Flowers for your wedding

LOVE BLOSSOMS

From the bridal bouquet to rose petals at your feet, flowers play an essential role in your wedding day festivities. Whether your taste leans toward traditional white displays or cutting-edge colorful bouquets, the right designer can create floral confections that underscore your personal style.

Style permeates our world. It’s also part and parcel of your floral purchase. You aren’t just buying blooms, you’re purchasing a floral designer’s creativity and talent. Without those elements, a rose really is just a plant.

Select your gown, bridesmaids’ dresses and overall color theme before you make the appointment. Flip through bridal magazines and look at arrangement styles and colors. Ask friends and family for recommendations on floral designers and shops.

Next, meet with the floral designer-not a sales person, manager or even the shop’s owner. Look at their portfolio of previous bridal clients and ask for referrals. Mass-market catalogs filled with stock photos won’t do. You want to see the real deal. Tell them your ideas, budget and needs. They should offer several ideas and suggestions. Show fabric swatches or photos to the designer. A good designer wants to choose colors that blend perfectly or contrast to complement your choices. Visit more than one florist to explore the possibilities. Discuss all the areas you want decorated in addition to flowers for the bridal party such as altar displays, pew decorations, centerpieces, table arrangements and the cake display.

Make sure you will receive personal attention the day of the wedding including specific delivery times and any special type of set-up that is required. Who delivers and sets up the flowers? How many weddings are done each day? You don’t want a designer who’s already committed to three other events on your special day. Also, be sure to pin down delivery and set up times. Too early and your flowers may wilt, especially in hot weather. Too late and your nerves will fray. An experienced floral designer understands how much flowers can withstand certain weather conditions so they will look their best for your ceremony and the reception.

Finally, flush out all the details on your contract or receipt. Specify all of the arrangements, bouquets and decorations he or she will provide. This may include a scattering of petals on the cake and gift tables as well as candles for the centerpieces. Get a detailed, written description of the color and variety of flowers that will be used. You don’t want to pay for roses and end up with daisies. Make sure to specify those delivery and setup times on the document.

The key to good floral planning is to enlist the help of an experienced professional and to listen to his or her ideas. Come with open minds for the florist will surely have a bountiful bouquet of fresh ideas guaranteed to make any wedding unique.

Flowers for your wedding continued

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