Wedding Flowers

Well la-di-da asked:


Do we have to make arrangements to take it all home? Or are they typically thrown away? We’re having floating flowers in water, so I don’t think I’ll find a use for wet flowers afterwards?

Madeline

Melissa Ingram asked:


Flowers are an important part of making your wedding ceremony and reception beautiful. Hopefully this guide will make your choices in wedding flowers a little bit easier.

The Shop

When planning your wedding, you should take time and care in selecting a wedding florist.

Choose several florists in the general vicinity of your ceremony and reception site. If the wedding florist is on the other side of town, they may charge more for delivery. Look in the yellow pages, on wedding websites and ask your friends and families for referrals before narrowing down your list to three or four options.

Set up appointments to meet with each of the florists. Before the appointment time, you should decide the following about your wedding:

* Wedding colors (color of bridesmaids dresses, table linens and other decor)

* Number of attendants

* Total budget for flowers, including delivery charges

When you meet with each florist give them an idea of what you are looking for, but also be open to suggestions. After all, they are the professionals!

Bring tear outs from magazines to give the florists an idea of what you types and colors of flowers you are consider. Ask each florist to come up a quote that will meet all your needs. It may also be helpful to ask for a high-end quote if you want to trade out your standard flowers for more exotics, dye flowers to a specific color, or want anything else special.

Once you’ve visited three or four shops and gathered the quotes, ask for a list of references from each. Call previous brides to make sure there were no problems with customer service, delivery, or quality of the flowers.

The Flowers

A basic package of wedding flowers should include:

* Bridal bouquet

* Bridemaids’ bouquets

* Corsages for mothers, grandmothers and other important women

* Boutonnieres for the groom, groomsmen, fathers, grandfathers and other important men

* Centerpieces for the reception

You may also need a smaller bouquet for the "toss," flowers for the flower girl, and other floral decorations.

Though you can find most flowers all year, it’s best to choose seasonal blooms because they are more readily available, more durable and less expensive. Here is a general guideline of wedding flowers by season.

Spring

* Apple blossoms

* Cherry blossoms

* Daffodils

* Hyacinth

* Iris

* Lilies

* Lilacs

* Pansies

* Peonies

* Tulips

Summer

* Cala lilies

* Dahlia

* Daisies

* Geraniums

* Hydrangeas

* Iris

* Larkspur

* Queen Anne’s lace

* Roses

* Sunflowers

* Zinnias

Fall

* Asters

* Chrysanthemums

* Gerbera daisies

* Marigolds

* Roses

* Sunflowers

Winter

* Camelias

* Forget-me-nots

* Jasmine

* Orchids

* Poinsettias

Now that you are armed with all the information, you can make an informed decision and choose the florist and the flowers that are right for you!

Find many more wedding articles like this provided by Truly Wedding Favors by visiting our directory, Articles By Yours Truly.



Gary

Groshan Fabiola asked:


re one of the most important wedding centerpieces that we use in the wedding ceremony to a large extent. It complements the entire ambience and adds oodles of glamour to the wedding decorations to give it a wholesome touch. There is no doubt that flowers acquire a good share of expenses in the wedding. If you are preparing for a wedding ceremony or involve in wedding planning business, then you would positively get detailed information on wedding flowers including it’s price, how to get it in cheap rate, where will you get exclusive and authentic flowers, how to decorate with flowers etc.

While it comes to wedding flowers, search for an authentic flower shop. It might be tough to some extent. However, you can take the help of internet to get some of the renowned flower shop’s phone number who can supply authentic and fresh wedding flowers. Then contact with them and ask if they are able to supply exclusive wedding flowers in much smaller price. Then select the best shops that will be able to provide all your requirements in an affordable price. Remember, flowers are considered as one of the used wedding centerpieces; therefore, you should be extremely careful in terms of choosing the perfect and suitable wedding flowers for the wedding decorations. While you are choosing the flowers, make it sure that the flower shop owner is providing it in an affordable price. You, as a seller, would definitely not cross your budget limit. Thus, according to our suggestion, always purchase from an affordable and newly made shops. Since they are newer in this business, no doubt they will deduct little percentage from your final bills.

Flower, as wonderful wedding centerpieces, attracts people’s attention towards its beauty. While you are decorating the entire area with this specific wedding centerpiece, you can also add two essential wedding centerpieces including candles and petals. These wedding centerpieces work as additional glamorous element and able to convert the entire environment amazingly presented towards the guests. Apart from that, selecting the place where marriage ceremony will be held is little bit difficult. If you want to create a romantic environment, the beach side could work as breathtaking wedding centerpieces. Thus, if you are completely novice on wedding flowers and wedding decorations, you can take help of the experts and flower decorators. Keep in mind, these types of wedding flowers must includes bright colored to get the positive effect and make the marriage place much colorful.

