Wedding Flowers

Weddings  one of the most interesting and challenging segments of the florist business  tradition plays a major role

Weddings  modern weddings are reflecting more individuality  couples are generally older and have a specific idea of what they want

Bridal Consultations  first interview is usually the most important  at least three months prior to the wedding

Bridal Consultations  normally handled by the head designer or the owner/manager of the shop  an area is usually set aside for these meetings where interruptions will be minimal

Bridal Consultations  may include looking at ribbon samples  photo albums of sample wedding work

Bridal Consultations  florist must learn as much about the wedding plans as possible

Bridal Consultations  florist needs to determine:  set a budget within which to work

Other stuff….

 Type of gown  type of wedding being planned  how large is the wedding party

Other stuff….

 Formal or informal  where will the service take place  time of day or evening  religious ceremony

Other stuff….

 Where is the reception  how large will the reception be  who is paying for the flowers

Bridal Consultation  establish the size and budget for the wedding  with this info the florist will be better able to make suggestions relative to flower choices and other decorations

Wedding order form  used for planning floral decorations  lists the majority of items needed for the wedding

Wedding order form  has space for notes on the style and types of flowers used  serves as a contract between the florist and the bride

Wedding order form  the form is signed by the bride and the florist  this helps prevent problems in the future

Wedding order form  a copy is given to the bride to serve as her reference  itemized list of floral expenses

Wedding order form  form may categorize expenses under two columns  one for the bride and one for the groom

Bouquets  bridal and attendant  style is preference of bride  several factors considered in selecting style of bouquets

Bouquets  flowers should compliment the gown  traditional gowns traditional flowers such as roses and stephanotis

Bouquets  size of the bride and attendants  petite women should carry a small airy cascade  not a large, heavy cascading bouquet

Bouquets  larger women can carry larger, heavier bouquets  most frequent styles ordered:  arm bouquet

Bouquets  colonial nosegay  cascading bouquet  variations of each are made by altering the flowers used, size, density of bouquet

Arm bouquets  presentation bouquet  carried across the forearm  designed with natural stems remaining on the flowers  kept fresh in a vase until wedding time

Arm bouquets  orchid tubes or water picks may also be used  remove tubes just before the wedding  flowers are bound together with wire

Colonial Nosegay  handheld bouquets  constructed in a circular shape with an attached handle  usually a plastic bouquet holder is used with

Colonial Nosegay  soaked oasis or floral foam is placed in the bouquet holder  a piece of PVC pipe is used to hold the bouquet holder while designing

Cascade bouquets  held at the waist  created by extending the colonial bouquet into a flowing garland.

Cascade bouquets  cascade may be any length from one foot to floor length  cascade is extremely popular with brides

Cascade bouquets  hand tied - each flower wired and taped separately  designed in same foam holders as colonial nosegays

Cascade bouquets  wire and tape the long cascade and add to a foam bouquet holder

Corsages and Bouts  normally worn by ushers, best man, groomsmen  parents, grandparents  servers at the reception  other close family members

Corsages and bouts  organist, minister, soloist  minister - if they do not wear a robe  roses and orchids are favorite for mothers and g’mas

Corsages and bouts  any flower can be chosen  usually flowers used in bridal or bridesmaids bouquets

Ceremonial Decorations  check to see if the church has a policy on the use of flowers and decorations

Ceremonial Decorations  a few large, bold arrangements are more effective than several small ones

Entry and Vestibule  guest book table  cut flower arrangements  garlands framing doorways

Aisles and Pews  bows made of number 9 or 40 ribbon  white is the most common  often accented with flowers and foliage

Aisles and Pews  may be used on every pew  every second or third pew

Candelabra  may have flowers and foliage added  may be used in altar area or in aisles

Altar  focus attention on the center of the altar  should be large enough to be seen by wedding guests  large, bright flowers are most effective

Altar  single arrangement in center of altar  triangular or fan shaped

Reception Decorations  many times arrangements used at the wedding are moved to the reception site

Reception  serving tables  cake table  punch table  floating pool arrangement

Rehearsal dinner  depends on the style of dinner  arrangements are kept low so guests can see

Delivery  florist usually stays at the wedding site until the ceremony has begun.  pins on corsages and hands out bouquets