It’s no secret that Tapestry Event Co. stans florals. We love the way floral design can bring to life ephemeral emotions and experience to a celebration that no other type of decor or detail can do. In highlighting the work of talented floral artists and designers, we invited Chas Thompson Thomas of Wildflower Portland to speak to how choosing environmentally conscious florals can organically fold into your wedding or elopement process. Chas is a native Oregonian whose base of work is in the Pacific Northwest. We love her work because of its dedication to the land she works from, gorgeous creativity, and passion for her client’s experience. Chas began her passion for flowers as a child gardening with her grandma, whose influence she still feels in her work. We are delighted to host her on our blog and provide a space for her words.

— Kelleen, Tapestry Content Manager

two grooms holding bouquets and holding hands while walking down a dirt path. the photo is in black and white.

Chas of Wildflower Portland

ENVIRONMENTALISM IN FLORAL DESIGN

The way I have approached environmentalism in my art has been completely accidentally and therefore also totally authentic. When I think back to my childhood, some of my fondest memories were being in the garden with my Grandma. Her love of flowers was infectious and probably a large part of the reason why I still garden to this day. Working with flowers from seed to centerpiece is a joy I get to share with my clients; knowing a bride’s bouquet has flower stems from a tree my Grandmother planted or from rose bushes that were at my own wedding, are the most rewarding and deeply personal acts of being environmentally conscious on a local level.

Being environmentally conscious about event florals is synonymous with being seasonal. When you think about the specific flower(s) you want to have at your wedding it’s important to consider when they bloom, locally. If you live in Oregon, like I do, that means thinking about a summer wedding if you love wildflowers, spring if you love peonies and fall if dahlias make your heart sing. You can set your floral designer up for success by choosing a wedding day that coincides with the flowers that are important to you.

As with any vendors for a couples’ wedding, it’s important to cultivate a team of individuals who are willing to have transparent conversations about values and practices. When you reach out to florists and other vendors, ask them what ideas that have about leaving a light footprint on the environment. Added bonus: these are also opportunities to learn creative ways to save money on your overall wedding budget!

Trust the experts and allow them the creative space to breathe life into your event! Being eco-friendly doesn’t mean one thing or come with a checklist — it looks different, to different artists. Share the principals or the aesthetic trajectory that is important to you and let your floral designer do the rest.

BONUS TIP FOR COUPLES GOING THE DIY ROUTE

If you live in the Pacific Northwest you can visit any number of local, green flower farms and purchase cut flowers directly from their fields. I frequent Witte Farm in the Willamette Valley throughout the year, and support them in their sustainability practices; Kristin Witte even offers DIY 101 workshops where couples can cut their own flowers and arrange anything from bouquets to centerpieces!

It’s been some years now, but I find myself still being drawn to dried florals. For me it’s so rewarding to harvest fresh cut flowers, dry them and repurpose those same blooms in my designs. Utilizing dried florals also means my arrangements don’t require a water source — enabling me to remain foam-free and again eco-friendly. You could follow the same principles in your own designs.