Wedding Flowers
A wedding is one of the most important occasions in a person’s life. A wedding would just not be the same without flowers. There are many different varieties of flowers, colours and designs to choose from. Every bride wants her wedding to be memorable and the flowers provide the finishing touch to this very special day.
Bridal Designs
The flowers can be a simple or elaborate design depending on the type of wedding that is being planned. Flowers in their own right are beautiful. A skilled floral designer can turn these flowers into a work of art in the same way a dress designer can turn a length of fabric into an exquisite gown. For a very simple wedding the flowers may only consist of a single long stemmed rose for the bride. An elaborate wedding could run into thousands of dollars. Most weddings fall somewhere between the two. An average wedding could consist of a bouquet for the bride, the bridesmaids, and a flower-girl, hairpieces, corsages for the mothers and button holes for the bridegroom and groomsmen, flowers for the church and the reception.
Different Styles Of Bouquets
There are different styles of bouquets. Round, posy, trailer, sheaf, crescent, line and cascade bouquets. Large trailing bouquets particularly suit romantic wedding gowns. An elegant line bouquet is a good choice for a slim fitting gown. A modern style bouquet will suit the contemporary bride.
The Bridesmaid’s Bouquets
The bridesmaids’or matron of honour’s flowers should never overshadow those of the brides. After all, it is the bride’s special day. The bridesmaid’s bouquet can be a different style or a smaller version of the bride’s bouquet using another variety of flowers or in another colour.
The Flower Girl
A lovely arrangement positioned at the door will welcome guests. Arrangements can be placed on either side of the alter. Pew decorations can be made with wide ribbon or tulle. These can be can be a small posy similar to the bridesmaids’, a snowball or a basket of flowers. A hoop covered with ribbon with a garland of flowers and foliage entwined around is a lovely idea.
Harmony
The build of the bride should be taken into account. A small posy or a single long stemmed flower would look out of proportion carried by a large girl. A very petite girl will be overwhelmed by a huge cascading bouquet.
The flowers should suit the personality of the bride. A bride who dresses in the latest fashion will most likely want something very individual when it comes to flowers. Perhaps a modern style bouquet of exotic flowers such as anthuriums with tropical leaves.
Colour
Traditionally, white flowers are still the most popular choice for wedding flowers. Pastel shades are also very popular. A bride who wants a dramatic look could have a bouquet of bright jewel coloured flowers. This could look very effective if the bridesmaids are wearing vivid coloured dresses and carrying similar coloured bouquets.
Theme
Flowers will look most effective when a theme is followed through. The theme might be classical, romantic, dramatic, ultra modern or exotic. Carry this theme through the bridal party’s flowers, the church and through to the reception area. This will give a feeling of unity to the wedding day.
Fill a container filled one third of water and strip off the lower leaves that would come under the water line as foliage left under the water will pollute the water.
A small amount of flower preservative or a capful of household bleach added to the water will help the flowers last longer.
Place the flowers in a cool place and allow them to to have a long drink for several hours before arranging them.
In the floristry course you will learn special care tips for the different varieties of flowers and foliage so they will last the longest possible time.
Flowers For The Church
A lovely arrangement positioned at the door will welcome guests. Arrangements can be placed on either side of the alter. Pew decorations can be made with wide ribbon or tulle.These can be made into bows with long streamers and accented with sprays of flowers. Always find out the church’s policy in regard to using flowers.
Reception Flowers
Large arrangements full of flowers with cascading stems of foliage, table centre-pieces, garlands of flowers placed around the bridal table can all play an important part of a memorable wedding day. Twinkling fairy lights can be wound around foliage to give a magical romantic effect.
Instructions On How To Make A Hand Tied Bouquet
2. Choose suitable materials – you will need flowers with fairly long stems such as roses, irises, carnations, alstroemeria, freesias, Singapore orchids and lisianthus. Suitable foliage is eucalyptus gum, box, ivy, nandina or leather fern. A mixed bouquet looks best using three to four varieties of flowers plus foliage.
3. Cut the ends of the stems on a slant and give flowers a long drink. Strip off the lower foliage from the ends of the stems. Lay the flowers out on the table. Start with the largest flower to form the centre. Hold the stem in the left hand about 15-20cm (6-8″) from the base of the flower head. With the right hand, add about 4 – 6 foliage stems evenly around, criss-crossing the stems on an angle working clockwise in the same direction. Secure the stems in place by placing the end of a piece of string and winding it around a couple of times. Do not cut the string.
4. Place 5-6 of the same type of flowers out further and evenly around. If desired, place a small flower between each one and secure in place with a couple of twists of string. Keep the bouquet a gentle rounded shape across the top, like an upside-down saucer shape and criss-cross all the stems in the same direction and give the bouquet a quarter turn clockwise every now and again. Secure stems in position with string at the same place as before when necessary. Continue adding flowers and foliage until the bouquet is the desired size and then secure with string, winding it firmly around several times at the same place. Cut the string about 15cm long and tuck the end in.
5. Cut the ends off the flower and foliage stems so they are about 6-8″ (15-20cm) long and all the same level. Spray lightly with water.
6. Finish off the bouquet by tying a piece of wide ribbon around the bouquet to cover the string and tie the ribbon in a bow with long tails and cut the ends on a slant.
This design is explained briefly – in the floristry course each step is explained step by step with diagrams and an online video for each lesson.
Wedding Designs
In the floristry course you will learn how to create many different styles of bridal designs including corsages, round, trailer, crescent, modern and cascade bouquets, boutonnières and designs for the hair. How to preserve a bridal bouquet for a lasting memento of the wedding day.
How to arrange beautiful flower arrangements for the church and the wedding reception.
How to be a bridal consultant or wedding specialist.
Do what you love to do and become involved in the wonderful world of floral design.