Finding the Perfect Gotham Wedding Florist
New York City might be the most oft-photographed wedding site in the United States. From Central Park affairs, to SoHo loft parties, to Plaza extravaganzas, it’s all here… and that diversity is also represented in its flowers. Luckily, NY wedding florists know the score too, and flock to this city the same way aspiring actors do. Tulips that pop up along the Park Avenue landscape in Spring might be the city’s most defining blooms, but in a city that never sleeps, no wedding florist will rest until he finds the flowers of your dreams.
Not sure what flower you want? Head to any corner deli and check out the blooms. True, most of these buds have been imported, but it will give you an idea of what you can get—for a price. Roses of all color fit the city’s romantic, lush feel, but Gerbera daisies are a popular choice too, at a fraction of the cost. Impatiens, petunias, and white orchids (it’s a black and white city, after all), are great choices, and easy to find.
Like in every major city, wedding flowers in Manhattan are going to start at around $1,000, depending on a variety of factors. When interviewing florists, make sure you ask about what’s grown locally, as opposed to those Venezuelan Violets you have your eye on. When budgeting, improvise. Your site and centerpieces are where you want to have the most inspiring buds; you can use potted plants and cheaper flowers like geraniums (which grow like wildflowers here) around the site.
As there are so many places to say I love you in New York, many of them will already have gorgeous foliage—ask ahead of time. Should you decide on a wedding in Central Park, remember, you already have hundreds of acres of beauty around you—greenery in the summer, colors in the fall, and, with a little luck, snow in winter.
Remember, despite New York’s size, it’s confined to a relatively small area of land and island and bridges and tunnels. Depending on where your ceremony is being held, you can check out florists outside of Manhattan, and save some cash. Brooklyn, Staten Island—the boroughs are all popular wedding destinations and services in all areas tend to be cheaper than the Empire State Building’s home island. If you are unfamiliar with New York, talk to planners about travel and locations; they can tell you about wonderful outer-borough florists who can handle a 100-plus wedding in the city, with time, and your love, to spare.
-David Toussaint