Flowers are symbols of love in society: a single red rose on Valentines Day, bunches of tulips for Mother’s Day, or a meticulously hand-picked bouquet for a wedding. The emotion flowers carry is love, so each bloom should be selected with care. Join Melbourne Wedding and Bride’s Alice O’Brien as she sits down with Debbie O’Neill from Flowers by Debbie O’Neill as they discuss the behind-the-scenes journey couples go on when choosing their own wedding flowers, and whether it’s a decision based on more than just looks.
Flowers and weddings; a duo as timeless as love itself. From the hand-held bouquet clutched in the bride’s hands with pulsing excitement as she walks the aisle, to the decorative arrangements scattered throughout the reception hall, silently witnessing every laugh and tear. Each bloom at a wedding is placed with intention, and there are many opportunities for flowers to be present. The bouquet is arguably the weddings floral centerpiece, but the day also includes ceremony altar florals, reception arrangements, aisle assortments and floral installations creating cohesion throughout the venue. For a single day where flowers fill every second, Debbie O’Neill’s life is one where these flowers are her foundations.
“Flowers are my life … I’ve worked with flowers all my working life,” O’Neill says.
Her understanding of flowers is rooted in passion; made stronger each time she nurtures a bloom to life. That knowledge becomes invaluable for couples choosing their own florals. O’Neill knows which varieties belong in the precious bouquet, which petals become the perfect clothing accessory, and the importance of overall thoughtful styling.
So, why do couples choose the flowers they do?
Photography by Allie Claire Creative.
A Purely Visual Choice
Aesthetically, flowers are a draw card. The soft pinks found in peonies paired with burnt oranges in ranunculus; flowers have the subtle power to transform the coldest landscapes into a romantic vision. But pre-planning is required to achieve this.
“Most are focused on colour, palette, the venue and what will suit,” O’Neill explains.
“Pinterest is so helpful … they [the couple] just send their link to use to view their vibe.”
Aesthetics flit the minds of couples imagining their day. A wedding washed in a palette of blue and white calls for hydrangeas. A dark, romantic theme leans towards dahlias. A winter ceremony calls for hellebores. Whatever the vision, flowers fall into place. Each wedding is different, same as the couple at its center, but for wedding florals rooted in visual beauty, cohesiveness is necessary.
“We always ask to see the dress … to make sure the bouquet compliments the dress and does not overtake the dress,” O’Neill says.
This little, detailed pre-thought in O’Neill’s approach is what makes her knowledge of the wedding floral scene shine through. Flowers speak for themselves in beauty, but can they also offer quiet moments of connection through thoughtful selection?
Silent Connections
Flowers hold more to what instantly meets the eye. A single red rose, while gorgeous on its own, also has the added weight of romantic love. For some this is at the forefront when deciding on wedding florals; to have their florals be more than visual drawcards.
“Some clients choose florals for the memory of a special family member,” O’Neill says.
The deliberate choice of, for example, the inclusion of scattered lilacs in a bride’s wedding bouquet could mean more than matching a pastel colour palette. It could be a silent reference to her father’s favourite flower who could not be there to walk his daughter down the aisle. It’s a moment of quiet connection shared only between the bride and her father.
“Sometimes they may include sea holly for thistles for Scottish heritage or olive leaves for Greek heritage,” O’Neill explains.
The very roots that grow the flowers O’Neill so meticulously cares for can poetically intertwine with her clients’ own family roots, becoming a symbol of something deeper.
A Master in Floral Decisions
For inspiration, there are countless flowers with ties to countries around the world:
Wattle: Australia’s national floral emblem
Lavender: Southern France landscapes are transformed during bloom
Tulip: The heart of the Dutch Golden Age
Orchid: Representation of beauty in China
The choice behind a single flower can be based on a multitude of reasons, from visual to family to country, and can seem overwhelming. But having a florist, like O’Neill, to guide you through each decision is like having your own supporting hand. O’Neill understands her clients are different. Some are led by aesthetics, others by the sentiment behind flowers. Each want, each need and each stem is shaped by the couple and their vision. It’s insight she gains through the relationships she builds with them.
“Personal connection builds trust and makes for a great result,” O’Neill says.
Starting in her charming barn studio, O’Neill meets couples to discuss their requirements. It’s here where she “spends the time with them to understand what they love.” Celebrating her twenty fifth year of Flowers by Debbie O’Neill, it makes sense why the business has reached this milestone. Creating wedding florals reflecting the timeless love shared by newly engaged couples is the foundation of O’Neill’s craft, as it’s a love shared by her as well.