Flower Power

Photo by Happily Ever After Wedding Photography

With the right planning and attention to detail, you can make your wedding day petal perfect.

Mpls.St.Paul Magazine Wedding Guide 2007

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Weddings are all about flowers. Beautiful blossoms have been the wedding decoration of choice throughout history, which isn’t surprising since flowers are the ultimate symbol of romantic love. Dramatic, colorful, simple, monochromatic, elegant…whatever you choose, select flowers that reflect your personal style and continue the theme and tone of your wedding. Get ready to be overwhelmed with your options, which include old-fashioned garden flowers, showy orchids and lillies, tropical blooms, and gorgeous new shades of roses. The role that flowers play in your wedding day is limited only by your imagination and budget.

Finding Your Flowers
Find a florist as soon as possible after you’ve set your wedding date. Select the florist who can do the best, most creative job within your budget. Your goal is to find a professional who will take the time to learn about you and the ambiance you want to create. Six months before your wedding isn’t too early to select your florist, especially if you want flowers to be a highlight of your celebration.

If a complementary color scheme is important to you, have your bridesmaids’ gowns selected before placing your floral order. Take fabric swatches and photos of your wedding apparel. If you want your florist to supply reception arrangements, be prepared to provide details such as the number of guests and tables and the type and time of your reception.

Cost and Other Considerations
Flower costs add up fast. Expect to pay a deposit. To avoid any surprises, ask for an itemized bill well in advance of your wedding day. Keep in mind that florists may place orders with their suppliers early to obtain the best possible costs, so if you change your mind after the order has been placed, expect to see an additional charge.

Make sure that you supply the florist with the names, addresses, and times for delivery for your bouquet and other floral arrangements at both the wedding and reception facility.

Rules of (Green) Thumb
The groom’s boutonniere, worn on his left lapel, is usually a spray of the same type of blossoms used in the bride’s bouquet. Ushers and groomsmen should wear boutonnieres different from the groom’s, and the bridesmaids’ bouquets should be different from the bridal bouquet. Corsages for the mothers and boutonnieres for the fathers are coordinated within the general theme.

Take Five
Top floral tips from Twin Cities pros.

1. Think beyond blooms. “We’re seeing more brides include personalized touches in their bridal bouquets, such as beading and jewelry pieces,” says Kristi Svenkeson of Pazzobello Flowers. “Anything goes. For centerpieces, we’re adding a lot of fruits, veggies, marbles, peas, peppers, rocks...it’s all good.”

2. Save money by hiring a professional. It’s tempting to DIY your wedding flowers, but that can cost you not only more money, but also more time and heartache. “A professional floral designer can envision a space and save a couple money by recommending double-duty items and cost-effective rentals to stretch their decorating dollar,” advises Alice-Lynne Olson of The Late Bloomer.

3. Ask your florist for a history lesson. Many flowers have special meanings that may strike a chord with you as a couple. “Flowers and herbs have played a significant role in attraction of the ‘good’ and warding off of evil,” says Susan Rowell of Fairie Flowers. “Greeks, for example, used ivy as the sign of lasting love.”

4. Concentrate on color. “If couples come to us knowing the colors that they would like to feature in their wedding, our recommendations can be so much more helpful,” says Paula Flom of Laural Street Flowers. “Flowers set the tone for the bride and groom’s style.”

5. Book early and budget appropriately. “Couples should start shopping for florists as soon as they get a reception site booked, at least six months in advance of the wedding date,” advises Tami Johnson of Studio B Floral Designs, who adds that “10 to 20 percent of the total budget should be set aside for flowers, depending on how much decorating and rental items the florist provides for the couple.”

‘Tis the Season
Need to stretch your blossoms budget? Think seasonal. By selecting flowers that are in season during your wedding, you’ll not only pay less but also get fresher flowers that will better hold their beauty throughout your big day.

If you’re getting wed during Minnesota’s warm months, consider using locally grown blossoms throughout your wedding day—for bouquets, boutonnieres, pew adornments, table centerpieces, and in your hair.

But even if you’re getting married in January, it pays to select flowers that are easy for your florist to access. Here’s a helpful list of some of the most popular—and stunning—seasonal choices.

Spring
Tulip, daffodil, lilac, cherry blossom, lily of the valley, peony, forsythia

Summer
Daisy, garden roses, hydrangea, clematis, cosmos, zinnia, rudbeckia

Fall
Dahlia, ornamental berries, sunflower, rose hip, rose, scabiosa, autumn foliage

Winter
Amaryllis, evergreen, dried flowers, ornamental berries, seedpods, forced bulbs, poinsettia

All seasons
Freesia, gardenia, ivy, lily of the valley, stephanotis, orchid, anemone, calla lily

Flower Power

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