Virginia Sanderson, owner of Smith's The Main Street Florist, experiments recently with roses, stock, delphinium and hydrangea. Sanderson says wedding arrangements have become simpler in recent years, but flowers still play an important role at weddings.

It's the dead of winter and temperatures are hitting the single digits, but now's the time to start thinking about the flowers for your June wedding.

Florists recommend a bride and groom consult with their florist at least three to six months before the wedding.

The arrangements may have gotten simpler and country chic may have replaced understated elegance, but flowers' importance to a wedding ceremony and reception remain evergreen even in winter.

That's the opinion of Virginia Sanderson, owner of Smith's The Main Street Florist, 136 N. Main St.,

Sanderson, who's been a floral designer for 25 years, became owner of Smith's in August.

“Over the years, basically things have become much more simple,” said Sanderson. “Simple but elegant, not so grand.

“There isn't a particular flower that is popular right now. Choices can be anywhere for bouquets of nothing but baby's breath, to full out mixed flowers with either fall colors or mixed colors,” she said.

Fellow florist Ed Bloom, owner of Butler Florist, 123 E. Wayne St., for the past 35 years, agreed the trend for wedding floral arrangements is one of “the simpler the better.”

Bloom said, “The rustic chic is still very strong because a lot of the venues lend themselves to that. People have remodeled barns for reception sites. There are quite of few of them in the county.”

“It's upscale country, burlap and mason jars, they use wildflowers. Some people go for that look,” he said.

Bloom added, “There's been a resurgence — we noticed it last year — in baby's breath.

“It has really been coming back. Brides are carrying bouquets of nothing but baby's breath and baby's breath in jars are being used as centerpieces. We have had weddings where that is the only flower,” he said.

He added silver, the dominant wedding color, is slowly being eclipsed in popularity by gold and rose gold as the new metallic accents.

Weddings have become more of a year-round proposition, he said.

“Spring, summer and fall — we even do them in the winter time as well,” Bloom said. “We've been seeing an uptick in Friday and Sunday weddings. I think some venues give them a break on those days to increase their business.”

“Basically we will do whatever they are comfortable with as long as we can reserve their dates so that we know we are doing it for them.”“A lot of the girls today bring in their laptops and have pictures on there, and that helps us out a lot. We can see what they want,” Bloom said.“There are some where they don't have a direction, and you have to guide them more,” he said.Sanderson said the couple should meet with their florist at least three months before the wedding.She said the original wedding consultation should take about an hour to decide the floral pieces needed and go over ideas.No matter the size of the wedding or the number of attendants, there is always a need for flowers, said Sanderson.“I've had weddings were it is just the bridal party. And I've had weddings that encompassed altar pieces at the church, pew decorations and reception centerpieces,” she said.“If they are getting all of that, you are talking four to six hours to set up. You need at least a day,” said Sanderson. “If it's a piece that doesn't require fresh water or greenery, we can set that up two days before the wedding.”She said, “Things that hold water, we will do that the day before, and I will come in early and do the bridal party work.”Bloom said, “Usually there are altar pieces, more often than not, we'll supply the crash runner down the center aisle. People still do that. It's the traditional thing.“But generally, people don't go overboard at the church. They save most of their decorations and energy for the reception,” he said.As far as unusual requests from a bride and groom, Bloom said, “We did centerpieces for an outdoor wedding that were pieces of log that were hollowed out, and the arrangements went into that. Unless somebody brings something in on their own, I take care of it all,”Bloom said, “The largest wedding we ever did, which was very large, there were no flowers on the tables. It was river rocks in apothecary jars with manzanita branches wrapped in crystalized garland.”“It was the wintertime, and that was just what the bride had seen and what she wanted,” he said.He added he was able to supply all of the bride's requirements, river rocks and all.And that was for 50 tables of guests and a wedding party of 20 people.After the ceremony, the fate of the floral pieces is varied.Bloom said, “It depends on the churches. Some have their own rules. Some churches want them (flowers) to be left. Others that are popular for weddings and may have several in one day, want the flowers taken away.”Sanderson said, “It all depends. Most of time, people just donate them to the church and leave them. There are some that go to the reception, but most of the time they leave them at church.”Flowers are a nice touch but not the main reason for the ceremony, she said.“I will work with any budget whether it is small or large,” said Sanderson.“It's your one special day, and you should order and have what you want. But keep in mind that it's just one day. Stay within a reasonable budget and concentrate more on the marriage than the flowers.”

Karen Stewart of Butler Florist works on a flower arrangement. Ed Bloom, owner of the East Wayne Street business, says there has been a resurgence in the use of baby's breath in recent years.