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Most people have a good idea of what they want for their wedding flowers. Traditional bridal party flowers may include a bouquet for the bride, bouquets for the bridesmaids, buttonholes (boutonnières) for the groom and groomsmen, headpieces or posies for flower girls, and corsages and buttonholes for relatives and guests. Less traditional bridal parties sometimes opt for alternative decorations including floral headpieces, boas or wristlets. When choosing flower designs and flowers for the bridal party, it is a good idea to be guided by the design of dresses and suits and the colour of fabric used. In most cases bridal flowers follow a similar theme to the bridal party outfit designs and this theme is often extended throughout the rest of the wedding flowers. Bridal flowers are usually delivered to the locations where the bride and groom prepare prior to the ceremony and are delivered as close as possible to departure time to ensure freshness. Regardless of a person’s religious or spiritual inclination, the location for taking vows is a special place. It is also the most popular spot for guests to take photographs at the wedding. Flowers can add to ceremonies in several ways. Floral decorations can completely transform a dark church, bare chuppah poles or a functional but plain civil setting. Flowers and foliage can be used to both mask unsightly areas and act as a central decoration. Alternatively, flowers can be used to set the scene and define the space in which the ceremony occurs. Garden and outdoor weddings work well when flowers are used to create a ‘spot’ or frame the area in which the ceremony takes place and marquees come to life once flowers are in place. When thinking about flowers for the reception venue several factors need to be considered: • What is the style of the venue (stark and modern, regal and formal, elegant etc)?
When selecting flowers, it is always best to choose blooms that are in season locally. Not only will you get the best quality flowers, but they will be easier to source and
lower in price than imported varieties. As a rule, Melbourne residents are spoiled for choice
as tropical flowers can be sourced year-round from interstate and Asia. Also because of our state’s climate,
farms around Melbourne grow the country’s best tulips (autumn to spring), excellent quality roses (year-round, but at best spring to autumn) and export quality liliums (all year round).
Ultimately the most important factor determining reception flowers is the budget. Those with a smaller budget may consider having one or two large arrangements for best effect, rather than trying to include an arrangement on every table. At Blooming Brides we are happy to work with our clients to find the most visually impressive and cost effective designs for the venue, whatever the budget. |