Determining Your Floral Needs

The possibilities of where you can put flowers at your wedding are limited only by your imagination and of course by your budget. If a vessel can hold water it can contain fresh flowers. If a surface can hold weight it can hold up an arrangement or have one attached to it. People, trees, tables, pets; if you want it to look special adding flowers to it will help you do just that.

Special People

More traditionally, the size of you wedding and your budget will help you decide where your flowers should go .A simple wedding will include a bridal bouquet, a groom's boutonniere, a bouquet or floral accessory for the maid or matron of honor, bridesmaid(s) and flowergirl(s), and a boutonniere for each groomsman and your ringbearer(s). All the wedding party, large or small.

At the next step up in size and cost, you could consider ordering flowers for family members you wish to recognize – mothers, fathers, grandparents, god parents, brothers and sisters. Any other family member or special person you wish to to include flowers for in your order can wear a corsage or boutonniere.

After you have looked after all the family and those closest to the happy couple, it is customary to provide a corsages/boutonniere for the master of ceremonies, the ushers seating your guests at the ceremony, those sitting at the guest book table at the entrance to your reception, and any musicians performing for you at your ceremony. At a larger ,more elaborate function you may wish to designate valet parking attendants with a simple boutonniere and of course flowers for your event planner and any assistants.

At the Ceremony

Basic decorations at your ceremony can include a variety of arrangements placed at the place of worship, altar, etc. and at the focal point when the couple will say their vows and sign their marriage certificate. The amount of pieces, size and flower choices will vary according to your taste and budget. They can mimic your wedding theme or be neutral to stay at the church as a' thank you'. Church pews are normally reserved for immediate family of the couple and should be marked as thus. You can choose from simple signs, ribbons and bows, or small arrangements marking each row. Beyond this, any number of arrangements and decorations can be placed at the front entrance, on doors, doorknobs, as you please and the location will allow. Be sure to check with the policies of your chosen venue.

At the Reception 

A basic wedding will have some sort of centrepiece at the head table. Usually this will be flowers and you can incorporate candles, photos, personal family crystal, anything. Often each guest table will have a decoration in the centre of each one or if costs are an issue you could put an arrangement at the tables that include your most special guests. All these table pieces can be small and simple or tall and grand according to your plans.

Other areas at your reception that often have flowers would be your cake, the cake table and cake knife. Your floral designer and cake decorator can collaborate on that. The entrance to your reception room can be adorned with lovely arrangements or framed with a fantastic archway. You can strategically place arrangements at the main door, the lounge area, or even decorate the vanity of the powder room with lovely fragrant flowers.Other Areas To Beautify

There are more places to add a special floral touch that your floral designer can help you with. Let's not forget to decorate our transportation! Not everyone likes the common, plastic pompom flowers that you see lying in the gutter after a procession. Your vehicle(s) can be accented tastefully with lovely and sturdy silk arrangements wherever you choose to place them. Doors and walls can have stunning fresh or silk wreaths and swags placed about. For a mini touch of beauty don't forget about your cake knife and wine glass stem.

Alternative Floral Accessories

For the bride and all the special ladies in your wedding there are additional options to consider in the place of the traditional bouquets and corsages. Some contemporary choices could include: fresh pommander ball worn on one wrist, a wreath in her hair, a basket of fresh flowers arranged or loose to toss, a bejewelled tray with fresh blooms or family bible with a floral rosary. Fans and parasols can also be decorated with flowers.Beautifully styled hair can be swept up with combs of beads, feathers, and of course fresh flowers!

For the little man in the party , he can have flowers on his ringbearer's pillow or if the rings are carried by a little lady why not incorporate the rings into her bouquet or accessory.

Final Touches

My suggestion for newly wed couples is to remember your parents and send them a special thank you. While you are placing your floral order for your wedding, order an arrangement or vase of flowers from the wedding theme to be sent to their home the week following your big day. What a beautiful way to express your appreciation for all they have done for you. Especially if you have gone away on a honeymoon, how much it would mean to them to receive something from you at this time and to know you are thinking of them.

Lastly, a considerate groom could have a vase of roses or a beautiful arrangement sent to the honeymoon suite on the day of the wedding. Just another way to show your bride that you care. And don't forget the rose petals! Very romantic.

As a floral designer please consider me your own personal florist – let's make you special dream day a reality. Flowers make your love visible. Happy planning!