Flowers are an essential part of any wedding. Not only do they set the theme for your special day, but their very presence serves as a symbol for the new life you are about to enter into with your future spouse. There are many choices to make when considering the flowers for your wedding as well as many influential factors. Below are some things to consider when selecting your wedding flowers.

Style
Your flower choices should reflect the style of your wedding. If you are having a casual beach wedding and luau reception afterwards, you might choose hibiscus flowers and other more tropical plants to decorate your reception hall, whereas if you are being married in a formal church with a reception at the Ritz hotel, roses or lilies might be more appropriate. Talk over your wedding plans with your florist, who can help you decide on flowers that will coordinate with the style and feel of your wedding. From big colorful bouquets to elegant stems of roses, your florist will help you find the right flowers with the right presentation for your wedding.

Date
The date of your wedding is extremely important when considering your wedding flowers. Because many flowers are only available during certain seasons, the season in which your wedding falls can determine the number of choices you have. Your florist will know which flowers are available when, and can help you to figure out what flowers will be in season at the time of your wedding, as well as which types of flowers compliment one another and can be used in the same bouquets and arrangements.

Color Scheme
While this may seem rather trivial, the flowers in your wedding need to go along with the general color scheme. The color of flowers you choose needs to compliment the surrounding environment including the bride’s maid’s dresses, table cloths and other decorations in the room. Clashing colors will be sure to draw attention and cancel out much of the hard work you spent decorating for your wedding.

Here is a list of other things to keep in mind while planning for your wedding flowers…

• Cost – Different types of flowers can have very different prices attached to them. Make sure that you have a budget to present to your florist so that they can help suggest flowers that are within your price range.
• For Whom – Are you going to get different flowers for different groups of people such as the wedding party, parents, and/or other relatives and friends?
• For Where – Where are the flowers going and will this make a difference as to what types of flowers you should get? Places such as the bride’s bouquet and the reception tables may require different flowers in differing arrangements.
• Allergies – Make sure to let your florist know if you are particularly allergic to certain types of flowers. Some flowers contain less pollen than others and may keep your allergies at bay, though you could always opt for silk flowers instead, which are slightly more expensive but much more permanent.
• Weight – Having to carry a heavy bouquet through the whole ceremony can be tiresome and uncomfortable. Take this into consideration when choosing flowers for the bride’s bouquet and any other bouquet carried during the ceremony.
• Set Up – When talking with your florist make sure to discuss the delivery as well as the maintenance of the flowers up until the ceremony. Flowers need to be kept cool so they don’t wilt. Your florist should have helpful tips for keeping the flowers looking their best before and during your wedding ceremony and reception.