Kale is a leafy green long lauded by health-conscious locavores as a nutritional powerhouse and an enriching ingredient, tossed with pasta, stirred into stews or topping a pizza. The versatile crop is now being extolled by brides-to-be, even those with vegetable aversions. Don’t look for it sauteed alongside the filet mignon or incorporated in the side salad at the wedding reception. It won’t be entangled in the prongs of a fork, but clasped in the hands of the bride as she glides down the aisle.
Cultivated for its decorative leaves and available in several colors, ornamental kale is well suited for formal occasions. While valuable for its aesthetic quality alone, ornamental kale also earns special merits for its resiliency at low temperatures, making it a popular option for brides celebrating their nuptials during the nippier New England seasons. Planning a commitment ceremony in the colder months has gotten trickier as more and more couples are taking the vow to support sustainable agriculture by decorating exclusively with greenery grown locally.
Though kale may teeter towards the unconventional, there are plenty of locally bred species that flourish in the fall and satisfy traditional tastes. Flowers spiraling around its elongated stem, gladiolus adds elegance to any bouquet. A pure white shade complements an understated, refined arrangement, while an eye-popping pink provides some pizzazz. Red Fire Farm, an all-organic operation in Granby, grows fourteen varieties that sync with any wedding style. Unfortunately, these delicate flowers are as fragile as they appear, according to Red Fire’s resident flower grower, Joanna Brown; they perish once the brisk winds blow in mid-autumn.
Like the gladiolas, dahlias boast vibrant hues of orange, pink, and yellow. But dahlias have the edge– they’re a tenacious breed that can tolerate the early November elements. In late fall, dahlias add life to a dismal scene, filling in for the foliage missing from barren trees. Flirtatious flowers with two-toned petals, dahlias are sure to spark conversation among guests, making them ideal centerpieces for the reception. A bride may pick dahlias to brighten up a bouquet, creating a display with a radiance matched only by the beaming expression on the groom’s face.
An alternative to the rose, the lisianthus has the same bulbous shape, but its fluttery petals feather around the bud in an unstructured fashion. This flower’s freer form lends itself well to a wedding with a natural vibe. Red Fire Farm raises white, light purple, and dark purple lisianthus, feminine shades that soften floral arrangements.
If the rustic feel of the fall is at the root of the decision to hold the festivities in the lull of the nuptial off-season, then the partners may choose to throw conventional flowers to the wind. Rather than clashing with nature’s color palate, the bride may forego romantic hues and opt for earthy tones, listening to Mother Nature instead of her own mother. Autumn Beauties, a variation of the sunflower, harmonize perfectly with the seasonal color scheme. Rich red, majestic gold and deep brown stripe this fall blossom, mirroring the colors of oak and maple leaves. Often reaching heights of five feet, the Autumn Beauty stands out in any venue, alongside pews in an intimate indoor service or outlining a forest clearing functioning as a makeshift aisle.
Even in the dead of winter, when a blanket of snow covers any trace of vegetative life, a sustainable wedding need not be a decorative disaster. Making the choice that’s best for the environment and the community shouldn’t compromise a bride’s style. If the wedding falls before the first flakes do, brides can investigate the few soil-grown strains that endure frigid conditions. Sprouting as late as December, these plants are tough-spirited and equally tough to pronounce: nigella damascena, ornamental eucalyptus, gomphrena, statice.
Winter seedlings usually feature daintier blossoms than their autumn cousins, but bound together, these petite flowers make a grand impression. For wedding dates that occur past the prime of any wild species, Laura Wear, wedding planner at the Hotel Northampton, suggests going to the greenhouses. Many local farms supplement their outdoor gardens with indoor nurseries that germinate plants in every season. And for jittery brides who worry that erratic weather will result in floral calamity, the tried-and-true practice of drying preserves flowers and relieves anxiety.
All these plants are cultivated, cut and sold at Red Fire Farm, and many CSA (community-supported agriculture) growers raise these breeds along with other varieties to spruce up a celebration. To check out options in close proximity, consult nearby gardeners; they’re horticultural experts with a wealth of knowledge and altruistic neighbors with a will to help. A sustainable wedding symbolizes a reciprocal commitment to these farmers who tirelessly till to provide their community with edible produce, beautiful flora, and a kale that’s both.
