The bouquet at a wedding says a lot about the bride. History tells us that the first brides flowers were actually not flowers at all. They were strands of herbs made into garlands. The different herbs each had their own special meaning, just as the wedding flowers of today do. The traditional Ivory roses with a hint of green stand for marriage devotion. That is why ivory roses are so popular among new brides.

Wedding Bouquets were first used in Hollywood by movie stars. These beautiful majestic flower designs, created by the artists of the stars were the envy of all new brides. It wasn’t long until the wedding bouquet caught on and became a necessary element of almost every new brides attire. Now wedding bouquets are seen at nearly every wedding. Garlands are still used at weddings but now they are used more for decoration. They are noted as being part of a long held tradition and still play a part in the ceremony. The wedding bouquets we see today are not only chosen to represent the meanings of the flowers. They are also chosen to match the favorite colors of the bride. Roses of every color are  very popular flowers for wedding bouquets because they symbolize love and affection. It is common to see the bouquet picked to match the dress worn by the bridesmaids. Since roses come in so many colors, it is easy to see why they are a popular choice.

Wedding Bouquets are also an intricate part of the wedding ceremony. The tossing of the wedding bouquet is intended to be a symbol of the bride going from an unmarried woman to a married bride. The bouquet is then tossed to the other women in the bridal party. The next woman to be married is indicated by whom ever catches it. This tradition has been changed over time as well. In past times, the bride would toss her garter to the men. That tradition was eventually taken over by the groom. When wedding bouquets came on the scene the bride would hand the bouquet to her best friend at the wedding, the toss came later. The tradition of handing the bouquet to someone is still an acceptable practice. If you were to decided that you want someone to have it, then giving it to them would be perfectly acceptable. The wedding bouquet you choose should be chosen wisely, and the criteria for choosing it,  should be decided entirely by those traditions you choose to uphold.

The act  of giving traditional wedding gifts has remained popular for so long for only one reason, they are presents that people both want and need. When choosing a wedding gift you should try to choose a gift that fits in leave the wedding couples on unique tastes. You should also take into consideration the type of lifestyle that the couple tends to lead. Last but not least you should consider what type of wedding gift preferences that the intended recipients have expressed. Always make sure that any wedding gift that you give is on the best quality that you can get, this way your wedding present will be a gift which will last for a lifetime.

When giving traditional wedding gifts many people like to stay with gifts which are at home in the kitchen. Every kitchen needs the basics such as pots and pans to cook out of and of course the utensils which go a long with cooking a meal. Try to keep in mind that a kitchen is not composed just of appliances. There are several things that go into a kitchen which can be given as a wedding gift. You will need to give this some thought before choosing the wedding gift you would like to give the new couple.

The kitchen is not the only room in the house which will be used by the new couple. Areas which are perfect to consider a wedding gift are of course the bedroom, the living room and the bathroom. Bedding as a wedding gift is very traditional. You can spice it up by having their initials and embroidered onto a quilt or perhaps even their names and wedding date. For the living room the gift of a wedding portrait in a high-quality frame is an ideal gift. A perfect traditional wedding gift for the bathroom would be a monogrammed set of his and her towels.

Keep in mind that just because you are giving a traditional wedding gift it does not mean you cannot add a special touch to it and have it personalized. Personalized wedding gifts make ideal gifts because it shows that you to the additional time and effort to make your gift extra special. There are different types of personalization that can be utilized when you decide to personalize your wedding gifts. You can use the couples initials or you can spell out  their full names. Of course you can also put their names with a wedding date or a special message from you to them. A personalised wedding gift with  is always a big hit.

It makes no difference whether you decide to stay with traditional wedding gifts or if you decide to give a wedding gift which is off the beaten path. If you take the time to find out exactly what it is that the new couple is going to need you can be certain that it will make a very well received wedding gift.

