By Jeanette Shinn



Choosing a florist begins before you ever enter the florist's shop. Take a moment and consider your first impression. Remember, you are hiring a florist professional for their attention to detail and their ability to create an atmosphere that invites you in. If their shop doesn’t invite you in or seems extreme in relation to your personal style, most probably the wedding flowers they provide you won’t be satisfactory to you either. There are always exceptions, but the chances are that this rule will prove true in your case. Do you really want to gamble on your wedding flowers just because your cousin Freda insisted that you had to use this particular florist?

Show the florist the wedding flower pictures and the swatches of your wedding dress material (and any other prominent materials from your wedding i.e. bridesmaids dresses). Talk. Make sure the florist grasps the concept that you have in mind for your wedding flowers and understand your budget and any other constraints that you are operating under (i.e. facility rules, etc.), and then let them go to work. Resist the urge to micromanage. In most cases at least one of the florists you visit can make your ideas for wedding flower combinations come to life in a manner that you never dreamed of. At the same time, however, go over every detail of the proposal (including set up time and schedule – which will vary greatly depending on how much there is to set up for your wedding flowers and how many other weddings the florist has that same day) carefully before you sign the agreement to provide your wedding flowers. Get several proposals for your wedding flower needs before you decide. It’s your wedding so be sure that you are getting the best wedding flowers for your budget.

Though it can be difficult to do, try not to get your heart too set on a particular type of wedding flowers (the possible exception to this might be your basic red rose). Flowers are beautiful but being living things they can be temperamental. Some flowers, such as gardenias and lilies are famous for triggering allergic reactions. If you have someone in your wedding party with bad allergies it might be wise to steer clear of flowers like these. Likewise, hollow stemmed flowers, such as the daffodils can drip sap on your wedding dress. Yes, this is a problem that can be overcome, but you need to be aware and prepared so your wedding flowers don’t ruin your wedding dress. Other flowers, most notably the lilies will drop a yellow pollen stain on your gown if you don’t have the wedding flower professional remove the stamens before you carry them down the aisle.

Two last notes about your wedding flowers. First, remember that not all flowers fare equally well in all types of weather. Some flowers wilt quickly in warm weather while other flowers actually turn black in colder temperatures. Either way you won’t be happy with the flower’s performance if you take it into a situation for which it is not suited.

Finally, remember that despite the advances in horticulture around the world, flowers (even wedding flowers) are still seasonal. Sure, if your pockets are deep enough, you might be able to have the florist import them from the other side of the globe but that will be expensive and even at that, there are some flowers that just won’t be available to join your wedding flowers in celebrating your marriage unless it’s just the right season somewhere.

By Ashley Moran



As you plan your wedding, you should remember that the flowers can be the first impression that you make on your guest. Your flowers should be a representation of your personal taste and represent the style of you wedding.

Bouquets are no longer just the traditional white rose nosegay ties with white streamers. Today's market provides you with an unending variety of color and style. What was once considered "seasonal" flowers are oftentimes available year round. Today's bride may choose to have a hand-tied bouquet of wildflowers or a cascading bouquet for the longer, more elegant line.

Choosing a florist will be one of the biggest decisions you will make in planning for your wedding. If you are using a wedding coordinator, perhaps he/she could offer suggestions of florists that they have worked with in the past. The final decision will, of course, belong to you and your fiancé. Your flowers will be an integral part of your wedding budget, so shop wisely. Make notes and jot down questions that you will present to each florist so that you can compare them once you are ready to make your final decision. Compare the same number of flowers at each florist. Remember that creativity and years of experience are not always the defining factor in the price quoted. You will want to see pictures of their work and references from former clients. Reputation is a very important criterion in selecting a florist.

The color of your bridesmaids' dresses will greatly influence the color scheme of your wedding. Take a color swatch of the material with you to assure that the flowers you choose will be a complement to your color scheme. You also want to keep in mind that your flowers will be a great way to make your wedding photos pop! However, it is still perfectly acceptable to choose the pure white flowers if this is what you want.

