Flowers
Flowers are a traditional part of the wedding ceremony and celebrations. For many, flowers carry the 'theme' of their wedding day. The flowers create a statement for the bride indicating her tastes and preferences of style.
choosing your bridal bouquet
Bouquet styles and flowers have changed throughout the decades. In today's fashion, it is more important to choose styles that accent the statement you are trying to make, than for the flowers to dictate the style. There are basically five main shapes or forms of bouquets. From these basic forms, a formal classic design or a more natural free flowing design, called freeform, can be created.
 | The Cascade - This bouquet is designed to flow downward. Flowers, ribbons, or both, can be used to create the "cascade" effect. |
| The Colonial - Flowers in this form are often placed to form a circle shape. Variations of this form are called tussy mussy, nosegay, and Biedermeier. The Biedermeier is a nosegay that is made of concentric circles of flowers. |
| The Presentation - This bouquet has flowers with long stems arranged so that the bouquet is cradled in the arms. This type of bouquet is often used in beauty pageants. |
| The Clutch or European - Flowers with short stems are bunched together and held in the hand in an upright position. Ribbons and/or lace are wrapped around the stems. |
| The Crescent - The flowers in this bouquet are shaped to form a crescent line. |
When choosing a bouquet, keep in mind four important items:
| Style of Your Dress |
| Mood You Wish to Create |
| Availability of Certain Flowers |
| Your Budget |
In many large metropolitan areas, flowers are shipped in from all over the
world; thus almost any flower is available all year around. However, take into
consideration these important facts:
| For best results, choose flowers that are in the peak seasons for your wedding. Not only is it more cost effective, but color texture and quality is much better. |
| During peak holidays, certain flowers will be more expensive and harder to get. |
| If it is important that the flowers look fresh all day, choose among more long lasting flowers and/or bouquet styles that allow for some type of moisture. |
| If you are having a formal or sophisticated wedding, choose styles and flowers that are simple but elegant. |
| Ask your wedding florist to help guide you as you make your selection of flowers and design. |
| If you wish to keep your bouquet, you will need to order a smaller bouquet to use as your toss bouquet at the reception. |
| Remember that your bouquet is an accessory. Your bouquet style and flowers should compliment the design of your wedding gown. If the bodice of the dress is very ornate and heavily beaded with a full skirt, do not carry a presentation or clutch bouquet. Those styles will hide the detail of the dress. A cascade or crescent bouquet will create the fullness needed to balance the full skirt without covering the bodice. If your dress is short or tailored, do not overpower it with a large bouquet. A colonial shaped, clutch, or tussy mussy would not take away from the simplicity of style. |
(For more information on flower choices, see Ethnic Traditions or The Language of Flowers.)
flowers for your bridal party
Bride's Attendants
After you select your flowers, the other flowers should compliment your style
and floral choices. The bridesmaids' flowers need not be of the same design,
but should reflect the style and mood of the wedding. Some brides choose to
make their maid of honor's bouquet slightly different, either in color, size, or
style. Again, the style and flowers chosen should compliment the style of the
dresses.
Flower Girl
Traditionally, the flower girl carries a basket of rose petals to toss in front of the bride. However, many facilities do not allow the tossing of petals. You may choose from one of the alternate styles which include a basket of flowers, pomander ball, or long stem roses to pass out to guests as the flower girl walks down the aisle. Your choice will depend on the age and maturity of your flower girl. Older girls may carry small nosegays. In some cultures, the flower girls carry a miniature bridal bouquet.
Mother's Roses
In some cultures, it is the custom to present a long stem rose to the Mother of the Groom and Mother of the Bride at the end of the ceremony.
Corsages
Corsages are usually given to the Mother of the Bride and Mother of the Groom. Grandmothers, special relatives, and Godmothers may also receive a corsage. It is not necessary to give every female relative a corsage. You may wish, though, to give sisters or sisters-in-law corsages if they are not part of the wedding party.
