Nothing quite captures the romance of a couple joining together in matrimony like the beauty and sensuous scents of nature's magnificent creations, flowers. But, more than just decoration, flowers set the tone and make a personal statement about the couple.
For centuries we have associated different flowers with the emotions which underscore the union of two souls - the rose has always symbolized the love between two individuals, for example. Blossoms and greenery have adorned churches, homes, gardens and parks, enhancing the backdrop where lovers wed.
But, the bridal bouquet remains the real focal point for the bride and the florist. Strict rules about bouquets have all but vanished, leaving brides free to design any sort of arrangement they prefer. Flowers are no longer limited to white or cream, although pale blossoms are often chosen because they fit the spirit of the occasion and don't draw attention from the bride. Fall weddings inspire even bolder palettes. For example, burgundy roses arranged with pale, peach-colored blooms make for a stunning and very romantic bouquet. Other color additions include a touch of blue or lavender. Lilacs and hydrangea are popular choices. Red roses and poinsettias remain popular for holiday weddings.
One recent trend has been to simply hand-tie a mass of like-colored roses with ribbon so they look graceful, yet unpretentious. This simple, elegant look has been extremely popular for the past several years and gives the bride more of a natural appearance, as if she just stepped from the garden.
Another new approach is a herb bouquet. An herb bouquet, which also contains flowers, might include a combination of sage, lemon balm, lavender, rosemary, orchids and twigs. It smells lovely and will make a wonderful keepsake.
Experts say the choice of your wedding bouquet depends a great deal on the style of your gown. For instance, a bride dressed in Victorian-inspired white lace might select an old-fashioned cluster of sweetheart roses and violets for the bouquet. On the other hand, a bride in a country-style gown might want a more casual profusion of wildflowers and daisies. The most traditional and formal bouquets, however, are usually all white. However, white bouquets can include a bit of fern or ivy for color. The bouquet size should also be in proportion to the bride. Too large an arrangement will overpower and clutter the look of the bride.
Florists advise against making a firm decision on flowers too early in the planning process. As the bride will probably attend weddings and get many ideas from wedding publications, it can be premature to select flowers a year in advance. Color schemes change and ideas change often over a year's time, which can lead to confusion. Four to six months prior to the wedding is usually a better time frame.
It's helpful to a florist if the brides bring in photos (or other visual aids) of the floral arrangements they like, as well as samples of dress fabrics of the bride and attendants.
Florists are now seeing a trend toward having flower decorations at all phases of a wedding, from the ceremony to the reception. Some florists will move flower arrangements from the ceremony sites to the reception sites, then rearrange existing displays into centerpieces or use them to embellish doors, tables, stages, or other areas.
Bridesmaids, mothers, the groom and groomsmen should all wear flower styles which match the theme of the wedding and the bridal bouquet. Bridesmaid flowers should not upstage the bride's ensemble, but it is recommended that the maid of honor have a larger bouquet with a distinct arrangement.
Most popular flowers are associated with a desirable quality. The list below includes some flowers and their special meaning.
Apple Blossoms - good fortune
Baby's Breath - pure heart
Bluebell - constancy
Blue Violet - faithfulness
Daffodil - joy
Gardenia - joy
Gladiolus - generosity
Iris - wisdom
Lily of the Valley - happiness
Magnolia - nobility
Orange Blossom - purity and fertility
Orchid - beauty
Rose - deep love
White Daisy - innocence
Kathryn Lemmon, Wedding Zone Staff Writer
Wedding Blog, Ideas, News for the Bride & Groom
Showing posts with label Flower Blog. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Flower Blog. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Wedding Centerpiece Ideas
Wedding Centerpiece Ideas - Fill Your Space With Flowers
Flowers fill the spaces of most wedding centerpieces. Yet a future bride can be very creative about how she creates those spaces. Wedding centerpieces come in a diverse array of shapes and sizes.
If a future bride hopes to have a very tall centerpiece at her main reception table, she does not need to end her search with the selection of a simple flower stand. A candelabra- shaped stand can elicit many comments from the wedding guests. Some wedding centerpieces turn like a carousel, showing their varied candles and flowers to guests in all four corners of the reception room.
Arches, cake stands and columns can all be incorporated into a wedding centerpiece. Flowers then get stuffed into the many different spaces on those table-mounted structures. A future bride might even want to have a large wire heart on her main reception table. Flowers could decorate the heart in the manner of her choosing.
Some future brides decide to have floating candles in their wedding centerpieces. Here again, the centerpiece can be of any height. It might be a tall centerpiece, one designed to hold a glass bowl at the top. The candles float in the glass bowl, ready for a special touch.
Smaller bowls can be placed on any table where guests will be sitting. The bride can personalize her floating candles by adding to the centerpiece cuttings from her favorite flower. She can also create very unique candles, such as cut citrus fruit that can hold a wick, or butterfly-shaped wax candles.
A future bride might want to reduce the cost of the wedding by combining her wedding favors with her wedding centerpieces. The centerpieces hold a number of wands, wands filled with chocolate and other candies. Each guest at the table leaves with one wand.
