The Perfect Flowers for Your Wedding

Planning the perfect wedding involves making an enormous number of choices. From the moment your future husband drops to his knee, the process of designing your ceremony and party begins to come into focus. Essential questions include the basic “W’s”: where, when, who. Once those important indispensables have been addressed, its time to dig a bit deeper. One of the most pleasant decisions you will make is in the selection of a florist to create the colorful backdrop to your wedding that your guests won’t soon forget. Arranging flowers is an art form that requires imagination, spirit, and a high level of skill and artistry. While you hold the ultimate choice over which flowers to incorporate into your wedding, the florist can help make your decision an informed one.

The first step is finding a florist to work with. It’s crucial to develop an effective relationship to ensure that everything goes smoothly on the big day. Even small towns often offer at least a couple of different options. Consider going into each store and buying a small arrangement. Spend some time talking to the employees, and pay special attention to the level of craftsmanship and attention to detail. This will allow you to get a feel for the owner of the shop, and whether their style matches your own.

Most brides think only of the floral arrangements, without realizing that this constitutes only about half of the responsibilities of the florist. Other important decisions need to be made regarding headdresses for the bride and bridesmaids, and buttonhole flowers for the groom and best man.

Traditionally, white flowers were used as a symbol of purity. In recent years, however, the fashion has become a multi-colored expanse, with roses of every color imaginable. Red colors represent passionate love, while gardenias are meant to display joy. Most weddings will center on a certain color theme, with the arrangements and accessories working in concert to make a statement to the guest.

Be sure to choose flowers that will withstand the elements. Likewise, if you’re trying to stay within a budget, stick to local flowers that are in season. This way, you can save on shipping and handling costs. If you’re planning an outdoor wedding, make a contingency plan. The hot sun (not to mention cold rain) can make a mess of your beautiful floral arrangements

Another important decision you’ll have to make is the person who gets to leave with the centerpiece from each table. It’s wise to choose the lucky soul before the wedding, so you can avoid stress on your wedding day. In many cases, the flowers can be dried and kept whole, preserving them for posterity. You might even consider keeping the arrangements yourself as an eternal reminder of your day of union.

Choosing the flowers for your wedding can be a wonderful opportunity for you and your mate to come together. Just be sure to find the florist that fits your budget and style preferences. Once you’ve found the perfect match, you’re sure to discover the flowers you’ve always imagined gracing your altar.