Flowers! You must have flowers at your wedding!....right? Not really. And as fall and winter approach, there are a lot of alternatives to the usual rose and baby's breath (please don't do this. seriously. It's just not right.) I love the creative arrangements of pumpkins and gourds mixed with wispy tree branches, or fall leaves and seasonal fruits. Your color scheme will be predetermined using these elements, yes, but a lot of flower alternatives such as these are are less expensive and easier to decorate with, so it is worth some consideration. If you are not interested in a fall festival for your wedding, no big deal, traditional flowers it is! But I want to stay on point with the purpose of this blog, and give you some quick and easy advice and/or suggestions to make the process of picking them out easy and quick.
First of all, there are probably seventy billion florists in your town. They all want to do your wedding. For a price. Google which are the top florists in your area and ask a few friends that were recently married what their favorites were/are before picking one. Again, you made your budget, so go in and indicate that first so they know what to work with. Everyone will to up sell you; it is their job. But stick to your guns. You can still get what you want at the budget you want if you are reasonable and flexible. So price, check. Now, you want a cascade of pink and lavender roses as the centerpiece for all 20 tables at your reception. Gorgeous, what a fantastic idea! But that is likely to be pricey, so know that going in. Now to decide on all the other places that need flowers to bring your pink and lavender garden dream into reality. This is the part I had a hard time with, so here is a list of things to account for when going into the florist:
1. Decor for alter/archway/etc. during the ceremony
2. Aisle decor for ceremony
3. Reception table decor
4. Food table decor
5. Sign in book table decor
6. Your bouquet!
7. Your bridesmaid's bouquets
8. Boutonnieres for the groom and groomsmen
9. Boutonnieres or wristlets for parents and grandparents
10. Any additional arrangements you want in the bathrooms, outside the venue, on stairways, on your car or carriage, etc.
If you do not know this already, they are going to ask you, and then you will spend an hour sitting at the florist trying to remember every nook and cranny of your venue and how it should be properly drenched in flowers.
Now, you have figured all that stuff out, they know your budget and have given you your options. I suggest candles anywhere you need to fit in some proper decor, but puddles of flowers are out of price range. They are just simply elegant and romantic and will always dress up a table. Why else would they deck the table of every romantic dinner! Ok, we are almost home. So specifics about flowers: roses are hands down my favorite. They are easy to procure for florists year round and are fairly durable. I know, I know, so bore-ing. Peonies ar gorgeous, and really plump up a bouquet or table arrangement. Calla lilies are also very popular, although remember miniature callas tend to be a bit more expensive. BUT you can get them in an array of colors, and they are so elegant! Being a southern gal, I love love love gardenias, but also keep the price tag in mind. Hydrangeas are often popular, but will wilt quickly. Tulips are also popular, but these fellas will open up in no time flat, so also be careful with those guys. And orchids were the missing element at my wedding, beautiful and unusually hardy; these guys can be real stunners in a bouquet.
There! Now you have all your flowers picked out and ordered! Do not be overwhelmed or get caught up in the semantics of arrangements, let the florist do that. Pick out your favorite flowers, give them an idea of your color schemes and any particulars (like all white bouquets and all purple boutonnieres) and let them handle the rest. It is, after all, their job. Now that you are all done with the decorations for your wedding, how about congratulating yourself on a job well done with a little spa treatment and a nice glass of wine! And don't forget to invite me along ; )
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