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Wedding Planning Articles

Tips on Choosing your Bridal Bouquet

Published by TheWeddingSite.com - All about getting married in Malta

choosing_bouquet

Whilst a bride would hope to add a personal significance to her bouquet, one should also realise that in the past times, a great deal of symbolism surrounded wedding bouquets.

If we take a look at the customs of ancient times we see that a symbol of fertility was at the heart of the tradition and the bride would carry items such as bundles of wheat and only later various floral garlands. Today we perhaps neglect the fertility sign, but we have held steadfast on to the beauty and romance inspired by the floral bouquet.

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Your bouquet should complement your wedding dress. It is not difficult to go over the top with a gorgeous yet overpowering arrangement, but you have to envisage the finished picture before making a final choice. Small bouquets are popular, such as the round cluster bouquet, and are available in any number of different flower combinations. You should avoid a heavy elaborate bouquet that cannot balance the dress or the build of the bride.

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Essentially, if the bouquet is too big it will be difficult to manage and will also draw attention away from the bride and her dress. Remember that the proportions of any decorations and accessories worn by the bride and her bridesmaids have to be taken into consideration before a final decision can be taken.

The personal touch of the bride can be exhibited by matching her style with the overall theme and atmosphere of the wedding.  Sometimes we see an unexpected colour as the base flower and well it should, if the personality of the bride can take it.

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There is an infinite range of colours and shades to choose from and probably the best advice is to go with what suits you and to stick to a blend of colours rather than a single one.  Contrast is always good especially against the single colouring of a wedding gown. Also if you decide on an extravagant gown perhaps the best bouquet is a simple one and vice versa. Either way the effect can be elegant and graceful and balanced.

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On a practical note, bear in mind the amount of time the flowers will be on show. From the moment you are taking photographs to the time that you are at the reception, the flowers will have to endure at least half the time in the open air, which can be very dehydrating. Select flowers that suit the local environment and, if necessary, use a bouquet holder whereby flowers will be held constantly in a small amount of water.

Wedding Planning Articles

Types of Bridal Bouquets

Published by TheWeddingSite.com - All about getting married in Malta

types_bridal_bouquets

There are so many different styles of bouquets, corsages and other flower arrangements. The different varieties of flowers and their colours are infinite, but not all are suitable for a wedding occasion.

Allow a reputable florist to guide you and narrow down what could be an overwhelming decision process.

While the symbol of purity is represented by white flowers and hence is often used as part of the bride’s bouquet, it is becoming more and more popular to choose different colours that match the overall theme of the wedding as well as the bride’s personality and the dresses. Colours can leave a great impact on the pale colours of the bride’s gown.

Evolving fashion has left us with many variations of the standard themes below. Generally, there are two types of bridal bouquet; one that is intended to be held in the hand just below the waist and the other is held across the arms. The second option allows any prominent detail of the dress to be seen if a hand-held bouquet were to cover it.

Also note that long dresses can take a larger bouquet than the knee length dress and in fact, single blooms are more popular with this second dress style.

Here are the basic bouquet designs:

The Cascade Bouquet

 

Wedding Flowers - Cascade

This bouquet is the most traditional and formal of all designs.  The image is based on the waterfall effect that flowing downwards flowers make. There is a tendency to use white flowers blended with greenery and the effect is this cascade of loosely held flowers down the front of the bride’s gown.  The traditional flowers used include white roses, lilies and stephanotis, which is a waxy fragrant flower.

The cascading bouquet is more suited to a dress that has full skirts and not to the shorter length dress. Also be careful to balance the bride’s frame. While the style is slimming it is not ideal for the small frame.

Round Cluster Bouquet (The Nosegay)

 

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This style is round and smaller than the others. It is usually made up of a tight bundle of flowers and very little greenery. The flowers used are generally mixed, both in colour and variety.  The name nosegay came from the 14th century when this style was used to hide odours.

Flowers include roses, gerberas, ranunculus, mini carnations, freesia, asters and monte casino. The nosegay draws the attention to the middle part of the body and as a result is not actually ideal for rather tall brides or those who have wide hips.

The Hand-tied or Loose-tied Bouquet

 

Wedding Flowers - Hand Tied

This design is slightly more informal and has become popular because it shows the stems of the flowers and greenery and has that garden casual feel.
The spring flowers are tied around the stems with ribbon or lace. The flowers used may include roses, scabiosa and sweet peas and the flowers can have movement, hence less formal.

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Wedding Planning Articles

The Attendants’ Bouquets

Published by TheWeddingSite.com - All about getting married in Malta

the attendants bouquets

While the bouquets of the bridesmaids can be very similar to the bride’s, the subtle differences are very important.  The overall theme of the wedding is extended to the attendants’ bouquets, but they are usually smaller than the bride’s bouquet.

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The Maid of Honour’s bouquet is different once again from the one of the bridesmaids.  Corsages may also be used instead of bouquets.

