Let Your Wedding Flowers Speak the Language of Love

admin — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 21:10:10 +0000

Congratulations! You have found the man of your dreams and are getting married. What a wonderful time in your life – full of promise, hope, and happiness. Can you think of a better way to express these emotions than through flowers? A wedding would just not be the same without wedding flowers. The Tradition of Wedding Flowers Carrying flowers by the bride is not something new; it actually has its roots in ancient times. Strong smelling herbs and spices were used to keep away evil spirits during the wedding celebration. Later, during the Roman era, flowers were used to symbolize fertility. Eventually, flowers were given different meanings and used as a way of sending “love notes” in the form of bouquets. Soon, the tradition of the meaning of each flower trickled down and was adopted for the bride’s bouquet. By tradition, the groom wears a flower that appears in the bridal bouquet in his buttonhole. This custom originates from the Medieval tradition of a knight wearing his lady’s colors as a declaration of love. So it seems that a wedding without flowers is like, well, it’s like a garden without flowers! So Many Choices Have you ever considered how many different kinds of flowers there are? Hundreds of beautiful blooms are available to create the romantic elegance your wedding deserves. You may even feel like author Phoebe Cary, who said, “I know not which I love the most, Nor which the comeliest shows, The timid, bashful violet Or the royal-hearted rose: The pansy in purple dress, The pink with cheek of red, Or the faint, fair heliotrope, who hangs, Like a bashful maid her head.” So, how do you choose? One way is to consider the different meanings of the flowers and create a bouquet that is not only beautiful to the eye, but also meaningful to the heart. Another way is to consider the time of year. Many flowers are more common during one season than another, so finding off-season flowers may be difficult! Based on tradition, here are some of the more popular wedding bouquet flowers and what they mean, along with when they are in season: * Red Rose – Love, All Year * White Rose – Unity, All Year * Yellow Rose – Joy, All Year * Orange Rose – Passion, All Year * Pink Rose – Secret Love, or Grace & Sweetness, All Year * Alstroemeria – Devotion, All Year * Baby’s Breath – Innocence, All Year * Calla Lily – Magnificent Beauty, March through September * Carnation – Devoted Love, All Year * Daisy – Innocence & Romance, All Year * Ivy – Fidelity, Marriage, All Year * Lily Of The Valley – Happiness, March through September * Myrtle – Joy , All Year * Orchid – Love & Beauty, All Year * Stephanotis – Marital Happiness, All Year * Tulips – Love & Passion, January through April * Zinnia – Affection, All Year The best way to get the right flowers is to choose the right florist and one of the best ways to find a good florist is by word of mouth. If the florist’s service and work comes highly recommended, chances are they will do a good job for you. Select a florist that listens to you and really grasps the look and feel you want. Be open to the florist’s ideas and suggestions. In the long run, it will be the value of their experience, talent, and expertise that you have purchased. Don’t Forget the Flowers for the…. In addition to flowers for the wedding party and family members, you will need flowers for the church, arrangements for the reception tables, head table, and guest book table. You may even want flowers for the cake and a small bouquet for the ladies’ room. To make sure you don’t forget any of your floral needs, here is a list of possibilities: * Flowers for the Bridal Party * Bride’s Bouquet * Maid/Matron of Honor * Mother of the Bride * Mother of the Groom * Bridesmaids * Flower Girl * Grandmothers * Groom * Best Man * Father of the Bride * Father of the Groom * Ushers * Ring Bearer * Grandfathers Flowers for the Wedding Ceremony * Altar Arrangements * Aisle Markers * Candelabras * Aisle Runner * Canopy or Archway * Kneeling Bench Flowers for the Reception * Bridal Table * Cake Table * Guest Table * Buffet Table * Bandstand * Gift Table * Guest Book Table * Bouquet to Throw Fresh flowers underline the importance and elegance of your wedding day. They enhance any setting and can literally transform an average looking room into a beautiful scene. If you’ve planned well, your flowers will be exactly what you want, and you’ll be free to focus on what your day is all about. Claire Bowes runs her own website Wedding Favors Ideas If you’re planning a wedding, then get some ideas for Cheap Wedding Favors Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Claire_Bowes

Wedding Flowers

admin — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 20:59:14 +0000

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!

Congratulations!

Tenley McDonald- Former Florist- Now Co-Owner of [http://www.flowerpowernetwork.com] (Online Directory of Real Local Florists) Ms. McDonald has over 14 years experience in ~Consumer Relations/Marketing ~Customer Service Management ~Floral Design. Please email the Author directly for reprint permission of this article.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tenley_McDonald

Wedding Flowers Emotion » bouquet flowers

Let Your Wedding Flowers Speak the Language of Love

Wedding Flowers