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Flowering Your Big Day
By Tresa Erickson
As you plan the floral arrangements for your wedding, you will be faced with many questions. What kind of bouquet will you carry? How many centerpieces will you need for the reception? What kind of boutonniere will your groom wear? These are just some of the issues you will have to discuss with your florist.
After you have selected the colors of your wedding, you can start thinking about the flowers. To get ideas, go to the library and check out some books on floral arranging, or look through some bridal magazines. Make photocopies or clip out pictures of arrangements you like. Collect them together with swatches of your wedding colors to give to the florist later.
In the floral world, flowers carry meaning. Tulips, for instance, symbolize love; daisies, innocence; and honeysuckle, generosity. Ivy represents eternal fidelity, while ferns represent sincerity. Keep this in mind as you choose the flowers and greenery for the floral arrangements at your wedding. For a more complete list of meanings, conduct a search online.
Once you have a few ideas, consider whether you will use real or silk flowers. There are pros and cons to each. Real flowers smell wonderful, but they are less hardy and more expensive than silk flowers. To reduce costs, consider using flowers in season. Although they do not have a scent, silk flowers cost less and they can be displayed easier after your wedding.
No matter if you use real or silk flowers, the number and size of your floral arrangements, especially your bouquet, should fit your budget and your needs. Generally, the larger an arrangement, the more it costs. If you have a small budget and need several pieces, you may have to choose smaller arrangements. As for your bridal bouquet, make sure you select a size that fits your stature. You don’t want to be burdened with a huge bouquet that covers half of your dress.
Once you have an idea of the type, size and number of arrangements you will need, it’s time to select a florist. Depending on your needs, it could be a crafty friend or a flower shop down the street. The person you choose should be creative. They should also be reliable and flexible in case you need to make changes to your arrangements later. No matter whom you choose, make sure you are comfortable with their services. Then give them your ideas and color swatches, and watch them create some beautiful floral arrangements for your wedding.
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