The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/103825
Pike Publishing D-5 Happily Ever After 2013 Tips F lowers for selecting W hat would a wedding day be without flowers? The beauty and the aroma of fresh-cut flowers can create a welcoming atmosphere and complement the beauty and the style of a wedding wardrobe. Flowers are often the first things that guests see upon arriving for the ceremony, and they may even be something guests take home at the end of the night. Flowers create an air of romance, and most couples want to make flowers -- whether fresh or silk -- an integral part of their wedding day. As with any decision when planning a wedding, choosing the right flowers requires some research and a basic knowledge of which flowers will convey the message and the theme of your wedding. The number of colors, textures and combinations that can be created are so numerous that couples may feel the decision on the floral arrangements is best left to the florist. But it doesn't take a lot of expertise to know what you want, and it is important for couples to convey their feelings to the florist. Consider these tips when choosing a florist and selecting flowers. • Experts advise that a couple start looking for a florist at least six months before the wedding, especially if the wedding will take place during the peak season of May through September. Get recommendations from friends as to which florist they used or find out if your wedding planner or banquet hall manager recommends a particular florist. Some catering halls have agreements with florists, and they work together. • Stay in-season when possible. When choosing a floral arrangement, it's important to consider when you'll be getting married and which flowers will be in-season. It's possible to find most floral varieties all year, but if you choose seasonal flowers, you'll likely pay less and such flowers will be more readily available and durable. The argument for artificial flowers wedding day • Go with your own style. Couples should not feel pressured to go with a more traditional style if that's not something that suits them. Instead, choose a style that most appeals to you, be it neutral or bold colors, formal or more casual arrangements, and so on. Your style might also reveal a preference for something other than roses, which is perfectly alright. It's your wedding. • Browse magazines to get ideas of what you like. You also may be able to find a florist through an advertisement or if he or she has been featured in publications. Keep a scrapbook of the colors, types of flowers and arrangements and any other ideas that attract you so you will be able to present this information to the florist. • Establish your flower budget prior to sitting down with the florist. You should expect to pay at least eight percent of the total wedding cost on flowers. Get an estimate on the floral arrangement and then tweak your needs according to your budget. Many florists can modify arrangements and find a middle ground with regard to cost. Selecting flowers that are in-season will result in more affordable rates than if you desire exotic or out-of-season blooms. • Don't go it alone. The wedding day is going to be busy enough without brides and grooms having to worry about arranging the bouquets. A professional florist, ideally one who has come highly recommended, should be able to work within your budget and produce a visually stunning end product. • Once you've hired the florist, you can come up with a wedding flower worksheet that establishes all of your needs. The florist may ask for specific information, such as photos of the bride's gown as well as the colors and styles that the wedding party will be wearing. A good florist knows that a bouquet should Flowers are abundant in our gardens, parks and neighborhoods, and quite affordable when purchased at a local nursery in their planting containers. Something happens to flowers once they are cut and prepared for bouquets and centerpieces, however. They become one expensive commodity. As a result, many couples consider different floral options when trying to fit flowers into their wedding budgets. Artificial silk flowers vary in price and quality. Typically, the lower the price of the flowers, the less realistic they look. These flowers can be found at 99 cent stores, close-out shops and local craft and hobby stores. As silk flowers become more intricate in design and quality, their prices increase. Some silk flowers rival fresh flowers so much that it can be difficult to tell one from the other. There are many online vendors who specialize in the sale and distribution of very realistic-looking flowers. According to PriceHelper.com, an inexpensive bouquet of silk wedding flowers typically costs between $20 and $100, depending on the size and flowers used. The national average for a medium to large-size fresh bouquet is anywhere from $150 to $350, depending on the flowers and whether they're in season. There are different pros and cons when it comes to selecting artificial flowers over real ones. Here are some points to consider. not overpower or detract from the beauty of the bride. The florist may want to mimic textures from the dress, such as beading, with smaller flowers or berries within the arrangement. The groom's boutonniere is traditionally one of the flowers from the bride's bouquet so that the look is cohesive. • Ceremony flowers may be traditional, and some houses of worship have strict guidelines as to what can and cannot be used. However, reception flowers can be where you show off your creativity and whimsy. After all, this is a party and it should be fun. You may want to give the florist more freedom of expression with regard to reception centerpieces and flowers that adorn other areas of the room. • Because receptions tend to take place in the evening hours and are often indoor affairs, experts say that added lighting may be needed to put emphasis on the floral centerpieces and help present them in their best light. You may want to think about hiring a lighting designer to spotlight some areas of the room. • Consider candles to save money. Many couples hope for a floral centerpiece at each table, but that can prove costly. If the floral budget is somewhat limited, supplement the centerpieces with candles to save some money. The centerpieces likely won't be as grandiose, but smaller floral arrangements coupled with candles can create a romantic feel. • To give the impression that there are more flowers than there really are, use fragrance and filler as your tools. Fragrant flowers can fill up the room with a welcoming aroma. Look for frangipani, lilies, hyacinths, jasmine, and sweet peas for a big impact. Florists know how to stretch arrangements by using greenery and other filler to lend bulk without too much extra cost. • Real flowers are good for a few days before they're past their prime. Artificial flowers can last a lifetime when stored away properly. • Artificial flowers are usually part of a do-ityourself wedding. Couples who prefer the look of a professional centerpiece or bouquet may feel fresh flowers are the better choice. The price of fresh flowers includes the expert arrangement of the florist, who is knowledgeable in color and placement. • Fresh flowers that are out of season may have to be shipped in from outside of the country, which will increase the price significantly. No such problem exists with artificial flowers. • Artificial flowers sometimes carry a stigma, and some people might feel you took the cheap route by choosing fake flowers -- even if the flowers themselves were not cheap. • Fresh flowers have a distinct aroma that artificial flowers can't provide. But fresh flowers may trigger allergies whereas artificial flowers will not. • If you want artificial flowers to be professionally arranged, you could have trouble finding a florist to do so. After all, they're in the business of selling fresh flowers. AlterAtions SoMEthing BLuE DAyWeAr, by Anita Come in now ForMAlWeAr AnD More for alterations for SeamStreSS: your special day! anita Nicholl & Sue Bottoms Elegant Sapphire Bridal 221 W. State St. Princeton | 812.386.1301 | M–F: 9 AM–5 PM Exquisite engagement rings, wedding bands and gifts for the bridal party at affordable prices. 217 Main St., Downtown Vincennes Monday – Saturday 9:30am-5pm 1-877-98-JEWEL PRoM CoRSageS & BoutoNNieReS Check out our quality designs & our low prices 1853 N. SR 57, Willisville (3 miles south of Petersburg) 812.582.0905 Mon.-Sat. 10am-4pm. Before and after hours by appointment, call 582-2253