How To Choose the Best Flowers for Your Big Day

Photo by: Jerry Ferguson

Your wedding day is one that you'll remember for the rest of your life. There is a lot of planning and preparing for the special day, but usually, most of it comes together in the most perfect and beautiful way. When planning your wedding flowers, there is a lot to think about, such as your theme and your colors, which you'll want to incorporate into your flowers. When talking to florists, discuss your style, your dress, your ceremony, and how personalized you want your flowers to be. There are many decisions to make when it comes to your flowers, and you want your big day to be perfect.

Preparation is Key

Before attempting to shop around for the right florist for your special day, you must gather some information that will be necessary in deciding which one is right for you. Know your budget before finding your flowers. Make sure your florist can work within your budget and still give you the wedding flowers that you want. You'll also need to know how many of each item that you'll need, so have your final bridesmaid and groomsman count before you go. Have a general idea of what your theme or style will be. Your florist will need to know if it is a simple, modern, formal, or casual wedding.

Important Information for the Florist

When visiting the florist that you've chosen, be ready to discuss all of your finalized ideas. It would help to bring pictures and other visual aids so that they can see what they will be working with. Show them pictures of your wedding gown, the bridesmaid dresses, and the tuxedos. Bringing a swatch of fabric will allow them to see exact colors as well. Show them how the hairstyles will be, whether the bridesmaids will be wearing their hair up, down, or natural. It will also help if they can either see the venue for the ceremony or if you show them pictures so that they can see the décor, the layout, the windows, and the carpet.

Ask Questions

When you find a florist that you like, asking them questions is very important. Find out their vision for your big day. Ask for pictures, sketches, or the real thing when it comes to seeing ideas for flowers and arrangements. Find out if they include other details such as candles, linens, and lighting. Ask about how quickly the flowers will wilt on your wedding day, depending on the weather. Find out if they guarantee the flowers and what the substitutions may be if they aren't able to get your original choices. Be sure that you have confidence in the florist that you choose.

Style and Shape

When deciding on flowers, consider your dress. Your flowers should fit well with your chosen attire. The size of the bouquet should "match" the length of your train: When your gown is full and the train is long and elaborately decorated, the bouquet should be long-stemmed flowers or have a cascading design. If there is no train or if the dress is not full, a more casual or simple bouquet should be used. Consider your body type and shape when choosing your bouquet as well. You won't want your flowers to hide your beautiful gown, but you also don't want to look like you are carrying the flower girl's arrangement. If you are taller, consider using a cascading bouquet or an arm sheaf. Shorter ladies should carry a more compact style, while ladies with a larger frame should carry something fuller.

by: Vanessa LeBeau