GARDEN | The Garden Gal
by Anne Jaeger
Say It With Flowers
Now that same-sex marriage is legal in Washington State one local florist looks forward to sharing his talent with gay couples.
Anne Jaeger, writes The
Garden Gal for Just Out.
Anne was a hard news
reporter and anchor at KGW
and KOIN before turning to
gardening full time. After that
her award-winning garden
shows appeared on both
stations. You can now look for
Anne's garden videos on the
Oregonian newspaper web
site: oregonlive.com/hg, catch
her on Twitter @GardenGalTV,
send her a suggestion via her
web site: GardenGal.TV, or
write Anne@JustOut.com.
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Anne Jaeger: So you’ve designed flowers for a million weddings,
but never a same-sex marriage. Speaking from your heart, as a
gay man, how does it feel to know all couples can now enjoy your
floral designs?
Erik Witcraft: I have always designed wedding flowers with the
personality of my couples in mind. It’s very exciting for me to
get to know each of my couples and glean attributes from them
that translate into living floral art for their special day. I am very
excited to share that talent with same-sex couples as well. By the
way, who doesn’t love feathers, rhinestones, and sequins!
AJ: Have you ever considered that you’re pouring your heart and
soul into making someone’s wedding perfect and that very couple
you’re helping might be very against equal rights? I know profes-
sionalism takes over, but what does your heart say?
JustOut.com
EW: I have never sold out of my own pocket, and likewise, I have
never sold based on my personal value system. That’s just busi-
ness smarts. However, I do feel that it’s about time! The GLBT
community should be allowed the same recognition and rights
as everyone else.
AJ: Personally and politically, did you think this statewide change
would come now?
EW: I was rather surprised at this vote decision. Pleasantly, but
still surprised.
AJ: Would you do the flowers for your own wedding, someday? If
so, what would they be?
EW: When I meet Mr. Right, we will select one of my dear friends
(in the industry) to entrust with my flowers. Professionals take
the pressure off and allow you to enjoy your day. I know that from
experience. So, what kind of flowers? I have lists, pending which
season we would choose.
AJ: I saw a great quote on a chalkboard the other day: “If you
don’t like Gay Marriage, blame straight people. They’re the ones
who keep having gay babies.” This sign forces people to look at the
issue in a different way. In your estimation, what do most people
(against) marriage equality seem to misunderstand?
EW: I just want to say, there are extremists in every group of
people. In our community, some gays are “pretty out there.” The
homophobic parts of society often assume all gays are this way,
and that marriage is going to somehow promote and encourage
this way of life for the younger generations and children of gay
parents. I believe that I was born as a gay man, not converted
into one.
AJ: Let’s future think for a moment. Years from now, you’ll be
busy arranging wedding flowers and the struggle for marriage
equality will be decades behind us. What would you tell a young,
“green” designer standing right next to you about the fight?
EW: It will be hard to explain to a young “green” designer about
the struggles of marriage equality, just like it was difficult for my
mentors to explain to me the 80s trends of peach and teal, or
daisies and baby’s breath! I was like… “No… Really?” (Laughs)
Actually I think it will be very exciting when we will say, “I re-
member when…” §
January 2013
Photo by Horace long
When FTD florists hit the ground running
(bridal bouquets in hand) with that famous
“Say It with Flowers” ad campaign nearly
a hundred years ago, there was no hope for
same-sex marriage. Let’s face it; the polar ice
cap was thawing faster than public acceptance
of equal rights. That was yesterday. Today the
Save-The-Date announcements and Wedding
Invitation(s) are in the mail all over Wash-
ington State. Gay marriage is legal across the
Columbia River and in eight other states.
Now, Washington floral designers, such as
37-year-old Erik Witcraft (AIFD) of Flowers
Washougal, are giddy with the prospect of
sharing their love of flowers with all couples,
regardless of sexual orientation. Witcraft has
designed flowers for more weddings than he
can remember, but never a same sex marriage
(legal or otherwise). Witcraft’s generation of
floral designers is the first in history to be al-
lowed into a centuries old legal tradition; they
too can now demonstrate love and acceptance
at the altar by “Saying It with Flowers.”