Weddingguide


	WEDDING FLOWERS
	by Bunches for Africa

	After you’ve decided on the date and colour scheme for your wedding, it’s
	time to work with your florist to create your dream image. Remember that
	wedding flowers allow you to add beauty, fragrance and colour to every aspect
	of your wedding. Like every other aspect of your wedding, the flowers should
	also fit your overall style and colour scheme.

	Whether you are having an intimate gathering or a lavish affair your wedding
	should reflect your individual style and it is thus extremely important for the
	overall look of the wedding to reflect the bride and groom’s individuality.
	Choosing the right theme and colour scheme, whether it is romantic or
	nostalgic, traditional or simplistic - the flowers will ultimately set the scene.

	Furthermore, the flowers, as well as those special touches throughout the day
	are extremely important and will ensure that your wedding is the most
	memorable day of your life. People mostly remember a wedding because of
	the wonderful and colourful wedding decorations.

	The type of venue, décor, colour and theme of your wedding or function plays
	an important role on that special day. With its explosion of colour and life,
	flowers will be a unique addition to your day.

	GENERAL ADVICE:
	The most successful weddings are planned and booked months in advance.
	Before meeting with any florist, take some time to browse through bridal
	magazines and internet for ideas.
	Before consulting a florist, make sure that you have a theme and that your
	venue has been booked, seeing that this is an important factor for the florist to
	plan your wedding flowers.
	Schedule a consultation with a florist and take along any pictures, material
	samples, etc. that reflect your ideas and personal taste.
	Ensure that you find a florist that specialises in weddings, because they are up
	to date with the latest trends and they know how to keep to your wedding time-
	lines.
	Ask to look at the florist’s portfolio of photos from previous weddings. This will
	tell whether you like the florist’s style and vision.
	It is valuable to get the florist involved in visiting the ceremony and reception
	sites to look at the fixed décor provided, as well as the layout and type of
	tables and chairs which are provided. These will influence the flower
	arrangements and décor themes and colours.
	Always take the season into consideration. By this we mean that the weather
	conditions play a very important role when selecting your flowers and your
	florist can provide you with specific guidelines and recommendations. Most
	flowers do not tolerate heat and will wilt quickly if it is a very hot day, so if you
	are planning to get married in the summer try to select hardy flowers that won’t
	wilt, such as Proteas, Anthiriums, Hydrangeas and Sunflowers.
	There is nothing worse than a centrepiece that is too large and doesn’t allow
	your guests to see each other across the table. So think about your seating
	arrangements and always bear that in mind when deciding on shapes and
	structures for your flower arrangements.





	Flowers should always look fresh during the ceremony and reception and you
	should therefore ensure that they are not left in the sun or set up too early,
	especially for an outside wedding.
	Always keep the flowers in a cold room for as long as possible before they
	need to be set up.

	HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON YOUR FLOWERS:
	Remember that local flowers and flowers that are in season will cost less than
	flowers that need to be sourced from another area or country.
	Be careful of planning your wedding day around Valentine’s Day, Mothers Day
	and Christmas, seeing that florists are very busy around these times and it
	might pose a great cost implication as the flowers’ prices increase dramatically
	because of the huge flower demand.
	Be honest with your florist about your budget as he/she can make suggestions
	regarding the most cost-effective flowers and arrangements.
	Find out if there isn’t another wedding being held at your church on the day,
	or the day before your wedding. If so, you could contact the bride and find out
	if she would like to share the cost of the flowers with you.
	Simplify your arrangements. As with any other item, the more extravagant the
	flower arrangements, the higher the cost. You can have simple, modern and
	elegant flowers without going over the top, seeing that stylish does not always
	mean that it has to be extravagantly big or too many flowers. A single stem in
	a small vase looks beautiful and stylish. The bottom line is therefore that the
	simpler and easier the arrangements are, the less expensive it will be.
	Use the larger arrangement you’ve used for the ceremony at the reception as
	well, as it will really save you a lot of money. Arrange with family or friends to
	move these for you.
	If your flower budget is a little cramped, you can save a lot of money by
	personally buying the wedding flowers from a wholesaler. You can create
	simple displays with i.e. three Gerberas, Tulips, etc. in a glass vase. If you
	wish, you could also use the bridesmaids’ bouquets as centrepieces. Believe it
	or not, this happens all the time.
	Instead of fresh-cut flowers, consider using potted plants as centrepieces.
	Garlands of ivy and greenery can be used for decorating doorways, isles and
	the fronts of tables, instead of flowers. These are less expensive and still
	create a focal point.
	Instead of a full bouquet of flowers for you and your bridesmaids, carry one or
	two dramatic flowers. They look just as elegant and the cost will be
	significantly less than full bouquets.
	For table decorations, consider using beautiful objects from nature with a few
	flowers or foliage. Things such as pine cones, native cones, bark, and
	fascinating small pieces of wood, shells and the like can be incorporated into
	your displays. Also consider costume jewellery, such as strands of faux pearls
	or attractive beads, twisted among the flowers.
	Use a reputable florist who is professional and efficient in doing flowers, décor
	and the entire setup as it saves you time and money. You might think that you
	save money by hiring some items from another supplier, but once you
	consider the entirety of the cost and time on your behalf, you might be
	pleasantly surprised when compared to the cost of a professional florist.