Buds and Blossoms: Cannabis Bouquets for Wedding Parties by Bec Koop

Koop grew up working in her family’s flower shop and eventually opened her own business; that alongside her job as a budtendress at the High Country Healing dispensary in Alma, CO. led to the natural marriage of her two crafts. “I used to work at a medicinal cannabis dispensary, and I have a floral business, so I thought Buds and Blossoms would be a fun way to bring cannabis into the wedding scene,” says Koop.

From the Buds and Blossoms website:

“Since January 1st, 2014, the recreational cannabis industry has taken off in full swing and is in high bloom for the wedding season – just like keeping the top layer of your wedding cake, but better! Your “Budonniere” and “Buds in Bouquets” can be enjoyed on the night of your wedding day or be saved for that one year wedding anniversary. Go check out your favorite dispensary, choose and purchase your favorite strains and have them be part of your wedding day arrangements.”

For wedding parties wishing to utilize Koop’s services, cannabis must be bought in advanced at a legal dispensary prior to the wedding. Koop then uses her florist eye to make arrangements that compliment the strain selected by the bride and groom. Brides and grooms can choose their own favorite strains to form mixed bouquets. “Then it’s kind of his and her tastebuds,” says Koop. Koop enjoys using cannabis strains that are bright green or dark purple as they go well with many of the flowers that people like to feature at their weddings.

“The industry is very tightly regulated at the moment and I like that fact,” Koop says, “not just anybody can come in and start a business – you have to be a true entrepreneur who understands the law and takes the time to do everything in the right way. It keeps out people who might not have the right mindset for this.” With the constant shifting of cannabis politics it can be hard for a business owner to stay on top of all the regulations. Koop participates in a networking group for women in the cannabis industry called Women Grow, where they share ideas and give each other legal advise. “It is really wonderful to see so many incredible women coming together to support each other on this issue,” says Koop.

According to Koop, there is still a lot of stigma cannabis business owners and patrons have to deal with. Many venues would not condone cannabis use on their sites so this must be researched beforehand. Some venues are on federal land where smoking cannabis is illegal and others have their own voluntary regulations prohibiting cannabis. Sometimes Koop accommodates guests by renting a private limo to serve as a designated smoking area.

Koop is just another forward thinking mind trying to bring an end to the stigma against cannabis and normalize it in the larger culture. As a Colorado resident, Koop has witnessed the growth and change of the cannabis industry first hand. “[M]y motivations are not really financial at all. I’m trying to make more people comfortable with cannabis and aware of its benefits,” she says.

With this and other new trends such as wedding dabs emerging, cannabis use may soon become a regular part of wedding festivities. One thing’s for sure, Buds and Blossoms will have wedding guests fighting to catch the bouquet featuring Koops floral arrangements.