| But keep in mind that most of those beautiful | | | | container, a block of floral foam, 12 stems of |
| arrangements and bridal bouquets you see in | | | | roses, 5 stems of baby's breath, and 3 stems of |
| pictures or magazines were probably done by | | | | ivy. Well, you get the picture. Be sure you have |
| professional floral designers with years of design | | | | more than you need for what you expect to |
| experience and floral know-how. | | | | make. |
| But if you're up to it, make the project more fun | | | | Gather All the Supplies |
| than frustrating, more awesome than awful. The | | | | Get everything together in a box with easy |
| keys to beautiful wedding flowers are planning | | | | access. If you have 3 friends helping, be sure you |
| every detail, getting everything together in one | | | | have 3 sets of supplies to help make the work |
| place, and practice, practice, practice. | | | | go more smoothly. You'll want to include clippers, |
| If you use our tips and follow our advise, you're | | | | floral tape, ribbons, floral moss, flower |
| sure to have a good experience. So, let's get | | | | preservative, rose strippers if you have roses, |
| started! | | | | corsage pins, vase. Once you have your recipe, |
| Get Lots of Ideas. | | | | you'll know what you need. |
| Look through magazines, books on floral | | | | A Cool Place for Storage |
| decorating, visit fine floral shops, and take pictures | | | | You'll probably purchase and start preparing the |
| of floral arrangements you like in public places. | | | | flowers several days ahead of the big event and |
| A 5-star hotel is a great place to get ideas. Go on | | | | they'll need to be kept chilled. If it's a hot summer, |
| a Saturday and you'll probably see weddings | | | | reserve a room in the house and crank up the air |
| already set up. The more ideas you have, the | | | | conditioner. But don't let the cold air blow directly |
| more you'll have to incorporate into your wedding | | | | on the flowers. |
| flowers. | | | | Buckets of Water |
| Put All Your Ideas in One Place | | | | As soon as you buy the flowers, they need to go |
| There's nothing worse than finding just the look | | | | into water. Find some tall buckets from a home |
| you want, then losing it because you weren't | | | | improvement center or ask if you can buy or |
| organized. So get a notebook with pockets or a | | | | borrow some from the flower vendor or florist. A |
| manila envelope just for your flower pictures. | | | | very tall bucket (about 18" tall) will help to support |
| When you're ready to start making decisions, you | | | | the blossoms on tall stems. |
| can toss out the photos that don't fit into your | | | | A Dedicated Work Area |
| plan. | | | | To prepare your wedding flowers, whether you |
| Decide on Your Color Scheme | | | | have small arrangements or large ones, you'll need |
| If you have a favorite color, that's what you'll | | | | an area dedicated for the task. Cover as many |
| want for your wedding. But if the carpet is | | | | surfaces as you can with plastic or a carpet |
| hideous in the room, you should probably think | | | | cover (some flowers will bleed onto the flooring). |
| about a colors scheme that will help to take the | | | | You'll need a deep sink to soak the flowers, |
| eye off it. Or you may have fallen in love with | | | | several large tables, trash bags, a large garbage |
| some dresses for your bridesmaids. Choose your | | | | can, and a space nearby to set finished bouquets |
| color scheme using any of these sources. | | | | and arrangements. |
| Set Your Flower Budget | | | | Practice, Practice, Practice |
| The flowers are just one part of a wedding | | | | No matter how simple your plan or how confident |
| celebration. Added to the cost of the dress, | | | | you might feel, plan to do at least one (preferably |
| music, reception, and gifts, the budget for flowers | | | | two) practice run. Purchase the flowers you've |
| can just about break the bank. But in any | | | | selected to construct one centerpiece and one |
| wedding, the flowers set the tone, add color and | | | | bouquet and put them together. Keep track of |
| fragrance, and are one of the things that the | | | | how long it takes to prepare that one, then |
| guests really remember. So don't skimp. | | | | multiply by how many you'll need to make. This |
| Select Your Flowers | | | | will give you a great idea of how much time you'll |
| Many different flowers can give the colors you | | | | need to dedicate to the flowers when the big day |
| choose. Will you want roses or carnations, orchids | | | | arrives. You might find that you've bought more |
| or iris? Your decision will be somewhat influenced | | | | flowers than you need or that you need a fuller |
| by where you live and the season of the year. | | | | bow, requiring more ribbon. This is a better time |
| Lilacs are almost impossible to get (at a price you | | | | to realize these things than on the wedding day. |
| can afford) in January, so find other flowers that | | | | Work Ahead |
| have a similar shade. | | | | The flowers will have to be done ahead of time, |
| You may decide to have all roses or an | | | | but you can make bows, gather the containers, |
| assortment of several varieties. Whatever you | | | | purchase candles, fill votives, fold napkins, print |
| choose, make sure the flowers are available in | | | | the wedding programs or reception menus, and |
| your locale or place a special order for just what | | | | assemble the table favors weeks ahead. |
| you want. | | | | Remember where you store them! |
| Recruit Lots of Help | | | | When the Party's Over |
| Because flowers are perishable, they have to be | | | | Ask a close friend to gather your centerpiece |
| prepared and arranged at the last minute. If | | | | containers, candlesticks, decorations, votive |
| you're having lots of flowers, you'll need lots of | | | | holders, and any flowers you want to keep at the |
| help. | | | | end of the reception. Be sure you provide bins, |
| Make a Recipe to Follow | | | | boxes, or bags and wrapping materials along with |
| Prepare a recipe for your floral arrangements, | | | | instructions on what to save and what to throw |
| just as you would write a recipe for a food | | | | away. |
| you're preparing. Each centerpiece will need a | | | | |