Wedding flowers: The what, the why and the where
A wedding is a one-off, there is no dry run, and brides and grooms suddenly find they need to become experts in all of the etiquette, such as who speaks when and who wears what. It can be baffling – which is why we believe wedding planners are so valuable.
When it comes to flowers, there is almost no limit to what you can do. A wedding florist can transform a dreary venue into a wonderland. Or create a cohesion that knits together the whole event.
It can be daunting approaching wedding flowers without independent advice, so here's what we think you need to consider.
1. What is your aim?
Do you want to keep it simple and light? Or bold and bright? Are there other elements to your wedding that are vital to the theme and design, or are the flowers going to be a central part of that? Answering these questions will help you to decide what you want out of your wedding flowers and what your budget should be.
2. Bridal Party
Bridal bouquet: This is the most important floral arrangement of your wedding. You might want to include a flower that is meaningful for you or your family, or even pick some of the flowers from your garden yourself to add a personal touch.
Bridal flower crown or hair flowers: Do you want flowers in your hair as accessories? If so, talk to your hair stylist about what options are available with the hair style you want, and do a trial. Some brides add something (or replace something) to take their style from day to night.
Bridesmaid bouquets: Would you like these to be smaller versions of the bridal bouquet or something totally different? They could also be repurposed after the ceremony to decorate the loos or the bar. Or you could arrange to have them dried or turned into a vase for the bridesmaids as a gift – there are plenty of artists offering creative solutions to preserving wedding bouquets.
Flower girl bouquet, page boy buttonhole, flower crown or basket of petals: Ensure that whatever you choose for little ones they are child friendly and easy to carry or wear.
Buttonholes: Buttonholes are a sweet way to match the bridal bouquet, or for the groom to express his personality. They don't have to be elaborate, a simple single flower will suffice. But, whatever the theme, you may want the rest of the groom’s party to wear one as well (best man, ushers, brothers, parents) so they are easily identifiable to guests!
3. Ceremony Flowers
Entrance: From abundant floral arches to urns, the flowers at the entrance will be the first welcome to your wedding guests. Think about how you want them to experience that.
Altar or chuppah arrangements: The backdrop or the framing of a couple saying their vows is much looked at and photographed. For that reason, it is probably the most important display you can choose for your ceremony.
Pew or chairs: Whether you want to line your walkway with flowers, add blooms to the backs of chairs or create a veritable indoor meadow, the choice is yours. Flowers on pews or chairs are not essential but can add to any scheme.
Points of interest: Whether that be windowsills, a lectern, in the ceiling or the tops of pillars, you can do as much or as little as you wish!
Petal confetti: Eco-friendly and natural, rose petal confetti or dried lavender makes for a memorable photograph when you leave the church. Although you should remind guests to throw them upwards and not at you!
4. Reception
Bar: Making the bar into a statement, if it’s front of house, is a dramatic touch, whether that’s with urns on the bar or fresh hop garlands above.
Poseur tables/coffee tables: Small arrangement can tie the furniture into the rest of the wedding and the surroundings, creating a beautiful cohesion.
Loos: Decorating the gents and ladies with a lovely sweet-smelling posy of flowers never goes amiss!
Escort card table/gift table: Dressing any additional tables that will be a point of interest will always be appreciated! You need not choose expensive flowers – clever planning can make affordable blooms go a long way.
5. Dinner
Dining table arrangements: Whether you have long or round tables, you should aim to vary the height of flowers and candlesticks to lead the eye around the room and make things more interesting.
Ceiling installation: Make a space feel even more intimate by using the height of the ceiling to be creative. Looking up at anything instils a sense of awe in your surroundings – and no more so than at a wedding.
After dinner bar: Using lighting and florals together to create a spectacular bar design always goes down well, or perhaps you want to opt for a central urn arrangement for a real statement.
Wedding cake: You have a beautiful cake. Make it extraordinary by dressing the cake itself or the stand it's sitting on.