Floral Arrangements Celebrate Our Life Engagements Including Weddings!

FLOWERS HAVE LONG BEEN connected with many of the most joyous occasions of life, such as births, anniversaries and other happy, special occasions. With their associations of beauty, freshness and rebirth, flowers are a natural complement to the ceremonies of life.

That’s why flowers and floral decorations have traditionally been an important part of the wedding and the celebration of marriage. Whether your wedding is going to be styled along traditional lines or with a more contemporary theme, flowers will play an important part in the success of your nuptials.

Flowers are a complementary highlight to one of the biggest days of your life, so it’s important that the floral component of your wedding be executed properly and correctly. In addition, flowers and floral decorations comprise a considerable portion of the cost of the wedding, which is another reason to make sure you are pleased with the floral services you arrange.

SELECTING A FLORIST

It is generally best to have this aspect of your wedding handled by a professional. Even if you know something about arranging flowers or have a friend with some expertise, using the services of a professional is the best route. There is a tremendous amount of labour involved in making flower arrangements, decorations,

floral bouquets for the bride and attendants, and floral accessories for other members of the wedding party and close relatives.

Another factor to consider in hiring a professional florist is that, as your wedding day draws closer and certainly on your wedding day itself, you will be under a lot of time pressure, with functions to attend before the wedding and many arrangements to make for the wedding and reception. You would be hard pressed to find time to plan your floral needs properly.

There is also considerable expertise required in selecting the correct flowers, making the arrangements and bouquets professionally, and delivering them on time. Professional florists have built up this expertise through their years of service and are not intimidated by the many tasks involved. The flowers and arrangements for your wedding will be their primary focus and that in itself is important. Even a friend who has some expertise may find it difficult to cope.

One of the newer trends is the appearance of the floral design specialist who might be described as a floral consultant. They are the floral equivalent of an interior decorator. Such a person may not be involved in the actual supply of the flowers, in which case there will have to be co-ordination between your floral consultant and your florist. This is something you could discuss with

your florist, who may already be using the services of a floral design specialist.

SETTING A BUDGET

Deciding on which florist you will use for your wedding will take some time up-front, but the peace of mind you will gain as well as the professionalism provided will make this time well spent. Check out the florists in the front section of this book. You also can ask for recommendations from friends and relatives.

Before you talk to any suppliers, you need to establish a budget for your wedding’s floral component. This figure will play a part in your discussions. It will also help the florist to determine if he/she can do a good job for you at the figure you have in mind. However, in establishing a dollar budget you will need to be flexible; the florist may have good suggestions that could change the figure.

Make sure you interview several florists before you make your choice. A professional will expect a preliminary discussion before being chosen to do your wedding. However, you should make an appointment with the florist and explain that you would like a preliminary meeting. Because such a meeting will take some time, a busy florist will not necessarily be able to take adequate time if you just drop in for your discussion. If possible, you should start your selection process six to twelve months in advance of your wedding.

ASK FOR WAYS TO SAVE MONEY

You should ask to see samples such as photographs of what the florist has done for other weddings. Ask for suggestions on how you can get good value for the money you have budgeted. You might want to ask what flowers are available from local suppliers. Of course, it’s always a good idea to go with flowers that are in season, as this can influence cost as well as being a factor in freshness and colour. This aspect of your discussion is also part of ensuring that the florist is a good listener. You must have a good comfort level with your florist. You want someone who gives you confidence and with whom you have a good rapport.

REVIEW YOUR PREFERENCES

You should outline the style of your wedding –meaning whether it is traditional, contemporary, or if it will have a particular theme such as Victorian or country-style. This will be an important influence in the suggestions made by the florist and will help that person to establish what can be provided within your budget. You might want to ask a florist if he/she would be willing to discuss the details of a wedding that is currently being worked on. You might like to take the same approach.

Do not be afraid to review your own ideas and preferences with the florist during this selection process — a good florist will welcome your input and probably offer some suggestions and insights to complement your

vision. You can supplement your ideas by reviewing magazines, attending flower shows, visiting flower nurseries, reading flower arranging and floral gardening books, and checking out Internet floral websites.

WHAT THE FLORIST NEEDS FROM YOU

Flowers for your wedding fall into two main categories. First, there will be personal flowers such as bouquets for yourself and bridal attendants, corsages for mothers and grandmothers and boutonnières for the men. Second, flowers play a key decorative role in the wedding and the ceremony.

Flower arrangements for both of these roles are a major element in creating the atmosphere or ambience you want for your wedding day. When discussing your wishes with the florist, you should prioritize the areas in which you would like to concentrate your budget. Also make sure that the delivery instructions for all the flowers and floral arrangements are reviewed in detail and are in writing.

Location of Wedding The location of the ceremony is of primary importance, as well as details about whether it will take place in a church, synagogue or another place of worship, or whether you are having your wedding in your home.

The location and nature of the reception area is similarly important, as is the information

about whether you plan an indoors or outdoors reception. If outdoors, will the area have a nice garden, and, depending on the season, will there already be flowers of various types growing there?

Details About Dresses You should be prepared to provide samples, or at least colour matches, of your bridal attendants’ dresses. The florist will also need to know what types of dresses they will be wearing particularly whether they will be long or mid-length. Details about your own gown will also be important.

