Typically, the average age of the flower girl is six to ten years of age. She is a cute little girl who was so excited to be chosen for the honor. Sure, she is happy that you wanted her in the wedding, but she is also bursting with joy because she gets to have her hair done like the grown-ups and wear a pretty dress. And she is taking her duties seriously. What better way to reward her than with some flower girl jewelry?

However, what kind of flower girl jewelry do you get her? A bracelet? Earrings? A necklace or anklet might work too. There are several factors to consider in choosing appropriate flower girl jewelry. The first factor is her dress. What does it look like? Is it a replica of the bridesmaids dresses? Sometimes, that may be the case, but more often than not, it may be the same style, but a different color. Does the dress have a specific neckline? Perhaps a necklace is an appropriate choice of flower girl jewelry.

Another factor in your quest for choosing flower girl jewelry is her age. If she is a little young, perhaps a necklace with a detachable pendant would be an option. That way, once she grows out of the necklace, she can remove the pendant and put it on a longer chain. Does she have a charm bracelet? Buy her a special charm as her flower girl jewelry to commemorate her participation as your flower girl.

Does she have her ears pierced? Another option for flower girl jewelry is earrings. Anklets are fun for little girls too. Perhaps finding a flower girl jewelry gift set to complete her ensemble is appropriate. There are a multitude of options in retail stores and on the internet for flower girl jewelry. However, why not make it extra special and personal by creating it yourself?

Bead stores offer great options in colors and materials. You could choose your own clasps and beads for the flower girl jewelry. Since she is a kid, you would want to buy materials that are resilient against everyday kid activities. Custom design what you want, then start stringing the beads up! If you don’t feel comfortable crafting it yourself, you can usually arrange for an employee at the bead store to do it for you for an additional fee. Still, you can say that you did design the flower girl jewelry yourself!

The presentation of the flower girl jewelry is a part of the gift-giving itself. Buy her a Barbie doll and display her flower girl jewelry on it. Purchase a musical jewelry box and put the flower girl jewelry inside. One fun way is to try your hand at a Build-a-Bear workshop. Bring material from the flower girl dress and have them fashion a miniature version for the bear. Show off the flower girl jewelry on the bear.

The flower girl jewelry you find will be a wonderful keepsake for your flower girl. She will treasure it and probably won’t be able to wait to show it off! Not only will she be able to wear the flower girl jewelry at the wedding, but she will have it to wear for years to come. And she will always remember the special day that she got to sprinkle those flower petals in your path to wedded bliss.

Dave Poon is the owner of Engraved Gift Creations. We take the headache out of selecting gifts for your wedding party, whether they are Groomsmen, Best Men or Bridesmaids. Stop by and see our selection of groomsmen gifts at EngravedGiftCreations.com

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Let’s first take a quick look at the flower girl tradition. Starting with the middle ages, flower girls were assigned a special job; to walk down the wedding aisle ahead of the bride and groom and spread grain (not flowers) in order to pave the way for a new beginnings, fertility and happiness in the marriage. Today’s flowers girls usually carry rose petals, and while they aren’t believed to have special powers that will grant the new couple a harmonious relationship, they do tend to set the tone for a wedding. Think about the last wedding you attended. If the flower girls came out in formal dark colored dresses, you quickly understood that the wedding would have a formal tone. On the other hand, if they came out in wispy flower girl dresses with roses laced into their hair, you knew that you would experience a more whimsical wedding. In other words, the flower girls are generally the first part of the wedding party to walk down the isle, and because of that, they will make a strong first impression on your guests.

How will you dress your flower girls? Here are some flower girl dress ideas for the most popular wedding themes around: Cinderella Wedding Theme If you are planning a Cinderella wedding theme, then extravagance and beauty should be a part of everything. And since your flower girls will be the first to appear, they need to set the tone boldly. For this theme, you should have more than one flower girl-three or four would be ideal-and then dress them spectacularly. Choose frilly white dresses with huge skirts and satin bows. You can tie in some of your wedding colors by adding fresh pale pink, yellow or blue flowers to their hair. In addition, they should wear satin ballerina slippers. Have them carry baskets decorated to match their dresses and throw tons of soft rose petals along the isle.

