Do Flowers Make or Break your wedding?
The wedding ritual and flowers go hand-in-hand in nearly every culture and tradition in the world. Whether they are bouquets or garlands, real or handmade, flowers always play an important role, even in cultures where floral wreathes may be make the only gown that the bride wears, while the groom is adorned only with his tribal tattoos. In American society, flowers decorate wedding halls and limousines, ornamental bouquets and floral centerpieces are an integral element of the event, &nbsp and the bride's bouquet is no less important than her gown, hairdo and makeup. Thus, choosing your florist is a task as vital as searching for the right makeup artist, hair stylist or dress designer. The bride usually has some idea of the general visual layout of her planned wedding and the kind of bouquet she would like to hold in her hands. To get the best results, a bride should describe her aspirations to the florist in great detail, but also pay attention to the expert advice she is receiving from the florist. Fresh floral arrangements can't be “tried on” in advance, unlike other parts of your wedding plans. You will see your dress during the fitting while it is still not too late to alter it, and trial hairdo and makeup sessions are commonly held. However, making a sample bouquet is impossible - each fresh flower is unique, so that even the most perfect sample can never be exactly duplicated. Every bouquet and each floral composition not only requires skill but also inspiration, creativity, and the special magical skills of a true floral artist. It doesn't matter how prestigious or expensive the floral shop you choose is - if you do not feel a connection and innate understanding with the florist, you should choose another florist who makes you feel immediately as if he or she knows exactly what you wish them to design for you. Every season brings along a new style. A few years ago lilac was “the” color, followed by “salad green”, which was replaced by pink. Fashion, naturally, should not be the only factor influencing your choice, but rather your own taste and your particular color palette preference. The easiest solution is to have some general idea and entrust this idea to one professional - this will guarantee color-coordinated tablecloths, napkins, plates and flowers. Otherwise you must personally supervise all the other elements of interior design and risk the fact that a slight change in the tablecloth tone and the entire palette is ruined! The bridal bouquet deserves special attention - it has to be out of the ordinary. For example, you might want to include some unusual flowers and not just standard lilies and roses that have become so commonplace. Another piece of simple, yet important, advice: don't forget to tell your florist if the bride or groom have allergies to certain flowers. Even if one such flower finds its way into the bouquet that the bride holds for the whole day and the pollen makes her itchy, teary, or uncomfortable in any way - it is going to bring more trouble than joy. Flowers also should to be coordinated with the gown. If you are discussing your floral arrangements and your gown is not ready yet, bring along a sketch and fabric samples. Be sure to discuss the shape of the bouquet as well - you might prefer something other than the traditional “round” style. Let your imagination run wild! Remember just one thing - the bouquet should be light and easy to hold. It shouldn't be too large or heavy - a bride certainly shouldn't look like a walking flowerbed. If you are planning to follow the American tradition of throwing the bouquet to the single women attending the reception, note that intricate, angular arrangements with branches and greens worked into your bouquet will not work with this tradition, no matter how well they match your gown. Some brides have a special bouquet for this tradition, if they wish to walk down the aisle with an intricate floral bouquet. While discussing your look with the florist think about other possibilities, such as replacing the traditional veil or crown with fresh flowers in your hair. It may be that fresh flowers will complement your gown the best. Don't be shy and don't limit your imagination. Share all your bold ideas with your designer. If you have an idea that is amazingly unique that you relay to your florist, the result from creative hands is guaranteed to be above your expectations. One delicate issue to consider is to be sure to estimate the floral expenses and projected costs upfront. If you are planning on a very expensive bridal bouquet with rare exotic flowers and your resources are limited, you may not be able to afford to do the reception hall's décor justice, which is an area in which you do not want to cut corners. On the other hand, if you are willing to spend more on floral decorations, but your florist is trying to save you money, you may wind up with a far less luxurious wedding “look” than if you had spoken up early on about your comfortable budget. In the end, it doesn't matter what kind of flowers you choose - calla lilies, green roses or traditional white lilies - what really matters is that your wedding should be unique, distinctive and, most importantly, that its décor matches your taste. Only a true professional can help provide a personal touch to your celebration, while keeping pace with the latest trends and popular colors. Courtesy of Floral Art salon experts and especially Tatiana Dreyshner for the professional help she provided to the authors of this article.   More Photos