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# 1 - Quick Tips and Pointers
- Flowers will add beauty anywhere.
If you have a limited budget, bring out the beauty with bright, colorful selections. If
you have an unlimited budget, place flowers anywhere and everywhere possible for a
stunning effect.
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# 2 - About
- The Millennium bride and
groom want bold, colorful flowers—yellows, oranges, reds, bright blues and pinks—
and every bright color in-between (out with pastels)—perfect for Spring and Summer.
Fall and Winter colors include rich, dark purples and reds surrounded by hardy
leaves and berries with a velvet ribbon on the stem. The bride prefers the just-picked
look made popular by Martha Stewart. The bouquet is held at the stem (and the stem is
showing) and tied with ribbon and tiny pearls. The bouquet can contain one type of
flower which can look very stunning, or a mixed bouquet. The more traditional look
(popular for at least the last 30 years) is the cascading bouquet. The flowers are
arranged in a large circle and draped in the shape of a triangle or waterfall look.
Ideas. Be bold and make a different floral centerpiece for each table (but
follow the theme so it looks tasteful).
Traditional. Roses and Calla lilies are usually available year round, and
are traditional and popular.
Flower Girl. Most flower girls wear a circle of miniature flowers on their
head (until it comes off at the reception). Don’t forget to ask about rose petals
for the basket. Can flowers be tossed down the aisle (check this out at your site)?
Consider silk rose petals as an option to fresh petals.
Bride’s Attendants. If the attendants wear unique dresses, then why not their
bouquet? The florist could make unique bouquets using the same flowers with little
touches unique for each attendant. Most wedding parties use the same bouquet to
simplify the process which also helps keep costs down. By doing so, the bouquets
will work whether the attendants wear the same dresses or different styles. Perhaps
you want something entirely different—get creative! Let the attendants carry a single
rose, or a small bloom tied with strings of pearl, or decorate a fan with small
flowers and ribbons at the base.
Mother’s Corsage. Not so popular today: huge corsages for the mothers and
grandmothers. Don’t the moms look stunning in their beautiful dress? If they insist
on wearing a corsage, create a very simple, elegant arrangement designed around their
dress.
Male Wedding Members. Groom, ushers, ring bearer, fathers, grandfathers wear
a simple, small boutonničre. Ask about miniature flowers that work well.
Ceremony. Most ceremony properties are adorned with flowers for both indoor
and outdoor weddings. Place an arrangement on each side of the bride and groom and,
if appropriate, another arrangement in the center. A more extravagant wedding may
include some floral decorations at the aisle pews or chairs and at the entrance of
the site.
Centerpieces, Guest Book Table, Cake Table. Add a small vase with seasonal
flowers and colorful ribbons. Place the arrangement at the table where guests arrive
and sign your guest book or photograph frame. Add flowers to the cake table (taking
into account the decoration of the cake) by gently tossing rose petals.
The centerpiece is usually simple consisting of a small vase, a few seasonal
flowers on a round mirror and a candle or two. The trend for those with large wallets
includes elaborate, color, extravagant floral centerpieces. Some are arranged in
fancy, international containers; some are in two-foot high arrangement that spread
out at the top so that the spread is not in the way of the guests sitting at the
table. Don’t be surprised if the cost of the flowers ends up being the next highest
expense after the gown!
Selecting a Florist. The flowers you select from a professional who
specializes in weddings will be just beautiful. If you are on a tight budget and
decide to provide the flower arrangements yourself, you may end up being disappointed.
Flowers are a fragile product demanding a correct environment. A bouquet of wilted
roses may require you to have your brother run to the store and purchase a vibrant
bunch.
Some Hints. Here are some hints on selecting the right
floral arrangements:
- Take samples of your color theme (swatches) with you to the florist.
- Describe you vision; bring a picture from magazines if you found a favorite.
- Describe the size of the room, the windows, and lighting.
- Seek pictures from the bridal magazines to give you more ideas.
- Some flowers contain pollen and natural dye that can stain fabric. Ask if the
florist can remove these, if any.
- Consider the scent of the flowers, whether it is a part of the attendants’ bouquets
or the centerpiece. Some people may be extra sensitive to strong perfumed flowers.
Some of those include carnations, daphne odora, gardenia, genista, jasmine, stargazer especially
in the evening, and wisteria.
