- Bride
- Bridesmaids
- Corsages
- Boutonnières
- Ceremony flowers
- Reception flowers
FLORISTS
- The services of a florist should be requested as soon as the wedding date is determined. Colors and style of the bridal party should be confirmed as soon as possible.
- Prepare your shopping list and preferences. Look every where for ideas.
- Make an appointment so you will have time to interview the florist to explain your needs and get interesting suggestions.
- Establish a budget and inquire about specific costs.
A) Bride and bridesmaid bouquets
- Many arrangments can be done, from the simple flower to an elaborate cascade.
- Original requests could be prepared as well (prayer book flowers, boa of flowers).
- The bride's bouquet may be made up so that the center may be removed and worn by the bride as a corsage when she leaves for the honeymoon. The remainder of the bouquet is thrown to the bridesmaids.
- The proportion of flowers to fillers and greens as well as the kind of flowers will determine the cost of a bouquet.
- Consider your figure and the style of your gown. The texture is also important to match with specific kinds of flowers.
- If you plan to preserve your bouquet, the florist can make up a cheeper version for the bouquet tossing ceremony.
- Have ribbons choosen to match your bridal party color scheme.
- Be sure to have long lasting flowers that will not wilt during the ceremony and reception.
- The bride may also wear flowers in her hair in place of a hat or veil, or flowers may be attached to the veil.
- Silk flowers can be considered for head pieces.
- Order at the same time: the maid of honor, bridesmaids and flower girl's bouquets and head pieces to match.
- Have the flower girl's basket arranged uniformly so that the flower girl can carry it any way.
B) Corsages and boutonnières
- Be sure of the number of corsages and boutonnières you will need.
- For the groom's boutonnière, choose a different flower (one from the bride's bouquet) from that of the other attendants.
- Corsages could be worn at the shoulder or wrist. You can also pin it on a handbag or tape it to a cane.
C) Ceremony and reception flowers
- Your florist could help you by visiting the sites to know which size and style of floral arrangments suit the locations.
- Pew arrangments could be prepared and set up by your florist.
- You will also have to consider arrangments on both sides of the altar. The larger the flowers, the more visible they are fromthe pews.
- Silk flowers are easier to move after the ceremony to the reception site.
- Have your centerpieces for the bridal and guests tables prepared with the same scheme as the other flowers for the wedding. Candles can be added for an evening reception.
- Do not forget special flower decorations around the cake, punch bar, gift table or in a background for the head table or the receiving line.
- Large potted plants or trees could be used to section a room that is too large, or to camouflage a column.
- You can also order thank-you arrangments for your parents, to be delivered the day after the wedding.
* More information on etiquette and procedures.
QUESTIONS TO ASK THE FLORIST
- Do you have a portfolio?
- Do you specialize in weddings?
- Will you be taking care of our wedding?
- Can you do the decorations for the home, ceremonyand reception?
- Will you visit the Ceremony Site and ReceptionSite with us to make decor suggestions?
- What can you suggest for our budget?
- Can you guarantee freshness of our flower arrangements?
- What flowers do you recommend for an outdoor wedding(wind, sun...)?
- When will our flower arrangements be made?
- Can you preserve wedding flowers?
- How and when will the flowers be delivered?
- How much will deliveries cost?
- What is your cancellation policy?
- How and when is the payment required?
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