Wedding flowers

Wedding flowers

Choosing the flowers for your wedding

Which flowers are right for your wedding? Those you choose for your reception will be influenced by three things: the theme (colour or otherwise) of your wedding, the shape of your dress and how durable the flowers are.

For instance, flowers that look great at a minimalist city event probably won’t work at a country wedding, just as a full-skirted, elaborate dress needs to be complemented with a different bouquet from a slimline gown.
The last thing you want is for your flowers to wilt, so an all-day affair needs different blooms from a bridal breakfast. Another tip is to choose flowers that are in season – or simply let your instinct guide you!

Types of bouquets

A structured bouquet is ideal for trendy urban types; the crisp, neat outline is the perfect match for a slim-fitting dress.  Arum lilies have a lovely, strong shape and look striking with leaves such as Ligularia tussilaginea. Orchids and greenery also make a lovely choice. Hand-tied bouquets are simple and elegant, popular for country or informal weddings. If you want to modernise the look, ask your florist fora bouquet using only one kind of flower in a tightly packed dome shape.

Shower bouquet

The shower bouquet is also known as a trailing or cascade bouquet, and always makes an impact. The formal shape suits most dresses and small, light blooms work better than a mass of big blooms, which tend to overpower the bouquet. The ‘posy’ is simple and chic.
This compact, traditional bouquet is often carried by bridesmaids or flower girls. Most posies are hand-tied and made with small flowers, such as rosebuds, sweet peas or anemones.

Seasonal wedding flowers

Choose seasonal flowers for better value. Here’s a guide to what blooms are available when, depending on your region and geographics. Spring: cornflowers, cow parsley, daffodils, forget-me-nots, lilac, ranunculus, stocks, snowdrops, tulips SUMMER Agapanthus, alchemilla, campanula, cornflowers, garden roses, honeysuckle, hydrangeas, jasmine, lavender, marguerites, peonies, phlox, poppies, scabious, sweet peas AUTUMN Amaranthus, dahlias, chrysanthemums, hydrangeas, michaelmas daisies, scabious, euphorbia, heather, hellebores, irises, jasmine, asmine, laurustinus, primulas, skimmea Winter:  Jasmine All year around:  alstroemeria, carnations, freesias, gerberas, gypsophila, lilies, orchids, roses, sunflowers

Wedding flower arrangements

The wedding flower arrangements  will be most impressive if they reflect the theme of the wedding.
The theme might be ultra modern, romantic, classical, dramatic or  exotic. The theme of the wedding flower arrangements can be maintained with the flowers worn or carried by the wedding  party, the floral arrangements  at the church and through  to the wedding reception venue.
This continual theme will help create a sense of oneness on the wedding day. The pews can be decorated with wide ribbon or tulle. These can be made into bows with long streamers and accented with sprays of flowers. It’s essential to ask the preacher or priest if there is a policy regarding wedding flower arrangements.
Flowers at the church or entrance to the wedding venue create a spectacular first impression.Decorate focal points such as the church altar, pulpit and the cake table at the reception venue. A floral arrangement placed at the door of the church  welcomes guests, and other arrangements can be be placed on either side of the altar.

Types of wedding bouquets

There are several different kinds of wedding bouquets, including round, victorian posy, trailer, sheaf, crescent, line and cascade bouquets.
Large trailing bouquets are especially suitable for  romantic wedding gowns, while an elegant line bouquet is a suitable for a slim fitting gown, and a  modern style bouquet might suit the young modern  bride.
The bridal bouquet should be the most impressive.The bridesmaid’s bouquets and the flower girl’s bouquets should be in another  style or perhaps a smaller version of the bride’s bouquet. Alternatively they can be another variety of flowers, or a different color of flowers.