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A: Picking your flowers does not have to be at the top of your to-do list. There are a few things to do before stopping to smell the roses.
Remember that you’re not the only one going to be holding flowers. You’ll need flowers for bridesmaid bouquets, the groom's boutonniere, flowers for the cake; and the groom's family pays for the bride's bouquet, corsages for the mothers and grandmothers, and the groomsmen boutonnieres.
Finally, since Mother Nature is doing you a favour, repay her by choosing local flowers that are in season to minimize the carbon footprint. Click here to see what’s available for your date! |
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A: The cold doesn't spoil your choice for colour and textures. Here is just a sample of some of the flowers in season:
Acacia, Amaryllis, Calla Lilies, Camellias, Cyclamen, Dendrobium, Eucalyptus berries, Forget-Me-Nots, Heather Helleborus, Holly, Iris, Lilacs, Madonna Lilies Narcissus Pepper berries,Poinsettias (white or red), Santolina, Stephanotis, Sweet Peas,Tulips and winter greens.
Don't worry if your green thumb hasn't bloomed yet. Take inspiration from the winter wonderland around you. Pine branches can be turned into traditional wreathes, or scattered on tables for a less structured look. Contrast the forest colours with some Christmas berries or tinsel! |
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A: Most brides allocate 8% of their total budget. Have the theme of the wedding picked out, including your dress and your bridesmaids’ dresses before deciding on flowers. This greatly aids you in the bloom-selection as there are thousands of species that could push the final bill into the thousands without you even realizing it! Know how many guests are coming so you can calculate the number of tables that need decorating. Most people focus on bouquets and centrepieces rather than the ceremony location as it typically lasts an hour. |
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A: Yes, why not? If you want to hold onto your bouquet, then ask if you can throw one of the bridesmaids' bouquets. Be sure to get yours preserved by a florist if you want to hold onto it because even though memories of the day will last forever, the flowers won't!
To avoid the single gal scramble for the bouquet, you can perform the bouquet dance, also known as the 'anniversary dance'. The DJ invites all the married couples to the dancefloor. He then asks all the couples married five years or left to leave floor, then those married ten years or less etc. until only the longest-married couple remains and you present them with the bouquet to honour their devotion to each other. |
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A: Sarah Rubalcava, a wedding florist and a member of The Wedding Circle, suggests that much is said about the style of the dress influencing the style of the bouquet. Very little is said about the bride's personality, overall look and design of the day or the venue. A wedding florist should examine all these factors to design the perfect bouquet that fits with everything but still stands out.
When meeting with your florist, bring pictures of the venue, a swatch of your gown and the bridesmaids' dresses, anything that will give the florist a better idea of the whole picture. Mixing both the bride's ideas and the florist's ideas greatly enhances the creative process. |
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A: The trend in flowers this year is for decorations to go green. For centrepieces, people are seeking out organic, pesticide-free plants from their local nurseries to cut down on the carbon footprint. Plants are more durable and something different! There are lots of lovely-smelling herbs that can help your day blossom without damaging the environment or your wallet as they tend to be cheaper. Alternatively, candles are always classy. If the mother-in-law is expecting to see petals, mix flowers with unlikely candidates like fruit and veg. Don't let the colour wheel dictate what flowers you put together. If flowers of different colours go well together, go with it!
Inspiring ideas are cropping up in unexpected places nowadays. Have a look through your family album. Do you like what your great-grandmother carried back in the day? Was 'The Secret Garden' a favourite book of yours? Why not channel that?
There is no one trend that will make the wedding or the flowers a success. In the words of Shakespeare, 'To thine own self be true.' Don't worry about trends and do what feels right. |
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