers from around the world in unique arrangements with enduring beauty and freshness.

For the upcoming season, owner Lisa Holroyd says, “More people are moving towards the modern and intricate bouquet rather than the traditional. They want the European look, and there are lots of purples and blues in terms of color.”

Designer Flowers also has extensive experience in themed weddings and interpreting particular styles into stunning designs. “Since no two brides are the same,” Lisa says, “we tailor each wedding to each individual bride. Our staff is made up of different cultures and backgrounds so we can provide a variety of styles. Our florists from Spain, for example, bring a European flair.”

At Designer Flowers, you will find an experienced team of florists that prides itself on their creative talents and great attention to detail.

The combination of colorful, fragrant flowers tied together in a bouquet and as a lavish arrangement for a table centerpiece can make a perfect day that more significant. Even with a picturesque backdrop as attractive as Bermuda, flowers still play a very important role on your wedding day.

Some of the local florists and designers have shared some of their knowledge and advice for brides to be in the upcoming season.

Lisa Holroyd of Designer Flowers offers a romantic look for your ceremony, “… beach chic for the ceremonies, lots of flowing white fabric with pops of colorful flowers and twig details, simple decoration for the aisles with vines and local ferns with pops of colors again.”

Lisa states that, “some of the popular flowers that are being requested are orchids, callas and of course, roses. Bright arrangements in champagne, yellow, orange, red and lime greens are great for the reception centerpieces.”

Although there isn’t much of a selection for local flowers, Lisa says even if a bride is working within a budget or just wants to include some local flavor, Frangipani is a very simple yet beautiful flower that is requested often and is a great addition to any bouquet.

Julie Mayor, owner of Just Roses, finds blue is a popular color for this season as well as lavender, pink and green. Some couples decide on “black and white” weddings which “allows (the bride) to really splash out with lots of color with the flowers.”

Some brides also choose to stay simple and clean with fabulous bouquets in white or cream with combinations of green. Some are choosing to bring back a popular trend from the “80’s” selecting earth tones for their arrangements.

In addition to the traditional bridal bouquets and table centerpieces Julie states that brides request plants to be included in various areas for their ceremonies and receptions. Julie mentions, “We have lined the aisle for a beach wedding with potted flowers which were grown to coordinate with the color scheme.”

When brides request a “beach feel” Julie mentions a wedding Just Roses did from the previous summer, “we decorated the tables at the reception with dried willow tips, beach glass, sea shells, various heights of pillar candles and Makara orchids, Cymbidium orchids and Gloriosa flowers placed amongst the dried willow tips. The tables had a very natural, drift wood beach feel to them and the bride was thrilled with the result.”

Marguerite Clark, director at Petals also says that white/ivory flowers mixed with beautiful Bermuda green foliage appears to be the upcoming trend for Spring and Summer 2010. Popular floral selections include, “Hydrangea, peonies, orchids, hyacinth, double freesia, tulips, mini calla lilies and Casablanca lilies,” states Marguerite. Although local flowers choices are limited, there is beautiful foliage available – Spanish moss, palm husk, palm, aspidistra and bay grape leaves to name a few.

Whether your reception tables are round, square or rectangular, a variation of tall and low vases, cylindrical, square or oblong are popular and candles are also a great complement to any table arrangement.

If you are working on a tight budget this season, Marguerite mentions that, “it is important to advise us as early as possible so we can assist (the couple) with more cost effective alternatives and design individual floral pieces that best suit the client’s personality.”

No matter what you choose for your wedding day, local professionals are here to help with any requests they are given. Try to contact your florist early and give them any ideas you may have so they can combine their talents with your vision and create an incredible ambiance for your special day Good Luck and Congratulations.

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.”

Every bride wants her guests to remember the most important day of her life. With hundreds of choices for personalized wedding treatments, brides are reinventing using flowers in some of the most spectacular ways. Mixing flowers and citrus fruits for amazing centerpieces, adding color to the traditional white bridal bouquet, or even offering fresh flowers to wedding guests have become a new trend. Consider making your wedding day visually unforgettable with spectacular flowers from some of the most respected Bermuda island florists. For years to come, your guests will share their memories of your wedding day, as they describe the flowers on the tables and in your bouquets.

In recent years, brides have developed their own style, moving past the traditional white bouquets into colorful fragrant and romantic arrangements. Julie Mayor, owner of Just Roses on South Shore Road says, “Trends for bridal bouquets include vibrant colors of reds, deep yellows, and pinks. We use roses, peonies, tulips, lilac, and hydrangea.” Her arrangements are made with imported flowers from Holland, and have a reputation for quality. “Flowers are very important,

because they showcase the bride, her personality and the wedding style,” says Mayor. Her shop believes that “flowers whisper what words cannot say, and set the tone for the special day.”

Michelle Geary of Designer Flowers says, “A spark of color or the impact of a flower really brings together the whole wedding.” Their shop, the largest on the island, uses a staff of International Florists from Europe that meet on a monthly basis for inspiration for their arrangements. “Coral is our most popular color,” says Geary. Designer Flowers has built their reputation on a “personalized, modern and chic approach.” With imported flowers, and staff from different areas of the globe, designers work to create blooms for centerpieces, ceremony decorations, and boquets for the wedding party. Their shop has two customer locations – Southampton and Hamilton.

In St. George’s Parish, Winifred Jones, owner of East End Florist cares about her customers. She communicates with her brides off-island by email or phone, sending photographs of bridal arrangements for consideration and selection. “We use patience when preparing our arrangements, and employ a staff of International designers,” says Jones. “We prepare stunning arrangements for our brides.” East End Florist is located in the historic town of St. George.

Soon after selecting the wedding gown, brides focus on the floral theme, deciding if it will be sentimental, symbolic or sumptuous. Blooms used in wedding flowers having meaning, and for the traditional bride, provide an extra layer of good luck and fortune. According to The Language of Flowers, some of the more popular wedding choices provide a special ambience for your guests if the symbolic meanings are included in printed ceremony programs or reception menus. Calla Lilies signify magnificent beauty; orchids symbolize love

complement the theme, style of wedding gown, and even bride’s body shape. Bouquets vary from hand- tied or nosegay to cascade or a round loosely arranged grouping of flowers. “Hand-tied bouquets, using ribbon, dried grass, raffia, and our most popular orchids and lilies make spectacular floral accessories for the bride,” says Araujo. Her shop also uses Calla and Casablanca lilies, hydrangea, roses, and even Gerber daisies. Inspiration for her arrangements “comes from within.” For more than forty-five years, Araujo has helped brides create their special bouquets.

After the reception, consider providing your guests with lovely antique paper cones filled with rose petals to shower you as you leave the party. Handmade paper or even small wicker baskets brimming with flower petals provide another floral statement to make your wedding memorable. Small bouquets tied with lovely ribbon could be placed near a doorway as wedding favors for the couple’s guests.

Flower choices for today’s brides are endless. After selecting a theme, remember that flowers can provide the memories of a lifetime. Fragrance, beauty, abundance and texture add visual memories to an event that cannot be replaced with any other wedding decoration. Flowers add romance, grace and often a fragrant scent that sparks the feelings of love.

~ AMY MILLS