The Bridal Bouquet

The bridal bouquet is one of the most important elements of the bride's attire and deserves special attention. Start by selecting the colour and shape of the bouquet. The bridal bouquet should be carried low enough so that all the intricate details of your gown are visible. Using scented flowers in your bouquet will evoke memories of your wedding day whenever you smell them in the future. Carry a smaller bouquet if you're petite or if your gown is fairly ornate. A long, cascading bouquet complements a fairly simple gown or a tall or larger bride. Arm bouquets look best when resting naturally in the crook of your arm.

How to Trim your Wedding Flower Budget

For those couples looking to save a bit on their wedding budgets there are a few ways to cut down the amount you spend on flowers…

• Use wedding flowers that are in season and readily available
• Using garlands of ivy with other flowers for decorating is eye catching and inexpensive
• Use flowers from your own or family and friend’s gardens
• One can use potted plants for decorations, which one can begin to grown months before
• Carrying one larger, more dramatic flower suits some wedding dresses, brides and bridesmaids more than carrying a bouquet
• If there is another wedding taking place in your church or synagogue on the day of or the day before, consider splitting the cost of wedding ceremony flowers with the other bride
• Most brides nowadays arrange to have the flowers from the church or synagogue moved to the reception to be used again.

Floral Checklist

Each wedding is unique and varies by individual preference and faith. Below is a checklist to bear in mind when budgeting, planning and ordering your wedding flowers. This is merely a guideline as the following is based on the traditional wedding.

Bridal Party and Family
Bride- bouquet and flowers for hair
Bridesmaids/ matron of honour- bouquet and/or flowers for hair
Flower girl- bouquet, basket with petals, and flowers for hair
Bride's mother, groom's mother, grandmothers and stepmothers- corsage
Groom, best man, groomsmen, ushers, ring bearer, fathers, grandfathers, stepfathers- boutonniere

Ceremony Decorations
Main altar, side arrangements, candelabra, candle flowers, kneeling bench, arch, huppah, canopy, tent decorations, pew decorations, chairs aisle candelabras, guestbook table, aisle runner, door wreath and floral garland.

Reception Decorations
Bridal table/head table arrangements, guest table centrepieces, table and chair accent flowers, garlands, cake flowers, cake table arrangement, buffet table arrangements, bar and beverage table arrangements and gift table arrangement.

Flowers and Their Meaning

Most flowers traditionally have been assigned some sort of meaning. When choosing which flower to use on your wedding day, it may be a nice touch to choose flowers that have the same meaning as you would like at your wedding, in your marriage and your life. Learn to speak the language of flowers!