| Flowers are an important part of making your | | | | fathers, grandfathers and other important men |
| wedding ceremony and reception beautiful. | | | | - Centerpieces for the reception You may also |
| Hopefully this guide will make your choices in | | | | need a smaller bouquet for the "toss," flowers for |
| wedding flowers a little bit easier. | | | | the flower girl, and other floral decorations. |
| The Shop | | | | Though you can find most flowers all year, it's |
| When planning your wedding, you should take | | | | best to choose seasonal blooms because they are |
| time and care in selecting a wedding florist. | | | | more readily available, more durable and less |
| Choose several florists in the general vicinity of | | | | expensive. Here is a general guideline of wedding |
| your ceremony and reception site. If the wedding | | | | flowers by season. |
| florist is on the other side of town, they may | | | | Spring |
| charge more for delivery. Look in the yellow | | | | - Apple blossoms |
| pages, on wedding websites and ask your friends | | | | - Cherry blossoms |
| and families for referrals before narrowing down | | | | - Daffodils |
| your list to three or four options. | | | | - Hyacinth |
| Set up appointments to meet with each of the | | | | - Iris |
| florists. Before the appointment time, you should | | | | - Lilies |
| decide the following about your wedding: | | | | - Lilacs |
| - Wedding colors (color of bridesmaids dresses, | | | | - Pansies |
| table linens and other decor) | | | | - Peonies |
| - Number of attendants | | | | - Tulips Summer |
| - Total budget for flowers, including delivery | | | | - Cala lilies |
| charges When you meet with each florist give | | | | - Dahlia |
| them an idea of what you are looking for, but | | | | - Daisies |
| also be open to suggestions. After all, they are | | | | - Geraniums |
| the professionals! | | | | - Hydrangeas |
| Bring tear outs from magazines to give the | | | | - Iris |
| florists an idea of what you types and colors of | | | | - Larkspur |
| flowers you are consider. Ask each florist to | | | | - Queen Anne's lace |
| come up a quote that will meet all your needs. It | | | | - Roses |
| may also be helpful to ask for a high-end quote if | | | | - Sunflowers |
| you want to trade out your standard flowers for | | | | - Zinnias Fall |
| more exotics, dye flowers to a specific color, or | | | | - Asters |
| want anything else special. | | | | - Chrysanthemums |
| Once you've visited three or four shops and | | | | - Gerbera daisies |
| gathered the quotes, ask for a list of references | | | | - Marigolds |
| from each. Call previous brides to make sure | | | | - Roses |
| there were no problems with customer service, | | | | - Sunflowers Winter |
| delivery, or quality of the flowers. | | | | - Camelias |
| The Flowers | | | | - Forget-me-nots |
| A basic package of wedding flowers should | | | | - Jasmine |
| include: | | | | - Orchids |
| - Bridal bouquet | | | | - Poinsettias Now that you are armed with all the |
| - Bridemaids' bouquets | | | | information, you can make an informed decision |
| - Corsages for mothers, grandmothers and other | | | | and choose the florist and the flowers that are |
| important women | | | | right for you! |
| - Boutonnieres for the groom, groomsmen, | | | | |