Flowers and arrangements

And then my heart with pleasure fills and dances with the daffodils.
- William Wordsworth

flower power

Put flowers first on your planning agenda. Why? Flowers are one of the most vivid, tangible expressions of love! Often, they’re the first things your guests notice when they arrive at your ceremony. Think of the impact your flower arrangements can have in filling the senses through a feast of colour, shape, texture and scent the minute your guests walk through the door. Over the years, wedding florals have evolved from simple hand-held bouquets to vibrant, artistic arrangements that set both mood and theme for the entire celebration.

petal perfect

Source your florist with care. Attend bridal shows in your area to see fresh, latest works. Check their website to see if their artful flowers can satisfy your wedding vision. Then, at your first meeting with the florist, you’ll have another opportunity to review his or her work, and this is also the time when you provide basic information, such as number of guests, corsages, bouquets and boutonnières; the design needs of the ceremony and reception sites, and the budget.

Florists say it’s extremely helpful to bring swatches of the gowns (bride’s and bridesmaids’), as well as photos of bouquet styles, colours, specific flowers that you love, and those you don’t. Approximately 12 percent of the total cost of the wedding will go to the flowers.

After the initial consultation, the florist will present you with a proposal. Look for a signed contract detailing prices, delivery and setup information, and the condition of the flowers (freshness, blooms open or closed). Add the specific no-no’s again if you have them, such as a type of flower or colour you know you don’t want in case there have to be any substitutions. Find out if the florist will oversee the delivery and setup personally, or if they plan to send an assistant. Also request that the florist meet you at the site of both ceremony and reception, so that they get an accurate idea of the space and style and to gauge major differences between the two rooms.

For everything there is a season, and flowers are no exception. Ask your florist which of your favourites will be available before you set your heart on lilacs for a wedding in January. Also remember that some flowers are heavily hyped for certain holidays; anything red in December or February might be more expensive, as will lilies be at Easter.

Fruit, another seasonal delight, can be a festive addition to centerpieces. Paired with the seductive aroma of a well-selected bloom, colourful, luscious fruits can be a budget-saving way to enhance your arrangements.

love in bloom

Once you start creating the colour and design vision for your wedding with your florist, the real fun begins. You have real freedom in creating distinctive bouquets and centerpieces that aren’t limited by convention. Consider the options of creating a mood with colour: do you want a playful mix of blooms in various hues, or a bold, monochromatic effect with a single colour? How will your colour choices play out in your selection of wedding sites—for example, in an ornate church for the ceremony, with a simpler, more minimalist banquet room for the reception?

Your bouquet is a good place to start as it is the most personal of the wedding arrangements. It can set the tone for the rest of the flowers. Asking the above questions about colour and availability is the first step. Then, consider the style and motifs of your gown and those of the bridesmaids, and treat the bouquet as an integral element of your ensemble rather than simply a decoration. Your florist can help you narrow down styles into categories, such as natural, romantic, glamorous and classical, so you can easily match flower to gown. The dramatic, ‘ooh-ah’ blooms of the hydrangea or orchid may perfectly set off a chic, clean-lined gown, while delicate, subdued stephanotis blossoms complement a more refined or detailed gown.

Finally, the corsages and boutonnières for family, attendants, and other important people may be the smallest arrangements in the wedding, but they’re far from unimportant. Signifying a guest of great honour and loved one, they are really a gift to that person—a heartfelt thank you for taking part in your special day. If the wearer has a favourite flower, consider using it, but keep in mind that the corsage should still blend in with the rest of the wedding flowers. You can match corsages and boutonnières to the couple’s personal flowers, or use one or two blooms from the bunch and set them off slightly differently. Talk with your florist about ensuring that corsages are delivered when your guests arrive and before the pictures are taken; a bridesmaid or other reliable friend can help distribute them once they arrive.

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