Carolyn Minutillo, the owner of the fabulous Lavender Hill Florals shop in Jeffersonville, IN took time out of her busy wedding season to give us a great interview. Learn about the current trends in florals, get ideas on how to design your wedding bouquet, find out what the most popular flowers are that brides request, and much more. Be sure to visit her website (click here) to check out her extensive portfolio of bridal bouquets and floral decor.
SBC: How many years have you been designing beautiful wedding floral arrangements?
Carolyn: I have been designing wedding florals arrangements for 27 years. I started as an apprentice. I eventually earned my place at a design table taking in everything I could learn from the designers around me. In the very beginning I took old flowers marked for the trash home with me. I would practice my skills on designing, wiring and assembling bouquets. I needed not only to know how the bouquet was created but why I had to do things a certain way. I'd return with my 'projects' and listen to the critiquing. I'd read every trade magazine I could get my hands on and just read them cover to cover. It was truly an amazing opportunity and unforgettable experience.
I still do continuing education annually and am a Certified Floral Designer with the American Institute of Floral Designers. I am also a member of the Society of American Florists
SBC: What is your favorite flower?
Carolyn: That depends on the season. I truly love them all. Some of my favorites would include ranunculus, peony,anemone, orchids, sweet peas, poppy, amaryllis and lily of the valley. Really, they're aIl wonderful. I love saturated colors, interesting textures and of course intoxicating scents. But don't forget the foliage! Scented geranium, maiden hair fern and a simple vase of just magnolia branches are equally wonderful.
SBC: Describe your wedding bouquet.
My style for a wedding bouquet would be one that compliments the bride's attire and figure. It has its place of importance, but should never take center stage and distract from the bride. I would also take into consideration the location of the nuptials. A rooftop location, museum, garden or city hall- everything is considered. There is no right or wrong. The most important thing is satisfying the bride. If she is not comfortable holding the bouquet- I don't care how beautiful it is, it's not right for her.
I like a natural look. By that, I mean let the flowers be themselves. I like to work with them and use their shape and nuances to dictate to me how they should be placed within the bouquet. The shapes of the petals, curves of the stems everything is important. For me, the bride's bouquet dictates the rest of my thoughts for creating the attendant's flowers and the rest of the designs for the ceremony and reception.
SBC: What are some unique elements that brides can add to their wedding bouquet?
Carolyn: Using interesting foliages and branches can add amazing depth and texture to a bouquet. The incorporation of crystals, freshwater and colored pearls, natural gemstones and silver vintage charms can also enhance a bouquet. When we include gemstones and such, the bride has a unique keepsake she can repurpose. We work with a jewelry artisan who can take the gemstones and create a one of a kind necklace, bracelet or another piece of jewelry for the bride to wear long after her wedding day.
Another item we've incorporated is feathers. Fluffy, sleek, downy and in all shapes and sizes. Colored wire from very fine bullion to heavier gauge copper and colored tones. Each element adds interest.
SBC: What are the current trends in bridal bouquets?
Carolyn: We are starting to see the comeback of cascade style bouquets. They're not like cascades of the 1980's. They're not huge and cumbersome. These cascades are sleek and focus on delicate styling or a more contemporary european influence. They compliment certain dress styles and are not for everyone.
We are also seeing more interesting boutonnieres for the groom and his party. The incorporation of some of the same elements as the bride's bouquet. Wiring, interesting foliages, feathers, natural elements. The men are branching out and looking to make a statement too.
SBC: What are the most popular flowers requested by brides?
Carolyn: We still get many requests for calla lilies and roses. But orchids are gaining on them. I think many brides really use the wedding magazines for direction. It's a starting point for them as a visual. They usually have some kind of an idea of what they would like to carry. That doesn't mean that they ultimately choose that though. Once we sit down, we share all of what is available to them and then they have the - " A- ha..I did not know I could do that!" moment. And then our conversation and sharing really starts.
SBC: Describe the floral décor one of your favorite weddings of last year.