Beach Wedding Theme Depending on the type of beach wedding that you want, you will have various choices with your flower girl dresses. If you want a romantic beach wedding, then put your flower girls in soft pastel tones or white, and use lots of fresh flowers-both in their hair and for them to throw. The flower girl wedding dresses can be shorter than in a formal wedding, and appropriate sandals would set the tone nicely. Instead of a basket, they could carry a pastel painted beach bucket filled to the rim with wildflowers to scatter along the isle. If you have a stronger, more colorful beach wedding planned, why not have some fun with the flower girl dresses? Putting them in typical beach dresses to match your wedding décor would immediately let the wedding guests know that your wedding will be fun and adventurous. Roaring 20’s Wedding Imagine a black and white wedding, wing tips shoes and ostrich feathers. That’s the idea behind a roaring 20 wedding theme, and as you can imagine, a precious frilly flower girl dress simply won’t fit the bill. With this type of gutsy wedding, you will have to get imaginative with them. Why not dress your flower girls in white satin flapper girl dresses, with bands around their hair and beads around the hemline? With this type of dress, you will certainly hear ooh and ahs from the crowd! Garden Party Wedding If you dream of an outdoor wedding surrounded by blooming flowers and ivy-laced arches, then your flower girl dresses should take on an entirely different style. White, off-white or pale pastel linen would be an ideal choice. In addition, a beautiful soft cotton dress with a muted flower pattern would be lovely, tied with a large solid satin bow in the back. Add lace up satin sandals and an armful of colorful tulips, and your guests won’t be likely to forget your flower girls for some time to come. As you can see, your flower girl dresses will set the mood of your entire event. Don’t just automatically dress your flower girls in the typical dress, but instead get creative.

What is the first thing you want your guest to see? Use http://www.flowergirldressesjoy.com to quickly find flower girl dresses online including some great online bargains.

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Here are some things to keep in mind when deciding what wedding flowers you need.

* Bride’s bouquet: The most talked about wedding flowers in the whole ceremony. This one has to match your dress and other accessories so decide accordingly. Also, if you intend to preserve your wedding bouquet, then ask the florist for a smaller or similar version of the original wedding bouquet. You can use this for the tossing.
* Floral hairpieces: If you intend to wear flowers in your hair instead of a wedding veil, place an order with the florist well in advance. You may even want to try out the hairstyle a week before the wedding.
* Attendants’ flowers: It is the bride’s duty to coordinate the wedding flowers for the attendants. The maid of honor and the bridesmaids generally carry bouquets that complement the wedding bouquet.
* Flower girl: As the name suggests, wedding flowers are very much required for the youngest member of the wedding party. You can have the flower girl carry a basket full of rose petals, a nosegay or a simple floral and ribbon wreath.
* Corsages: It is wedding tradition to present wedding flowers to the mothers and grandmothers of the bride and groom in the form of corsages. The corsages can match the wedding bouquet, the wedding decoration or the dresses worn by the women in the wedding party. Make sure you ask beforehand whether the women would like corsages to be pinned to their dresses or purses or to wear on their wrist.
* Boutonnieres: The groom’s boutonniere almost always matches the wedding bouquet. The best man, groomsmen and ushers also wear boutonnieres, but different from the groom. The fathers and grandfathers of the groom and bride receive boutonnieres as well.
* Ceremony wedding flowers: You will need to check with the coordinator at the ceremony site before you place any orders for wedding flowers for the ceremony. You generally have the option of decorating the beginning of the pews, the aisle and the arches with wedding flowers. You may also want wedding flowers at the guest book table. A beautiful tradition is to pass around rose petals to all the guests to toss at the bride and groom when they are finally introduced as man and wife.
* Reception wedding flowers: Wedding flowers to be used as part of the wedding decoration for your reception will be determined entirely by the theme of your wedding reception. In general, it is common to have some kind of wedding flowers at each table. The buffet table also needs to be decorated with wedding flowers. One way to cost cut on wedding flowers is to use the attendants’ bouquets to decorate the cake table.