Corsages can range from carnations to orchids. Corsages for the Mothers are usually different and more elegant than the other corsages and may be designed to compliment the style of the mothers' dress. When choosing the flowers for the other corsages, take into consideration the style and type of flowers being used in your ceremony. Wedding corsages are usually pinned on, so choose simple, lightweight designs that will not pull on fabrics. Also, choose colors that are neutral. You do not want to worry about who is wearing what color, or if someone will change their outfit at the last minute.
A courtesy corsage can be given to the guest book attendants, gift attendants, coordinators, singers, readers, and candle lighters. These smaller corsages usually blend in with the design and colors of the wedding, such as a single rose, three dendrobium orchid florets, or a single carnation.
Boutonnieres
The grooms' boutonniere is different from all the others and should reflect the flowers in the bridal bouquet. Several stephanotis florets, a single rose with stephanotis, a single rose with a dendrobium floret, a rose and stem of freesia, or two miniature roses are among the excellent choices for a grooms' boutonniere. The best man, usher, and fathers' boutonnieres may be different from the groomsmen, but for a classic look, all but the grooms' boutonniere should be the same. Flowers that are often used for boutonnieres are roses, mini carnations, carnations, alstromerias, freesea, and dendrobium orchids. For a more classic style, do not use baby's breath as filler. Grandfathers and Godfathers should have boutonnieres. You may wish to give brothers and brothers-in-law not in the wedding party a boutonniere.
*HINT: Make sure that your florist has the name of each person that is to receive personal flowers. Each corsage and boutonniere should be labeled so that when they are delivered, the person you have chosen to pin them on will know who gets what boutonniere or corsage. This eliminates any confusion. Remember, you are not there when the personal flowers are being passed out.
ceremony flowers
The type of flowers and decorations used to decorate the ceremony depend on your budget and the rules and regulations of your ceremony facility. For most churches, synagogues, and temples two arrangements on either side of the altar in tall baskets or on columns are sufficient. An arrangement for the altar may be used. When choosing flowers for the ceremony facility, remember the facility is often large, therefore, small delicate arrangements will "get lost." Choose flowers that make a statement. Color and style are more important than what type of flowers are used. Gladiolas, stock, tuberoses, gerberas, and lilies accented with roses and orchids are often used in these arrangements.
Candelabras may also be decorated, whether they are used at the altar or down the aisle. If your budget is limited, ribbons and fabric are an inexpensive way of decorating the aisle and other candelabras. You may tie your toss bouquet on the unity candle as a decoration. Just remember to have someone bring it to the reception after the ceremony. (See Décor for additional ideas.)
reception flowers
Each table at the reception should have some type of decoration. Depending on your budget, taste, and facility you have a wide range of choices. These range from bud vases and balloons to large topiaries or tiered arrangements. The head table should have at least one large arrangement for the center. Garland of greenery, with lights or tulle and ribbon can be attached to the front. Special clips, purchases through A.M.P. Enterprises, Inc., can be attached to the head table to hold bridesmaids' bouquets.
Your toss bouquet should be put on the cake table. Toasting glasses for the bride and groom should be decorated along with the cake knife and server. Fresh flowers cascading down the cake add a touch of elegance. (See Décor for additional ideas.)
other flowers
Here are other ways flowers can adorn your wedding:
| Fresh flowers placed on your gown as part of the design |
| Floral head pieces or wreathes for you, your bridesmaids, and flower girl |
| Vases of flowers or floral arrangements placed on the guest book stand, in the restrooms or on serving tables |
| Arrangements placed on arches, chupahs, or gazebos |
| Placing flowers on the kneeling bench |
| Handing out flowers to all the ladies in attendance or placed at their place setting |
| Flowers around the punch bowls or in the cocktail area |
| Attaching flowers to the ring bearer pillow |
| Floral arrangements for posts or columns such as patio posts or columns at the four corners of the dance floor |
| Reception railings or doors |
| Floral pool floats |
| Arrangements for lattice work or columns behind head table or cake table |
language of flowers