If you will use fresh flowers, remember to ask the florist for instructions on handling the bouquet. You want to make sure that delicate flowers are not bruised before the ceremony. Also ask if they need to be kept in a cooler or refrigerator until time for pictures. You might also want to ask about preserving your bouquet after your wedding. Your florist should be able to guide you in the process that would best prepare your bouquet to be preserved. Remember that the fresher the flowers are to begin with, the better the finished bouquet will be.

After you have chosen your florist, ask about the requirements to reserve your date and time. With such a large decision made, you will have more time to relax and enjoy the days leading up to your big event.

By Sarah Bogle


Following a period of strikingly matched wedding flowers, modern brides have began incorporating the concept of more variety. As more members of the bridal party wear more individualized attire, so the trend has followed with specific blooms to coordinate. Thus, the newest trend in wedding flowers varies their design in favor of a mixed, not matched, feeling.

But how how do you pull off the trend without your bridal flowers looking less than dazzling? Place your faith in your florist or wedding consultant to help guide you through the selection process. The key is to keep one aspect of all floral pieces -- bouquets, centerpieces, boutonnieres, etc. -- uniform with one central element. Your unifying element could be a color, texture, shape, or specific type of flower. Then you can start building variety by adding an assortment of different flowers, colors, or accents (bows, ribbons, embellishments).

For inspiration, look through home and style magazines with party tables capes. Notice that all the serving pieces, utensils, glasses, plates, flowers, and fabrics may not be the same. But they do have one unifying key element that harmonizes with everything else. Bookmark the styles you like and show copies to your wedding planner and florist. They will key in to your preferred mix-not-match style, and help you incorporate it into dazzling wedding flowers. Also show your team pictures of what you do not like. The more clues provided to your team about your personal style, the more the likelihood for a successful floral concept for your wedding.

Here are my top four tips for exquisite mix-not-match wedding flowers:

1. Choose the bulk of your flowers (if not all) from blooms that will be in season. If your key unifying element is delayed or unavailable, your whole theme could be affected. By picking flowers that are in season, there won't be any mad scrambling for replacements at the last minute. This is especially crucial in smaller markets, where vendors can be less eager to fly in out of season blooms from other countries.
2. Too much variety can spoil the effect. If all the bridal bouquet flowers are different, keep hand tied ribbons the same. If all boutonniere flowers are different, keep the same ribbons or greenery (or vice versa). Work with your florist and wedding consultant to find the unifying element in each aspect of your wedding flower selections.
3. Take clues from your wedding party apparel. If your bridesmaids are all wearing the same color (all aqua, all yellow, or all pink), play with multicolored bouquets or hand tied ribbons. If they are wearing different colored pastels (one in green, one in blue, one in pink, etc.), keep the bouquet flowers in a monochromatic color palette for a unifying element. Then kick up the variety with different accent flowers (no more than 20% of the bouquet), hand tied ribbons, or jewel embellishments.
4. Contrast is your friend, not your foe. Contrast can be a very useful element. If too many items (backdrops, linens, dresses, flowers, etc.) are the same color or saturation, they cannot be individually appreciated. This is especially important to consider if you will be photographing your wedding in black and white. Without contrast, your pictures will appear dull and flat. With contrast, your photographs will showcase depth and detail.

By J. E. Williams

A quick guide to planning your wedding flowers
You've set the special day, and there is so much to do to get ready. The excitement is consuming you to the point that you just want to burst, and there are so many preparations that you barely know where to start! So just relax for a minute, take a deep breath, and read this quick and easy guide to help reduce stress and help ensure a picture-perfect day with these easy tips from design professionals.

First Things First

One of the first things you need to do in planning your wedding is to select the dresses. You can call your florist up to a year in advance, but you usually won't need to meet with him or her until you know what you and your bridesmaids will be wearing. The bride and bridesmaids gowns will be the key to the wedding, and everything will need to revolve around them.

Once you've selected the gowns, get a few pictures to bring in. Next, pick up two or three of the top bridal magazines, and look through them. Clip pictures of any floral presentations that particularly appeal to you. These will help your floral consultant understand the styles, colors, and flower types you like best and design something that will fit your tastes.

