wedding flowers

For as long people have been getting married, flowers have been a huge part of any wedding decor. But with so many varieties, colours and arrangement styles available these days, how is a bride to choose?

The first thing to do is set a budget, as costs can vary wildly. Imported and rare blooms like orchids will send the final balance sky high, whereas more commonly available and locally sourced ones such as carnations will naturally cost less. Decide on what you can afford in advance to avoid falling in love with something that’s priced above your budget.

Now find a florist. These professionals will be able to guide you as to what’s attainable with the finances you have, as well as giving you ideas for arrangements and helping you to avoid some of the common pitfalls - you don’t want your bouquet drooping half way down the aisle just because you’ve insisted on a delicate bloom that doesn’t survive well out of water. Even if you want to do the arrangements yourself, you’ll need to find a good supplier, so start researching quality florists quickly before they get booked up.

Next, make a list of where you want your flowers to feature. Traditionally you’ll need wardrobe flowers (bouquets for you and the bridesmaids and button holes for the groom and ushers), as well as venue flowers (church, reception and table centre pieces). But you might also want to decorate a less conventional spot, such as an arch for photographs or the church gate, or create headdresses for the bridal party, all of which needs to be factored in.

One thing that will help you decide is knowing what the general theme of your wedding is. For example, daises are ideal for a casual, rustic wedding, while orchids ooze luxury and glamour, whereas roses are a classic choice that will fit well with a traditional country manor wedding.