SAY ‘I DO’ TO GORGEOUS WEDDING FLOWERS

Nov 21, 2009

Flowers and weddings go together.The first known use of flowers in weddings was in Ancient Greece where crowns of plants and flowers were put on the bride's head, and since then, the two have gone hand-in-hand.
In ancient times, brides carried bunches of aromatic herbs, including garlic bulbs to fight off evil spirits, which is said to be the origin of the bridal bouquet.Sage was another herb that was often used in bridal bunches as it was said to bring wisdom to the wedding group. In the Victorian era, flowers were assigned their own meaning and brides often carried posies which conveyed a coded message for the groom.
'Flower girls' also had their origins in Victorian times, when young girls would walk ahead of the bridal party to the church, sprinkling petals on the path in front of them.This gesture was to bring happiness and flowers into the lives of the newly weds.
These days, the sky's the limit.From simple country bunches to elegant cascading centrepieces, the only limits to wedding flowers are imagination and budget.Even though you may have set ideas as to how you would like your wedding flowers to look, it is advisable to chat to an experienced florist to get some input.
Many brides have firm ideas about what types of wedding flowers they want. An important consideration however, is availability. Flowers are seasonal, yet many wedding planners overlook this fact. Using in-season varieties will get you more bloom for your buck.
An experienced florist wil be able to use seasonal flowers to create whatever look you want.They will even make sure your wedding is just perfect, even if tulips aren't in season ! There are so many varieties, colours and shapes of flowers, and so much can be done with interesting foliage, ribbon, fabric and other accessories.
A florist can also advise on what types of flowers are best suited to the occasion.Gardenias, for example, are fragrant and gorgeous.However, these flowers go brown even when touched very gently so they aren't a great choice for bouquets.Stephanotis has similar characteristics, with delicate, fragrant flowers.Regardless of carefully the stephanotis flowers are handled, they will wilt within a few hours and turn brown, so they aren't actually a good choice for bridal bouquets.
Sarah Ennis, a florist in Perth, says the starting point is a good working relationship between the bride and the person doing the flowers."Pricing, availability, suitability and colour are just some of the things that an experienced florist will be able to offer advice on.”
Popular wedding flowers include orchids, arum lilies, roses, hundred stars, gypsophila and daisies."It's always important to look at practical options," she says, "for example having a February wedding overflowing with roses may not be the best idea as roses are expensive around Valentine's Day and the quality can be inconsistent.”
As a florist in Perth, she can also advise on the best flowers to use for a bridal bouquet. It’s advisable to supply a picture of the wedding gown and a fabric swatch to help select the best flowers.For example, she suggests a trailing bouquet or tied bunch of long stems for a full-length gown and a more compact posy or single bloom to complement a knee-length skirt.A long, trailing bouquet will give the impression that a bride is slim and tall, whereas fuller-figured brides should avoid bouquets that focus attention towards the centre of the body.
Wedding flowers are often one of the focal points of the celebration.From the simplest celebration to the most elaborate, fancy affair, professional advice on wedding flowers in Perth will ensure it's the best day of your life.