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