The selection process of your wedding flowers will usually begin with a discussion of the Bride’s bouquet. You will have a choice of several basic styles. These are cascade, crescent, contemporary, nosegay, hand tied bouquet and arm or presentation style. You can better prepare for your first meeting with your florist if you bring the following;

• A list of those in your wedding party that will need flowers.
• A list of what flowers you will want at the ceremony.
• A list of what flowers will be needed at the reception, including table count, size and shape.
• Color/fabric swatches and pictures of your dress and bridesmaids dresses, if you have them.
• Feel free to also bring pictures of flowers that you like.

Your florist will also have pictures of flowers, bouquets and arrangements to help determine exactly what will create the wedding of your dreams. If your wedding has a “theme”, let your florist know before the consultation, as they can prepare suggestions to fit the style of your wedding. After style, the next thing to consider is if there are any specific flowers you want.

Keep in mind that some flowers are not in season year round. The flowers that will give the best presentation are those in their season prime. Make sure you let your florist know if your ceremony and/or reception will be held outdoors. Certain flowers do not hold up in hot/humid conditions. Consider color, shape, and fragrance when selecting your bouquet flowers. A note of advice on color choice, avoid all white flowers, they do not photograph well.

It is important that you are upfront with your florist about your budget. Not just for your bouquet but for all of your flowers. Be realistic. You may want a $200 bridal bouquet, but if you only have $400 for a flower budget, you will not have enough left for 3 bridesmaids bouquets, 2 corsages, 3 boutonnieres and 15 centerpieces for your reception. Choose similar flowers to be used throughout your wedding. Using 20 different kinds of flowers will quickly increase the cost. Your florist can balance your needs with your budget. They can offer alternatives. Exotic flowers such as Orchids are very pretty, but they are more expensive. Consider more affordable flowers if you are on a budget. Don’t plan your wedding near big flower holidays, such as Valentine’s Day, Easter and Mother’s Day. If you do, expect to pay more for your flowers. Not because the florist’s want to charge you more, but due to the fact that the wholesalers charge more during these busy holidays based on growing and demand.

Once you have chosen your Bouquet you have selected the “center” of your wedding flowers. The other pieces can be used to incorporate your bouquet flowers throughout your entire wedding. The following is an example list of the flowers you may need for your “Special Day”…

• Bride’s Bouquet
• Toss Bouquet for Bride to Throw
• Maid of Honor Bouquet
• Bridesmaids Bouquets
• Grooms Boutonniere
• Boutonnieres for Best Man and other male attendants in the wedding
• Boutonnieres for Father of Bride and Groom
• Corsages for Mothers/Grandmothers and/or Guests of Honor
• Boutonniere for Ring Bearer
• Flower Basket (with petals?) or small bouquet for flower girl*
• Ceremony Arrangements (can serve double duty at your reception perhaps at your buffet)
• Vase at Guest Book Table
• Centerpieces for Reception Tables (make sure you get an accurate count)
• Centerpiece for Head Table (usually larger than other centerpieces)
• Flowers or Petals for Cake Table (Flowers for Cake if necessary)

If you are considering petals for the aisle at your ceremony, make sure your accommodations allow them. Also remember that roses with color petals will stain the carpet if stepped on. White petals are recommended for carpeted areas.

A very important detail is to make sure your florist knows exactly when and where your flowers will need to be delivered. They will also need to know ahead of time if you will need them to set up the flowers. If you have someone else handling set up, make sure your florist knows who they are and how to reach them. You will probably want your flowers to arrive at least an hour before you need them. Make sure you have somewhere safe and cool to keep them until you use them. Always leave your florist a phone number of someone you trust (preferably with a cell phone) that can handle any last minute decisions regarding your flowers.

Finally, when it comes to your wedding flowers, don’t skimp! I have heard many sad stories about bride’s trying “do-it-yourself” flowers or having a friend design them, only to end up with bouquets falling apart minutes before the wedding! Don’t risk it! Experienced florists process and design your wedding flowers for optimum presentation and performance. Your flowers are one of the most important elements of your wedding! You want them to be beautiful. They compliment you, your wedding party, your wedding photos and provide an elegant atmosphere for you and your guests on your special day!

Congratulations!

