The annual Chicago Flower & Garden Show blooms March 15-23 at Navy Pier, and show organizer Tony Abruscato said the event certainly will answer countless questions for one of the most trendy wedding tops: DIY floral.
As in, do-it-yourself floral, often as part of a DIY wedding.
"Couples are getting bulk floral, and then creating their own centerpieces, their own bouquets. It's a big, popular trendfor the last 18 months or so, and I see it continuing," Abruscato said.
At the show, there will be free demonstrations on how to make hand-tied European floral bouquets, and how to make table center pieces, among other wedding floral options. "People can come to the show and just watch these classes and demonstrations," Abruscato said.
This year's show also features the American Institute of Floral Designers, which is holding its regional conference at the event. The institute will have 12 different exhibits, showing the hot trends for 2014 and 2015.
Abruscato said popular colors and flowers this year tend to be a bit more sustainable.
"It's expensive to get married, so many couples are finding ways to do DIY floral arrangements," he said.
That list of soon-to-be-married couples certainly includes a load of LGBTers. And Abruscato said "there are a tremendous amount of LGBT-friendly floral designers." Abruscato noted that smaller, compact floral arrangements are more trendy this year as opposed to the big, over-the-top, tall arrangements.
Several couples, including LGBT, have inquired about getting married at the show. "It's something that we think we can accommodate, but haven't done anything final on that," he said.
Abruscato said that a new, wide variety of flowers will be available throughout Chicago this year, including flowers that last longer. At Mariano's, for instance, the floral options will be expanding over the coming months, Abruscato said.
But still, the most popular flower remains the rose. And with a wide variety of options, red roses are no longer the lone must-have flower.
The 2014 Chicago Flower & Garden Show, presented by Mariano's, is March 15-23 at Navy Pier. See www.chicagoflower.com .
WEDDING GUIDE
-See the Windy City Times special stand-alone Wedding Guide to LGBTQ supportive businesses and services, new on Feb. 5, 2014, at the link: www.windycitymediagroup.com/pdf/WCTG_20140205_web.pdf or pick up the book at some of the locations where Windy City Times is distributed.
-See the Feb. 5 Windy City Times special weddings section at the link www.windycitymediagroup.com/pdf/WCT_20140205_weddings.pdf .
-See complete wedding guide listings at the link www.windycitymediagroup.com/lgbt/WINDY-CITY-TIMES-WEDDING-GUIDE-Business-Listings/46134.html .