- Since many florists provide for weddings, some have accessories you may need, such
as arches, benches, candles, runners, gazebos, etc.
- Discuss the environment for the flowers (room air-conditioned during summer; centerpieces
placed on outside tables without shade, etc.)
- While at your reception, your bouquet usually find a home on the dinner table.
- Don’t forget a special vase with water to keep them fresh as long as possible, especially if
you decide to preserve them
Cost Cutting Tips
- All flowers are beautiful, by themselves or happily arranged in a bouquet. Order
flowers that are in season; if the particular one you have in mind must be flown in
from South America, then it may command a premium price.
- Ask the property’s wedding manager about a florist they recommend; they may have
one on account that offers a great price.
- Ask about any props, containers, vases that can be rented instead of purchased.
- Ask a talented friend to help make some or all of the arrangements. Keep in mind
that this friend may not know about the types of flowers and when the
types of flowers look their best. Hopefully, you have seen their work and you trust
them fully. Additionally, what will you do if he/she is ill that day? Trust your
instinct. It may be worth hiring an experienced professional.
- Ask a trusted friend to pick up and deliver the flowers.
Message of Flowers
Writers and artists have long been touched by the beauty and messages of flowers –
expressing them in songs, literature and the arts. Flowers enhance joy to any event
and are especially represented at weddings. Which flowers are best for you?
- Rose represents Love (most popular)
- Lilly of the Valley represents Happiness
- Honesuckle represents Affection
- Lily represents Purity
- Violet represents Fidelity
- Rosemary represents Remembrance
- Orchids represents Beauty
- Daisy represents Innocence (Gerbera daisies are trendy)
- Gardenia represents Joy
- Jasmine represents Friendship
- Evergreen represents Eternity
- Carnation represents Deep Love
- Ivy represents Fidelity
- Marigold represents Sacred Affection
- Tulip represents Love Declared
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# 3 - Contracts- Get a contract signed to
commit the date. Find out about delivery services and times. Communicate any
particulars about the sites where the flowers will be presented (it’s great if
the florist is acquainted with the site already). Don’t forget the tiny details—
if the florists make the centerpieces and deliver them to the site, will they also
place them on each table, or will your friends do this part? Verify the delivery
at least one week before the wedding.
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# 4 - Questions to Ask -
Be prepared; make sure you have the date and site confirmed for both the
ceremony and the reception. Along these lines, make sure you have inquired with the
site(s) of any restrictions they have about flowers.
Print your checklist, either from the wedding software or worksheet that list
all of your floral needs. Print your list of colors for the wedding party, ceremony, reception (linen
colors, etc.). Bring one of the bridesmaid’s dress for color matching. Go to the ones
referred by your friends.
- Ask if the date is available.
- Ask for options that could cut down the costs. Most florists are aware of
tight budget issues.
- Ask if you can stop by before they deliver flowers to another wedding so you
can see real samples of some of their arrangements (make a quick call to make an
appointment and be on time—the flowers must be delivered on a tight time schedule to
look their best)
- Ask to see their catalog. Hopefully you have some idea of what type of
bouquet you want to carry and what you want for the wedding attendants. If not,
the florists will be able to assist you. Or, just by looking at photos, you will
immediately know what styles you do not like, then narrow it down to the ones you favor.
If you found a bouquet that you love from a wedding magazine, mark that page or tear it
out and bring it with you.
- Ask how many years in the florist has been in business
- Ask how many years as a floral "designer"
- Ask how many weddings contracted per year
- Ask the maximum number of weddings contracted in one day
- Ask about the range of services, delivery and setup included
- Ask when the balance is due
- Ask about payment methods (check, credit)
- Ask what happens if the flowers are delivered late (delivery person has a flat
tire or is ill with the flu)
- Ask what happens if the florist is out ill?
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# 5 - Floral Preservation- Some brides love to keep their
bouquet as a special memento of their wedding day. There are now many businesses
offering floral preservation. Give them a call to find out what you need to do to
take care of the bouquet so that it will look its best. Talk to a representative at
a wedding show.
# 6 - Charity - For brides and grooms who have a
large budget for flowers, don’t let the flowers go to waste after the event. Plan to
have the flowers delivered to a local hospital or an organization that feeds the homeless,
a senior citizen center, or the like. Everyone can enjoy the beauty that comes with flowers.
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Customer Support:
support@weddingsabreeze.com or 760-419-1516
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