While it comes to decorate that specific area with petals, it can easily mixed up with other wedding centerpieces quickly and able to recreate an amazing atmosphere. Rose petals seem to be the much-used petal in wedding ceremonies. Petals surrounding the candles make beautiful wedding centerpieces. If you use to have rectangular tables, you can make the particular table liners out of these petals and keep those votive candles on the top of table. Before investing the hard-earned money to purchase exclusive wedding flowers, you should consult with the renowned florists so that they can be instrumental in reducing the flower costs largely, and help you to find the accurate place for purchase.

Dustin

Best-Wedding-Dress asked:


I am trying to get ideas on wedding flowers. What type of flowers and colors are you using for your wedding and why?

Natalie

Jen Carter asked:


You think you’ve thought of everything, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Weddings, although they’re meant to be joyous, can often be very stressful. Here’s some advice: make checklists. Although it may seem a tad ‘corny,’ a wedding checklist can provide you with peace of mind. You won’t have to wonder if everything’s been taken care of. You’ll be able to use each checklist as a confirmation.

One of the most important wedding checklists is a wedding flower checklist. Consider your bouquets. Make sure you have the following bouquets: Brides bouquet, bride’s toss-away bouquet, bridesmaids bouquets, Maid of Honor’s bouquet, and the flower girl’s bouquet or floral basket. While this may sound like a lot to consider AND arrange, we’ve only just begun!

Corsages are required for the bride’s mother, the groom’s mother, and the grandmothers of both the bride and groom. Well the ladies are taken care of, but what about the men? Do all the gentlemen have a boutonniere? It’s tradition for the groom, the groom’s best man, the ushers, ring bearer, the fathers (of the bride and groom), and both grandfathers to wear floral boutonniere’s to the wedding ceremony. Typically, the colors of these flowers coincide with the corsages worn by the ladies.

Finally, everyone in your immediate family and wedding party should have some sort of floral arrangement. Once you’ve confirmed that with your checklist, you can begin planning and confirming your floral decorations and centerpieces for the wedding.

Start at the beginning: the rehearsal dinner. You’ll most likely want a floral centerpiece for the table. If it’s an extended table with many family members, you may want to consider two centerpieces. Presentation is everything. Next, you’ll want to make sure that you have all of the flowers for your wedding reception. Some things to consider are: the head table centerpiece, gift table centerpiece, buffet table centerpiece, and bar centerpiece.

You may also want to place a floral arrangement on the table that informs guests of their seating arrangements. In addition, some floral ideas such as aisle runners and floral headpieces can be considered. Believe it or not, many couples give ‘thank you’ floral arrangements to their parents and out-of-town guests. It’s become a very modern tradition that has been embraced by many young couples. Most importantly, don’t forget to write down the number of centerpieces you will need to make a gorgeous impression.



Noah

David Fishman asked:


Wedding flowers are one of the biggest parts of any wedding budget, so saving money on them should be a top priority for any bride and groom. To save on money and to keep within your budget you should consider buying the flowers wholesale. Especially when the flowers are in season like spring it is a great time to purchase wholesale because of the stock of flowers. Remember to check your arrangement in a mirror with you holding it so you would picture how it would look like to someone else’s view. This is a new generation and silk wedding flowers are the rage.

White wedding dresses come in a wide variety of shades of white; you want to make sure that the flowers that you choose will coordinate with your wedding dress so you should match it with a swatch. Professional florist know accent the flowers just so, so they will attract attention to you in the way that you want. There is no shame in learning from the success and failures of others and doing so will generally save you a lot of grief. Your florist will help you with which flowers are seasonal if you are still unsure as to what to go for. Your local florist can recommend the many colorful options available. You are in for a pleasant surprise at your local florist. Florists can customize flowers to what ever you like, these fresh flowers with professional cutting them will make your bouquet outlast any store bought flowers.

The bouquets can be the same color as the bride’s bouquet or a different color. Bouquets can also be fashioned by keeping in mind the family tradition. Any good wedding florist should have at least a few sample bouquets they can show you. If no live bouquets are available, however, be sure to look through the photo book the florist has. Ensure that gift bouquets are ordered for the mothers. Problems arise because of last-minute flower substitutions due to weather or transportation issues, which may be more expensive. Women find themselves making last-minute decisions about changes to their arrangements, often without seeing what the revised bouquets will look like. Spring flowers make attractive centerpieces for tables and rooms. Bridal bouquets can be prepared with them.

