• Bride’s bouquet
• Bride’s headpiece (optional)
• Bride’s tossing bouquet (if she wants to keep her bouquet)
• Boutonnieres (groom, groomsmen, other special guests)
• Bridesmaids’ bouquets
• Bridesmaids’ headpieces ( optional)
• Corsages (mother of bride, mother of groom, grandmothers, other special guests)
• Flower girl basket and its contents
• Thank you arrangements (to acknowledge those who have contributed to the day – this is optional)
• Pews/chairs at ceremony site
• Altar
• Around religious statues/deities/paintings
• Head table (where bridal party sits)
• Cake table
• Reception table
• Centre-pieces for the reception
• Buffet tables
• Railings
• Cake topper flowers

• The cost of flowers depends on the volume, seasonality and types of flowers used. Generally, flowers will consume about 10% of your wedding budget.
• Regional flowers like anthuriums, orchids, ginger lilies and heliconias, to name a few, tend to be cheaper than foreign ones like roses and lilies.
• You should also find out if the florist/floral designer hand-ties and wires each bloom to a bouquet or places them into a plastic bouquet holder. This often has a difference in cost.

• The choice of flowers can be traditional, contemporary, formal or casual. The style generally depends on the couple’s taste, budget, theme of the wedding, colour scheme and reception décor.
• Usually, your decorator can give you good advice on the style of floral arrangements to be used. This will also ensure that the floral arrangements fit in with the décor they have planned.
• Some local decorators can also do floral design or they can recommend good florists/floral designers they’ve worked with in the past. A good idea is to meet with the decorator and the florist/ floral designer together, at least once, well in advance of the wedding.
• If you are not using a decorator, you can always ask the manager at your reception venue to recommend good florists.

What should the bride’s bouquet look like?

The size and style of the bride’s bouquet depends on the bride’s personal style, the design of her dress, the degree of formality of the wedding and the physical size of the bride herself ( it would certainly look out of proportion to have a petite bride carrying a very large bouquet !).

Bridal bouquets can be done in many different styles: cascade, spray bouquet, arm bouquet, hand tied bouquet or no bouquet at all – just a single flower.

Traditionally, the bridal bouquet is different but complimentary to the bridesmaids’ bouquets.

• You should book your florist at least 4-6 months before the wedding.
• Ask for referrals and recommendations and do your own research to get estimates for florists’ costs. However, some local florists prefer not to give you estimates over the phone, so you may have to make an appointment, since they prefer for you to come in and see the different types of flowers, look through their catalogues and chat with you more about the wedding’s décor.
• Before making an appointment, ask if they offer a free consultation and estimates. If they do, you should set up a date and time to meet (if you have a decorator, be sure to consider their availability as well, for that date)
• Ask to see the florist’s portfolio of work and/or actual samples he/she may have in the store or studio. Alternatively, you can ask to visit a wedding/function to see his/her work.
• Get a first impression of the florist’s shop – this is usually a good indication of the person’s professionalism and creativity
• Ask if he/she will be working on any other weddings or functions on the same day of your wedding. You need a florist who will be dedicated to your special day and if not, at least ensure that functions on the same day have a wide time span e.g. if you have a morning wedding and the florist has to do a party at night, it would probably be acceptable to book him/her.
• Ask about delivery time and place e.g. will the bride be getting her bouquet at home or at the ceremony? If at the ceremony, be sure to arrange for someone to collect it.
• Enquire about the deposit required and when it should be paid, as well as when the balance is due.
• Get testimonials or contact information of past customers
• Once you book your florist, get an invoice outlining cost per item, types of flowers, types of containers to be used (e.g. glass/ceramic/pottery vases etc.) and delivery time and date.
• Once you pay a deposit, ensure that you get a receipt
• Remember to pay off the outstanding balance before the wedding!

• Boutonnieres are traditionally worn on the left lapel.
• The groom also traditionally wears a different flower than his groomsmen.
• A flower-type (e.g. rose, orchid, tube-rose etc.) that is already in the bride’s bouquet should be used.
• The groom’s boutonniere should not exceed 4 inches, including the stem.

• Invest in floral décor in the areas where guests and the photographer will see flowers most e.g. altar, backdrop to head table, on head table itself, centerpieces etc.
• Choose single-stem flowers for bridesmaid’s bouquets e.g. calla lilies, spray of orchids, anthurium etc.
• Use more greenery and ribbon as opposed to flowers
• Use one or two expensive flowers in a bouquet and surround them with cheaper flowers like carnations, anthuriums, chrysanthemums, baby’s breath, etc.
• Split the cost of ceremony site flowers with a couple getting married on the same day, day before or day after.
• Use a potted plant (in a clean/decorated container) as a centerpiece
• Use high-quality silk flowers, since these can be re-used afterwards
• Try not to schedule your wedding near to major flower-giving occasions like Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day and Christmas, since flower prices usually increase during those times.
• Ask a talented friend/relative who does floral design as a hobby, to do your arrangements and bouquets for you. This option is risky and you need to ensure that they can deliver the quality and style that you desire. You also need to ensure that they have the time to devote to this task both prior to and on the day of the wedding.
• Use petals from a friend’s/relative’s/your own home garden, for the flower girl’s basket Use petals from a friend’s/relative’s/your own home garden, for the flower girl’s basket
• If possible, transfer flowers from the ceremony site to the reception site, before guests arrive.
• Instead of using flowers on the receiving table at the reception, use a framed photograph(s) of you and your fiancé (e) and scatter flower petals, to add a touch of romance
• Instead of costly floral centerpieces float a single bloom and some tea-lights in a wide glass bowl.
• Some floral designers can provide accessories such as arches, centerpiece containers and candelabras, at competitive prices. Before you decide to rent these items, find out if they would fit in with your budget and your decorator’s design plan

• Trendier bouquets tend to have fabric ribbons, lace, organza, feathers, pearls, decorative pins, silver/gold foil confetti and other embellishments included in them.
• Have each bridesmaid carry a different, brightly coloured bouquet
• Have flower girls hold a miniature version of the bride’s bouquet
• Place a single bloom at each place setting, for a romantic effect
• Instead of rice and confetti, why not try rose petal confetti? You can dry real rose petals or buy silk ones.

• Orchids symbolize…ecstasy, nobility and distinction
• Lily … youthful innocence, majesty, sweetness
• White rose…love, beauty, respect, unity, silence, worthy of thy love
• Pink rose…beauty, grace, femininity, grace
• Peach rose… immortality, unequalled charms, wonderful qualities
• Yellow rose…forgiveness, friendship
• Ivy….wedded love, fidelity, constancy
• Red carnation…Alas! My poor heart
• Full red rose…beauty
• Chrysanthemum…cheerfulness in old age

• Discuss a back-up plan with your florist, in the event that your chosen flowers aren’t available on the day
• If you get the opportunity to see actual arrangements the florist has worked on, check for damaged/wilted flowers, ensure that the containers are clean and that you cannot see the “skeleton” of the floral arrangements, such as floral wire, tape, oasis, chicken wire and tubes. All of these things should warn you against choosing a florist/floral designer.
• Ask if the florist will stay to pin on corsages, mist arrangements etc. before the ceremony and if there will be any additional charge for that service
• Let the florist know whether your wedding will be indoor/outdoor, the style and colour of your wedding dress (if possible bring a photo and/fabric swatches), your bridal attendants’ dresses, your favourite types of flowers and your planned reception décor. Remember be specific about your wishes!