February - the month of romance. Love it or hate it, Valentine’s Day is big business for florists around the world. Whether you believe it originates from the Roman festival Lupercalia, the martyred priest named Valentine writing to his beloved or you think it’s a cynical creation by big greetings card companies, the fact is Valentine’s messages have appeared throughout history since the 1500’s and who doesn’t love love?!

Everybody deserves a little romance and what’s wrong with celebrating that? The last few years I have seen a rise in people buying flowers on the 13th for their friends, celebrating the new branch off ‘Galentine’s,’ just because you’re not in a relationship why should you miss out on all the fun?! Show your girl friends that you love them, celebrate sisterhood! I’m a fan of any reason to celebrate, especially occasions that centre around flowers and chocolate! When I was a child my mum always used to write Valentine’s cards for me and my sister and leave us little presents outside our bedroom door, Valentine’s should be a celebration of love in all it’s forms. In all honesty as I’ve been a florist since I met my husband, we’ve never really celebrated Valentine’s in a traditional sense, as one of the busiest days in the floral calendar by the time I’ve made a million bouquets I just want to collapse and sleep for a hundred years. However in true romantic style, he always makes me dinner the night after (spaghetti vongole followed by anything that involves chocolate, my favourite!) and I always bring him home a red rose, it’s our little tradition.

In the 17 years I have been a florist I have done a fair few Valentine’s weddings and it continues to be a popular choice and as long as you bare in mind the astronomical cost of flowers that week, what a lovely way to spend the most romantic day of the year celebrating in another couple’s happiness! The wedding pictured is a classic Valentine’s vibe, stunning red roses, burgundy ranunculus complimented by blush O’Hara roses and bridal protea, totally lush! I have always loved blush pink with burgundy, it’s much softer than ivory and somehow more romantic. The bride wore the most stunning classic ivory silk gown just perfect for the time of year. The bridesmaids were in slinky satin burgundy dresses. The flower list was wintery with glimmers of spring and totally luxurious.

Whilst we’re on the topic of expensive red roses, please remember it’s not down to the florists. We pay insane prices for our flowers during Valentine’s week and whilst the supermarkets can take a loss on this, we can’t, it’s our bread and butter. The price of everything goes up but if you’re happy to move away from tradition why not opt for a less expensive spring bouquet? Tulips, narcissus, fritllaria, anemone the list is pretty endless. Trust me they’ll be thrilled to receive flowers from a florist whatever variety, it hands down beats an unoriginal, no thought or effort supermarket bunch of second grade roses! 

February can be a bleak month so why not indulge a little and celebrate someone special, make their day, you won’t regret the fuzzy feeling it leaves! 

Order your Valentine’s flowers from Barnaby’s Blooms now.