Happy February friends! I'm excited for February because it means that in a few short months it will soon be peony season!!! Peonies are my absolute favorite flowers, right up there with ranunculus, roses and hyacinth! When I was married in South America, a few years ago now, there were no peonies to be found, so when we moved back to Canada I made sure we had a spring wedding celebration with our Canadian family and friends just so I could include peonies; EVERYWHERE!
I think peonies are a favorite flower of many brides-to-be as we grew up enjoying them in our mother's and grandmother's gardens! I'm often asked for this beautiful bloom in August, September and October when they are out of season here in Canada. I've also come across many brides who researched their flowers before picking a wedding date just to make sure they would be able to have peonies!
At Flowers by Janie we source 95% of our peonies locally from Burnaby, British Columbia to support local and because Canadian peonies are gorgeous! Occasionally we need to supplement orders and then they ship from Holland which also carries a higher price tag.
In 2017 the peony season started earlier than in previous years with some of the first blooms available in mid April. The end of the season was about mid July. I remember Rebecca (see photo below) was dying to have peonies in her bouquet for her wedding last July 20th; she got them and was of course ecstatic!
If you are planning an April or July wedding there is a chance that you'll be able to have peonies included among your wedding flowers. Typically there are less colours to choose from at the very beginning and end of the season and they can be more expensive because of the high demand and scarcity. If you really really love this bloom and they are a must have; make sure to plan your Calgary or Rocky Mountain wedding in May or June!
Here are some of our favorite bridal peony bouquets designed for Calgary brides in 2017.
Jonatas & Rebecca had burgundy peonies for their July 20, 2017 wedding at Spruce Meadows. We only included them in the bouquets because it was the end of the season and they were scarce (and expensive). Rebecca's bouquet also had blushing bride, lisianthus, dahlias and garden roses with lots of mixed foliage.
Thank you to their photographers, Love 2 Love Fotografia, who came all the way from Brazil, to capture these images!
Cassandra and her bridesmaid's held bouquets of white peonies, Juliet garden roses, Queen Anne's lace, peach spray roses and spirea! She and her husband Scott were married in June at The Lake House Calgary. Photos by Shannon Yau Photography and planning/design by Paper Doll Events
Jessica and Aaron (above) were married last May at Silvertip Resort in Canmore. Jessica held a bouquet of pink peonies, Quicksand roses, navy eryngium thistle and ivory spray roses! Photos by As I See it Photography
For Karolina and Barry's May wedding, the lovely bride held a bouquet of white peonies, white roses, lisianthus, Queen Anne's lace, succulents and rosemary. The pops of greenery and the succulents brought in some beautiful texture and dimension to the all white bouquet. Photos by Barbara Rahal Photography
Emma's dream bouquet called for a pop of deep red peonies mixed with White O'Hara garden roses, veronica, spray roses and thistle! She definitely carried her statement bouquet well! Photos by Emily Exon Photography
How sweet are Sydney and Keith?! For their early June wedding Sydney chose both coral and pink peonies as her statement blooms! We also added in some Juliet garden roses and pink spray roses to fill out the bouquet! Photos by Jamie Anholt
So will you be planning your wedding around peony season? All the best!- xo Janie
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