Weddings Winter 2009 > Planner

Jane Packer Flowers

A floral designer in Britain for more than twenty years (she did Fergie’s royal wedding), this trendsetter brought her unpretentious approach stateside six years ago. Though she’s still based in England, a Packer-trained designer handles every wedding, taking a sleek approach that means “no twee little flowers.” Centerpieces start at $150; bouquets start at $100.

Jeanne Costello Designs

Popular with industry insiders at Vogue and Town & Country, this florist makes the most gorgeous bouquets of lush freesia. The look of most of Costello’s creations—which often feature berries, figs, and other non-floral elements—is loose and romantic. From $105.

Jeffrey Marcus

Marcus draws on his background in fashion illustration and accessory design to create lavish, contemporary arrangements. Having worked in event design and visual merchandising for Chanel, Moët Hennessy, and Banana Republic, he is a favorite among fashionista brides for his acute attention to detail. Bridal bouquets start at $150.

JesGordon/ProperFun

Gordon got her start designing flowers for movies. Her style ranges from monochromatic to feng shui–inspired. She does extensive interviews with couples—and often visits their home—to get the aesthetic right. Couples should book at least two months in advance. Bridal bouquets start at $250; centerpieces at $275.

Kerri Silvestri, Allow Me Events

Silvestri spent years working in the financial sector, indulging her interest in floral design on the side. In 2002, she took Allow Me full-time. Her designs venture far beyond your basic centerpieces into “candlescapes” of floating votives surrounded by dendrobium orchids, cascading cake décor, and petite arrangements for restrooms and cocktail hour. Bouquets tend to be organic and free-flowing. Prices available upon request.

Katrina Parris Flowers

After just six years in the business, this designer has amassed an impressive client base. Her style is a bit flashy, mixing bold colors and sometimes tropical flowers with flourishes like copper wire and Swarovski crystals. Bouquets and centerpieces start at $150.

LMD Floral Events Interiors

Lewis Miller’s luxurious designs have a European aesthetic, fixed somewhere between the Middle Ages and the eighteenth century. The native of California farm country scours the flower market for unusual specimens. (He leans toward the moody, dark, and dramatic.) Prices upon request.

L'Olivier Floral Atelier

Well-respected among fashion types, Olivier Giugni worked at Pierre Cardin before opening his floral atelier twelve years ago. His modern, architectural arrangements typically consist of a cluster of monochromatic flowers hand-tied together and wrapped with philodendron leaves. Bridal bouquets from $175; centerpieces from $275.

Lotus by Luis Collazo

Inspired by his love of Pollock and Kandinsky, designer Collazo’s works in bold color combinations (baby blue and burgundy; fuchsia and orange) and giant beakers as containers. Centerpieces from $150; bridal bouquets are $150 to $350.

Magnolia Flowers & Events

Headed by siblings Mauro and Angelica Gomes, this sought-after floral-design team has decorated three MTV Video Music Awards shows, seven U.S. Opens, and every week, Dior’s 57th Street flagship store. Magnolia’s arrangements are abundant and monochromatic—no fillers here—and they’re presented in sleek custom-designed containers. Bouquets from $200; centerpieces from $250; $5,000 minimum.

Marc-Antoine Floral Design

Whether he’s incorporating classic candelabras or contemporary wire lights, Marc-Antoine’s floral designs are clean, lush, and mesmerizing. And because he takes on only a few weddings a year, he can provide clients with a truly hands-on, customized experience. Centerpieces start at $350; bouquets start at $300.

Michael George Custom Floral Design

Michael George was one of the pioneers of the fuss-free floral look. Known for his minimalist style, he often makes arrangements with masses of a single type of flower (mostly calla lilies, roses, or tulips—sometimes 300 or more in a bunch). For those DIY-types, he also teaches a floral-design class once a month at the Flower School New York in Tudor City. Bridal bouquets and centerpieces start at $150.

Michelle Rago, Ltd.

Inventive and self-taught, event planner and floral designer Rago melds bright colors, unusual glass containers, and clean lines into monochromatic compositions. She used to be the Today show’s regular florist, and her arrangements are refreshing, young, and fashionable. Bouquets from $175; centerpieces from $350.

From the Winter 2009 New York Wedding Guide