Decorating with Flowers

Whether you’re planning a sophisticated wedding at a five star hotel or a barbecue on the beach, flowers will help you set the mood of your celebration.  Nothing adds colour, fragrance and individuality to your big day like fresh flowers.

When considering your floral arrangements, think about:

• Your colour scheme and theme
• Flowers in season
• Your wedding dress silhouette and style
• Your budget

Choosing a florist

Unless you are lucky enough to have a friend or family member with a passion for flowers, you’ll need a professional floral designer.  A specialist florist will have the know-how and experience to tell you what works and what doesn’t.  He or she will be able to work within your budget to create wedding magic. 

Book your florist early – at least six months before your wedding day.  And do your homework!  Ask your friends and family for recommendations and then check out each florist’s credentials.  Ask to see photographs of other floral arrangements they’ve created for weddings, and ask for references.  Ask whether the florist is familiar with your ceremony and reception sites (and if not, ask if he or she will visit the site in advance).  Determine whether they’ll deliver the flowers to your ceremony and reception sites, and whether the delivery fee is built into their pricing structure.  Taking the time to find the perfect florist will save you headaches later on.

Taking a floral inventory

Once your florist knows your budget and wedding theme, he or she will be able to help you take an inventory to consider exactly what sorts of floral decorations you’ll need.  Your first priority should be your own bridal bouquet, with all your other floral arrangements chosen to complement it.  Think about:

• Your bridal bouquet and floral headpiece
• Bouquets and headpieces for the bridesmaids
• Buttonholes and corsages for the rest of the bridal party
• Flowers for the flower girl
• Floral decorations for the ceremony
• Floral decorations for the reception
• Table centrepieces
• Floral decorations for your wedding cake
• Rose petal confetti.