The Role of Wedding Flowers
by: Erin Hornstein



One of my favorite quotes is “the earth laughs in flowers,” written by Ralph Waldo Emerson. Flowers are indeed a gift from nature and they have had a significant role in weddings for centuries, dating back to the ancient Greeks. Hundreds of years ago, bouquets and crowns of herbs and blooms were given to the bride and groom as symbols of love and happiness. Various herbs were used in the arrangements for various purposes. Garlic was said to ward off evil spirits while dill was said to induce lust between the newlyweds and sage was said to promote wisdom and longevity. Posies were given to friends of the bride to give thanks for friendship and support while young girls sprinkled petals before the bride’s feet to ensure her a long life of happiness.

To date, flowers are still an integral part of a wedding celebration and are an important way to create the mood and feeling of the day. Whether formal or whimsical, the blooms and colors selected create the palette. Flowers have an aesthetic beauty that enhances a bride and embellishes the occasion. Flowers are a vital part to the day and your life. Not to mention simply gorgeous to have and to hold. Sound familiar?

Selecting flowers to carry, to decorate the ceremony, or for reception décor should be a fun and creative process. The blooms should complement and enhance the attire, season and location. Your florist should provide a wealth of knowledge on flower variations, colors and durability for the day. Of any category on the wedding “to-do” list, selecting flowers should be stress-free and an exploration in creativity. Florists are detail oriented people but we are also very busy. Expect organized proposals but be patient with communication, especially on weekends as we are often very busy with events.

Although personal taste is a delicate subject, encourage your florist to discuss styles and invent new concepts for you. Certain classic wedding design will never go out of fashion….such as an all ivory, Vendella rose, hand-tied bouquet with stems wrapped in satin ribbon with pearl detail. Other styles and textures are now dated including teardrop bouquets, large bouquets, pink stargazer lilies, and tulle. During your consultation process, ask for visuals in your proposals, detailed bouquet ideas, unusual flower types and corsage and boutonniere details. The variety of flowers currently available year-round is impressive to even the veteran floral designer. Flowers are now grown on a global scale and shipped worldwide to wholesale warehouses where licensed designers shop. Greenhouse production, web ordering and increased shipping speed has improved the variations available across the country. This means there is an increased variety of unique blooms available for inimitable arrangements.

There are an abundance of galleries online where brides can research flower types, design styles and color combinations and select items which appeal to them. It is helpful to a florist if you come with a few visuals and ideas so they have a starting point from which to create a unique idea for your day. Some of my favorites include: http://www.brides.com/planning/flowers/gallery and http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-planning/wedding-flowers.aspx. Some of my favorite magazine publications include The Bride and Bloom, Wedding Flowers (from the UK), and Wellwed. Another great resource for design and flower variety is my website, www.plumsageflowers.com. As you proceed to your wedding day, have fun with this aspect. Delight in the colors, smells and varieties and treat yourself to a gorgeous accessory to have and to hold.

DISCLAIMER : The views expressed in this article are the author's and do not necessarily represent the views of photographik or any member of the photographik organization.