Floral Delights
Flowers symbolize the beginning of your new life together, unfolding with the promise of growth in love and devotion. Your careful choice of flowers will add much more than simple decorations at your wedding. Whether you wish to create the romantic feel of a garden, or the high style of contemporary design, flowers will enhance the beauty and elegance of the ceremony and make a gorgeous setting for your reception.
Wedding Flowers
When selecting the flowers for your wedding, remember that you may choose from either fresh or silk flowers. They are both beautiful and it is really a matter of personal choice. Probably the best thing you can do in selecting the right flowers for your wedding is to find an experienced floral professional. A professional can guide you and advise you on what is most appropriate for your wedding.
You should begin interviewing floral artists at least four to six months before your wedding. Look for an individual who will give you special attention and listen to your needs and desires. Remember to ask to see samples of his or her work. There are a number of experienced floral designers throughout the area offering beautiful artistry, with an array of flowers from alstromeria to stephanotis, which is acknowledged as the wedding flower.
Once you have found the designer with whom you are comfortable and whose work you admire, discuss tastes and preferences, the season and style of your wedding, and your budget. Take with you fabric swatches and a description of your gown and the bridesmaids' gowns. This will help in the choice of colors and give a clear idea of the "look" you want to create.
Your floral professional can tell you what flowers are readily available during the season of your wedding. If you are using silk flowers, they should also go with the season. If your ceremony is being held in a church, determine if there are any restrictions on the type or number of floral arrangements and decorations that can be used.
Bride's Bouquet
The bridal bouquet should be the most beautiful bouquet in the wedding party, whether it's a single spectacular flower or a dramatic arrangement of many flowers and colors. If you use fresh flowers in your bouquet you may want to have them preserved as a keepsake of your wedding.
Floral Accessories - the Finishing Touch
Once you've determined what your bouquet will include, it's time to start thinking about your bridal party. Who should carry or wear flowers? What is appropriate for each person?
• Bridesmaids' bouquets can be anything from a miniature version of your bouquet, to a different variation for each. Perhaps your bouquet is a mixture of various blooms — and you can select a different one for each maid. Or incorporate some tulle, berries, or another type of filler in each one as an alternative.
• The Maid of Honor will surely feel honored by your gesture of providing her a slightly larger bouquet than those of the other bridesmaids — as a symbol of the special place she holds in your heart.
• Boutonnieres — be brave with this one — the only thing to keep in mind is that your groom's flower (as well as those of his attendants) should be consistent with your bouquet, and it's worn over his heart on his left lapel. Ask your florist for some trendy ideas to make him handsome as ever.
• Corsages — your family members will be ecstatic with all the options available. Gone are the days when a corsage has to look like something you got for your prom - from a wristband to a single bloom for the sophisticated look — even a small bouquet — your florist can suggest some options to suit.
• The Flower Girl — as the name suggests, you'll need a basket full of petals for this young lady. Make sure the basket is appropriate for her size, and remember — practice makes perfect with this one!
• Headpieces — don't forget yourself, after all! Flowers incorporated into your headpiece or hairstyle are a great way to bring the whole picture together. Be sure to work with your stylist and florist ahead of time to achieve the fabulously floral you!
Fashionable florals
Romance is back, and brides are choosing a return to a more classic, timeless look, not only in wedding gowns and hairstyles, but in accessories and florals, as well. The "Uptown" look in black and white is very au courant, and except for the West Coast, where the retro look has influenced wedding parties with fuchsia and tangerine, we're seeing less in the way of shocking color mixtures. For most, the pastel palettes have become the palatable favorites.
Today's floral trends cover the color spectrum from pinks and peaches — even reds — to yellows and aquamarines. Brides are choosing elegant, monochromatic, hand-tied bouquets arranged in a lush, dense manner, with great details given to the wrap of the stems. A jeweled-encrusted handle or touches of feathers can make your bouquet a fashion statement reflecting elements of your personality and style. The exquisite beauty of orchids has made them the most sought-after flower for today's stylish bride.
For a classic reception with an edge, combine a base of pastel-toned flowers then accent with hints of deeper colors representing the time of year. In months of gazing sun, a rosy combination of pink cymbidium orchids combined with coral goditia and splashed with butter yellow stock or a hint of green mint will soothe your guests to perfection. For colder months, ice blue Bella Donna delphinium mixed with chocolate brown cosmos and hints of Illyse coral spray roses are sure to warm any reception.
Floral Preservation
From days gone by, when young girls "pressed" cherished floral mementos in books, to be enjoyed, still lovely and faintly fragrant years later, floral preservation has endured and flourished as a special type of art form. Beautiful flowers are such an important part of any wedding, and preserving your bouquet, and perhaps an arrangement from the reception, will make a unique keepsake and a lasting remembrance of your wedding.
Your wedding flowers can be preserved through several different processes and in a variety of ways. Some brides choose to have their bouquets displayed in shadow boxes or encased in glass. Others have the actual flowers used to create a wreath, a garland — even a topiary. Prior to your wedding, you will want to discuss the many style options, as well as preservation methods, with your florist, or with someone who specializes solely in preserving bridal bouquets.
It is important that your wedding flowers are delivered to the floral designer or preservation expert as soon as possible. Make arrangements to have your flowers picked up or delivered immediately after the wedding so that they can be preserved in their freshest state. Ask a friend, or hire a service professional, to handle this detail for you. The flowers should be kept cool prior to the delivery, but the petals should not get wet. Ask your floral designer or preservation artist for tips on getting them there in the best condition.
If you're planning to have your bouquet preserved, you will first want to be sure you have an extra one to toss to the single females at your reception. Your floral designer can provide you with a "throwing" bouquet, allowing you to keep your own bridal flowers for sentimental reasons.