Planning weddings can be hectic for everyone involved. It starts with a very long to do list and wedding flowers are sure to be one of the big decisions. What many people don’t realize is how many flowers actually go into a wedding. There are a number of ways to use flowers in your wedding and we want to help you get started. Use this wedding flowers guide to plan and coordinate.
Wedding Flower Checklist
The first thing you should do is make a list of who needs flowers and what part of your décor will include flowers. To help you out, here are some ideas to keep in mind:
Bouquets may be needed for the bride, maid and/or matron of honor, bridesmaids, flower girls, junior bridesmaids, and a tossing bouquet.
Boutonnieres may be needed for the groom, best man, groomsmen, ushers, ring bearer, fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers, and other key men such as uncles or readers.
Corsages may be needed for mothers, stepmothers, grandmothers, and other key woman such as aunts, godmother or readers.
Flowers can be used in hair accessories for the bride, maid or matron of honor, bridesmaid, flower girls and junior bridesmaids.
Ceremony flowers can be used for entrance wreath, railing arrangements, pew end décor, altar arrangements, archway décor, petals for aisle and flower girls and tossing petals for guest.
Reception flowers can be used for entryway arrangements, escort card table décor, centerpieces, bar décor, bathroom décor, tent décor, cake table décor, cake décor, car decoration.
Your Flower Timeline
Six to Eight Months Before Your Wedding
After you have picked your color palette and bridesmaid dresses, it’s time to start talking to florist to find the perfect match for your wedding. Get a few proposals and choose someone who sees your vision.
Two to Three Months Before Your Wedding
Meet with your florist and get a trail run of your flowers. It’s important to see what your bouquets and arrangements look the way you want them to.
Six Weeks Before Your Wedding
Your flowers should be ordered about two weeks before your wedding so now is a good time to speak with your florist and confirm you order to make sure you have everything for your big day.
Three to Four Weeks Before Your Wedding
Set up your wedding details with your florist. Decide on a time and place to meet on the day of the wedding. Also, make sure you pick a person to communicate and meet with your florist on your wedding day.
One Week Before Your Wedding
Confirm everything. Deliver time, addresses and your order – make sure it is all correct. If you have any changes, make them now.
All About the Bouquet
The Importance and Meaning
Your bouquet has a huge roll in your wedding whether you know it or not. The tradition of the bouquet comes from ancient Greece. Brides used to carry groups of herbs down the aisle with the idea of warding off evil spirits. Today, we have upgrades to beautiful bouquets. They are the key accessory for any bride and they even get their own close up in the wedding photos. Choosing the right style and flowers for your bouquet is crucial to your wedding day. Below you can find information about popular flower meanings and shapes of bouquets to help you build your perfect wedding day bouquet.
Bouquet Shapes
Nosegay Wedding Bouquet
Composite Wedding Bouquet
Round Wedding Bouquet
Pomander Wedding Bouquet
Pageant Wedding Bouquet
Posy Wedding Bouquet
Cascade Wedding Bouquet
Hand-tied Wedding Bouquet
Popular flower meanings
Anamone – expectation
Calla Lily – beauty
Carnation – love and fascination
Chrysanthemum (mum) – wealth, abundance, truth
Freesia – innocence
Hydrangea – understanding
Orchid – love and beauty
Rose – love, joy and beauty
Stephanotis – martial happiness
Tulip – love and passion
The Season Matters
Weddings are beautiful in every season but some flowers do better in certain seasons. Additionally, if you choose a seasonal flower for your wedding, you can save money! No matter which way you decide to go, here is our seasonal flower guide:
Winter Weddings
Armaryllis, Aster, Daffodil, Dutch Tulip, French Tulip, Grape Hyacinth, Hycinth, Parrot Tulip, Ranunculus, and Sweet Pea
Spring Weddings
Anemone (Wood or De Caen), Calla Lily, Lily of the Valley, Peony, Queen Anne’s Lace, Scabiosa, and Tweedia
Summer Weddings
Cockscomb, Cornflower, Dahlia, Daisy, Hydrangea, Phlox, Sunflower, Tuberose, and Zinnia
Fall Weddings
Anemone (Japanese), Camellia, Cosmos, and Tuberose
Year-round Flowers
Alstroemeria, Bouvardia, Carnation, Chrysanthemum, Delphinium, Freesia, Gardenia, Gerbera, Gladiolus, Gloriosa Lily, Iris, Lisianthus, Orchid, Ornithogalum, Rose, Stephanotis, Stock and Veronica
We hope these tips help you find the perfect wedding flowers. We’re always available to help! Conveniently located in Toms River, NJ, we’re here to help with all of your wedding flower needs. Stop by anytime or give us a call to get started.