Armed with this information, the florist will be able to ensure that the bridal and attendant bouquets will be appropriate and pleasing. Discuss whether you have any favourite flowers or colours. The number and dress style of the male wedding attendants should also be reviewed. If the wedding is formal, for example, it will govern the type of boutonnières the florist makes.

FLOWER SUGGESTIONS

Bridal Bouquet It is important that your bridal bouquet suits your wedding gown, stature, complexion and hair colour. Establish early if you want a traditional type of bouquet or something more contemporary. You should also be able to carry your bouquet comfortably and the bouquet should be somewhat restrained. It should not be so spectacular that it distracts people from you or your gown.

Bridesmaids’ Flowers Bouquets for the bridesmaids and the maid of honour should complement the colours and style of their dresses, but to some extent they should also complement the style and colours of the bridal bouquet. They will be smaller than the bridal bouquet.

Flower Girl The flower girl generally has a nosegay, or a small container for her flowers such as a floral basket. One tradition is that this basket also contains flower petals which the flower girl sprinkles on the floor of the church as the bride is leaving after the ceremony. You should check for permission with the church.

Bear in mind that fresh petals are very slippery, so you might want to consider using the petals of dried flowers instead. Or the flower girl can have small flowers or buds in the basket which she gives out to various guests on the edges of the aisles as you leave the church. As an alternative to a nosegay, the flower girl could have a floral pomander on her wrist, or have her hair decorated with flowers.

Mothers and Grandmothers These ladies generally receive corsages

rather than bouquets. It’s a good idea to try to keep them about equal in size and value so that nobody’s feelings are hurt. The corsage can be designed to be worn on the dress or the wrist. Be sure to establish if the dress fabric will be suitable for attaching the corsage. It can be a thoughtful gesture to ask the mothers or grandmothers if they have any favourite flowers they would like to have in their corsages.

Groom and Attendants The groom and male attendants wear boutonnières. Male attendants can include wedding party members such as the best man, ushers, and the ring bearer. As a general rule, boutonnières should not resemble a miniature corsage, but rather should be a single flower or single stem of smaller flowers. The groom will also wear a boutonnière, but you might want to ask that his be a little different from those of the attendants.

FLOWERS FOR THE CEREMONY

These are a key element of your wedding. They are a decorative statement which can add great beauty and tranquility to the ceremony. As symbols of beauty and purity, flowers also represent new

beginnings. There are a number of points you have to consider in planning the flower arrangements for the ceremony.

Check With Site You should first check with the ceremony location in case there are rules or preferences about how flowers may be used. The choice of flowers will be influenced by whether the ceremony is being held during the night or daytime. For a nighttime ceremony, for example, lighter hued flowers are generally more attractive and suitable.

General Décor Other influences on the choice of flowers for the ceremony will be the general décor and architecture of the site as well as the type of lighting it has. There may be a lot of daylight coming through stained glass windows, for example, or the lighting atmosphere may be largely artificial light. Generally speaking, the altar will be the focal point for the ceremony flower arrangements. Check with the church or synagogue to determine what is considered appropriate.

FLOWERS FOR THE RECEPTION

Here too you should check if there are any

restrictions as to how the location can be decorated, although this will generally be a lot more flexible than a church or synagogue.

Table Decorations Floral arrangements will be the principal decoration for the tables at the reception. It is important to establish ahead of time what the table arrangements will be because this will influence the nature of the floral decorations. If a smaller number of tables are used -- with six to eight people at each, for example -- the floral arrangements will be different than if the tables are long and in rows.

Arrangements also should not overwhelm the table setting. The height of arrangements should also be low enough that people across from each other at the tables can easily see each other and talk. Similarly, the main arrangement at the bridal table should not be so high that it obstructs people’s view of the bride and groom.

Alternative Approaches If the room is larger than appropriate for the number of people at the reception,

you can use large rented potted plants or small potted decorative trees to section off the room and make it more cosy. Another way to add to the mood at the reception is to use candles in addition to the floral arrangements. Be sure to check whether fire regulations allow their use. Alternatively you can also use small white Christmas lights to add a festive atmosphere. If the reception is outside — particularly if it is at your home or that of a friend or relative — you will have more latitude for alternate ideas such as candles and special lighting.

GETTING THE MOST FOR YOUR MONEY

There are a number of ways you can maximize your floral decoration budget and a good professional florist will co-operate with you in this effort. One point is to ask the florist if the use of seasonal flowers could save money. Instead of a large bouquet, the bride can carry a single rose or some other elegant flower, or you can have a family prayer book decorated with a floral highlight. Remember too that the more people you have in the wedding party, the more you will have to spend on floral accessories. For every person you want to include, you will need to

provide a bouquet, corsage or boutonnière. The variety of delightful inflatable decorations, often sold by florists for special occasions, is now considerable, and they can sometimes be saved for other occasions. Also, simple balloons in festive colours can add a fun touch inexpensively. Talk to your florist about having your flowers do double duty by using the flowers from the wedding ceremony at the reception. You also can economize by using silk or dried flowers that can be used again after the wedding.

Consider renting potted live flowers in pleasing arrangements as well as small flowering trees in containers. The use of greenery can be used with the flowers to extend the range of the flowers you are buying. You might look at having your wedding during a holiday season when the church and reception location may already be decorated with seasonal flowers. Caution: Holiday seasons are a florist’s busiest times, and likely when flowers are most in general demand. This may affect service and cost.

Ask whether any items can be rented. This is a very cost-effective way to get more décor for your money.