Flowers

FLOWERS

Flowers will enhance your wedding style, as well as add beauty and elegance at the ceremony and reception. It is suggested that you choose a reputable florist well in advance of the wedding date, as the most experienced ones tend to be reserved far in advance. The florist will be able to assist you in selecting the appropriate flowers to match your color scheme, advising you as to which ones are in season, etc. There is a good Internet site by the Society of American Florists which shows pictures of many flowers and has wedding flower tips including how to select a florist for your wedding.

Traditionally, the bride's family pays for floral decoration for the ceremony and reception, as well as the bridesmaids' bouquets. The groom provides the bride's bouquet and going-away corsage, corsages for mothers and grandmothers, and boutonnieres for himself, fathers, and all men in the wedding party.

Silk flowers may be less expensive than real flowers, however much of the expense is in the labor if you have a florist arrange them. So if you are comfortable arranging them yourself, you can probably save a bundle. You could also consider substituting silk exotics (like orchids) for real ones and have the florist make combination bouquets. Some silk flowers look as pretty as the real thing and it's hard to tell the difference. Also, if you have a silk bouquet, it will still look the same for years to come, whereas real flowers will need to be preserved or dried or thrown out.

EZWeddingPlanner has a free form list that you can keep track of what flowers you need and what you are purchasing, etc. Click here for this list.

Flowers for the Ceremony

The purpose of flowers at a church ceremony is to help enhance the worship space. These may range from vases of flowers to more elaborate arrangements with sprays of flowers lining the aisle. Be sure to check with your clergy-person as to what the church allows.

If you are being married at home or in a hotel or club, it is best to select an attractive spot such as a fireplace or large window and decide what floral arrangements will best enhance it. Again, your professional florist will be able to help you make your decision. Be aware of the fact that some churches do not allow silk or artificial flowers because they are contradictory to the symbol and tradition of freshness, purity, life, wholeness, etc. On the other hand, some may not allow potted flowers/plants inside the church. Also, the chancel area of the Protestant church is viewed much differently than the sanctuary of the Catholic church. In fact, most Catholic churches to not even allow any flowers on the altar.

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Many brides choose to get married in a park or arboretum which already has flowers, so there is no need to add more.

Flowers for the Attendants

The bridal bouquet is the most beautiful of all, but the gown you will be wearing will determine the type of bouquet you choose. The gown is still the main focus. Keep in mind that the bride's bouquet and her attendants' bouquets should be coordinated in theme and color. You may also choose to carry a white prayer book or small Bible. If the bride is wearing a street-length dress, she may choose to wear a corsage instead of carrying a bouquet.

If you show your florist swatches of your bridesmaids' dresses and sketches of the dress style, he/she will be able to suggest suitable bouquets and head pieces.

The bouquet for the maid (or matron) of honor may be slightly different from the bridesmaids' bouquets.

The flowers carried by a flower girl should be demure, as befits her age and size. A small basket or nosegay is best. Carrying a basket is easy and natural and gives her something to concentrate on as she walks down the aisle.

Corsages for mothers and grandmothers should be chosen with the color of their dresses in mind. They should be kept simple – a cymbidium orchid has been a favorite for many.

Boutonnieres for the men in the wedding party are simply a symbol of participation in the wedding, so they should be small and simple. Carnations are frequently used, but other possibilities include one white (or matching color) sweetheart rose, or a sprig of stephanotis. The groom's boutonniere is generally a flower of the same type as those in the bride's bouquet, and should be different from those of the other men in the wedding party.

Reception Flowers

Reception flowers should be coordinated with the wedding theme in both color and design. Since your guests will be spending more time at the reception than at the wedding, you may want to consider where most of your flower budget should be spent. The buffet table is the center of attention and therefore the centerpiece should be elaborate. You will also need centerpieces for the table where the guests will be seated. Consider the color of the table linens; white, for instance, may wash out pastel colors. Consider using clay pots with in-season flowers as centerpieces. Guests may then take them home as a favor. For example, tulips or daffodils in spring would be pretty. See the flower guides below for seasonal suggestions. You may also wish to use fresh flowers, or silk flowers, on your wedding cake. This can be done easily by your caterer or baker. The base of the cake can be garlanded with greens or surrounded by the wedding bouquets during the reception and for pictures. If an evening reception is planned, strings of small white twinkle lights entwined in floral decorations can add an enchanting touch.

Flower Guide

The flowers as listed will probably be available the year round, but it is wise to check with the florist before making a decision.

Alstroemaria	African Daisies	Baby's Breath	Bachelor Buttons
Calla Lily	Carnations	Chrysanthemums	Cornflowers
Daisy	Delphiniums	Easter Lilies	Freesia
Gardenias	Gerbera	Gladioli	Iris
Ivy	Lilies-of-the-Valley	Nerine	Orchids
Roses	Snapdragons	Stephanotis	Stock
Tuberose

The following flowers are usually available for autumn weddings:

Asters	Autumn leaves & foliage	Bouvardia	Celosia
China Aster	Chrysanthemums	Dahlias	Euphorbia fulgens
Grape ivy	Hydrangea	Shaggy-petaled Fujis	Shasta Daisies
Spider Mums	Statice	Tuberoses	Viburnum berries
Yarrow	Zinnias

The following flowers are usually available for winter weddings:

Acacia	Amaryllis	Calla Lilies	Camellias
Cyclamen	Dendrobium	Eucalyptus berries	Forget-Me-Nots
Heather	Helleborus	Holly	Iris
Lilacs	Madonna Lilies	Narcissus	Pepper berries
Poinsettias (white or red)	Santolina	Stephanotis	Sweet Peas
Tulips	Winter greens

The following flowers are usually available for spring weddings:

Apple Blossoms	Anemone	Azalea	Calla Lilies
Camellia	Daffodils	Dianthus	Dogwood
Easter Lilies	Forget-Me-Nots	Forsythia Branches	Geraniums
Garden roses	Hyacinth	Hydrangea	Iceland poppy
Iris	Jasmine	Jonquils	Larkspur
Lilacs	Lily of the valley	Mimosa	Narcissus
Pansy	Peonies	Primrose	Ranunculus
Sweet Peas	Tulips	Viburnum	Violets

The following flowers are usually available for summer weddings:

Asters	Bachelor's button	Bells of Ireland	Blue lace flower
Blue salvia	Calla Lilies	Clematis	Cornflower
Daisies	Delphinium	Eremurus	Forget-Me-Nots
Honeysuckle	Iris	Joepye weed	Larkspur
Lilies	Lysimachia	Peonies	Phlox
Queen Anne's Lace	Rosemary	Sedum	Shasts Daisies
Snowballs	Stock	Sunflower	Sweet Peas
Sweet William	Tuberoses	Zinnias

Again, this is just a guideline – check with your local florist as to what is available.