As beautiful as flowers make the occasion, remember to order only as many wedding flowers as you can afford. Also, a great way to share your joy with others is to arrange to have the wedding flowers sent to an orphanage or old age home the day after your wedding. Not only will this bring a smile to the faces of those who receive them, it will bring a big smile to you knowing you passed on your joy to others.

Copyright Andrea Britt, 2005. All rights reserved.

Reprint Rights: Feel free to use this article on your website or online publication. Please remember that you must include the author’s copyright, resource box and live URL links, exactly as shown below, to the author’s website at the end of the article.

Andrea Britt is owner of http://www.CharmingWeddings.com where you can find elegant, unique wedding favors, bridal shower favors, and wedding planning tips for your wedding reception and bridal shower.

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You can easily visit an online florist site any time-day or night-from the comfort of your home. View online flower arrangements with a close friend or family member and welcome their ideas. Keep an open mind as you view all the types of wedding flowers, and create a “mind picture” of what your wedding decor will look like with various types of flowers.

Order Flowers Online for the Wedding Ceremony

As an important part of your ceremony decor, wedding flowers can be used to define the wedding colors, freshen and brighten the auditorium, or give a spring-like look and feel for outdoor weddings. Buy flowers or plants that blend well with your other decorations and colors. Consider decorating with curtain clusters, vows arrangements, companion pieces and chair clusters. Popular types of wedding flowers include calla lilies, Gerber daisies, orchids, roses and tulips. Also choose wedding flower foliage that will blend with your flowers and colors. Ivy is an old-time favorite for weddings, but you might also consider other foliage such as steel grass, leatherleaf fern, phormium, or aspidistra leaves.

Bouquets and Boutonnieres

Ordering from an online florist also makes it easy to select your bride and bridesmaid bouquets. Flower bouquets and the men’s boutonnieres should match the wedding colors as well as the style of dresses to be worn. Small bouquets work well with full dresses while larger bouquets can add tremendous color and style if the bride and/or bridesmaids are wearing shorter, less full dresses, or even off-the shoulder or sleeveless dresses. Bouquets are prominently displayed during the wedding procession/march as well as during the entire vow-taking moment of the ceremony. Your flower girls will also need a bouquet or a basket of flowers…so be sure to add these to your shopping list.

View bouquets online or visit a flower shop nearby to get bouquet ideas. They come in various sizes and styles, from small, round shapes to large, crescent-shaped bouquets with strands of foliage hanging over your hands. If browsing a flower shop in your area, be sure to hold the bouquet as you would during the wedding, and view yourself in a mirror if possible. This will give you a better idea of how the bouquets will look and feel during the wedding.

Don’t Forget the Reception

Choose the same or similar flowers for the reception decor. Wedding flowers can be used to decorate guest tables and even enhance the cake. Flowers also make beautiful centerpieces for the wedding table or gift table. Add a few pedestal flower arrangements near the entrance and around the reception hall to complete your decor.

Keep in mind that there are no set rules on choosing wedding flowers. An online florist website enables you to browse and get ideas without being in a rush. You can use your favorite flowers or colors, or base your wedding decor on a particular theme…such as a tropical wedding or a Christmas wedding. If you don’t have a favorite type of flower, choose seasonal flowers according to when your wedding will take place.

Look for an online florist that’s an FTD member, and ask about possible flower delivery to your wedding location. Flower shops can often deliver flowers the day of or the day before the wedding, according to your needs. Shop early to ensure your flowers will be delivered on time. Most florists offer a variety of other services, such as flower delivery for sympathy gifts for funerals, birthday flowers, anniversary flowers, etc. This means the florist will likely need plenty of notice to schedule your flower delivery.

Shop at an online florist that’s located in your city just in case you need to stop by to pick up a few items before the wedding. For instance, if you live in Cincinnati, look for a Cincinnati florist website. Having the florist close by will give you peace of mind in case extra flowers are needed, or one of the bouquets or boutonnieres is missing.

Use these ideas to find beautiful wedding flowers through an online florist while saving time and money!

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web.
Learn more about Wedding Florist.

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Here are just a few flower variations to get you thinking. We’ve divided them by color to help make it easier to fit them to your theme.

