Had to pick between peonies and garden roses for a big wedding order

I got an order for a wedding in Charleston next month for 20 centerpieces, and the bride was stuck between Sarah Bernhardt peonies and White O'Hara garden roses. I went with the garden roses because they're more reliable this time of year and hold up better in the heat. The trial arrangement lasted a full five days without wilting, which sold her on it. Has anyone else had to steer a client away from a less seasonal choice recently?

3 comments

3 Comments

margaret_bennett321d ago

Man, I feel that. I had a bride last spring who wanted these giant peonies for her May wedding and I had to talk her into anemones and ranunculus instead because the forecast was calling for a heat wave. It worked out fine but @sage_lewis10 knows the struggle of those humidity battles down south. Gotta pick your battles and the flowers that won't crap out on you.

foster.wade2mo agoMost Upvoted

Absolutely. I had a bride last July dead set on coral charm peonies for her outdoor reception. I showed her the weather report and pictures of last year's wilted stems from a local grower. Switched her to a mix of garden roses and dahlias. They looked just as lush and made it through the whole weekend. You have to be firm sometimes.

sage_lewis102mo ago

I used to push for peonies every time a client mentioned them because they look so full and soft. Last June I lost three centerpieces to wilting before a Savannah wedding even started. Now I check the farm reports and humidity forecasts first. Garden roses have saved so many summer events for me.