Choosing a Wedding Florist

Before calling florists, ask friends and relatives if they have any recommendations. The best wedding florists typically do lots of weddings. So, it's likely you know people who have used their services or seen their work. Then, call or visit a few of the best florists. Confirm that they serve the locations where your ceremony and reception will be held, and inquire about setting up a consultation. You may also want to ask if they have pictures of their work. Quality wedding florists are seasoned professionals who will guide you through the process and help you select what's right for you. The important thing is to get to know your floral designer, discuss options, look at specific flowers and colors together, and make sure you're comfortable. This is your special day, so you need to make sure you have someone experienced, reliable, and creative to help you plan your special day.

Timing

If possible, you should have the dresses picked out and a meeting scheduled with your florist about six months prior to the wedding. Remember, you don't want another bridal party or parties to beat you to your florist of choice for a particular date, so earlier is better. If you have an indecisive personality or just want moral support, bring a mother or bridesmaid along for input. Two heads are sometimes better than one, but avoid having too many cooks spoil the soup.

Meeting with Your Florist

Wedding flowers can be anywhere from a few hundred dollars for an intimate nuptial to tens of thousands of dollars for an impressive ceremony and reception. A lot depends on the location, number of guests, and how you want your wedding to be remembered. Be upfront with your florist about your wishes and your approximate budget. Show the designer your pictures of the dresses or fabric swatches and any magazine photos that you like. Ask about color variations, as well as which flowers will be in season and consequently the best value. You should also consider the vitality of the flowers, so that you will have great looking pieces that won't fade over the course of the day. Listen to your florist's suggestions. If you did your research and picked a good one, he or she will know from experience how to bring your desires to reality.

Enhancing Your Special Day

When considering wedding flowers the key elements are the bridal bouquet, selections for the bridal party and parents, decorations for the church or ceremony, and centerpieces for the reception. Consider table coverings woven completely of flowers for the guest card table, and discuss ways you might use some pieces at both the ceremony and reception. Many florists will even provide the transportation services. To make the celebration extra special, you may want to consider small accent pieces for doorways, pews, cake, alter, and even the car. Single flowers placed at each table setting are an exquisite touch, and encouraging guests to take home the centerpieces will make your wedding especially memorable. Many florists can also provide plants, votive candles, candelabra, linens, and other decorations, often on a rental basis to save you money.

Anything Is Possible

No matter what you see in magazines or at other ceremonies, remember that almost anything is possible when it comes to wedding flowers. The two wedding flower designers interviewed for this article are both good examples. One is an expert on Hindu weddings, creating gorgeous canopies of flowers under which the couple is married, and the other has incorporated feathers, twigs, candles, and even street signs into his designs. But more importantly, both have mastered the art of working with each bride to create something special just for her. So, whether you're looking for traditional or contemporary, lavish or understated, your qualified, professional florist is there to make that day go perfect. After all, you only get married once.

By Jeanette Shinn


Choosing a florist begins before you ever enter the florist's shop. Take a moment and consider your first impression. Remember, you are hiring a florist professional for their attention to detail and their ability to create an atmosphere that invites you in. If their shop doesn’t invite you in or seems extreme in relation to your personal style, most probably the wedding flowers they provide you won’t be satisfactory to you either. There are always exceptions, but the chances are that this rule will prove true in your case. Do you really want to gamble on your wedding flowers just because your cousin Freda insisted that you had to use this particular florist?

Show the florist the wedding flower pictures and the swatches of your wedding dress material (and any other prominent materials from your wedding i.e. bridesmaids dresses). Talk. Make sure the florist grasps the concept that you have in mind for your wedding flowers and understand your budget and any other constraints that you are operating under (i.e. facility rules, etc.), and then let them go to work. Resist the urge to micromanage. In most cases at least one of the florists you visit can make your ideas for wedding flower combinations come to life in a manner that you never dreamed of. At the same time, however, go over every detail of the proposal (including set up time and schedule – which will vary greatly depending on how much there is to set up for your wedding flowers and how many other weddings the florist has that same day) carefully before you sign the agreement to provide your wedding flowers. Get several proposals for your wedding flower needs before you decide. It’s your wedding so be sure that you are getting the best wedding flowers for your budget.