YELLOWS/ORANGES

Dahlia – a late summer and fall bloom known for its wide variety of colors. Very affordable and they work great in centerpieces and bouquets.

Asclepia Beatix – very tiny flowers that throw a lot of punch! A 1″ hybrid flower that works well in low arrangements.

Tulip – there are several tulip variants and plenty of color variety. Very affordable and they work great in centerpieces and bouquets.

Ranuculus – a beautiful spring flower but prone to drooping in hot weather. It looks terrific mixed with other flowers.

Chinese Lantern – is known to have 10-15 flowers on a stock so it is excellent for a focal point in centerpieces.

Sandersonia – these little bell shaped flowers work great in boutonnieres, corsages, and in flower girls baskets.

Poppy – Big, beautiful, and very affordable when purchased in its in season, spring. They are definitely an eye catcher!

Black Eyed Susans – The perfect country flower for a country wedding,

Sunflower – blooms from late summer to fall and are available in a variety of colors and sizes. Very popular planted in pots.

Snapdragon – a very graceful and elegant flower that works well with simple bouquets and centerpieces. Reasonably priced, blooming in late summer.

WHITES

Flannel Flower – produces spiky star shaped blossoms that are long lasting. Perfect for both bouquets and arrangements.

Chamomile – is a common wild flower that blooms late summer. Very refreshing and great for wreaths, centerpieces, and bouquets.

Stephanotis – this year round flower is affordable and perfect for bouquets and boutonnieres.

Narcissus – blooms late winter early spring. Its fragrant blooms are great for centerpieces.

Cosmos – blooms in spring and summer. Not so impressive on its own but very glamorous when mixed with other flowers.

Snowberry – blooms late fall through December. Produces small pale fruit that works well in winter bouquets.

Dogwood – blooms in spring producing large flowers. Very nice in both bouquets and centerpieces.

Iris – many colors and varieties are available. There are iris choices for all four seasons. Very affordable with large blooms making it perfect for large arrangements.

Miniature Calla Lily – works very well in bouquets and centerpieces. There is a warning attached to this flower – it is poisonous to dogs.

BLUES/PURPLES

Veronica – these tiny spiked flowers add grace and elegance to bouquets and centerpieces. They mix well with round flowers.

Clematis – this vine blooms during summer months and is available in many colors and species varieties. It weaves nicely into wreaths,

Celosia – blooms spring through fall producing velvety flowers. Perfect way to add texture to bouquets and centerpieces.

Hyacinth – this fragrant flower works well on its own or in arrangements.

Anemone – blooms September through March producing a variety of bright colors. Perfect for adding some color and cheer to this drabber season.

Frittilaria – these checkered flowers are perfect for small arrangements and bouquets.

Scabiosa – blooms spring through summer producing ruffled flowers. It makes a wonderful addition to bouquets and centerpieces.

Gomphrena – has a thistle type bloom and is very hardy. It won’t wilt so is perfect for bouquets, boutonnieres, and arrangements. Dries nicely too.

Cornflower – adds a nice fresh touch to bouquets and centerpieces.

Allium – these tiny petal flowers will add glamour. They smell like onions so they work best around food areas.

GREENS

Sand Catchfly – looks like miniature hot air balloons. It adds flare and depth to bouquets and centerpieces.

Spider Chrysanthemum – blooms year round so very affordable. Its spidery petal flowers add charm and excitement to bouquets and arrangements.

Benzelia Lanuginosa – Imported from New Zealand so can be a bit pricey. A wonderful exotic addition to all arrangements.

Nigella Pod – available late summer to early fall adding a sculptured accent to centerpieces.

Seeded Eucalyptus – very versatile adding texture to a centerpiece. It can easily be sprayed with metallic spray paint and it dries nicely.

Lady’s Slipper – very expensive but ever so exotic. Perfect for a corsage or bouquet. To pricey for table arrangements.

Solomon’s Seal – the bell shaped flowers work well in casual bouquet and centerpieces. It works well with lilies.

Fern – work well for fillers on bouquets and centerpieces. It presses nicely so also can be used for accenting menus or cards.

PINKS/REDS

Rose Hip – the post blossom fruit of the rose makes great filler for bouquets as well as all arrangements.

