I haven't been doing wedding cakes very long, and have only done a couple with fresh flowers. Because it's what I've read, I tell my brides to buy organic flowers. When I set up the cake, I put the flowers they've bought on the cake, and don't ask questions.
I have a wedding cake coming up on 1/1...3-tiers, PLAIN except for a cascade of roses down the side. I sent a confirmation to the Mother of the Groom (who's handling all the arrangements), reminding her about the organic flowers. She called me just now and asked where she could find them, because her niece is doing the wedding flowers and has never heard of them, and she called a couple of florists who haven't heard of them. She asked me if I'd worked with a florist who carries them...well I feel stupid saying I just haven't worked with any florists yet..
I called a couple of florists locally and they seem to think I'm crazy. They say they've done hundreds of wedding cakes with "normal" flowers and no one's gotten sick yet. And I live in Austin! The most whole-foody-granola-mother-earthy city there can be....if these flowers were anywhere I should be able to find them here, right?
So, do you guys insist on organic roses? If you use "regular" flowers, do you worry about them touching the cake? Do you take any special precautions?
Please help! I told the client I would call her back this afternoon!
Do you have a flower mart where wholesalers buy their flowers? We have one in San Francisco that is opened to the public as well, you just don't get the discount that wholesale buyers get. But they do carry organic flowers, you just have to ask where they are located.
I tried to find organic flowers back in may, and i went to my local whole foods, and they said that they carry organic roses sometimes, but it has to be the right time, and may apparently wasnt. I couldnt find them anywhere, so i ended up buying floral tape and covering the stems and not inserting them into the cake...
have you tried whole foods?
If there is an organic food co-op near you they might carry them or know a farm where you can get them - check out your local farmers' market as well. Not sure if these places are near to you or not, but try these found on Google, the first one is in Austin:
http://www.boggycreekfarm.com/
http://www.purelucktexas.com/
http://goodfoodfarm.com/
http://www.tofga.org/
http://www.localharvest.org/farms/M5454
katleg - I tried both Whole Foods markets here in Austin. The downtown store sells packages of edible flowers in the produce section, but she described it to me as "forget-me-nots and very springtime looking flowers", so I don't think my bride would be interested for her red and orange wedding 
They don't have organic roses.
ladyofcake - thank you so much for those links. One of those farmers markets is near me, I will do some investigating.
Thanks everyone!
That's good news! Will keep my fingers crossed that you find what you are seeking. Keep in mind though, that you will only be able to get what is in season, especially organic flowers as they will be grown without pesticides and other artificial assistance, so your choices will be more limited. You may also wish to mention this to your brides and also mention that not only is it better for them to choose organic produce, but it is better for the environment and it supports local farmers - some people will be sold on these ideas alone and not care if the selection is more limited but will feel good that they are doing a bit to help. 
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