Wedding Flowers

From the bride’s bouquet  to the altar arrangement,  flowers are a crucial part of every wedding, and one that’s too-often left to the last minute, with important decisions being relegated to a hired florist or an overwhelmed maid of honor. With a little careful planning, it’s easy to ensure that the flowers are exactly how you want them. After all, it is your day.

In choosing your flowers,  you’ll want to keep the general tone and style of your wedding in mind. Is it a small or large wedding? Indoors or outdoors? Modern or traditional? Will there be lots of tables  you’ll need to decorate, or do you just need to assemble a few bouquets for the wedding party? What’s your budget like? The time of year will also be important—remember, flowers are quite seasonal!

You may also want to consider doing the flowers yourself, which is a great way to save money and ensure that the flowers are exactly as you envisioned them. Ordering flowers in bulk from a grower or online supplier, or purchasing them at a farmer's market can often be cheaper, and gives you an outlet for your creativity. It's also much easier than you'd expect, particularly if you're using only a few varieties of flowers, or if you want simple, elegant arrangements.

Flowers by Season

Summertime Flowers
Mini Calla Lilies  As elegant as they are brightly colored.	Gerbera Daisies  Irresistibly cheerful, and available in almost any color.	Peonies  A summer favorite, despite their short season.	Sunflowers  Bright and cheery, perfect for casual weddings.

Autumn Flowers
Roses  What could be more romantic?	Asiatic Lilies  Available in all of autumn's rich colors.	Calla Lilies  Graceful and elegant, a classic.	Tulips  Sweet and fresh, no matter the season.

Winter Flowers
Amaryllis  Potted or cut, a classic winter flower.	Oriental Lilies  Sweetly fragrant, with extra-large blooms.	Calla Lilies  Snow-white flowers for your winter wonderland.	Orchids  Defy the weather with these stunning tropical flowers.

Springtime Flowers
Daffodils  Guaranteed to infuse any wedding with plenty of sun.	Tulips  Springtime's most classic bloom.	Irises  Sophisticated, yet relatively inexpensive.	French Tulips  Taller than standard tulips, and inimitably elegant.

Other Popular Wedding Flowers
Lily of the Valley	Hydrangeas	Gardenias	Sweet Peas

Flower Packages

Consider how many arrangements, bouquets, and other decorations you'll need and ask a florist what types of package deals he/she can offer. For large, lavish, formal weddings -- and bigger budgets -- the more arrangements you'll want to have. For smaller and less formal weddings, you will probably pick and choose the arrangements you feel best complement the ceremony and reception sites.

1. Bride and bridesmaids bouquets. 
2. Flowers for the bride's hair.
3. Boutonnieres  for the groom, fathers, and for the male attendants.
4. Corsages  for the mothers.
5. Ceremony decorations, including aisle arrangements, altar pieces, garlands, arbor  or chuppah  flowers.
6. Petals for the flower girl to toss and maybe a garland for her to wear.
7. Reception decorations for the tables and chairs.
8. The cake may need flowers and perhaps the cake table as well.
9. The guest book table can be decorated if you wish.
10. The bar and/or buffet table might also need flowers.

Tips for Saving Money on Flowers

• Use seasonal flowers and those that are native to the region in which you plan to marry.
• Have your wedding close to the holidays (except Valentine's Day or Mother's Day) since the churches will already have floral decorations.
• Use the flowers for your reception for your ceremony too! Just check with your florist, if using one, that this is okay (transport is not always easy, some flowers are prone to wilting, etc.). Also ask the house of worship, if using one, if you must leave the flowers. Also note that you can sometimes use the same flowers for the rehearsal dinner, ceremony, reception, and morning-after brunch! By styling the flowers differently each time (for a fee, if you use a florist) you'll save money and get a unique look every time that keeps the continuity of the themes and colors for your entire wedding event.
• Don't invest a lot of money in flowers that people won't see up close. Go for the pricey blooms on bouquets, boutonnieres, and table/chair decorations, etc.
• Use the bouquets from the bridal party to decorate the tables.
• See if the reception site will be booked prior to or after your wedding. Perhaps you can contact that party and invite them to share flowers and split the costs.
• Rent potted plants instead of buying them. Or buy them and keep them for yourself after the wedding. They also make great wedding favors!
• Call up a floral design school and ask them to make your flowers. Chances are it will be much cheaper.
• Have an outdoor wedding and let nature decorate for you.
• Don't be afraid of using cheap flowers, such as carnations. You'll be surprised what a little ingenuity can create!
• Do it yourself!!

Flower Trends

An all white "champagne" bouquet and decorations are the classic touch to match an all white wedding. White flowers include lily of the valley, orchids, roses, phalaenopsis, white French tulips, calla lilies, white lilac, and camellia.	Decorative grasses and herbs are being used to create simple, minimalist looks with a modern edge. Pair them with green roses and yellow hydrangeas for a smashing summer look. Tiny potted plants also make excellent favors for guests.	Bold, vibrant colors in a monochromatic or polychromatic color scheme are catching on and becoming big hits since the bright shades are striking and different. Choose bright yellows, golds, citrus shades, and blues or lavenders.	Dahlias and other "exotic" looking flowers, such as orchids, are becoming stylish. for their unique shape. they're perfect for creating one-of-a-kind decorations. Also consider the revamp of carnations: mass clusters set tightly with no greenery.	Candles? Yes, candles. They are increasingly becoming used in place of or in conjunction with flowers. Fruits and vegetables are also replacing flowers in arrangements to create texture and to break up the monotony.

Related Articles

• Hiring a Wedding Florist
• Learn more about Annuals and Perennials.

External Links

• Flowerbud.com -- Do It Yourself Wedding Flowers (and a wedding newsletter).
• The Wedding Channel -- Ideas and advice both for and from brides.
• Indiebride.com -- A great resource for those who want to do it all themselves.
• Weddingbliss.com -- A searchable database full of great ideas.
• Theknot.com -- Ideas, advice, and great photo galleries.
• Find out about flower meanings at the following Web sites: About.com, Sweet Love Gifts, and Pioneer Thinking.
• Bliss! -- Search to get lists of what flowers are local to your area, when, and what flowers come in which colors.
• Theknot.com -- What's the difference between a nosegay and a cascade? This article has the answers.