Vallota – bloom summer through fall producing 2″ flowers shaped like a lily. Their smaller size makes them fit much better into arrangements.

Fringed Gerbera Daisy – these miniature flowers are whimsical and work well in bouquets. They also have a nice touch when floated in a bowl or brandy glass.

Tree Peony – blooms late fall to early winter in New Zealand. Because they are imported they are pricey. However, they certainly stand out and add color to a cooler season wedding.

Astrantia – this is an eye catching bloom that mixes well but stands out.

Cymbidium Orchid – perfect for corsages but also works well in large displays. Nicely scented it works well on table tops or floated in a bowl or glass. Floated in a martini glass adds a real nice touch!

Carousel Illusion Rose – this very large hybrid flower works well in bouquets and arrangements.

Antique Rose – this beautiful rose is very hard to come by and thus extremely pricey. However if you are looking for something romantic and rare this flower is a must have. Add to your bouquet for your own personal joy!

Curcuma – a tropical flower that blooms mid summer. Adds character to a bouquet or arrangement.

Flower choices are endless. I’ve only covered just a handful of what’s available. If your wedding is spring through fall learn what flowers are native to your area.

You may be pleasantly surprised at what is available and of course the pricing will be much better on local flowers. If you’re looking for those more exotic flowers then set a budget and start checking early.

This will give you an idea of what is available in your budget range. Remember exotic and tropical flower prices can change dramatically in one season depending on availability.

You may be able to get a florist to lock into pricing or at least set a guarantee of the maximum price for your future wedding date. Often local florists grow some of the tropicals in their greenhouses to that may also help keep the pricing a little more affordable.

So choose your wedding theme, choose your colors, and then you can start to decide what flowers are right for your wedding. Best Wishes!

Sher from Estate Jewelry International has been serving customers for over 20 years, providing fashion, jewelry, and wedding help. So stop by and visit us at http://www.estatejewelryinternational.com/ We’ll help you make your fashion statement! Remember looking good doesn’t have to cost a fortune!

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

Before you make the big decision it’s always good to ask yourself what type of bride you are. Are you looking for vibrant colors for your wedding flowers, or do you want a more subtle, conventional look with white roses or lilies? Among the top five most popular wedding flowers worldwide you’ll find roses, tulips, lilies, hydrangeas and peonies. What’s great about roses and lilies in particular is that they are available all year, so you don’t have to worry about in what season your wedding is taking place.

Herewith some tips when it comes to the five most important elements of your wedding where you’ll want to make the use of flowers – namely the wedding bouquet, the wedding flowers in your hair, the wedding ceremony flowers, the wedding reception flowers and the wedding cake flowers.

Wedding bouquet

Before thinking about flowers it might be a good idea to choose which type of wedding bouquet you want. The three most popular and well-known shapes are the traditionally shaped posy bouquet, the teardrop-shaped shower/cascade bouquet and the long, slender arm bouquet – which rests on your arm.

If your dress is white or cream you won’t have a problem as any color flowers will match. But if you are going the different route and wearing a colored wedding dress, go for the same color flowers or go for a complimentary color – such as red with green, blue with orange and purple with yellow – or simply stick with white. Bridesmaids’ flowers should also follow the same theme and compliment the bridesmaids’ dresses. And the flower girl will be carrying a basket or bucket of petals, so remember to take into consideration which color petals you want as well. For the male members of the wedding party, use a single buttonhole flower that matches the main type of flower in your wedding bouquet.

Wedding flowers in your hair Most brides-to-be battle to choose a hairstyle for their big day. It’s a huge decision which is often very tough to make, because let’s face it: you want to look your very, very best! Some brides eventually decide to just keep it natural and leave their hair down – perhaps with a few loose, romantic curls. Others want to make it more formal and have a pretty updo. You could get artificial flowers to make things a whole lot easier, but at the end of the day there’s nothing like the real thing. Depending on the style you go for, you can have lost of small flowers scattered throughout a formal updo, or you could opt for one large flower. Chat to your hair stylist about what will suit you and compliment your dress, and make a decision based on that. You can always try different styles before you settle on the one you like the most.

