George Boyle
Flowers are a traditional element in many weddings, with couples often using them as their main source of decor. Wedding flowers can be presented in many ways, from bouquets to boutonnieres, centrepieces, and even hair accessories. When choosing flowers for a wedding, it is essential to consider the meaning of different flowers and colours to avoid causing offence. This can be a difficult task, so it is recommended to consult a florist at least six weeks before the wedding to ensure that all the desired flowers are available and within budget.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Occasion | Wedding |
| Purpose | Express feelings, gratitude, appreciation, love, and joy |
| Recipients | Bride, groom, parents, grandparents, mothers, mothers-in-law, stepmothers, sisters, sister-in-law, bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girls |
| Types of Arrangements | Bouquets, boutonnieres, centerpieces, petals, corsages, hair accessories, floral headpieces, flower crowns, baskets, arch decorations, cake flowers |
| Flowers | Roses, delphiniums, gerberas, camellias, hydrangeas, apple blossoms, freesias, orchids |
| Colors | White, pink, Yellow (freesias) |
| Timing | Before, during, or after the wedding; before the ceremony, during the reception |
| Presentation Style | Hand-tied, in a vase, as a gift, added to a bouquet, dried |
| Budget | 10-15% of the total wedding budget |
| Other Considerations | Fragrance, meaning of flowers, venue, season, florist consultation |
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What You'll Learn
Bouquets, boutonnieres, and centrepieces
The bridal bouquet is the most important arrangement and is often the most photographed floral piece at a wedding. It is worth investing in and making it perfect. Fresh flowers are a must, and it is best to keep them in water whenever possible, as some wilting may occur by the end of the night. You can also order flowers in bud form so they bloom just before your wedding day.
Boutonnieres are an essential part of the groom's outfit and those of the groomsmen. They can be made from fresh flowers or artificial ones, depending on your preference and budget.
Centrepieces are another floral arrangement that can be a priority for many couples. These are usually larger arrangements that can be reused at the reception after being displayed at the ceremony. They can be made with mostly flowers or a mix of flowers and greenery, depending on the design.
When planning your wedding flowers, it is essential to consider your budget and priorities. Flowers can be a significant expense, so deciding which arrangements are most important to you will help you allocate your budget effectively. You may also want to consider reusing flowers from the ceremony at the reception to save costs.
Finally, don't forget to allow enough time for ordering and assembling your flowers. Most florists require a minimum of two weeks' notice for custom orders, and it's best to have flowers delivered on the morning of the wedding to ensure they look their best.
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Floral headpieces and hair accessories
When choosing floral hair accessories, it is important to consider the overall theme and style of your wedding. For example, if you are having a boho-themed wedding, you may want to choose hair accessories with a vintage or classical feel. If you are having a more traditional wedding, you may want to opt for elegant finishes such as pearls, opals, moonstones, or rhinestones.
It is also important to consider the colour scheme of your wedding and choose floral hair accessories that complement your dress and overall look. You may want to match the flowers in your hairpiece to your bouquet or choose a colour that adds a pop of contrast.
When presenting floral headpieces and hair accessories, it is important to ensure they are secure and comfortable to wear. You may want to consider a trial run before the wedding to ensure they are placed correctly and complement your hairstyle and dress.
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Flowers for the wedding party
Flowers are an integral part of any wedding, adding a magical touch to the ceremony and reception. The flowers chosen for the wedding party are especially important, as they will feature in countless photographs. Here are some ideas for presenting flowers to the wedding party:
Bridal Bouquet
The bridal bouquet is one of the most special floral designs at a wedding. It is traditionally handpicked by the groom and given to the bride when he first sees her. The bride carries the bouquet in her right hand during the ceremony and in her left hand after the marriage. The bouquet can be designed to match the wedding theme and colours, with the flowers chosen to complement the bride's dress. For a whimsical garden wedding, bright sunflowers and wildflowers are a perfect choice. A classic ballroom affair calls for elegant roses and lilies in soft pastels.
Bridesmaids' Bouquets
The bridesmaids will also carry bouquets, usually smaller versions of the bridal bouquet. These can be simple and scaled down, especially if they are intended for a flower toss.
Boutonnieres
The groom, groomsmen, ring bearer, fathers of the bride and groom, and grandfathers typically wear boutonnieres. These floral arrangements are designed to complement the bridal and bridesmaids' bouquets. They can be simple, with a few small flowers wrapped in delicate ribbon, and are often chosen to tie in with the flowers in the bride's bouquet.
Corsages
Corsages are usually given to the mothers of the bride and groom and the grandmothers. They can be pinned to the left side and are a great alternative to bouquets as they stay on the wrist, reducing the chance of misplacement.
Flower Girl Petals
The flower girl usually enters the ceremony before the bride, tossing flower petals down the aisle or carrying a small bouquet.