Tenley McDonald- Former Florist- Now Co-Owner of flowerpowernetwork.com (Online Directory of Real Local Florists)

By: Lisa Parker

The autumn is a great time of year for a couple to get married. The selection of fall flowers is very diverse and many color combinations are available. There are many benefits to the autumn months especially when it comes to flowers. The basic colors of autumn wedding flowers include yellow, gold, bronze, orange, red, burgundy, brown, purple, and green. Flowers are incredibly important when planning a wedding because this color also dictates the color of the bridesmaid’s dresses and other decorations.

Fall Flower Bouquets

There are many flower choices available during the autumn months. A few of these flowers are roses, lilies, chrysanthemums, sunflowers, and daisies. These are all great choices and it is recommended that you consult your florist before making your final decision. Finding the right florist involves research. A florist can help you decide on the best arrangement based on the theme of your wedding. This is also important because the fall months provide a variety of colors and flower types, and by consulting with a professional, you are more likely to find the correct flower arrangement.

Finding the Best Florist for your Event

Researching a florist seems like a daunting task, but it is not as difficult as you might think. The first step in this process is to create a list of flower shops you would like to visit. After arriving, ask the florist for a portfolio of bouquet samples. This will help narrow down your list to a few that you like best. This is an important process in planning your wedding and you should not hire the first florist you visit even if you really like their work. It is best to discover your options before making your final decision. You should only have to visit a few flower shops and you should settle on the one you like best. When you find a florist whose work you like, be sure to discuss some specifics about your wedding. These topics include the size of your wedding and the location.

This process can be made much easier by hiring a wedding planner. A wedding planner is highly recommended because they can guide you through the details involved in choosing flower arrangements, where these decorations will be placed, and how to find the best florist for your wedding.

Benefits of Flower Bouquets

1) Chrysanthemums are available in red, white and gold. These color choices can really accent your wedding. This type of flower is also available in many different styles.
2) Gloriosa Lilies, Calla Lilies and Oriental Lilies all complement your wedding decorations nicely. These lilies are available in colors such as white, cream, yellow, and burgundy.
3)Sunflowers are a great choice because they are highly recognizable and fit well in a vase. Sunflowers also stay alive for a long period. This shelf life makes them ideal for a wedding because you can count on them lasting throughout your wedding celebration.
4)Daisies make a great arrangement for reception tables, and they are available in fall colors of red, orange, yellow, white and purple. This color variety is perfect as a wedding bouquet.
5) Roses are a popular choice and like many fall flowers, roses are available in several color choices. You can find roses in traditional red and white, but you can also purchase a chocolate colored rose. The color selection includes: golden apricot, red, deep yellow, red-orange, tangerine, dark burgundy, coral orange, or burnt orange. This variety makes roses an excellent choice for a wedding bouquet.

Decorating your wedding with flower bouquets

Decorating your wedding with flowers mostly depends on the location of your wedding. If the wedding is in a church, many areas will be decorated. For example, flowers will be visible around most of the church from the aisles, stairways, alters and even the pews. The flower girl has an important task of walking up the aisle ahead of the bride and placing flower petals on the ground. A great flower choice for this task is the Rose. Rose buds are considered romantic and there are many colors available to fit the theme of your wedding.

Choosing a wedding flower arrangement for a fall wedding is an important process that must be followed carefully. Choosing an arrangement or florist too quickly can cause problems. For example, you may decide that you do not like the flowers and at this time, it may be too late to change your order. When planning your wedding, take into consideration the season, which colors that associate with the time of the year, and which types of flowers are available. Your wedding planner can help you through this process by providing you with recommended florists. Choose from many beautiful flowers such as chrysanthemums, lilies, daisies, sunflowers. When you are ready to begin ordering your flower bouquets, be sure to consider these tips and you can begin your search for the perfect wedding flower bouquet.

Article Source: http://articles-mart.com

About Author:
Lisa Parker is a freelance writer who writes about party planning and family events, often focusing on a specific aspect of the event such as wedding flowers and wedding invitations.