The best way to evaluate how and where to allocate your wedding budget is to determine exactly what your priorities are. These days, 4 out of 5 couples pay for their own wedding and it helps to know how your budget should be broken down. It is with the budget that you can set realistic goals for your wedding and whether or not if your budget is realistic to your finances.

Since summer is the most popular time for weddings, it is very important to decide in advance the type of wedding flowers wanted by the bride. Since the florists are bound to be busy with many other weddings, the bride should be sure of her choices. Florists will also deliver all the flowers to your destination. Flowers in the center of the table always makes a good center piece, your guest will want to take these home and make your wedding day memorable. Most wedding florists will have a portfolio of photographs from past weddings, and they should be happy to share this portfolio of past work with potential customers. Most established florists are not one-man shows but a huge network of florists in different places.



George

cinderella asked:


I am using Stargazer Lillies and Gladiolous, and Roses. What would be good filler flowers for the Altar arrangements & table arrangements? The wedding colors ar Azelea & white. Wedding is next week!!! Please Help!

Brody

Cori Russell asked:


Aside from the bouquet you spring for each Mother’s Day, chances are you’re a novice when it comes to flowers. However, now you are a bride-to-be planning your dream wedding, and suddenly you must make decisions on bouquets, boutonnieres, reception centerpieces and ceremony arrangements. Overwhelming? We know! Fortunately, we are here to guide you through this process so you can enjoy planning your wedding flowers without wilting from the stress. Read through these useful tips gathered from experts in the field. And if you have any questions not answered here, ask us.

Discover Your Style

Close your eyes and envision the perfect look to your wedding. Will it be formal or casual? Elaborate or simple? Bold or neutral colors? Are you a traditionalist in favor of roses or lilies, or do you favor a more contemporary floral theme incorporating grasses, fruits and herbs? Your wedding flowers are more than eye candy; they set the ambiance for the entire event. Knowing your wedding style is a start in the right direction, because you’ll want to choose blossoms that match the formality of your wedding day.

Pick Your PaletteYour color scheme should flow directly from your desired style. Today’s floral trends embrace an anything goes mentality, from wedding flowers in traditional whites and pastels to modern and adventurous dark hues and citrus shades. Flowers in matching shades or cool contrasts are breathtaking, but make sure they coordinate with your overall wedding theme. Choose your wedding colors accordingly, and your wedding will express your spirit. If you are still not sure where to begin, bring a bridesmaid dress fabric swatch when you meet with your florist and choose coordinating shades.

 

Go With the SeasonYou know your floral theme and you’ve chosen your color scheme. When deciding on the specific blooms your want in your arrangements, be sure to consider the season in which you are marrying. Consult this seasonal wedding flowers guide for help.

 

Set Your Floral Budget

Let’s face it: Determining how much wedding flowers cost is probably not the aspect of your wedding you’ve been dreaming of since grade school. You may see your floral budget as the biggest nemesis between you and your wedding flowers. If you plan wisely, however, you should have enough money to create the floral theme of your desires. Expect to spend about 8-10% of your overall budget on wedding flowers.

Hire a Florist

Even the most creative and artistic bride will benefit from a florist’s professional capabilities. Your wedding day will be full of activity, and you won’t want to spend vital hours fumbling with the wiring of each bouquet. A florist is not necessarily a budget breaker; a good one should be able to work with any floral budget. We’ll teach you the ins and outs of hiring a florist that suits your needs.

Now that you’ve been prepped with the basics, this complete wedding flowers guide will walk you the rest of the way towards planning your floral and decor scheme.



Kira

Flower Girls Dress asked:


When selecting a flower girl dress for your wedding, there are many things to consider - the age and height of the flower girl, wedding colors, dress length, dress style, and so forth. The first step is to know what styles of flower girl dresses are available.

First one should know the roles for “Flower Girls”. There are really three distinct roles for little flower girls in a wedding. Flower Girl – a child attendant wearing a child-like dress in either Tea or Formal length who usually carries either a basket of petals to strew on the aisle or path announcing the arrival of the Bride. Miniature / Jr. Bride – a child dressed like a bride.

