 |
|
 |
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||
 |
|||
| Book florist early for best selection
Flowers will enhance your wedding style, as well as add
beauty and elegance at the ceremony and reception. It is suggested that you
choose a reputable florist well in advance of the wedding date, as the most
experienced ones tend to be reserved far in advance.
The florist will be able to assist you in selecting
the appropriate flowers to match your color scheme, advising you as to
which ones are in season, etc.
Traditionally, the bride’s family pays for
floral decoration for the ceremony and reception, as well as the
bridesmaids’ bouquets. The groom provides the bride’s bouquet
and going-away corsage, corsages for mothers and grandmothers, and
boutonnieres for himself, fathers, and all men in the wedding party.
Silk flowers may be less expensive than real flowers,
however much of the expense is in the labor if you have a florist arrange
them. So if you are comfortable arranging them yourself, you can probably
save a bundle. You could also consider substituting silk exotics (like
orchids) for real ones and have the florist make combination bouquets.
Some silk flowers look as pretty as the real thing and
it’s hard to tell the difference. Also, if you have a silk bouquet,
it will still look the same for years to come, whereas real flowers will
need to be preserved or dried or thrown out.
Flowers for the Ceremony
The purpose of flowers at a church ceremony is to help
enhance the worship space. These may range from vases of flowers to more
elaborate arrangements with sprays of flowers lining the aisle. Be sure to
check with your clergy-person as to what the church allows.
If you are being married at home or in a hotel or
club, it is best to select an attractive spot such as a fireplace or large
window and decide what floral arrangements will best enhance it.
Again, your professional florist will be able to help
you make your decision. Be aware of the fact that some churches do not
allow silk or artificial flowers because they are contradictory to the
symbol and tradition of freshness, purity, life, wholeness, etc.
On the other hand, some may not allow potted
flowers/plants inside the church. Also, the chancel area of the Protestant
church is viewed much differently than the sanctuary of the Catholic
church. In fact, most Catholic churches to not even allow any flowers on
the altar.
Flowers for the Attendants
The bridal bouquet is the most beautiful of all, but
the gown you will be wearing will determine the type of bouquet you choose.
The gown is still the main focus. Keep in mind that the bride’s
bouquet and her attendants’ bouquets should be coordinated in theme
and color. You may also choose to carry a white prayer book or small Bible.
If the bride is wearing a street-length dress, she may choose to wear a
corsage instead of carrying a bouquet.
If you show your florist swatches of your
bridesmaids’ dresses and sketches of the dress style, he/she will be
able to suggest suitable bouquets and head pieces.
The bouquet for the maid (or matron) of honor may be
slightly different from the bridesmaids’ bouquets.
The flowers carried by a flower girl should be demure,
as befits her age and size. A small basket or nosegay is best. Carrying a
basket is easy and natural and gives her something to concentrate on as she
walks down the aisle.
Corsages for mothers and grandmothers should be chosen
with the color of their dresses in mind. They should be kept simple –
a cymbidium orchid has been a favorite for many.
Boutonnieres for the men in the wedding party are
simply a symbol of participation in the wedding, so they should be small
and simple. Carnations are frequently used, but other possibilities include
one white (or matching color) sweetheart rose, or a sprig of stephanotis.
The groom’s boutonniere is generally a flower of the same type as
those in the bride’s bouquet, and should be different from those of
the other men in the wedding party.
Reception Flowers
Reception flowers should be coordinated with the
wedding theme in both color and design. Since your guests will be spending
more time at the reception than at the wedding, you may want to consider
where most of your flower budget should be spent.
The buffet table is the center of attention and
therefore the centerpiece should be elaborate. You will also need
centerpieces for the table where the guests will be seated.
Consider the color of the table linens; white, for
instance, may wash out pastel colors. Consider using clay pots with
in-season flowers as centerpieces. Guests may then take them home as a
favor. For example, tulips or daffodils in spring would be pretty.
You may also wish to use fresh flowers, or silk flowers, on your wedding cake. This can be done easily by your caterer or baker. The base of the cake can be garlanded with greens or surrounded by the wedding bouquets during the reception and for pictures. If an evening reception is planned, strings of small white twinkle lights entwined in floral decorations can add an enchanting touch. |
|||
|
|||
|
|||
