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By Karen Volckhausen
“Fresh from the Field Wedding Flowers”
By Lynn Byczynski and Erin Benzakein
Fairplain Publications, Inc., 2014
112 pages plus 75-minute DVD, $40
Lynn Byczynski, editor and publisher of Growing for Market and author of one of my favorite flower bibles, “The Flower Farmer: An Organic Grower’s Guide to Raising and Selling Cut Flowers,” and Erin Benzakein, well known Washington state flower grower and designer, co-authored this wedding flower primer. It is targeted at the marrying couple that wants to use locally grown flowers, grow the flowers, or put them together themselves for their wedding. But it also is appropriate for flower growers and designers. I know plenty of growers who ordered this book as soon as it came out!
The first part of the book discusses topics such as the rationale for using locally grown flowers, where to find them, options for purchasing – ranging from buying in bulk to full service – pricing, money saving tips and more. Then it is on to the DIY (Do It Yourself) wedding. This includes the nuts and bolts of how to do the flowers followed by a detailed section on flower design. Instructions on how to create the various flower arrangements used in a wedding are accompanied by lovely photos. This information comes alive through the DVD as design wizard Benzakein takes you through the steps of making a wedding bouquet, boutonniere, corsage and centerpieces for the reception. Finally, the back of the book has information for those who want to grow their own.
This is a beautiful book breathing slow flowers on each page. I bought it as soon as it was available, and it has been an incredibly useful guide for wedding flower work. Byczynski herself used the information they compiled when she did the flowers for her son’s wedding this year. Check out the August 2014 issue of Growing for Market to see the photos!
With the holidays coming, “Fresh from the Field Wedding Flowers” would make a perfect present for a marrying couple or your favorite flower farmer.