This role comes from medieval times as a decoy to lure evil spirits away from the Bride to avoid a curse on the marriage.  She may wear a miniaturized version of the Bride’s gown or a  edding-style gown complete with train and flowing headpiece.  She carries a bouquet. Jr. Brides Maid – older girls certainly prefer this designation.  The young ladies are usually dressed to coordinate more with the Brides Maids rather than in a full, fluffy little girl’s dress.

Types of dress: Selecting the right flower girl dress and accessories is an exciting time. Indeed it is a special day for the bride rather than the flower girl but what she wears will help her feel just that much more special and create memories for a life time. Traditionally and in many cultures yet today, the “little bride” look is desirable for flower girl.

 It is usually a full satin gown with plenty of trimming and a frothy veil on her head. However that trend has now disappeared in many modern parishes. Today we’re seeing a desire for clean lines and simple styles more in tea length than formal. Many feel that this helps focus the emphasis on the child and the meaning of the day. Sleeveless is also definitely popular in many locations.Light touches of beading are still very popular but it is not as ’standard’ as it once was. More modern styles will include lovely dresses with an entirely different silhouette from the standard ballgown style. Selecting the Colors: White or ivory dresses are the most popular (always coordinated with the color of the Bride’s gown).  There are many alternatives; consider the following:

A white or ivory dress and add a sash in a color close to the color of the Bride’s Maids dresses.  It may be possible to order extra fabric from the company where you order the Bride’s Maids’ dresses to have sashes made up.  Or, you can select a similar color from a child’s dress company; matching isn’t often that important.

A white or ivory flower-petal filled dress.  Select flower petals in the color of the flowers everyone will carry or the color of the Bride’s Maids’ dresses.  It is not necessary to have an exact match. When to Shop It is very important to shop early so you have the widest possible selection. 

Start shopping in early October. Shop for her headpiece at the same time - once they are out of stock, they won’t be available again this year. This will allow you time to think things through and order any style you want - even with extra dress length if necessary/available and still have time to make alterations before the day she wears it.



Nyla

Karen De Villiers asked:


Even if you have a strict budget to stick to, you will still want the most beautiful flowers possible for your wedding day. The best thing to do is to try and determine a way to find the best wedding flowers for the cheapest possible price.There are some extremely helpful budgeting tips you can use when it comes time to purchase your wedding flowers.

The first thing you need to do is to sit down and assess your finances. You need to know exactly how much you have to spend on your wedding, and how much of that you really want to allocate towards your flowers, especially as there will be money needed for a multitude of other things for your big day! Inform your florist of the amount you have to spend, and tell them to stick strictly to it! You will find that you will stay on track better this way.

To make the cost of your flowers less expensive, the wisest thing to do is to choose flowers that are in season. You will also want to take a look at flowers that grow naturally in the area where your wedding will take place, because importing another type of flower will be much more costly. You will also need to ensure that the delivery and set up fees are part of the entire price you are quoted. You will not want to have to pay unexpected additional charges that were hidden in the contract you signed. Get written receipts on all the deposits and payments that you are making and ensure there are no loose ends and hidden costs you do not know about.

You could also consider having the bridesmaids carrying a single beautiful flower instead of a whole large bouquet. You may find that this is a simple and elegant look that will also save you a lot of money.

Another way to save money is to take care of the flower arrangements yourself. You can have the florists take care of the corsages and will ultimately save yourself a lot of money. There are many beautiful outdoor wedding venues, and it is not that trying to find a garden venue that is filled with naturally growing flowers. The flowers will add the color and beauty you were dreaming of, and will cost you nothing. The natural setting is very romantic and beautiful, and it is also nice to know that once your wedding is over the flowers will live on.

For an indoor ceremony, if you are decorating a church with flowers, you will want to keep it as tasteful and sweet as possible. Do not get too carried away with the flowers in the church, as you will need to keep with the humility and respect of this Holy space. Instead, focus on enhancing the natural beauty of your chapel instead of taking away from it.

Wildflowers are a great choice to have in your wedding. You can use the wildflowers wherever you want to. The use of these flowers, which posses such a raw and natural beauty, will create a truly unique look and feel to your wedding. The decision to use wildflowers can be even wiser than you think, because you could even look at growing them yourself! Although, you would need to ensure that you have given yourself enough time to grow the flowers for your wedding day.

Do not be afraid to drill your florist, you deserve to know everything possible to put your mind at ease. It is also extremely important to approve the flower arrangements before the wedding begins, and have the exact time when your flowers will be delivered. Take the necessary time out to go over your flower arrangements and the schedule to ensure it is exactly what you want.



Simon