During Queen Victoria’s reign in the Victorian era, publication of The Language of Flowers initiated flowers as a language through which lovers communicated.
Since then, multiple publications have detailed “floriography” and the result is each flower has a “meaning” assigned to it. These meanings are not considered completely authoritative and are even viewed as arbitrary by some, so recent trends are toward selecting what you like – for appearance and fragrance.
Ceremony
Flowers for the ceremony can comprise aisle runners, altar vase arrangements, groomsmen and father boutonnières and bridal bouquets. Arguably, the most visible element is the bride’s bouquet.
If your location is a resort, country club, hotel or other remote location, flowers can provide another décor element to really help the photos pop. Often, the flowers from the ceremony can be moved to the reception site and used as décor for the head table or various parts of the banquet room – cake table, buffet tables, DJ station, stage, etc.
Reception
There are traditionally four aspects to floral arrangements for the reception aspect of a reception: centerpieces, room décor, throw bouquet and cake flowers. To each’s own on which of these are most important to your special day.
As previously mentioned, sometimes ceremony flowers or arrangements are moved to the reception. This definitely saves on expense. They can then be rearranged for the head table or sweetheart table or even the cake table.
Centerpieces vary based on your tastes and budget. They can be extravagant, tall, metal creations with hanging floral and candles or they could be more subtle, small 10” high displays. Sometimes it’s simply rose petals and votive candles. Sometimes it’s candles floating in water with no floral.
There are different takes on the bride’s bouquet. In the old days, the bride tossed her precious bouquet to the single ladies. Nowadays, a smaller, toss-specific bouquet is arranged for this tradition. For those that choose to not toss a bouquet, the bride’s bouquet continues to be dried and saved or even presented to say grandparents or the couple that introduced the bride and groom to each other.
Cake floral design depends on your tastes. Some brides dig flowers, some don’t. Make sure they are non-toxic (duh) if you plan to put them on the cake. Simple petals surrounding the cake also makes a beautiful statement.
Who pays for what?
Bride / Brides Family
• Bridesmaids bouquets
• Flower decorations – for the wedding ceremony and wedding reception
Groom / Grooms Family
• Bridal bouquet
• The going away corsage
• Both mothers’ corsages
• The boutonnieres
May the fragrant aroma of your floral choices fill your wedding and marriage!!