Ceremony Aisle Flowers
The ceremony aisle is often the focus of many photographs, so adding flowers can create a stunning backdrop. Floral garlands can be draped along the aisle, arrangements can be placed at each entrance, and floral designs can be hung on the backs of aisle seats.
Arbor or Backdrop Arrangements
Flowers can be added to an arbor or used to create a beautiful backdrop for the ceremony, ensuring a breathtaking setting for those all-important photographs.
Centrepieces
Flowers are a popular choice for centrepieces, adding a natural, magical touch to the tables at the reception.
Gifts and Favours
Small flower arrangements can be given as gifts to the wedding party, parents, grandparents, or other VIP guests. Flowers can also be incorporated into wedding favours, such as tying a flower to a tiny bottle of wine or other gifts.
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Ceremony and reception flowers
Flowers are a key part of any wedding, and there are many ways to incorporate them into your ceremony and reception. Firstly, consider the types of flowers you would like to use and how many, as this will impact the overall cost. You can then decide on the arrangements, keeping in mind that you can repurpose flowers from the ceremony for the reception to save money.
Ceremony Flowers
The ceremony flowers include the bridal bouquet, bridesmaids' bouquets, and any other personal flowers, such as the groom's boutonnière, petals for the flower girl, and corsages for the mothers of the bride and groom. The bridal bouquet is typically the largest and most exquisite, with the most expensive blooms. It is important to place the bridal bouquet in a vase of water immediately after the ceremony to keep it fresh for display at the reception.
Ceremony flowers also include any floral decorations at the altar, such as a flower arch, or arrangements on the aisle chairs or floors. These can be reused at the reception, but it is important to consider the additional labour costs for a florist to stay and repurpose the flowers.
Reception Flowers
Reception flowers typically include centrepieces, entrance decorations, and welcome table arrangements. Centrepieces can be tall and lavish to create drama, or smaller and more intimate. You can also opt for a floral runner instead of a standard centrepiece, which looks especially beautiful on long banquet tables. Entrance decorations can include flowers on steps or porches, or paired with a welcome sign if the reception is in a tent. Welcome tables can be dressed up with dramatic, oversized arrangements or kept simple with small bud vases.
To save money, you can repurpose ceremony flowers as centrepieces or entrance decorations. Floral arches or large arrangements can be used as backdrops for sweetheart or head tables, or as photo booth backdrops. It is important to discuss repurposing options with your florist to understand any additional costs or design considerations.
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Sending flowers as gifts
Flowers are a traditional element in many weddings, and sending flowers as gifts is a beautiful way to express your feelings about the joyful event. If you are invited to the wedding, you might want to add camellias to your bouquet as an expression of your gratitude. If you were invited but unable to attend, hydrangeas convey your request for friendly understanding.
When choosing flowers to send on the occasion of a wedding, you might want to consider their meaning. White is the colour to go for if you want to play it safe, and for weddings, this is quite practical. You might want to send a colourful bouquet to the couple on their wedding day, or to their home or honeymoon address. A quick look at the meaning of flowers will help ensure you're not causing offence unwittingly. As a general rule, don't send yellow flowers, as they often carry negative associations in many cultures and countries. If a bit of yellow is needed, use freesias – they signify innocence, trust, and friendship in any colour.
Roses are a safe bet to show your appreciation, and large or small gerberas are a good choice to express happiness and cheerfulness. You can also add apple blossoms to convey your wishes of good fortune. If the couple is going on a honeymoon immediately after the wedding, you could contact the parents of either the bride or groom to find out their holiday address and have flowers delivered to their hotel or apartment. A beautiful hand-tied bouquet of pink roses and delphiniums would be the perfect gift. An even better idea might be to have flowers delivered on their return from their honeymoon.
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Frequently asked questions
The major must-have wedding flowers fall into three categories: personal flowers, ceremony flowers, and reception flowers. Personal flowers include the bride's bouquet, the groom's boutonnière, petals for a flower girl, and corsages for the mothers of the bride and groom.
It's important to set a budget for your wedding flowers to avoid overspending. If you're using flowers as your main source of decor, you may want to allocate a little more. If you're looking to save on florals, it's best to pick a venue that does all the work for you. You can also reuse arrangements from the ceremony for the reception.
There are many unique ways to present wedding flowers besides the traditional bridal bouquet. You can incorporate floral headpieces or flower crowns for the bride and bridesmaids. You can also give flowers to your parents and grandparents as a symbol of gratitude and bonding. Another idea is to have flowers delivered to the couple's honeymoon destination.
Roses are a classic choice for weddings, and you can add delphiniums for a joyful hand-tied bouquet. Large or small gerberas express happiness and cheerfulness. If you want to play it safe, white is a practical colour choice for weddings, but you can also add a pop of colour. Just avoid yellow flowers as they often have negative associations in many cultures.
