All about flowers & flower arranging
WEDDING FLOWERS
Flowers are an important part of your wedding day. You may wish to be highly extravagant or keep it simple with just a bridal bouquet for you. Either way, flowers form part of the wedding decor and add to the celebratory atmosphere. The bridal bouquet in particular, will be featured in almost every photo of the bride.
Planning your wedding flowers
There are various components to the floral decor to consider :
- The wedding party - bridal bouquet, bridesmaids / flowergirls, buttonholes, corsages
- Venue for the ceremony - Flowers for the altar, entrance, pews, rose petals
- Reception - Head table arrangement, guest tables, throw bouquet, entrance flowers, thankyou's.
Your budget is all important. Most florists will need this as a rough starting point, before they can give you a quote. If you have no idea what your budget should be, or are flexible with the amount you can spend, some research is advisable, before heading off to the florist.
Have a colour scheme in mind. Without this, the options become very numerous and open-ended.If you have a favourite flower, make sure it is in season for the date of the wedding.
Decide on your wedding gown before making the final decision on the style of the bridal bouquet. The bouquet should complement the dress and not overwhelm it.
Fix the date of the wedding before attempting to get a firm quote from a florist. The time of year can make quite a difference to the florist's availability eg. They might be closed, the date might clash with a very busy period like Valentine's or Mother's day. Most quotes for wedding flowers, take a considerable amount of time, as they are unique to your special day.
Be prepared to be a little flexible - flowers are natural products and can be affected by a number of growing conditions, so supply of a particularly flower can not always be guaranteed.
Choosing a florist
- Choose a florist who can relate to you as an individual and your special day. Personal recommendations are always useful. Give the florist as much information as possible about the day and your expectations.
- Cheap is not always the best option. Asking for a discount for wedding flowers is not common practice due to the nature of the work. It is more specialised, usually involves weekend work and higher labour costs.
- If you choose a florist that works from home, make sure they are qualified to do the job & look at their portfolio of previous work. Ask if they work alone or whether they have a backup plan should they be indisposed in some way.
- This is not a day for DIY if at all possible. Too much is happening.
- Most wedding flowers require a significant deposit once the order is confirmed, with the balance payable prior to the event. This is normal, as the flowers are customised to such a degree, they would be unsaleable should there be any last minute change of plan.
- Ensure you get receipts for all payments made and that all detailes are itemised to avoid any misunderstandings.
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