Selecting Your Wedding Flowers

Planning is the key to selecting the perfect wedding flowers. There are a few important points to consider when choosing your arrangements whether you are to do the arrangements yourself or have a florist arrange them for you.

• The size of your wedding party will greatly determine how much you spend on the flowers. You may want to limited the size of your wedding party because the more floral arrangements you have the greater the cost.
• Before selecting your location for your ceremony and reception, make sure that the venue doesn’t have any restrictions when it comes to floral arrangements? And will you or the florist be able to arrive early to set up the arrangements.
• If you have a small budget for your floral arrangements, don’t be afraid to let the florist know. A good florist will make suggestions and try to work in your price range.
• If you are on a small budget, consider making some of the arrangements yourself with flowers from your own garden.
• The color theme of your wedding will determine the colors of the flowers you choose for the ceremony and reception.

• Think about the style do you want, for example simple, sophisticated, classy or elegant.
• If you plan to do the arrangements yourself, consider having your wedding later in the day, this way you will have time to organize this.
• To save money, choose flowers that are local and in season. Try not to order flowers during the holiday season when they are in high demand and more expensive.

Working with the Florist

Start looking for a florist soon after you have made your gown selection which should be about six months before the wedding. When you are going to look for a florist set a budget on the amount that you would like to spend on, the bridal bouquet, wedding party flowers, and ceremony and reception arrangements. Shop around for your florist; you don’t necessarily want to go with the first one you see.

You should choose someone that you feel comfortable with and be able to communicate with easily and discuss things like your budget and expectations. Remember shop around and compare quotes to see where you will get the best deal. When you have selected a florist document and keep accurate notes every time you meet with her. Write down everything from the type or arrangements, the number of arrangements, costs, and ideas. Keep a list of questions that you want the florist to answer.

• Don’t be afraid to give your ideas to the florist, you should both be working in conjunction.
• Let her know if you are making your own bouquet and would like to have her make the other arrangements to match.
• Give the florist the date, time, and place of both the ceremony and the reception so that they can deliver and display the arrangements for you.
• Let her know the type of ceremony you are having.
• Give a list of names, address and telephone number of the bride, each attendant, female relatives or guests to whom flowers are to be sent.
• Supply the name and address of a contact person at the place where the ceremony is to take place, so that if she needs advise on the rules of floral decorations she can contact them
• She will also need to know the name of the person who will be in charge at the reception.
• Take with you fabric swatches, colours of fabrics, stationery samples and cake design, so that the florist will understand your theme.
• Discuss the colour, size, and type of all bouquets.
• Discuss the colour, size, and type of all corsages.
• Discuss the colour and type of flowers for hair.
• Discuss the petals or flowers for the flower girl
• Discuss the type of boutonnieres to be used.
• Discuss the type of decorations for the ceremony and reception.
• Give her the delivery time and place for all flowers.
• Ask her the cost of the arrangements.
• Ask her if there is a delivery fee.
• Ask her if she can set up the flowers at the place of ceremony and reception.
• Ask if there is a set up fee for this.
• Will the bill be itemized?
• Are there any hidden costs?

Apple blossom - Temptation

Aster (single) - I will think about it

Camellia (white) - Perfected loveliness

Carnation deep red - Alas for my poor heart!

Carnation pink - Women's love

Chrysanthemum red - I love

Chrysanthemum white - Truth

Chrysanthemum yellow - Slighted love

Cineraria - Always delightful

Cyclamen - Diffidence

Dahlia - Instability

Daisy - Innocence

Daphne - Sweets to the sweet

Forget-me-not - Remembrance, true love

Gardenia - Refinement

Gladiolus - Ready armed

Hyacinth (white) - Unobtrusive loveliness

Ivy - Fidelity, friendship, marriage

Lilac purple - First love

Lilac white - Youthful innocence

Lily-of-the-valley - Return of happiness

Orange blossom - Your purity equals your loveliness

Pansy - Thoughts

Petunia - Your presence soothes me

Ranunculus - You are radiant with charms

Rose - Love

Rosebud - Pure and lovely

Snapdragon - No!

Stock - Lasting beauty

Sweet pea - Delicate pleasures

Tuberose - Dangerous pleasures

Violet - Modesty, faithfulness