Wedding ceremony flowers If the church where you are having your wedding ceremony is quite big it’s always nice to make a bold statement and use large pedestal arrangements placed where they will be noticed; at the entrance to the church and close to the altar. You can also place single flowers or small bouquets along the aisle on each row of seats. If you are having a small civil service, wedding ceremony flowers can brighten up an otherwise boring room to a great extent, so make use of your flower decorations to create a festive atmosphere. Stick with flowers you have chosen for your bouquet in order to keep it consistent and complimentary.

Wedding reception flowers A great tip for those trying to stick to a certain budget is to re-use the pedestal arrangements from the ceremony at the wedding reception. This means you will only have the wedding table flowers to take care of. You’ll need an arrangement for the bridal table as well as centerpieces for all the other tables. The bridal table is traditionally decorated with a large ‘long and low’ arrangement in the center in front of the bride and groom. The other table centerpieces often set the mood for the wedding reception and should not prevent guests seeing each other and talking to each other, so go for something really short or really tall – where the flower action is high up.

Wedding cake flowers When it comes to wedding cake flowers you will firstly have to decide whether you want real or artificial flowers on your cake. The edible ones are always popular, so most couples go with this. You can then decide on which style you want. And if you don’t want flowers on the cake itself, you can have flower decorations on the cake table or simply a few petals strewn around on the table.

It’s always tricky to decide what type of wedding cake you want as there are so many options available. But if you’re going the traditional route, a white cake with dainty, delicate marzipan flowers is always a winner. If you have a color scheme for all your other wedding flowers, try to stick to it. But if you feel like being different, then go for it! Whatever your choice, make sure the cake is decadent and deliciously irresistible.

These wedding flowers tips should help you on the way to making decisions for what to use on your big day. Have fun!

For more wedding articles visit [http://www.theweddingdirectory.co.za/wedding-articles.shtml]

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Hand-Tied Bouquets
These bouquets have a nature inspired look and are perfect for summer weddings that take place outside, such as in a garden or on the beach. These flower blooms are simply tied together, usually with a fancy ribbon or bow. These wedding flower bouquets are suitable for almost any setting, whether formal or informal. Adding textured flowers such as roses, peonies and chrysanthemum can add an extra elegance to your bouquet. If you are looking for a more personalized hand-tied bouquet, instead of using a ribbon, use meaningful objects such as your mother’s old wedding dress, etc. These bouquets are eye-pleasing and classical.

Cascade Bouquets
Cascade wedding bouquets are designed to resemble a “waterfall” of blossoms. Although these bouquets are beautiful to look at, they are usually only complementing to taller brides and dresses with a simpler design. Since the bouquet itself is larger, it is important to balance out the proportions of size and color with your dress. These bouquets are usually filled with flowers such as calla lilies, orchids, stephanotis and long, flowing greenery. The soft accents of green are an excellent backdrop for any other vibrant colors in your bouquet. A cascade bouquet can be striking on it’s own!

Posy
These smaller flower bouquets are popular among flower girls and bridesmaids. Tiny flowers such as spray roses, baby’s breath and lily-of-the-valley can create cute bouquets for your wedding. Another creative option for the posy flower bouquet is to use a couple larger flowers as focal points to complement your color scheme. These flowers arranged together can make quite a statement at your ceremony! This style of bouquet is perfect for children and has the ability to accompany every dress type. Some more examples of flowers that would work are hyacinths, hydrangeas and multicolored roses.

Over arm
This modern look is elegant and simple, yet extremely beautiful design for any wedding. Over arm bouquets are most commonly seen with long-stemmed flowers such as orchids, calla lilies and roses. These flower buds are your best guarantee because of their sturdy and durable stems. Wrapping these flowers together with a ribbon is also a stylish option. Figure fitting dresses are perfectly complemented with an over arm wedding bouquet. Keep in mind, holding the flowers for long periods of time during photos may make them become heavy – select lighter flowers if this is the case.

