The Perfect Flower

When selecting flowers for your wedding, you will find there is an endless array of options.  The romantic link between weddings and flowers dates back to ancient civilizations where garlands of flowers, leaves and vines were worn or carried by young brides to symbolize their beauty and innocence.  Wedding flowers have since evolved from simple hand-held bouquets to vibrantly artistic creations used to set the mood and theme for the entire celebration.

Deciding on flower arrangements may take considerable time and imagination on your part.  Guidance and suggestions from your florist will smooth the process for you, so it is recommended to book your florist a year in advance if possible.  Try to make final selection for all your bouquets, boutonnieres, ceremeny arrangements and reception centerpieces at least three months before the wedding, then meet with the florist again three weeks before your wedding date to iron out all the details.  When meeting with floral designers, it is a good idea to bring fabric swatches of your gown and the bridesmaid’s dresses.  It also helps to bring photographs or illustrations of specific flowers, colors and bouquet styles you prefer.  If you are unsure which flowers will last and also look the best, ask your floral designer.  Since you will want your floral arrangements to last throughout the day, your floral designer’s advice will be invaluable.  Some flowers hold up beautifully in the sun while others are better suited for indoors.  For example, it probably would not be wise to select gardenias if you are planning an outdoor wedding at midday in June.  Gardenias are delicate as they are beautiful, and under such conditions they would wilt long before the minister says, “you may kiss the bride”

FOR YOU AND YOUR WEDDING PARTY
The first item of consideration will be the bridal bouquet, since all other floral arrangements will take their cure form this piece.  It not only sets the tone for the overall floral scheme, but also provides the perfect opportunity for you to bring your own style and personality to the forefront.

THE CEREMONY
Before making decisions regarding the floral arrangements for your ceremony be sure and check with your chosen church or synaqoque for any restrictions.  If you’re on a budget, it’s useful to reuse ceremony flowers at the reception site, but some churches request that alter arrangements remain on-site for weekend services.  You will want to determind what you can and cannot take with you after the ceremony before you order the reception flowers.  Ceremony arrangements are usually ideal for buffet, gift and head tables if using them twice is an option.

RECEPTION ARRANGEMENTS
There is a vast array of options for reception centerpieces:  elegant vases filled with cut flowers; towering candelabras; topiaries; or simple rose petals scattered around flickering candles.  Use your imagination to design one-of-a-kind centerpieces that express your style.  Keep in mind that the height fo the arrangements should not interfere with the ability of guests to converse with each other.  They should either be low enought to talk over or high enough to talk under.  Placing the wedding party’s bouquets at equal intervals at the head table also provides excellent decoraton.  Running greenery laced with flowers across the length of the head table is another option.  You might consider using this decoration for the cake table as well.  If your budget allows, consider adding a few finishing touches here and there, such as flower petals on serving trays, or garlands along the front of the buffet tables.  You can also fill in a large room with potted ferns or ficus trees placed strategically and wrapped with strands of small white lights.  Share all your ideas with your floral designer, who can help you refine them to create a lavish and memorable impression that won’t soon be forgotten by you or your guests.   You will probably find you can save considerably on cost - especially if you make it clear with your florist that cutting cost is a high priority. Availability and price vary from city to city, and region to region, but you will probably find that Gerbera daisies, traditional daisies, carnations, chrysanthemums, statice, Queen Anne’s lace, freesia, baby’s breath and gladiolus are your best-priced flowers. Irises are an economical choice for spring, which is also the best season for violets, daffodils and tulips. Various kinds of lilies are most plentiful (and best priced) in the summer months, sunflowers and orange blossoms are most abundant in the fall. Avoid roses and orchids - they are widely available but pricey. Stay away from white blossoms. They bruise easily, so florists must go through larger quantities to find good ones and to match the shade, thus the cost is higher. 

Check with your ceremony and reception sites for limitations before ordering any arrangements.