Top 10 Flower Rules for your wedding
You want your wedding flowers to be beautiful as your day and so do we as your florist. So we thought we would share a few expert tips for making that
happen!
Firstly & most Importantly be Open Minded -
There is nothing more disheartening for the bride and myself than when she comes in with her heart set on yellow peonies for an August wedding, only to find out that yellow peonies are just not naturally available in August. There are a ton of flowers available year-round, like roses, hydrangeas, carnations, alstroemeria, callas and orchids, just to name a few. Knowing just this one piece of information can make your flower plan go much more smoothly
Flower by Colour is another key area of advise I give my brides as flower colours have such a range and can never be exact, your florist can help you to understand the undertones of different varieties; for example, red ranunculus have orange undertones that stand out when paired with cool colors. Also remember that many of the photographs you see online or in magazines can be misleading; when the photographer is color-correcting for skin tone and lighting, it may adjust flower colors beyond what is realistic.
Thinking how your flowers & Bridal Bouquet will be photographed?
Your colors may be purple and white, but mixing two colors contrasting colors without any shading can look like polka dots in pictures. Instead you might want to add in lavender and gray green foliage to give it a soften the look!
Your Wedding bouqet make it your Priority!
Weddings are an expesive affair! but one golden rule is to never skimp on your bridal bouquet. It is the one floral design that will be on your mantel, your bedside table, at your mother's house, your in-laws' house and on your desk at work in photos for the next 50 to 60 years—you had better like it!
Reuse Blooms
One thing many floirst wont push but at Olivia Brooke we are always honest and advise our Brides where we can to save money and utilise things effectively within your day! So one of our top tips is to save money on your flowers is to make your flowers do double duty. I usually design ceremony flowers in such a way that they can be redistributed for display at the reception. Including vases for the bouquets to decorate the head table is a great way to reuse the bouquets that you have already paid for. Once photos are completed the bouquets are often left lying about anyway.
Budget !everyone hates that word but we all have one !! Our florists find this something which allows us to give us an indication of our range for your big day and how we can bring your vision together within your budget or we will support through where we can adjust and adapt ideas to be as close as possible to both your vision and budget!
The most difficult and least productive meetings are the ones where no budget is given. You wouldn't go to buy a car without telling the salesman in advance if you are in the market for a Range Rover, a Mercedes, a Volvo or a Focus. We request in our very first phone conversation that a budget be provided at the meeting.
Tradtional Wedding? .. not everybody wnats one here at Olivia Brooke we understand that everyone has there own ideas and vision for their day!
If you aren't planning a traditional wedding, then your flowers certainly don't have to be traditional either. And there's no need to limit yourself to roses and calla lilies. Why not try unusual blooms to mathc your venue if a barn or maruee more rstic english flower style blooms or maybe a more bright and tropical affair?also pull in fruit and vegetables like pomegranates, kale, apples—whatever speaks to the wedding and a bride's vision. You also don't have to limit your containers to clear glass vases, or candlebras —if it will hold water it can hold your flowers! adapt your style give your day the WOW factor!
Budget ?? theres that word again but why not look at your bridemaids bouquets being one area which still can compliment your style but just more cost effective after all you probably have brought their Dress, Shoes and Tiara!If you are on a tight budget, remember, it's your day—not your bridesmaids'. Make your bouquet perfect. Theirs can be smaller and simpler—and therefore less expensive. And if you're on a tight budget, don't ask 20 girls to be in your wedding. Twenty times anything is a lot!
Why not Hire from your florist?
When I provide items, from vases and votives to arches and gazebos, I know what works and what doesn't. I have tested my own materials; I know how long my candles will burn (creating ambiance for the whole night). When you give us items to use, have you washed them all and removed all the stickers? That becomes more [charged] labor on my end.
Detailed quote from your Florist!
Make sure that you get a detailed proposal from every florist you meet with and if possible, ask them for the exact stem of each flower that will be included. We always provide our brides with exactly the individual stems which will be used and if a certain flower is out of season and has had to be specially sourced this may impact the overall cost! This helps you to understand what is driving the cost since flowers are expensive. Also, it eliminates disappointment on your wedding day when you expected a large, lush arrangement as described but instead got a minimal amount of blooms and lots of filler. If you don't like or want greenery say so!Although if you show a picture of a magazine photo or photoshoot! remember some of these displays are £££ all ther money and look luscious that maybe over and above your budget but our Wedding team will always be honest and advise on this!
I hope some of these wedding flower tips have been useful If you are looking for a florist for your special day we are based in Sandhurst Berkshire and have a rather large radius in south East we cover please call one of the team today on 0800-470-2072
