Flowers: A guide
November 27th, 2007 | By mariposa
Every bride desires to make her wedding day special, and her wedding flowers – the choice of floral theme, color and display- is one of the most effective and fun ways to do so. For centuries, brides have carried bouquets and decorated wedding sites with floral arrangements. Today, the range of exciting possibilities is endless, providing an opportunity to set a distinctive tone for your wedding. Browse our wedding floral guide, and gain the confidence plan your wedding flowers and the ability to design a floral theme that reflects your unique personality and wows your guests. Along the way, learn to work with your florist, and your floral budget, to execute it.
Getting Started – An Overview:
Aside from the bouquet you spring for each Mother’s Day, chances are you’re a novice when it comes to flowers. However, now you are a bride–to–be planning your dream wedding, and suddenly you must make decisions on bouquets, boutonnières, reception centerpieces and ceremony arrangements. Overwhelming? We know! Fortunately, we are here to guide you through this process so you can enjoy planning your wedding flowers without wilting from the stress. Read through these useful tips gathered from experts in the field.
Discover Your Style
Close your eyes and envision the perfect look to your wedding. Will it be formal or casual? Elaborate or simple? Bold or neutral colors? Are you a traditionalist in favor of roses or lilies, or do you favor a more contemporary floral theme incorporating grasses, fruits and herbs? Your wedding flowers are more than eye candy; they set the ambiance for the entire event. Choose blossoms that match the formality of your wedding day. Knowing your wedding style is a start in the right direction.
Pick Your Palette
Your color scheme should flow directly from your desired style. Today’s floral trends embrace an anything goes mentality, from wedding flowers in traditional whites and pastels to modern and adventurous dark hues and citrus shades. Flowers in matching shades or cool contrasts are breathtaking, but make sure they coordinate with your overall wedding theme. Choose your colors accordingly, and your wedding will express your spirit. If you are still not sure where to begin, bring a bridesmaid dress fabric swatch when you meet with your florist and choose coordinating shades.
Seasonal Flowers
You know your floral theme and you’ve chosen your color scheme. When deciding on which specific flowers your want in your arrangements, be sure to consider the season in which you are marrying. Typically, fall weddings lend themselves to rich-toned flowers in burgundy, rust and deep yellows, while winter brides can create a sparkling wonderland of whites and silvers. Spring and Summer weddings call for pastels and juicy citrus hues.
Hiring a Florist
Even the most creative and artistic bride will benefit from a florist’s professional capabilities. Your wedding day will be full of activity, and you won’t want to spend vital hours fumbling with the wiring of each bouquet. A florist is not necessarily a budget breaker; a good one should be able to work with any floral budget. We’ll teach you the ins and outs of hiring a florist that suits your needs.
Your Floral Budget
Let’s face it: determining your budget is probably not the aspect of your wedding you’ve been dreaming of since grade school. You may see your floral budget as the biggest nemesis between you and your wedding flowers. If you plan wisely, however, you should have enough money to create the floral theme of your desires. Expect to spend about 8% of your overall budget on wedding flowers.