For the love of...
Alaska-Grown Flowers

By Greta Lewanski

Our beautiful state is known around the world for its lush peonies. The peony bloom is timed perfectly for the summer wedding season, making it a much sought-after bridal flower.

Aside from our prolific peonies, Alaska is brimming with many gorgeous seasonal flowers that will make your wedding extra memorable. Read on to learn why you’ll want Alaska-grown flowers in your dream wedding, and get tips on how to make it happen.

Why Alaska-grown flowers?

As a wedding designer and flower farmer, I get the unique opportunity to work with flowers from my own flower field, from other Alaskan farmers, and from flowers shipped in from California and beyond.

Each time I receive a shipment of flowers, I am reminded how lucky we are to have farm-fresh flowers right here. They are visibly fresher and have an extra heavenly fragrance. Part of the wedding flower experience that is so magical is the aroma.

Seasonal flowers from local farmers can include unique and hard-to-ship flower varieties. More varieties equal more texture and interest in your floral arrangements. The result? Sensational wedding flowers you and your guests will remember.

Using local flowers also lessens the carbon footprint of your wedding. Flowers are a highly perishable product and must be shipped refrigerated and flown from a farm to a wholesaler and then to your wedding designer. Local flowers spend less time in transit and require less time in the refrigerator. The time between being cut and being arranged can be just a few days.

What are Alaska flowers?

There are many flowers that grow well in Alaska. Most of the farmers I know grow dozens to hundreds of varieties each summer. They range from large stunning focal flowers like peonies and dahlias to super cool foliage like raspberry leaf and mint.

Because of Alaska’s cooler climate, some wedding favorites like ranunculus and anemones do great almost all summer long.

How to plan your wedding flowers

Here are three simple steps to planning your wedding flowers:

Make a list of the items you want.
Curate an inspiration photo collection.
Schedule a meeting or consult with your desired florist.

Your first task is to figure out what floral pieces are most important to you and make a list. Create a list of “must-haves” and “may-likes” and be open to suggestions when the time comes to meet with your florist.

Not sure what you need or what is customary? Don’t be shy about asking your florist. Most florists want to give you exactly what you want.

Wedding flower inspiration

Creating a Pinterest board or a collection of inspiration photos is key when communicating what you want for your wedding.

However, limit your inspiration photos to one to three photos per piece. For example, if you want an arch, find one to three photos that best represent your dream arch. Fewer is best as it's easier to communicate what you’re looking for if you can narrow your focus.

Don’t get wrapped up in needing to know floral varieties. In fact, I suggest you do not request specific varieties. This will allow the florist to use whatever looks the most amazing when buying or sourcing locally.

Local farmer-florist, Rachel Lord of Alaska Stems says that “having the flexibility to work within a color palette and vision allows me to really highlight the beauty of the season.”

Talking to your florist

Talk with your florist about your vision, the guest experience you want to create, how best to highlight flowers at your particular venue and how to honor your guests with flowers. If you want local flowers, ask for them.

Tell your florist why you like the arrangements in your inspiration photos. Is it the colors? The style? The shape?

Have a list of questions to ask your florist. This can be anything from pricing, to delivery details to the booking process.

Where to find Alaska wedding flowers?

Many more florists are purchasing Alaska flowers for their designs. Search out designers who use them. Farmer-florists in Alaska are the most knowledgeable and practiced in designing with local flowers.

Local farmer-florists grow and design with the flowers from their farm. You can find local flowers all over the state – whether you’re planning a wedding in Fairbanks, Anchorage or on the Kenai Peninsula.

Remember that the Alaska growing season is short. If you’re just beginning to plan an Alaska wedding, aim for a date in July, August or September in order to have the most local flowers available.

There’s nothing more Alaskan than seasonal, locally grown flowers. If you want a greener wedding and desire to have the most unique instagram-worthy flowers, ask for Alaska grown.

SOURCES:

Alaska Stems, alaskastems.com

All Dahlia’d Up Flower Farm, mistyvanderweele.com

Calypso Farm & Ecology Center, calypsofarm.org

Frontieress Farm, frontieressfarm.com

Turnstone Farm, turnstonefarmalaska.com

Scenic Place Peonies, scenicplacepeonies.com