Unsure of who,what, where and how many? We hope this
guide will help make planning your flowers easy.
Bride
Nowadays,you can carry anything you like-from a shower
arrangement of orchids to a single calla lily, or you
can even sport a trailing wrist corsage. But to ensure
your bouquet is extra-special, follow the three "Fs"-Focus,
Filler and Foliage. The Focus is your main bloom such
as a calla lilies, and roses and so on. The Filler will
be the secondary blooms that harmonise with your main
flower. The Foliage is the darker (often green, silver
or brown) finishing touches that will bring the whole
look together. You must also keep in mind your gown
and figure because it is the total image the bouquet
is being designed for and your bouquet is the finishing
touch to your attire statement.
Groom
The groom can wear a lapel spray that looks like it
has been taken from the bride's bouquet. The lapel spray
helps the groom stand out from the ushers, especially
if they are wearing the same tuxedos. The boutonniere
is always worn on the left lapel.
Maid of Honour and Bridesmaids
Usually the bride's attendants carry a bouquet that's
smaller in size and may or may not have the same flowers.
It always gives a nice flow to the bridal party if some
to the flowers are shared by both the Bride and her
attendants. The styles of the bouquets again should
compliment the outfits of the maid of honour and bridesmaids.
Flowergirls
They either carry a basket, small bouquet, a ball of
flowers or a basket of rose petals.
Best Man and Ushers
The groom's men generally wear a single bloom, again
a flower that is already being used in the bridal party
for their boutonnieres.
Ring Bearers
His boutonniere will be the same as the bestman and
ushers but a smaller version. He may also carry a pillow
that could be decorated with a floral display to match
the rest of the bridal party.
Mothers
The mothers of the bride and groom traditionally wear
a corsage that either matches the couple's colour scheme
or possibly the mothers' outfits. Often orchids are
a lovely choice the the mothers.
Fathers
The fathers of the bride and groom traditionally wear
boutonnieres that matches the colour scheme of the wedding.
Grandparents
You don't have to supply your grandparents with flowers,
but it's a really nice touch to make sure there's a
corsage or boutonniere for them to wear on the day.
Ceremony Arrangements
There are no hard and fast rules for this, but many
couples have pedestal arrangements (normally more than
one) of the mixed flowers and foliage, in the colours
of the wedding, at the entrance and at the front of
the ceremony venue-be it a church, synagogue or hotel
venue. You can also have arrangements on every pew end
or row of chairs, on columns or walls and on the windowsills.
Reception Arrangements
Many couples arrange for their ceremony pedestals and
so on to be moved to their reception venue to save money.
In addition, it's traditional to have table arrangements.
These can vary from the more usual candle and flower
oasis centerpiece's to floating gerberas in square vases
or pots filled with seasonal fruit. The head table arrangements
can either be long versions of the other centerpieces,
which can stretch the length of the table, or two of
three separate arrangements.
Cake
Many couples now choose to decorate their cake with
flowers featured either in the bride's bouquet or in
the table arrangements. These can be silk, real or sugar
flowers.
Gifts
It's traditional to present the mothers of the bride
and groom with a bouquet of flowers as a thank you for
all their help and support planning the wedding.
