Irreplicable Statements
By Aimee Serafin | Photos courtesy of Earl Grey Floral
Floriography, or the special meaning and symbolism of flowers, has been part of wedding day celebrations since the 19th century when Victorian brides fondly chose blooms that conveyed emotions or messages. Flowers took on a new role as they became synonymous with heartfelt sentiments — often ones forbidden audibly — to a beloved. Some arrangements were sent to divulge answers of “yes” or “no,” and even the tying and position of the ribbon held specific codes for the communicating couple.
The romanticism of that day can still be seen today as certain redolent blooms signal personal emotions: roses for love, lilies for purity, tulips for passion, etc. Fresh wedding botanicals also symbolize the beauty of a new chapter and dreams for the future. When the timeless beauty of nature combines with the human emotion of love, artistic creation is not too far in the distance.
For the Athen’s Earl Grey Floral design team, owner Amy Dyer, and lead designer Chandler Fowler, bridal flowers hold more than a spectacular vision — they hold an overarching attention to the details. Simplicity, rarity and a propensity for unique floral arranging govern their youthful business vision, and according to the website, their ideal clients “trust our creative ability and values quality flowers.”
The team’s colors and high-end floral design are as intentional as their natural selections, inspired by what is in season.
“We are floral-heavy versus a lot of greenery and opt for lush and often fragrant flowers in season. By using high-end unique flowers in our bridal bouquets, we can create artful expressions that capture the bride’s vision and our mission simultaneously. Every conversation becomes a collaboration toward a unique product,” says Chandler Fowler, lead designer.
Earl Grey Floral designs incorporate timeless and traditional floral styles, gathered from premium organic or back road farms, that are then assimilated into alluring groupings.
“Some of my favorite bridal bouquet selections are dahlias and sweet peas because they are so incredibly fragrant. Amy enjoys hellebores for a distinctive touch,” adds Fowler.
Fowler mentions they work with their bridal clients by listening to their vision over several planned meetings. Every client is presented with a floral board — a vision board of different types of flowers in select colors — ahead of time as a comprehensive guide for both the bride and the Earl Grey team.
“It is always a very special day when we present the brides with the floral boards because we get to give them the gift of their vision coupled with our presentation. The boards are very personalized and useful for developing the final aesthetic,” she says.
The Earl Grey duo takes pride in never producing the same bridal bouquet twice. “Because our arrangements are artful creations, we see every arrangement as a new canvas,” explains Fowler. Whether a bride wants a profusion of autumnal sugarbushes and amaranth, or a delicate spring spray of peonies, thistle and ranunculus, the professional designers at Earl Grey Floral are in the business of making every bouquet convey an irreplicable statement.