Though it can be difficult to do, try not to get your heart too set on a particular type of wedding flowers (the possible exception to this might be your basic red rose). Flowers are beautiful but being living things they can be temperamental. Some flowers, such as gardenias and lilies are famous for triggering allergic reactions. If you have someone in your wedding party with bad allergies it might be wise to steer clear of flowers like these. Likewise, hollow stemmed flowers, such as the daffodils can drip sap on your wedding dress. Yes, this is a problem that can be overcome, but you need to be aware and prepared so your wedding flowers don’t ruin your wedding dress. Other flowers, most notably the lilies will drop a yellow pollen stain on your gown if you don’t have the wedding flower professional remove the stamens before you carry them down the aisle.

Two last notes about your wedding flowers. First, remember that not all flowers fare equally well in all types of weather. Some flowers wilt quickly in warm weather while other flowers actually turn black in colder temperatures. Either way you won’t be happy with the flower’s performance if you take it into a situation for which it is not suited.

Finally, remember that despite the advances in horticulture around the world, flowers (even wedding flowers) are still seasonal. Sure, if your pockets are deep enough, you might be able to have the florist import them from the other side of the globe but that will be expensive and even at that, there are some flowers that just won’t be available to join your wedding flowers in celebrating your marriage unless it’s just the right season somewhere.

By Jeanette Shinn



The wedding flowers that decorate the church will go a long way toward setting the mood for your wedding. Done right, a selection of well placed wedding flowers can give your event the sense of joy, expectation, solemnity, or pageantry you and your intended anticipate for your wedding. Done poorly… well, your wedding flowers will set the wrong mood for your wedding at best. At worst, your wedding flowers will make it appear that your wedding happened in a tacky looking facility or several decades earlier (actually, it can get worse, but we won’t talk about that – The point is to make sure we stay on the top of the scale with our wedding flowers, not the bottom).

The success of your wedding flower arrangements and decorations depends on your florist’s attention to detail, sense of style, flair, expertise, and the connection that the two of you achieve. Don’t assume that because a particular florist is highly respected you will get the wedding flower arrangement of your dreams. If there is no meeting of your minds, if you don’t feel like they are grasping what you are trying to communicate about your wedding flowers, theme, or both, keep looking. In most cases your wedding flowers will be more to your liking with your second choice that fully understands the theme and mood you are trying to set than with the reputed best florist in the city who isn’t listening or just isn’t managing to understand what you want from your wedding flowers.

Finding the right wedding flower specialist is easy if you begin your search prepared and know what to look for and what to stay away from: Being prepared means doing some dreaming about your wedding flowers. Doodle. Search bridal magazines. Look at wedding flower schemes in books and dream. Go to bridal shows. Go to weddings, if you can get an invitation, and dream. Collect pictures of wedding flower arrangements that you think will fit into the theme that you want to design your wedding flowers around. In short, have a pretty clear idea of what you want in your wedding flowers before you ever start visiting florists and bring the pictures with you. This will help them understand your vision for your floral arrangement.

The second step is like the first: Don’t even think of going to a florist without swatches of the material from your dress, the bridesmaid’s dresses, and any other fabric that might affect the wedding color scheme (this is true of your cake decorator too). This is most especially true of your dress. White wedding dresses come in a wide variety of shades of white, so to ensure that the wedding flowers will properly accent your dress bring a swatch. A professional florist will know how to set it off so that the wedding flowers draw the attention to you in just the right way.

Once you have done your homework it is time to start actually looking for a florist to provide your wedding flowers. As in every other discipline, your first move should be to talk to people who have recently gotten married and get referrals from them. There is no shame in learning from the success and failures of others and doing so will generally save you a lot of grief. In the process, no doubt, you will discover that while most any florist can provide wedding flowers, some are more skilled, gifted, and experienced than others. Your goal is to identify these people and choose one of them to take the stress of your wedding flower needs off your hands.

Remember, wedding flowers work or don’t work on the florist’s attention to detail, creativity, and their ability to match your style. But part of their ability to perform depends on you communicating what you want and providing pictures and swatches. It’s your wedding; make sure it goes right by taking the time to prepare before you go shopping for those wedding flowers.

