Wedding Flower Tips

What would a wedding be without the beauty and romance of flowers? They create that pleasing visual backdrop and atmosphere of aromatic delight. Yes, you've been dreaming about it, but now it's time to get down to the practicalities that will make your dream come true. If you read on, you can avoid something that should be pleasurable and sensual from becoming downright cumbersome and grueling.

Take a look at these most frequently asked questions:

What exactly do I need flowers for?
You will need personal flowers, i.e. bouquets for the bride and bridesmaids, boutonnieres for the groom, father of the bride and groom, groomsmen, and corsages for mother of the bride and groom.

Ceremony flowers - whether it's a wedding in the home or a place of worship.

Reception flowers - usually includes centerpieces for tables, guest book table and possibly the cake table.

What's the average cost for wedding flowers?
The average cost for wedding flowers can range between $800 - $1,000 dollars.

When do I start shopping for my florist?
If you know your wedding date, start shopping 6-12 months ahead of time. Many of the best wedding floral designers are booked well in advance.

Where and how do I begin?
Begin by gathering your ideas. Start collecting pictures of flowers and color schemes from bridal, home & garden and food magazines. Of course the internet can be a great inspiration for ideas as well. Try looking at wallpaper or fabric books. They have wonderful ideas for color palettes.

Next step is to ask for recommendations from family and friends.

Then start shopping around for floral designers. Believe it or not, at this point you do not have know the color of your bridesmaids' gowns, nor do you have to have a color scheme in mind. Your concern is to view their work and to feel comfortable with the the designer. Don't be afraid to ask how many weddings they've done and to see photos of their work. I recommend you go to "questions to ask your floral designer" before venturing out to shop in case you become tongue tied.

Once you have narrowed down your choices for floral designers, secure the date by leaving a deposit. Usually a deposit ranges from $50 - $100. Make sure you get the date in writing and find out whether the deposit is refundable.

Ok, I picked my floral designer. Now what?
Now you go armed and prepared. Remember your wish collection of flowers and colors? Bring in everything you've got. Don't worry if you're stuck on ideas. Your designer will know how to draw out your likes and dislikes. Her job is to guide you, not to bowl you over with ideas that don't suit your personality and overall desires, not to mention budget. *Make sure your designer understands to work within the budget you finally agree upon.

Help! We're on a tight budget. How can we save money?
There are a few ways to make money. Here's some hints:

-Choose blooms that are in season (for your wedding date) and/or locally grown.

-Ask your designer ahead of time how the flowers can be used for both ceremony and reception sites. This way, they're not just used for one hour.

-Ask if your designer if he/she would be willing to transport the flowers from the reception site to the ceremony. If they are not willing to include this in the price, ask a friend to transport them and place them appropriately at the reception site.

-Don't let your floral designer talk you into putting flowers in every nook and cranny. It isn't necessary. Put your most expensive arrangements where you want to make the biggest impression or where they will be seen the most.

-Use lots of greenery, alone or with baby's breath or bows. Bows may even be used alone. Greenery with tulle looks very romantic!

-Choose smaller bouquets. Gone are the days where the bouquet is practically all you see when the bride walks down the aisle. Besides, they cover up the dress and are very heavy. By the end of ceremony, your goal is not to feel like you've had a great work-out.

Contract Tips
-Make sure every little thing is itemized on your contract.
-Make sure it stipulates when and where the flowers will be delivered.
-Don't forget to ask if someone will be there to assist you on the day of the wedding. A good floral designer should be there to help pin on the boutonnieres and corsages etc. *Ask if this is at an additional cost.
-Protect yourself by putting payments on a credit card in case there is a breach of contract.

Last Second Tips
Centerpieces - If you want your guests to be able to see each other across the table, the centerpieces should either be above or below eye level, or about 14 inches.

Boutonnieres - are worn on the left side of lapel. If your florist does not offer assistance on your wedding day, make sure to pin it under the lapel so the pin doesn't show.