Wedding flowers date back to a period of antiquity in Rome and Egypt, and are still taking the lead role in defining the space of our weddings today. Flowers create romantic spaces and beautiful backdrops for almost every wedding photograph. Get inspired and enjoy as we reveal some tips for planning the wedding flowers.
Find Your Wedding Style
Before you run to the local florist and place your order, you should take a moment to imagine your wedding day and the aesthetic you want to create. The style and vibe created by your wedding flowers will affect the entire experience of your wedding day. Explore magazines, gain inspiration and create a collage of ideas to take with you to your florist. Your theme and color palette are fundamental to choosing your wedding flowers.
A Realistic Budget for Wedding Flowers
The wedding flowers from the magazine are not always a reality, but it is usually possible to create some affordable variation. Avoid the florist that attempts to persuade you to increase spending, and choose one that offers creative solutions that fit within your budget. Couples usually allocate between 8% and 10% of their total budget on wedding flowers. On average, the cost of wedding flowers ranges from $2,000 to $5,000. If you hire a full-service florist with all the table arrangements, you could spend as much as $15,000. How much you spend on your wedding flowers will have everything to do with the types of blooms you choose and the amount of flowers it takes to fill your space.
Ways to Save on Your Wedding Flowers
Find a balance between budget and imagination. If you are open to adding premium silk flowers to your arrangements, it will help keep the expense down, especially when choosing flowers that might not be in season. Choosing a wedding venue with artificial floral designs can save you thousands. If you are set on fresh flowers, choose your blooms wisely. Daisies and dahlias are usually less expensive choices. Roses, tulips, lilies and hydrangeas are in the mid-range. Peonies and orchids are usually among the most expensive flowers. It is important to note that a few expensive wedding flowers can produce better results than a dozen cheap ones. You might want peonies, but you might consider more affordable garden roses for a similar effect. Choose blooms in season. It is always more expensive to purchase wedding flowers out of season.
Types of Centerpieces
Different centerpieces create a different experience. Candelabras are tall and decorative holders of tapered candles that provide a space on each arm to design with beautiful floral arrangements. Fishbowl centerpieces are created with clusters of flowers in a glass bowl. Tiered centerpieces create additional layers of flowers. A breakaway involves shorter to medium height arrangements of different blooms in a grouping to create a centerpiece. Trumpet arrangements are cone-shaped with a narrow top in a tall vase. Dais centerpieces overhang the front of the table. This type of centerpiece is usually arranged on the sweetheart table, since it is a lower placement that creates the desired design without blocking the view of the bride and groom. A pedestal is a vase on a decorative platform that holds overflowing wedding flowers that cascade down the sides.
Size and Placement
Centerpieces should fit the space. Think about the size of the tables and the other arrangements. Lower centerpieces work well with outdoor venues. You might create an illusion of a canopy of flowers on high candelabras indoors. You can choose to suspended arrangements from the ceiling or from tree branches. If you want those lush and large blooms, think about the placement for your wedding photography to make sure the arrangements do not obstruct the view of important people and moments. Let your flowers soar or cascade, but place them below or over heads.
Counting Your Wedding Flowers
How many wedding flowers should you order? Evaluate the size of the venue and think about how you want to use your flowers within the space. The answer depends on how you envision your wedding day and the budget you are using to create it. You will probably want a decorated ceremony space and centerpieces with flowers on your tables. Whether you are creating the garden ceremony indoors or only wanting a few accents, there are other flowers to consider. You will probably want a bridal bouquet and bridesmaids’ bouquets. The groom and groomsmen will probably have boutonnieres. The parents of the bride and groom usually have corsages and boutonnieres. Once you decide how many arrangements you will need, choose the blooms to fill the space.
Choosing Blooms
Once you have an idea about quantity, you will need to think about the type of blooms you want to use within your space. Every flower has a different color and scent that will alter the mood and create a different experience. The season is usually a good way to narrow down your options. It is not impossible to obtain blooms out of season, but they can be more expensive and they do not last as long. A good florist will be able to assist you with obtaining flowers that are forced to bloom out of season, and can give you the best recommendations.
Crystal Ballroom on Lake Melva
A vision exists in your imagination, but to make it a reality, it cannot stay there. Bring your vision to Crystal Ballroom on Lake Melva and discover a wedding venue that is designed just for you. Master wedding designers will help you choose your colors, theme, décor and floral arrangements. Planners will create a custom package that bundles the venue, furnishings, staff services, décor options and coordination services. Bring your imagination to the design studio at Crystal Ballroom and create a fairy tale.
