Selecting Wedding Vendors: Say it with Flowers

They are a must for any elegant wedding. A well-done floral wedding decoration can change a sparsely decorated hall into a charming garden or fairy tale castle. Creativity, regardless of budget, can give any room a festive wedding atmosphere.

Working with flowers is very time-consuming, so don't be surprised by high prices. Many wedding florists arrive at the local flower Market in the wee hours of the morning to get the best selection. The flowers are conditioned in the shop in varying water temperatures and special solutions, depending on the type of flower.

Wedding florists use different methods for creating bouquets. The "wiring and taping" method involves replacing the stems with wires wrapped in green tape and inserting a little wet cotton ball into the base of the flowers to keep them fresh. The wedding bouquet becomes much lighter in weight, and not one hanging flower head is seen.

Many florists use moist floral foam, called an oasis, as a water base for the flower's stem. This saves quite a bit of work since the stems are simply pushed into the foam and remain nice and fresh. An oasis can be fitted into special handles for carried bouquets. Heavier blossoms require wire support. Keep in mind that large bridal or bridesmaids bouquets are essentially water containers that can become quite heavy and uncomfortable.

If you want to preserve your wedding bouquet, you can have it freeze-dried and stored in a shadow box. Freeze-drying is a rather expensive and lengthy process. Single, wilted flowers can be replaced with fresh ones.

Weddings with smaller budgets don't have to forego table decorations. A simple, cost-saving approach is to fill baskets with blooming plants (using four to six 3" x 4" containers) and to cover the tops of the pots with moss.

Recommendations:

• If you plan to throw your wedding bouquet, ask your florist for an extra one since a bouquet with a handle can be dangerous.
• Hand-tied bridal bouquets have become increasingly popular because of their natural appearance. However, they are not practical during hot summer days.
• If you want to preserve your wedding bouquet, find a company that specializes in freeze-drying or ask your florist for recommendations.
• Some flowers emit very strong scents and may cause discomfort for some. Alternatives are silk or dried flowers, or an attractive arrangement of greenery with bows and ribbons.
• Coordinate the floral decorations provided by the wedding florist and caterer. A coordinated look is more aesthetically pleasing than the contrast between the wedding caterer's tropical flowers on the buffet table and the florist's English garden flowers as table decoration.

Money Matters:

Prices among wedding florists vary. Those who quote a minimum price will let you decide how to split it between personal flowers and decoration.

To Save Money :

• Use flowers in season.
• Substitute expensive flowers with less expensive ones.
• Bouquets used at the wedding ceremony site can be brought to the reception. The money you save can be spent on personal flowers or on a beautiful cake table.
• Include your favorite expensive flowers in only half of your centerpieces.
• Include your bridal bouquet as part of the head-table decoration.
• Don't schedule your wedding around Mother's Day or Valentine's Day since flowers are twice as expensive at those times.