Dating | Weddings

Wedding Flowers

Coming up roses

Your florist could be your saviour! They may be able to help with more than you think, and don't feel awkward about bringing up budget straight away. It is a real concern with so many other bills to pay.

If the florist keeps pushing you towards arrangements you can't afford, move on. Make sure that you interview them properly, and ask to see their portfolio. If you want to compare prices, chose a simple flower, like a single white rose corsage and a white rose bouquet, and use that as your guide.

A popular, or just good, local florist will know the main venues in the area and should be able to make suitable recommendations. They should also be able to rent table mirrors, vases and candleholders. And it's worth asking if they can provide silk flowers for hair arrangements, (or an allergic wedding party member). Some florists charge a fee to deliver flowers to the ceremony and reception sites and to arrange them on site, so check if that is included in your costing.

SO JUST HOW MANY FLOWERS DO YOU NEED?

The bride and her maids aren't the only ones sporting flowers. The groom wears his boutonniere on the left lapel, nearest to his heart. The groom often chooses a flower for his buttonhole that also occurs in the bride's bouquet. To make sure no one mistakes him for the best man (including the bride if she's had a little Dutch courage to steady her nerves), make sure that the groom's arrangement is more elaborate or larger than the other males' buttonholes. The groom gives each man in the wedding party a boutonniere to wear on his left lapel, often including the officiant (if male; a corsage if female).

The groom is also responsible for providing flowers for his mother, the bride's mother, and the grandmothers. Make sure they match the outfit each is wearing. (Ask the chief bridesmaid to find out the colour of each outfit.) He can also win a few points for being exceptionally considerate by planning corsages for the bride's going-away outfit.

As well as people, you have to bring some floral flair to your special occasion. Whether you are in a church or civil ceremony, you will have a main altar where you will be married. As this is one of the most prominent locations for flowers, it's a nice idea to use blooms reflecting the theme or colour of the bride's bouquet. Make sure they are a tall or elaborate enough to be seen by guests seated at the back. Check if the church is happy for you to choose your own display, as sometimes you may be expected to have their existing creations, which might clash. Ask if you (or your florist) can talk to the regular flower arranger who can tell you which flowers suit the space and which get lost - some sweet country blooms can seem ineffectual if you are marrying in Westminster cathedral. You could be better off using two main displays at the altar, rather than the ends of the pews. These are often decorated with flowers, candles, ribbons or pew cards. If your ceremony is outdoors, you could marry under a favourite blossom tree, or hang blooms sewn onto twine from its branches. If it's a winter or autumn wedding, or candlelight ceremony, use candelabra decorated with flowers or greens for a dramatic mood. Obviously, you can add or subtract depending on location and budget.

GETTING A GOOD RECEPTION

The head table is where the wedding party will sit during the reception, and is the most important in terms of decoration. It should be decorated with a dramatic centrepiece to mark it out from the others. As it is often a rectangular shape, it looks wonderful with garlands draped around the edges, which also allows guests to see the wedding party. The bridesmaids often place their bouquets in front of their places, so also make this a feature when planning. The guest tables often have flower arrangements. These need to be low enough for the guests to chat over, or high enough for them to see through (like large fluted vases).

If you are having buffet tables use floral tables to keep them in theme with the rest of the room. Use the food to its best advantage, too, such as piling fruit like a cornucopia, adding to the feeling of celebration. Think laterally: pumpkins might sound like a strange choice but can be striking as part of an autumnal display, as can herbs.

Disclaimer & Copyright © Infinite Ideas 2008