By Tenley McDonald

The selection process of your wedding flowers will usually begin with a discussion of the Bride’s bouquet. You will have a choice of several basic styles. These are cascade, crescent, contemporary, nosegay, hand tied bouquet and arm or presentation style. You can better prepare for your first meeting with your florist if you bring the following;

• A list of those in your wedding party that will need flowers.
• A list of what flowers you will want at the ceremony.
• A list of what flowers will be needed at the reception, including table count, size and shape.
• Color/fabric swatches and pictures of your dress and bridesmaids dresses, if you have them.
• Feel free to also bring pictures of flowers that you like.

Your florist will also have pictures of flowers, bouquets and arrangements to help determine exactly what will create the wedding of your dreams. If your wedding has a "theme", let your florist know before the consultation, as they can prepare suggestions to fit the style of your wedding. After style, the next thing to consider is if there are any specific flowers you want.

Keep in mind that some flowers are not in season year round. The flowers that will give the best presentation are those in their season prime. Make sure you let your florist know if your ceremony and/or reception will be held outdoors. Certain flowers do not hold up in hot/humid conditions. Consider color, shape, and fragrance when selecting your bouquet flowers. A note of advice on color choice, avoid all white flowers, they do not photograph well.

It is important that you are upfront with your florist about your budget. Not just for your bouquet but for all of your flowers. Be realistic. You may want a $200 bridal bouquet, but if you only have $400 for a flower budget, you will not have enough left for 3 bridesmaids bouquets, 2 corsages, 3 boutonnieres and 15 centerpieces for your reception. Choose similar flowers to be used throughout your wedding. Using 20 different kinds of flowers will quickly increase the cost. Your florist can balance your needs with your budget. They can offer alternatives. Exotic flowers such as Orchids are very pretty, but they are more expensive. Consider more affordable flowers if you are on a budget. Don’t plan your wedding near big flower holidays, such as Valentine’s Day, Easter and Mother’s Day. If you do, expect to pay more for your flowers. Not because the florist's want to charge you more, but due to the fact that the wholesalers charge more during these busy holidays based on growing and demand.

Once you have chosen your Bouquet you have selected the “center” of your wedding flowers. The other pieces can be used to incorporate your bouquet flowers throughout your entire wedding. The following is an example list of the flowers you may need for your “Special Day”...

• Bride’s Bouquet
• Toss Bouquet for Bride to Throw
• Maid of Honor Bouquet
• Bridesmaids Bouquets
• Grooms Boutonniere
• Boutonnieres for Best Man and other male attendants in the wedding
• Boutonnieres for Father of Bride and Groom
• Corsages for Mothers/Grandmothers and/or Guests of Honor
• Boutonniere for Ring Bearer
• Flower Basket (with petals?) or small bouquet for flower girl*
• Ceremony Arrangements (can serve double duty at your reception perhaps at your buffet)
• Vase at Guest Book Table
• Centerpieces for Reception Tables (make sure you get an accurate count)
• Centerpiece for Head Table (usually larger than other centerpieces)
• Flowers or Petals for Cake Table (Flowers for Cake if necessary)

*If you are considering petals for the aisle at your ceremony, make sure your accomodations allow them. Also remember that roses with color petals will stain the carpet if stepped on. White petals are recommended for carpeted areas.

A very important detail is to make sure your florist knows exactly when and where your flowers will need to be delivered. They will also need to know ahead of time if you will need them to set up the flowers. If you have someone else handling set up, make sure your florist knows who they are and how to reach them. You will probably want your flowers to arrive at least an hour before you need them. Make sure you have somewhere safe and cool to keep them until you use them. Always leave your florist a phone number of someone you trust (preferrably with a cel phone) that can handle any last minute decisions regarding your flowers.

Finally, when it comes to your wedding flowers, don't skimp! I have heard many sad stories about bride's trying "do-it-yourself" flowers or having a friend design them, only to end up with bouquets falling apart minutes before the wedding! Don't risk it! Experienced florists process and design your wedding flowers for optimum presentation and performance. Your flowers are one of the most important elements of your wedding! You want them to be beautiful. They compliment you, your wedding party, your wedding photos and provide an elegant atmosphere for you and your guests on your special day!