Gail Vaz-Oxlade

Wedding Flowers: Petal Perfection

Dazzling displays in your flowers is one of the most important and beautiful elements of your wedding day. You want your bouquets to complement the outfits without overpowering them, the boutonnières to add that final touch and the centerpieces to finish off your beautiful wedding reception theme.

When you do choose your florist make sure you bring pictures – from magazine, websites, other weddings you've attended – to give them a better idea of the overall look you are going for. Whether it be minimalist modern or traditional elegance, your florist and you will be working hard on getting the "petal perfection" you want for your special day.

Some great trends we're seeing is to decorate bouquets with elegant ribbon, pearls, stones and all other types of great design elements. These can complement your hair, your jewellery, whatever you want! Personal accents like silk ribbon and beaded pins allow you to have that personal touch on your flowers.

When thinking about your budget, remember that seasonal flowers are always a “cheaper” choice. Ask your florist about what types of flowers will be in season at the time of your wedding. Flowers that are out of season can cost a lot more, and your florist should be able to make some excellent substitution recommendations if the flowers you want aren't in your budget.

Make all the necessary arrangements with your florist for delivery of your flowers on the big day. They may not have access to your ceremony and/or reception site early, so you want to make sure all of those details are taken care of. Get written permission and the key to your site if need be.

Don't forget to make a list of all the flowers you will need for the big day. We've put together a starter list for you:

  • Bride's bouquets
  • Bridesmaids bouquets
  • Flower girl (corsage, bouquet or loose petals)
  • Groom's boutonniere
  • Groomsmen's boutonnieres
  • Ring-bearer's boutonniere
  • Corsages for moms, grandmas, and any other special women for your wedding day
  • Boutonnieres for dads, grandpas and any other special men
  • Ushers (boutonnieres or corsages)
  • Table centerpieces
  • Unity candle/sand ceremony piece

You want your wedding floral designs to make a statement – about you and your fiancé, your wedding theme and the overall feel of the day. By working with your chosen florist and getting everything set up beforehand, you can alleviate some of that wedding day stress knowing the design element is taken care of and just the way you wanted!

 

Selecting a Bridal Bouquet

A bride’s bouquet is just as much a part of her wedding ensemble as her gown and veil. Empty hands look lonely, and carrying flowers is a traditional and romantic way to complete your look.

With so many different flowers and arrangements to choose from, making the decision can be exceedingly difficult. How big do you want your bouquet to be? What kind of flowers? Do you want to use only one kind, or a variety?

Compare the sizes and colours of the flowers that you have chosen to the colour of your gown to make sure that they flatter each other. Your bouquet should tie into the overall theme and formality of your wedding, as well as compliment your gown and body shape.

 

  • A nosegay is a medium-sized, rough bouquet that is tied tightly for ease of carrying. The style is a small, and contrasts nicely with the full shape of a ball gown.

 

  •  A posy is a small, round bouquet that is most flattering when paired with a mermaid style gown.  It is most appropriately paired with a mermaid gown, and its size is best suited to the petite bride.

  • A round bouquet is a full bouquet fuller bouquet than a posy, and is often mixed with smaller flowers. Its shape complements the sleek lines of a mermaid gown, as well as the drama of a ball gown.

 

  • A pageant bouquet is designed on more slender lines than the traditional bouquet. It is made from long-stemmed flowers and is often carried over the arm. This style looks best with a flowing bias-cut gown.

  • Cascade bouquets are more formal and elaborate than any of the other styles. They are characterized by tumbling arrangements of flowers of any length appropriate to the size of the bouquet. This shape nicely offsets the slender lines of an empire gown, as well as the volume of a ball gown.

 

  • Hand-tied arrangements, also called “sprays”, are more informal, and nicely suited to a summer wedding. These bouquets are often tied with ribbon, and compliment the clean lines of a sheath dress.

 

  • For a touch of elegant simplicity, a single statement flower is the perfect choice. They can be carried on their own, or decorated with ribbons, bows, or crystal stones. This style looks best with a dress sewn on the bias-cut.

 

  • If you don’t want to carry a bouquet, there are a multitude of other options available to you. You could wear a floral arrangement, such as a corsage, on your wrist, or a basket of flowers. If you don’t want flowers at all, a lit candle or a prayer-book might suit your needs better.