Wedding Flowers and Arrangements?Best Advice from the Experts

Now that you are planning your wedding, you've got to choose bouquets, boutonnieres, centerpieces, church arrangements, and a stunning corsage for one of the most important people who will attend the ceremony-your mother. Somehow, you'll have to make the arrangements for all this, and at a cost that will likely be between 10 and 15 percent of your overall wedding budget.

If you're like most brides-to-be, just thinking about how to manage all of the details required to successfully deck-out the church, reception areas, and the wedding party with the perfect flowers is enough to make you dizzy. So our first words of advice are "Relax, and follow these tips from well-seasoned floral experts."

First Things First

1. Opt for a Pro-Even the savviest bride-to-be should hire a florist. Given the attention to details and pace on your wedding day, you won't want to be worried about wiring each stem for your bouquet when you should be getting dressed and posing for photos. And don't let money be an obstacle. A truly good florist should be able to work within your budget.

2. Picture Perfect-Just as a hairstylist invariably will ask for a picture of what you have in mind, so will a good florist. Be prepared. Flip through bridal magazines, surf the Internet, and peruse books for flowers and different arrangements that appeal to you. Gather as many images as you can, and take them along when you first visit the florist.

3. Color Coordinate-If you're unable to find inspiring floral designs even after all that browsing, begin with a color scheme. You may want to start with the color of the bridesmaids' dresses and choose coordinating hues, says St. Louis floral designer Dale Rohman.

4. Checking It Twice-Before meeting with your florist, carefully make a list of every flower need. Include the obvious (your bouquet and his boutonniere) as well as the nice touches (garland for the staircase).

Visit the Shop

5. Judge by Appearances-Florists are like home decorators; they are paid to pay attention to details and to create inviting as well as interesting spaces. If the shop seems noticeably out-of-date or hopelessly disorganized and strikes you as unimpressive, look for a different florist.

6. Use the B-word-The cost of your flower arrangements will quickly add up, so don't let it overwhelm your budget. If you are really trying to keep expenses low, downsize. Instead of ordering bouquets for your bridesmaids, have them carry one stunning bloom-a long-stem calla lily, for example.

7. Be Open to Different Ideas-When you meet with your florist, let her know what kind of flowers you like, as well as those you don't like. But keep an open mind, suggests New York floral designer Kimberly Wise. "Give us the parameters to work within-a color, for example-then let us be the experts." After you and your florist have made all of the necessary selections, look over the proposal carefully before signing, just to make sure that you are both on the same wavelength.

Designer's Sense

8. Setting the Scene-The flowers you select will go a long way toward setting the mood for your wedding day. Choose blossoms that match the setting and formality, or informality, of your event. For example, daisies or pansies would be far too casual for a white tie and tails wedding. On the other hand, lush garnet roses are too formal for a beach ceremony. Get the idea.

9. Season Sensations-Spring and summer weddings lend themselves to pale colors, citrus tones and, as the weather warms up, bright, vibrant beach-ball colors. If you are planning a fall wedding, begin thinking in terms of rich, earthy colors, such as amber, burgundy, and rust. Winter brides can create an unforgettable, sparkling effect with evergreens, silver, crystal-and, of course, a wonderland of white.

10. Worth a Thousand Words-You may be dresses in white when you walk down the isle, but which white? Wedding gowns come in many shades of pale, from pure white to ecru, so don't just describe you wedding dress. To ensure that your flowers will work well with your dress, take along a swatch of the fabric when you first meet with your florist.

11. Stay in Proportion-The size of the bouquet you choose should be in proportion to your size. If you are petite, have your florist design a bouquet that complements, rather than overpowers, your size. After all, you don't want your bouquet to be the center of attention. Conversely, if you are a tall woman, you may want to opt for something robust.

Memorable Bouquets

12. Mother-of-the-Bride-Well, she may be making you a little crazy right now, but she'll settle down again once all the excitement is over. In the meantime, consider honoring her love and devotion throughout the years by looking to her wedding bouquet for inspiration. Maybe you'll want to carry some of the same kinds of flowers she did.

