"Wedding Flowers!"

Flowers are the essence of a beautiful wedding day celebration and the most stunning of wedding decorations. They enhance any setting and can literally transform any room into a magical scene.

Choose flowers that fit your taste and style for your wedding. They will show up at the ceremony, reception, and in photos for years to come.

The flowers you choose for your wedding will set the mood. Before you select your flowers, determine what type of wedding and reception event you want to have.  Once you do that, choosing the flowers will be a breeze!

Most couples choose to use a florist to arrange bouquets and decorations. When selecting your wedding flowers, the single most important thing to keep in mind is that all flowers have distinct characteristics. To avoid sniffles and sneezes ask each person in your wedding party which blooms they are allergic to before ordering your bouquets.

Flowers, Hampers, Chocolates, Baileys, Bears, Ballons - A Perfect Gift.

One of the best ways to find a good florist is by word of mouth. Select a florist that listens to you and really grasps the look and feel you want. When working with your florist, don’t hesitate to be specific about what you like and what you want…. Be part of the decision making process…After all it’s your special day. Be open to the florist's ideas and suggestions.

Before you talk to your florist, prepare a list of wedding flowers you’ll need. This will help your florist plan your arrangements. Also bring pictures or fabric swabs of gowns and colors used in the wedding and a layout of the church and reception facility. It will help focus your discussions, and help you stay within your wedding budget.

You will need to ask the minister for permission to decorate the church, and arrange a time when this can be conveniently carried out.  He may be able to suggest someone who can help you.
 
When you plan the flower arrangements with your florist, she should be able to recommend arrangements based on the size and location of your wedding. Ask to see photos of previous wedding arrangements.

To help keep costs down you could reuse the floral arrangements from the ceremony for the reception areas….Just make sure the colour schemes match and that someone is responsible for transferring them to the reception.

Be careful when designing a bouquet that it is not too large, which would obscure the details of your dress. Flowers should compliment, never upstage your look. Keep in mind the proportion of your body when selecting the size of your bouquet.

In terms of floral color, pick something that offers a contrast to your gown. Floral arrangements that closely match the gown may get lost in photographs. When planning the color of the flowers at the altar, keep in mind that dark colors tend to lose visual impact in photos. Lighter colors will stand out better.

Have your florist arrange two bridal bouquets, one for the ceremony and one to be thrown at the reception. This will allow you to preserve a bouquet that was designed especially for you.

If you are planning a warm-weather wedding, flowers need to withstand heat and high humidity eg orchids or roses.

Lilies are stunning…Remember to ask your florist to remove the stamens…if left intact, they’ll stain your dress with bright yellow pollen.

By tradition, the groom wears a flower that appears in the bridal bouquet in his buttonhole adding an elegant touch to his jacket. The single rose boutonniere is a classic. It's ideal for any member of your wedding party.

Consider ordering a second boutonniere. It will be fresh for the ceremony and the photo session, especially if you are planning on greeting your guests well before the ceremony.

Ask the florist to separate the men’s lapel buds and the flowers for the mothers, grandparents, brides, and attendants. This keeps people from running in and out of the bride’s dressing room to get flowers.

When considering centrepiece flowers don’t allow their size to hinder conversation between your guests.

If your floral designer is unable to be present for the ceremony, ask for specific instructions for handling the flowers. You may want to assign specific people (a bridesmaid or family member) to handle floral items.

Finally, begin searching for a florist at least 3 months in advance of your wedding date. Ask for references and check them closely. Visit their shop to get a feel for the designer’s style and taste.

Relax and Enjoy Your Special Wedding Day!