If a future bride finds that she needs to cut her costs even further, she might examine the ideas for attractive but inexpensive wedding centerpieces. She might want to purchase some appealing plastic bowls and fill them with candies. She might decide to visit a nearby hobby store and order some silk flower arrangements.
Potted plants can often be incorporated into an inexpensive wedding centerpiece. Balloons too can add color and fun to the reception room. Those wonderful additions do not require a big expenditure on the part of the bride’s family.
Submitted by Jen Carter, www.my-wedding-blog.com
Flowers fill the spaces of most wedding centerpieces. Yet a future bride can be very creative about how she creates those spaces. Wedding centerpieces come in a diverse array of shapes and sizes.
If a future bride hopes to have a very tall centerpiece at her main reception table, she does not need to end her search with the selection of a simple flower stand. A candelabra- shaped stand can elicit many comments from the wedding guests. Some wedding centerpieces turn like a carousel, showing their varied candles and flowers to guests in all four corners of the reception room.
Arches, cake stands and columns can all be incorporated into a wedding centerpiece. Flowers then get stuffed into the many different spaces on those table-mounted structures. A future bride might even want to have a large wire heart on her main reception table. Flowers could decorate the heart in the manner of her choosing.
Some future brides decide to have floating candles in their wedding centerpieces. Here again, the centerpiece can be of any height. It might be a tall centerpiece, one designed to hold a glass bowl at the top. The candles float in the glass bowl, ready for a special touch.
Smaller bowls can be placed on any table where guests will be sitting. The bride can personalize her floating candles by adding to the centerpiece cuttings from her favorite flower. She can also create very unique candles, such as cut citrus fruit that can hold a wick, or butterfly-shaped wax candles.
A future bride might want to reduce the cost of the wedding by combining her wedding favors with her wedding centerpieces. The centerpieces hold a number of wands, wands filled with chocolate and other candies. Each guest at the table leaves with one wand.
If a future bride finds that she needs to cut her costs even further, she might examine the ideas for attractive but inexpensive wedding centerpieces. She might want to purchase some appealing plastic bowls and fill them with candies. She might decide to visit a nearby hobby store and order some silk flower arrangements.
Potted plants can often be incorporated into an inexpensive wedding centerpiece. Balloons too can add color and fun to the reception room. Those wonderful additions do not require a big expenditure on the part of the bride’s family.
Submitted by Jen Carter, www.my-wedding-blog.com
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
DIY Wedding Flower Guide
When it comes to choosing wedding flowers, many brides may know the wedding flower they want in their own bouquet, but are a little mystified about the rest of the wedding flowers needed to fill out the ceremony and reception.
While you can leave all your wedding flower selections in the hands of a capable professional florist and get great results, you may want to take a more hands on approach. We hope this wedding flower guide will help making planning your most special day just a little easier.
Your first decision should be whether you plan to use a professional florist to create a wedding flower arrangement and bouquets, or if you would rather visit a wholesale wedding flower retailer and order flowers to make your own bridal bouquets, boutonnieres and so forth.
If you are the creative type, a simple floral craft book will give you all the tips and tool lists necessary to create your own custom wedding flowers that reflect your personal style. It's a good idea to purchase some flowers to practice with ahead of time to make sure you'll be happy with your results. Whatever you decide, there are some standard traditions and suggestions to help make sure you've covered all your wedding flower needs.
Wedding Flower Guide
Wedding flowers for the church would include:
* Altar wedding flower arrangements
* Pew markers/decorations
Wedding flowers for the reception would include:
* Wedding flower arrangement for the bridal table
* Table centerpieces
* Buffet table decorations
Wedding flowers for the bridal party would include:
* Bridal bouquet
* Small Bridal bouquet to toss
* Groom's boutonniere
* Maid/Matron of Honor bouquet
* Bridesmaid bouquets
* Best Man boutonniere
* Groomsman boutonnieres
* Flower Girl bouquet or petal basket
* Mother of the Bride/Groom corsages
* Father of the Bride/Groom boutonnieres
* Step-parent corsages/boutonnieres
* Grandparent corsages/boutonnieres
A Few Extra Wedding Flower Tips
Maid/Matron of Honor wedding bouquets should be slightly more elaborate or in a different color shade than the rest of the bridesmaid wedding bouquets.
The Best Man boutonniere should be slightly more elaborate than the rest of the groomsmen boutonnieres.
The corsages/boutonnieres for the parents should differ slightly from the step-parents, and all grandparent corsages/boutonnieres should be different as well. It makes it easier for guests to keep track of who's who.
Wedding flower arrangements from the church can be transferred to the reception hall for double duty.
Bridesmaid wedding bouquets could be set in waiting vases and used as decoration for the bridal table.
Remember, these are just wedding flower guidelines. When it comes to your special day, your wedding flower selections and arrangements should reflect your personal taste and style. You can keep things simple or get as elaborate as you like, as long as your wedding flowers help you create the perfectly romantic wedding day you've always dreamed of.
Submitted by Muzrak Maksidov
While you can leave all your wedding flower selections in the hands of a capable professional florist and get great results, you may want to take a more hands on approach. We hope this wedding flower guide will help making planning your most special day just a little easier.
