As a bride, you should be holding two things at your wedding: your brand-new husband’s hand and a beautiful bouquet. Flowers have been a part of wedding celebrations for centuries, and they often receive the most attention at a wedding, especially the bouquet. If you’re hunting for the perfect flowers for your big day, read on.
Before you pay a visit to the florist, keep the following in mind: what time of year your wedding is happening, what your color choices are and what your wedding’s theme is. Be sure to pack along your inspiration to show your florist what you have in mind. For some, that’s a binder filled with clippings from wedding catalogs; for others, it’s carrying along a tablet with Pinterest. Help your florist see your vision and they can create that vision. If you’re not sure where to start, they can give you some guidance to find the right direction for you.
One prudent piece of advice to remember: trust your florist. Your florist will know exactly what flowers are at their peak quality at any season of the year, and if a specific flower isn't in season, she can find alternatives that look very similar. A good florist has a widespread knowledge of what flowers will work best for what you want, and how they can make your dream a reality.
Even flowers that are mass-grown run in seasons; the quality of a specific bloom may not be the same in fall as it is in spring. It's always a relief for a florist when a bride understands that nature directs when flowers are at their best, and is open-minded to substitutions. Research what varieties of flowers are in season for your wedding as you search for inspiration, and if something you love doesn’t fall in the same season as your nuptials, be open to substitutions; your florist can help you find an equally beautiful substitute that’s in season.
That advice also rings true for color choices: not every color in the spectrum is a color that occurs in nature. Bring in a color swatch with your color choices. That way, if a flower doesn't come in the exact shade you're using, the colors will still coordinate in a lighter or darker shade. You can also include accessories in matching colors if matching the flower colors isn’t an option; ribbon, beads, jewels and much more can have a perfect match to your color palette, while keeping it easy for the florist.
For brides who are less inclined to use fresh flowers, there’s lots of options for you. No need to worry your bridesmaid who’s got an allergy. Silk flowers are an easy and inexpensive option for floral arrangements. They’re just as beautiful as the real thing, but they’re long lasting and a great way to go if you want to preserve your bouquet for the years to come. Not crazy about fake flowers? There’s a ton of other ideas out there -- get creative! Brides have been using all kinds of materials to make the bouquets and arrangements of their dreams. Look into using materials like burlap, vintage brooches, feathers, colorful paper, lace, buttons and much more to make your perfect bouquet come to life, without worrying about wilting or crushing any fresh blooms.