Round Flower Bouquet
Round wedding flower bouquets are the most commonly seen as bridal flowers. Although similar to the posy style bouquet, round bouquets are larger in size and usually contain a collection of various flowers. Using color to your advantage for these bouquets is important – use complementing or contrasting colors to create the biggest visual impact. Any wedding, whether formal or casual, can accompany a round wedding flower bouquet. If fragrance is an important part of your floral design, consider adding sweet smelling roses, lilacs or peonies to your bouquet. Capitalizing on flower texture, color and size, you can be assured to have the most striking bridal flower bouquet your guests have seen!

A lovely, creative and personal flower bouquet is just as much a part of your wedding day as finding the perfect dress. Selecting blooms based on the style of your dress, the color of your wedding palette and the availability of your flower choices can assure you that your choosing the right flowers – and help you save money at the same time. Your bridal flower bouquet is the glorious finishing touch to radiating the true beauty of your entire wedding. Call on flowers to set the mood and scene for the wedding you have dreamed of since childhood. Knowing the various designs of bouquets can help you select the perfect arrangement of complementing flowers for your wedding day.

Janna Hagan is the owner of http://www.special-flower-delivery.com/wedding-flowers.htm where you can find the complete guide to finding the perfect wedding flowers based on color, budget and your personal taste! Learn how to hire the right florist and save money on your wedding flowers.

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• 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

Tradition holds that a girl carrying flowers should bring extra good luck to the marriage. After the bride, the flower girl is the member of the bridal party most capable of stealing the hearts of all the guests. In choosing the flower girl dress, consider the style, colour, fabric and formality of the occasion. The flower girl should not outshine the bride, but complement her gown while blending with the bridesmaids’ outfits.

The Flower Girl Gown

Although bridal styles change from season to season, flower girl fashion has changed very little. The gown is always classically “little princess” in style but in keeping with the style of ceremony – church wedding, beach wedding or garden wedding.

A flower girl’s gown should complement the bride. It can be bridal white or ivory, the same colour as the bridesmaid’s gowns, or a contrasting colour that complements the outfits of the entire party. If white is chosen for the flowergirl’s gown, a colour sash may be used to tie it in with the colour of the bridesmaid’s gowns.

The age of the flower girl is a factor when choosing the length of her gown. A small child could trip over a long skirt, so ankle length is better for the “little ones”. A younger girl (say 5-6 years old) can wear an ankle length “princess” style dress, while an older girl (10-12 years) might prefer a more sophisticated silhouette with more length. While traditional formal weddings do tend towards floor-length gowns, practicality should be considered as well.

If you are having several flower girls of varying ages, you can co-ordinate their dress styles using colour, fabric and accessories such as flowers or jewellery.

Whatever the style you choose, avoid those that will make your flower girl look too sophisticated for their age. This is an occasion when you want to play up her little girl charms. When else can she have the joy of wearing rustling silk or satin gowns, full petticoats, tulle skirts and big bows?

Perhaps this is why flower girl fashion has remained constant over the years – little girls love dressing up!

Fabric Choice

Fabrics such as polyester and cheap lace can be very itchy. No matter how precious the flower girl looks, if her gown and shoes are uncomfortable, it will be reflected in her face and behaviour. Scratchy gowns and tight shoes can cause everything from fidgeting to temper tantrums, so take this issue seriously in order to not interrupt the ceremony itself.

If possible, invest in a better fabric, keeping in mind that the dress doesn’t have to be a “one-time” dress. It can be re-worn often, from a portrait sitting to a birthday. It can also be preserved and handed down as an heirloom once the child grows out of it.

Choose fabrics that aren’t wrinkle prone, such as silk, satin or velvet for the best results. Dupion silk does have a reputation for creasing, but it is actually a pronounced fold that the fabric develops in line with the vertical or horizontal threads, and as such does not appear crushed.

Fabrics and colours for flower girl gowns vary greatly depending on the time of year and the location. If the wedding is in autumn or winter, rich fabrics such as velvet, satin and silk are popular choices not just for their beauty, but because they will keep the chills away. For a spring or summer wedding, lighter fabrics such as dupion silk, delustered satin and tulle.

For the cooler months, a gown with sleeves may be considered, but as the ceremony is usually indoors at this time of year, perhaps a wrap or shawl would be a better choice, allowing clothing to be removed in layers as suits.

Colour will primarily be dependent on the bride’s choice for the wedding party.

