Search “wedding flowers” on the internet, and you will find there are nearly half-a-billion entries.  Like so many aspects of wedding planning, the amount of information online regarding the floral elements of your wedding day is truly overwhelming.  While it great to have ample resources for inspiration and information, it is easy to hit the saturation point or to lose sight of your own personal ideas in the midst of online research.

June became a traditional month for weddings, according to folklore, because Juno was the Roman goddess of marriage.  However, the lovely weather and availability of flowers is another great reason.  It is hard to imagine a wedding without flowers.  It is one of the most iconic, timeless and personal elements of any wedding.  Here are some guiding thoughts to keep in mind as you begin to develop your plans for the floral elements of your wedding.

MOOD:  I like to ask couples what mood or atmosphere they want to evoke or experience at their wedding.  Fun? Romantic? Elegant? Sophisticated? Ethereal? Flowers can play a big role in conveying the spirit of the day.  Whether you choose bold and unconventional colors and designs or classical and elegant arrangements, the floral components are a key part of the mood of your wedding attire, ceremony, and reception.

COLOR:  The color palette of your wedding also helps to establish the atmosphere of the day.  From the bridal party’s attire to the linens and flowers, the colors contribute to your experience and your guests’ memories of your day.  Between Mother Nature and talented horticulturalists, we are spoiled with an amazing array of colors to work with when it comes to floral design.  Have fun with it!  Whether you are envisioning a classic color scheme of creamy whites and ivories or rich shades of reds and pinks, ask about the varieties and shades to consider.  And what you choose for the ceremony doesn’t necessarily have to be mirrored in the reception.  You might want an understated elegant vibe at your ceremony and a more vibrant blast of color for an evening of dancing. 

FLOWERS AND BEYOND:  While the bulk of your floral arrangements will consist of flowers and greenery, there are lots of other elements you could incorporate.  You might want some natural elements like grasses, shells, feather, or berries incorporated into bouquets, an arbor, or centerpieces.  Plants and herbs can also add an unexpected and varied touch to arrangements.  Take note of what catches your eye out in the natural world and ask your florist to help you incorporate these touches into your floral arrangements.

SYMBOLISM:  We may all be familiar with the red rose as a symbol of love, but there is a whole language associated with flower types and colors.  Look for ways to bring this symbolic aspect of nature into your wedding day.  Maybe you want to choose certain flowers or greens for their symbolic meaning.  Or perhaps you want to choose a detail that is shared such as a certain type of flower in both the groom’s boutonniere and his mother’s flowers.  Perhaps you want to incorporate a certain flower to honor a loved one’s memory.  Ask me for ways to add another level of meaning to make your flowers truly unique. 

SCALE:  In some cases, “Go big, or go home” are words to live by, but this isn’t necessarily true when it comes to planning the flowers for your wedding.  A large, loosely structured and natural bouquet can look amazing, but it can also look like it’s stealing the show from the bride.  Likewise, a richly adorned arbor can create a fairytale setting for a ceremony, but with the wrong sense of scale or use of color, the couple can get a bit lost in the scenery.  Your florist should be able to help you develop your floral vision wisely keeping in mind the venue, your personal style, the mood you want to evoke, and your budget.

BUDGET:  There are lots of helpful articles out there that cover standard percentages of your wedding budget to devote to flowers and ways to stretch your budget dollars.  A conscientious florist will help you work within your means and help guide you and educate you on how you can achieve the look you want for your wedding day in a way that reflects you, your style, and your comfort level.  Whether the sky is the limit as you plan your big day or you are working within a budget, be sure your florist conveys a desire to be sure your floral designs truly reflect you and are a memorable element of your wedding day.