EXPERT ADVICE
ALL ABOUT
FLOWERS HOW FAR IN ADVANCE SHOULD A COUPLE BOOK THEIR FLORAL DESIGNER?
GREEN THUMB Tara is a major fan of organic elements— so much so that she will often trek into the forest to collect materials.
D I S C OV E R TaraPollio.com
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@tarapollio eventdesign
WHAT FLOWERS BLOOM IN NEW ENGLAND? Spring brings the varieties of sweet-scented lilac, snowball viburnum and flowering fruit branches. Summer kicks off with peonies—which, in my opinion, are at their best in New England. Colorful dahlias mark the end of the summer, and autumn is when we see foliage, berries and pods.
WHAT ARE SOME WAYS COUPLES CAN SAVE ON FLOWERS IF THEY’RE ON A TIGHT BUDGET? I recommend using one flower variety, which will make for a bigger impact in an intentional, minimalist way. Add a great container and some bold foliage, and you’ll have a sleek, modern look. Past that, it’s also great to ask your florist to shop locally. You’ll be supporting nearby flower farms, leaving less of a footprint on our planet and incur fewer freight and import fees, which can significantly cut down on your spend. This is especially easy to do if you’re getting married in a bloom-friendly season like spring or summer.
WHAT’S ONE EASY WAY COUPLES CAN PERSONALIZE THEIR FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS? Work with your designer to incorporate a flower or piece of foliage that’s specific to the place you grew up or met. Think: magnolias if you’re a Southerner or maple leaves if you connected on the ski slope. Relatedly, many couples will request flowers from their mother or grandmother’s bouquet, which is sweet.
WHAT FLOWER PAIRINGS CAN’T YOU STAND, AND WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE MORE OFTEN? I’m not a fan of blue and pink flowers together. That color combination reminds me too much of baby showers. Living in Vermont, birch bark is very common, but I think that it’s here to stay because of our geography. I’d love to see more unique foliage and greenery alongside funky statement flowers like protea or dinner-plate dahlias.
WHAT FLORAL TRENDS ARE YOU SEEING NOW, AND WHICH ONES ARE YOU PREDICTING? Small, minimal bouquets are making a comeback and I’m so happy to see it. They’re a great way to save money. I’m also seeing more dainty bouquets of rare or unique flowers. Looking ahead, I’m thinking we’ll see way more color. We’ve seen so much greenery over the past few years, so I think it’s time to punch it up! I predict large floral installations with minimalist table décor. These large installations are costly, so I recommend focusing on a few key locations, like the bar or the entry, to wow your guests.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: CELIA KELLY PHOTOGRAPHY; DARIA BISHOP PHOTOGRAPHY; JAIDON LALOR
OUR PRO Tara Pollio, founder and creative designer at Tara Pollio Event Design in Manchester, Vermont
A year out is key, especially if you’re heading to New England for a destination wedding in a place like Vermont. We take a limited number of events each year, but if the designer you hoped for is booked, ask them for a recommendation. Good designers will have a network of trusted colleagues they’ll be happy to recommend.
Get inspired by other blooms at THE K N OT.CO M/RE AL-WE D D IN G S
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