Also, wait until the very last possible minute to dress your flower girl. Her dress will be free from wrinkles, and you won’t have to worry about any food or drink spills just before the ceremony. A nice comfortable robe for the child to wear prior to the final dressing is a good idea.

Shoes

Flower girl shoes can be a satin or silk “streetwear” style ballet shoe or similar flat shoe that is comfortable and complements the fabric and colour of her gown. If having a beach wedding, a flower girl may go barefoot with a petite silver or gold fine chain anklet or ankle bracelet.

A young child in uncomfortable shoes will fidget, so regardless of anything else ensure that the shoes for the flower girl fit well and are comfortable. If the shoes are stiff, tight, unworn or new it’s a good idea to slip them onto the child at the last minute.

Hair

A “fresh” look is perfect for a flowergirl. If the girl has natural curls let her hair flow naturally with a flower or a hairpin to finish it off. Floral or ribbon head wreaths, and lightly jewelled tiaras are also popular. if you prefer a bun, adorn it with flowers or hair jewellery matching the bride’s attire, always remembering a flower girl represents youth in the bridal party. An elegant silk tiara adorned with satin ribbons flowing gentle behind her hair would also be appropriate.

Flower Girl Jewellery

Flower girl jewellery should be be kept simple. A delicate necklace and bracelet is usually enough to compliment the gown, but tiaras, headpieces, chokers, earrings, and hairpins can also be worn. Simple silver or gold with pearls or coloured Swarovski crystal provides an inexpensive yet elegant finishing touch to the flowergirl ensemble.

Young children may be unused to wearing any jewellery at all and it may become a distraction to them. If this is the case then some pretty hair jewellery (small crystal clips and hair slides) and a simple bracelet would be the best choice.

A wide range of flower girl jewellery and junior bridesmaid jewellery is available online, however many of the pieces marketed in this way are just downsized bridal pieces which may be too flashy for a flower girl to wear, and run the risk of detracting from the bride. Look for formal jewellery specifically made in children’s sizes, of a style intended for a flower girl rather than a bride

On the practical side look for a sturdy lobster style clasp to reduce the possibility of loss, and be aware of “spiky bits” on the jewellery that a young child may inadvertently catch on the gown causing damage, or worse, cause injury to themselves with.

Makeup

The flower girl theme is “natural” and a minimum of makeup is a must. A little light lip gloss, some light foundation, and a touch of mascara to highlight her eyes. Don’t forget the sunscreen as majority of photos are taken outside – give some thought to using a foundation that has a 30+SPF factor.

Nails

Nail decoration is best kept to a minimum – simply filed to shape and a light clear coat applied. Many brides prefer their flower girls to either wear a light pastel or natural colour, or just a shiny clear lacquer. No bright reds or sparkly kiddy purples!!!

Flowers

A basket of flowers carried by the flowergirl is a tradition, regardless of the whether the flowergirl carries out her traditional role of sprinkling petals in the bride’s path as she walks down the aisle.

As a bridal fashion accessory, a small posy of flowers is also popular, and usually matching the floral adornments (bouquets, buttonholes, etc) of the rest of the bridal party.

Flowers worn in the hair are also a traditional touch, either as flowers woven into the hair style, floral headbands, or flowers attached to hair clips. Artificial silk or satin flowers can be used, as well as fresh flowers.

In all floral adornments and bouquets try to use miniature flowers. A flower girl is half (or less) the size of anyone else in the bridal party, and the size of the flowers should be scaled down accordingly.

Dress Care

Some simple storage and handling advice for your flower girl gown:

* Always dry-clean the gown
* Wash your hands before handling the gown.
* When packing the gown in a box or chest, pack with acid free tissue paper.
* Keep the box stored out of direct sunlight and away from moisture, and away from household fumes and pollutants.
* Store the box where vermin and insects can not get to it.
* Ensure there is adequate air circulation around the box to prevent mustiness.
* To hang the gown, use a material coated hanger and place the gown in a sealed garment bag.

Other Resources

* Flower Girl Dresses By Jennifer Catherine Design
* Flower Girl Jewellery By Silver Bells And Cockle Shells

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