Carolyn: Each event is so different. With our planning and focus on detail, our goal is- we hope the detail is captured by the photographer. When we see our hard work caught in print it's really special. Some of our favorites from this past year would include a bride with an all white and green color palette. One of the flowers she requested was absolutely not available at that time of the year. We used an amazing permanent version of the flower and it was absolutely undetectable in the photos. Even she'd forgotten it wasn't fresh. She used white anemone, scabiosa, hydrangea, stock and orchids. Her photos were amazing. We carried this through the reception. It was a very chic look.
Another wedding took place at a quarry. The backdrop was a massive, jagged gray limestone wall. Beautiful as it was, we needed some color to frame the ceremony area, but wanted to keep things natural. So I suggested the bride consider bright colored ribbon in the party colors and vertical garlands of rose petals to be hung from a surrounding pergola. The day was very breezy and in the photographs the ribbon and garlands add such motion. It looked beautiful.
SBC: What is the most unique request of this year?
So far, one request for this year was to hang large floral decor on the actual glass windows at the church. We had nothing to attach them to with complete metal window casings. I worked with a particular floral product previously and knew it would be a perfect match for this request. We were able to create decor that safely hung at the church and was then transferred to the reception and repurposed as decor and that location.
SBC: Do you have any advice for brides that are working within a tight budget?
Be flexible with your requests. Work with in-season flowers and foliages. Please understand if your budget truly doesn't allow for high end flowers another suitable option has to be made. Focus then on the overall look of what you are trying to achieve rather than the content of the design. One flower-Stock, can be creatively fashioned to look like hydrangea. Hire the best floral designer you can afford. They can truly expand your budget by knowing how to spend it wisely to give you the most bang for your buck. They can also transform a space with flowers. Keep in mind, the flowers will be in almost every photograph you take. Choose wisely and consider the professional advice you are given. An experienced floral designer is priceless.
Repurpose flowers if possible from the ceremony to reception location. Keep in mind though, you don't want flowers being moved into your reception location when guests are already present in the room they are being placed. Nothing is worse than guests seeing the set up being done. The staff should be invisible.
SBC: How far in advance is the norm for brides booking your services?
Carolyn: Most brides book us at least six to nine months out. Though a holiday weekend can book eighteen months out. Many brides from out of town will retain their date and we may not meet but once while they're in town. Then I won't see her again until her wedding day.
I suggest if you want to book your date with us, do a deposit to hold the date until you are ready to talk about the details. Then at least you know won't have to worry about your date being unavailable. We like to meet with brides once they have their attire and venues definitely selected.
SBC: Is an appointment suggested for brides that are interested in your services?
Carolyn: Yes. We believe every bride deserves our undivided attention, so an appointment is necessary. We ask that you come prepared for the appointment. Bring your photos of the dresses, swatches and any other important elements. We find it's better to keep the additional people to a minimum for an appointment. Too many people giving their input can become confusing. We have found sometimes the bride wants to return by herself because she may have felt pressured to follow someone's advice rather than her own instinct.
Also, bring some kind of an idea for a budget. The budget, or some kind of a ballpark on a number helps us to suggest things correctly. Do not be afraid to share that number. Just because we hear a figure doesn't mean we're going to go crazy spending it. We really want you to get everything possible for the amount you plan to invest in florals and decor and we want you to spend it wisely.
Do keep in mind, the flowers do not magically arrive at their location and jump into place. There is labor involved in getting the event set up. Be cautious when you hear there is no charge for setting up your event. That cost is figured in somewhere. We show all costs on our proposal. You will know exactly what you are being charged so you know you are staying within budget. Also remember, sales tax does take a percentage right off the top of your budget. Six or seven percent tax can become a couple of hundred dollars you didn't figure in. Plan accordingly and realistically for what you want in florals and decor.
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Remember, you will always get more value for your money when you call your florist direct. We appreciate your business.
Lavender Hill Florals
360 Spring St. Jeffersonville, IN 47130
(812) 288-2388 (812) 288-2369 fax
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Thursday, April 21, 2011 at 7:15PM 
Erin and Brian, Married May 15, 2010