Your first decision should be whether you plan to use a professional florist to create a wedding flower arrangement and bouquets, or if you would rather visit a wholesale wedding flower retailer and order flowers to make your own bridal bouquets, boutonnieres and so forth.
If you are the creative type, a simple floral craft book will give you all the tips and tool lists necessary to create your own custom wedding flowers that reflect your personal style. It's a good idea to purchase some flowers to practice with ahead of time to make sure you'll be happy with your results. Whatever you decide, there are some standard traditions and suggestions to help make sure you've covered all your wedding flower needs.
Wedding Flower Guide
Wedding flowers for the church would include:
* Altar wedding flower arrangements
* Pew markers/decorations
Wedding flowers for the reception would include:
* Wedding flower arrangement for the bridal table
* Table centerpieces
* Buffet table decorations
Wedding flowers for the bridal party would include:
* Bridal bouquet
* Small Bridal bouquet to toss
* Groom's boutonniere
* Maid/Matron of Honor bouquet
* Bridesmaid bouquets
* Best Man boutonniere
* Groomsman boutonnieres
* Flower Girl bouquet or petal basket
* Mother of the Bride/Groom corsages
* Father of the Bride/Groom boutonnieres
* Step-parent corsages/boutonnieres
* Grandparent corsages/boutonnieres
A Few Extra Wedding Flower Tips
Maid/Matron of Honor wedding bouquets should be slightly more elaborate or in a different color shade than the rest of the bridesmaid wedding bouquets.
The Best Man boutonniere should be slightly more elaborate than the rest of the groomsmen boutonnieres.
The corsages/boutonnieres for the parents should differ slightly from the step-parents, and all grandparent corsages/boutonnieres should be different as well. It makes it easier for guests to keep track of who's who.
Wedding flower arrangements from the church can be transferred to the reception hall for double duty.
Bridesmaid wedding bouquets could be set in waiting vases and used as decoration for the bridal table.
Remember, these are just wedding flower guidelines. When it comes to your special day, your wedding flower selections and arrangements should reflect your personal taste and style. You can keep things simple or get as elaborate as you like, as long as your wedding flowers help you create the perfectly romantic wedding day you've always dreamed of.
Submitted by Muzrak Maksidov
Saturday, December 18, 2010
How To Choose A Florist
No wedding is complete without flowers. But finding a florist is not a morning stroll in the park. It takes some doing to choose a good florist. You have to consider several things so that you can make the right choice. It is better if you start the process of choosing well ahead of the wedding. Any florist of some repute will be busy, so you have to make your booking quite early. In order to choose the florist, your first job will be to ask the banquet hall you are having the reception at for the florists they recommend. There are a few reception venues that only allow certain florists in their facilities. Better check out for that. Otherwise, ask your friends and relatives to recommend a few florists to choose from. Ask your married friends who were the florists in their weddings. Do not forget to inquire if they were comfortable working with the florists because you won’t certainly like much fuss on your wedding day. It makes sense to look for a florist with some professional affiliation because of their commitment to the craft and also prompt services. A florist that can offer convenient hours at an easily accessible location with a satisfaction guarantee will be a godsend to you.
After you have collected the names of a few florists, contact them to get price estimates and see their work. It is unlikely that any reputed florist will agree to give an estimate over telephone. When you meet them personally, you should bring some fabric from your bridesmaid’s gowns, so that the florist can help you select colors and types of flowers to use. It is better to look for a florist who is familiar with the venue of your wedding. The florist will know what is suitable and what is not if he knows the place well.
Do not hesitate to tell the florist what you exactly need. And never feel bad about negotiating the price; keep it in mind that you have every right to bargain. Inquire about the cost of the flowers you will need, and also if the delivery and setup is included in the price. Finally, get a contract of what exactly will be provided for your wedding. Wedding planning is no easy thing involving a lot of stress and the process of choosing a florist is no exception. But once you make the choice, say it with flowers.
Jen Carter is owner of My Wedding Blog, and offers tips and advice for people planning their wedding.
Submitted by Jen Carter, www.my-wedding-blog.com
After you have collected the names of a few florists, contact them to get price estimates and see their work. It is unlikely that any reputed florist will agree to give an estimate over telephone. When you meet them personally, you should bring some fabric from your bridesmaid’s gowns, so that the florist can help you select colors and types of flowers to use. It is better to look for a florist who is familiar with the venue of your wedding. The florist will know what is suitable and what is not if he knows the place well.
Do not hesitate to tell the florist what you exactly need. And never feel bad about negotiating the price; keep it in mind that you have every right to bargain. Inquire about the cost of the flowers you will need, and also if the delivery and setup is included in the price. Finally, get a contract of what exactly will be provided for your wedding. Wedding planning is no easy thing involving a lot of stress and the process of choosing a florist is no exception. But once you make the choice, say it with flowers.
Jen Carter is owner of My Wedding Blog, and offers tips and advice for people planning their wedding.
Submitted by Jen Carter, www.my-wedding-blog.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)