These can include cascading stems of foliage, table centre pieces and garlands of flowers placed around the bridal table. If the wedding reception venue is to be held in a garden, an arch decorated with foliage and flowers and intertwined with tulle will look very attractive, and flowers with cascading foliage can also be placed on urns on top of garden pedestals.
The flowers for a wedding may only consist of a single long stemmed rose for the bride, if it is a simple event. The flowers at more elaborate weddings might consist of a bouquet for the bride, the bridesmaids, and a flowergirl, hairpieces, corsages for the mothers and button holes for the bridegroom and groomsmen, flowers for the church and the wedding reception venue. In photo: a table at a wedding reception venue decorated with flowers
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!
Bride with wedding flower arrangement in vase
Wedding flowers placed in an attracive and unusual vase, which has a spiralled stem.
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.
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. 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 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. There are several different kinds of wedding bouquets,
including round,
victorian posy, trailer, sheaf, crescent, line and cascade bouquets.
Seasonal wedding flowers
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.Wedding flowers 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.
In photo: a church decorated with flowers for a wedding