13. History and Traditions-If there was ever a time to blend the past with the present, this is it. Devote a little time to reading up on wedding traditions-perhaps in different cultures, especially if that will lend something particularly appropriate to the ceremony. Did you know that during the Middle Ages, brides carried fragrant herbs to ward off evil spirits or that Queen Victoria adorned herself with orange blossoms?

14. One Memento, Please-Would you prefer to keep your wedding bouquet as a memento, rather than toss it away? Have your florist design a "toss bouquet" to throw to those eagerly awaiting maidens. It will be smaller and less expensive, as well as easier to lob.

Jean Bachcroft is a former public relations director. Currently she is the owner of Bachcroft and Aloha Labels and the publisher and editor-in-chief of Town and Country Shopping Bargains Magazine. For designer wedding, holiday, and year-round mailing and return address labels, visit Bachcroft Mailing and Return Address Labels and Aloha Return Address Labels.

For bargains and bargain shopping articles, visit Town and Country Shopping Bargains.

---

Help is Here for Your Wedding Ceremony

When it comes to your wedding services, nobody wants to... Read More

Symbolism of Wedding Rings

"The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of... Read More

Bridal Budget Beware

Getting hitched, taking the plunge, tying the knot, jumping the... Read More

Finding the Perfect Bridesmaid Gift

The bridesmaid gift is essential to the planning of a... Read More

Who Should Get A Gift At Your Wedding?

Planning a wedding is hard enough without having to think... Read More

Dealing With Your Spouses Sexual Past

"Couples who've had sex before marriage will inevitably have sexual... Read More

Wedding Etiquette for the Best Man, Groomsmen, and Ushers

Undoubtedly, the groom will want to choose a few good... Read More

How to Have a Sizzler of a Honeymoon! Article No. 10

What about this business of food for lovers? Is it... Read More

3 Easy Steps to Buying the Right Engagement Ring

You've made the plunge, you've decided to get married. Congratulations!Don't... Read More

Here Comes the Bride

As we hear the music begin to play the Bridal... Read More

Wedding Centerpiece Ideas

Everybody who has decided to marry wants their day to... Read More

Building Up Your Marriage with Healthy Communication

Would you like to have a stronger, healthier, more enjoyable... Read More

Dallas Wedding Receptions

The most important day of your life is drawing near... Read More

Twelve Ways to Make Your Spouse Dislike Sex

It's really not difficult to ruin what could have been... Read More

Are You Fully Present in Your Marriage?

"Presence is more than just being there," states Malcolm S.Forbes.... Read More

Getting Great Deals on the Wedding Clothes

If you are planning to have a full wedding that... Read More

Jewish Wedding Traditions - The Wedding Day in a Nutshell

Many of the Jewish wedding traditions are derived from ancient... Read More

Bridal Shower Basics

A bridal shower is an excellent way for the bride... Read More

Organizing The Wedding Menu

Deciding the menu is a pretty simple affair. Once you've... Read More

Planning a Maui Wedding

Just as there are a variety of wedding packages available,... Read More

Building Your Marriage: Some Thoughts From St. Paul

These verses of Scripture from St. Paul are commonly used... Read More

What Is A Destination Wedding Dress?

Just as destination weddings are fast growing in popularity, so... Read More

Planning A Backyard Wedding

So many couples are planning to have their wedding at... Read More

Why Hire A Wedding Designer?

As couples begin thinking about their wedding, they are often... Read More

Las Vegas Wedding Packages

One of the good things about Las Vegas Wedding Packages... Read More

Organising your Wedding Stationery

Of all the things you need to do, buy and... Read More

How to Choose a Marriage Counselor

You have made the decision to contact a marriage counselor.... Read More

Helping The Control Freak Plan The Wedding

My daughter and fiancé have finally set the "big day"... Read More

Loose Moissanite Stones, A Great Way to Buy Your Moissanite Jewelry

Moissanite is fast becoming the new diamonds. The newest jewelry... Read More

Engagement Party Ideas To Wow The Crowd!

He's proposed, and most likely you're flashing your new engagement... Read More

Your Wedding Countdown

This is intended as a guide to help you plan... Read More

The Marriage Test

Love should not blind a couple to the realities of... Read More

How to Select a Wedding Photographer

Selecting a wedding photographer can be a daunting task. Not... Read More