Wedding Flowers have always been used for decoration at weddings.
Some people choose flowers at their wedding based on symbolic meaning, for example:
Orange blossom ~ purity
Azaleas ~ temperance
Roses ~ love
Snowdrops ~ hope
Red and white flowers are avoided by the superstitious because they stand for blood and bandages.
The groom’s buttonhole is said to be a vestige of the time when a Knight would wear his Lady’s colours to display his love.
Seasonal flowers
Spring: Freesia, Lily of the Valley, Sweet Pea
Summer: Peony, Sunflower, Carnation
Autumn: Aster, Passion Flower, Daisy
Winter: Snowdrop, Tulip, Pansy • All year: Rose, Lily
Types of bouquets
Round ~ Elegant, works well with most styles of dresses
Pageant ~ Modern, Calla Lilies and long stem roses work well
Cascade ~ or ‘Shower’, narrows to a point at the bottom
Nosegay ~ On trend, contains more greenery
Pomander ~ A ball suspended from a loop of ribbon
Posy ~ Small and round, great for flowers girls
The expert! Susan Jane May ~ Bespoke Wedding Flowers
Q: “What is the most important thing to remember when ordering your wedding flowers?”
A: “It’s important to choose your wedding dress first as it can have a huge influence on the style, colour and ‘feel’ of the bridal bouquet”. “Also, if a bride has a particular flower in mind it’s advisable to check when this flower will be in season. Many flowers that are seasonal here in the UK can be imported from abroad most months of the year but this will increase costs and availability can’t be guaranteed”.
Q: “How soon in the planning stage should a florist be contacted?”
A: “Normally six to nine months before the wedding but if a bride has a particular florist in mind then I’d recommend contacting them as soon as their date’s set and the venue’s booked to avoid disappointment.
On a budget? Consider:
Seasonal flowers
Alternative centre pieces i.e.: candelabras
DIY
Recycling
Wild flowers, great for a rustic barn wedding
Happy Planning
Catherine
Image courtesy of Andy Chambers Photography