No matter their size, number or color, flowers play a very vivid role in your wedding day. They can complement your formal wear, decorate your ceremony site or merely act as gorgeous eye candy for your guests. We've spoken with Elegant Celebrations owner and floral designer Trisha Haislar, to see what kind of blooms are booming and list some important things to remember when dealing with pretty petals.
Autumn Vogue
September through November trends are vibrant palettes of burnt oranges, brick reds and soft honeys and chocolates. To complement this metallic wedding, Haislar recommends dappling into sunflowers and using beautiful grasses and coxcombs. "Gerber daisies are also always wonderful in the fall with their rich color tones," she says. For centerpieces and other flower dÈcor besides bouquets, Haislar adds that you can highlight the foliage with touches of gold and decorative aluminum wires.
Winter Wonderland
For those brides-to-be who dream of a white wedding, flowers can add bold colors to the blanket of snow and chilly air. "Amaryllis in white, red and peach are absolutely gorgeous in bouquets and centerpieces," says Haislar. She suggests using winter greens such as fir and cedar to give your bouquet and centerpieces a burst of fragrance. Tulips are also now available in December and the simple elegance of candy cane-colored blooms is undeniable. For tabletop designs, Haislar recommends using decorative ornaments for a sprig of sparkle and adding velvety textured-plants like ranunculus for a lavish trimming.
Trimming the Tree
As soon as the venues and formalwear are selected, Haisler suggests meeting with a florist to work out the details. "Those decisions are what we use as a guideline for the flowers," she says. But she cautions that finding a florist that you can relate to is vital. Your florist needs to share your vision for your wedding and find ways to realize those dreams. "Florists should be available when you have questions," she says. "It is our job to make you feel like you have our full attention."
Your wedding flower budget can vary depending on the types and numbers of bouquets and centerpieces. "Some brides really like the look of the overabundance of flowers and others like the sleek, simple look," says Haislar. Beautifying your ceremony and reception with blooms doesn't have to break the bank. Haislar suggests setting aside 15-20 percent of your total wedding budget for flowers.
One Last Stem
Your wedding should be a showcase of your style, sophistication and interests. Flowers can set the tone for your celebration and the many variations of bouquets and tabletops allow you to create your own wedding theme. Haislar recommends introducing flowers at your rehearsal dinner and letting the arrangements speak for themselves, demonstrating the style and colors you love.