Flower girls may carry small bouquets or baskets of flowers. Round balls of flowers (pomander balls) may be suspended from ribbon coloured loops.

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Wedding Planning Articles

Corsages

Published by TheWeddingSite.com - All about getting married in Malta

corsages

The corsages traditionally identify the special female family members of the ceremony, namely the mothers and grandmothers of the bride and the groom, and the maid of honour.

Below are a few points worth considering should you choose to have them.

First of all, prices range considerably.  Thus if you are confined to a specific budget you should go for a simple design or limit the corsages to the mothers only.

How is a corsage worn?  There are three traditional ways to wear a corsage. The first way is to pin it to the left lapel of the dress, sometimes extending over the shoulder. Alternatively it can be pinned to a purse or worn around the wrist. Whichever way is chosen the corsage should match the colour scheme of the dresses.

Generally the corsage is slightly larger than the boutonnieres worn by the gentlemen, but limited to a size that does not become too heavy to wear. If the design is disproportionate, real flowers can pull on the fabric of a dress. When a dried or silk arrangement is worn, be especially careful to guard against damage to the design itself, especially at the point where it is attached.

Another option, instead of a corsage, is to use a single rose or tiny bouquet tied with fine silk and ribbon. It is also a consideration when looking at cost and actually popular because it is very effective in wedding photographs.

Should costs permit, while a corsage is intended for family members, you may wish to use them as a token of thanks to special friends. The courtesy may even be extended to the other individuals directly involved in the ceremony, such as the readers, and the soloist or musicians.


Photo by Tai Gray from Provo, USA (Corsage Uploaded by France3470) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Wedding Planning Articles

Bouttonnières

Published by TheWeddingSite.com - All about getting married in Malta

 

boutonnieres

Of equal importance to the bride’s and attendants’ bouquets are the traditional boutonnières or button holes worn by the groom, his bestman, the ring bearer, the ushers, as well as the father, brothers and grandfathers of the bride and groom. The boutonnière is worn on the left lapel.

 

The groom usually has one which is made from the same flowers as the bride’s bouquet, standing out from the other’s. It may also be a different type of flower all together or just a different colour or arrangement.

 

Generally the fathers and grandfathers have boutonnières that match the colour schemes of their partners. The best man and the ushers usually wear ones that match the attire of the bridesmaids.

 

Roses are a popular choice for the button hole, but other flowers include the carnations, fuschias, orchids, freesias and stephanotis.

Wedding Planning Articles

5 Money Saving Tips on Wedding Flowers

Published by TheWeddingSite.com - All about getting married in Malta

money_saving_flowers
Whatever your budget is … you will always want to make the most of it.  Your florist will work with you to help you achieve this and equally important, the florist will guide you in your choice of fresh flowers and their alternatives. Below are some practical suggestions that may save you some money.

While our imagination may get the best of us, it is important to remember that flowers in season at the time of your wedding will always bear the best value. Another alternative which can reduce costs even further are silk flowers, which can even be rented, or maybe dried flowers.

  1. Keep it simple.

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    Sometimes less is more.  Style does not have to mean extravagant. Keep in mind that the size of the bouquets must balance and complement the dresses and thus, expenses can be saved by having simpler arrangements.  Single flowers are also very effective and may be considered for the bridesmaids, mothers and grandmothers. Using ribbon, tulle and greenery can fill out the bouquets.

  2. Make use of less expensive flowers.

    Opt for the less expensive flowers that are in-season. This applies for bouquets, arrangements and centrepieces.  Mixing in greenery enhances bouquets and saves you money.

  3. Go artificial.

    Consider renting out artificial floral arrangements to decorate your home, ceremony and reception venues.

  4. Centerpieces

    centrepieces
    Instead of ordering flower arrangements for your reception, you could use your bouquets as centrepieces. Just have some vases with water ready on your tables. You could also use other decorations instead, such as candles, photo frames, crystals, petals and glass decorations such as mason jars with floating candles.

  5. DIY

    The other option is to put the flowers together yourself. If you decide to take this route, do get some element of advice, so that you will not overlook the smallest details. This option is only suggested if you have adequate experience in the subject.

Either way, remember that logistics and plans can change. A practical time frame for final decisions is 3 months.

Wedding Planning Articles

Flowers for your Wedding Ceremony

Published by TheWeddingSite.com - All about getting married in Malta

flowers_wedding_ceremony
When choosing the decorations for your wedding ceremony, always keep in mind the fact that these decorations will only be enjoyed for a very short time, most often for less than an hour. In other words, as the reception last much longer, it is well worth spending more on the decorations at the recpetion venue than at the ceremony venue.
Flowers are not the only popular item used for decorating a venue. Greenery and material can adorn the candelabras and free standing items with permission if necessary. With or without a charge these items may provide fewer things to consider hiring.
There are possibilities that the occasion of your wedding falls on the same day as another. You definitely need to make enquiries around this, and should this be the case, an arrangement may be possible between the two parties which might involve the sharing of flowers along with their expenses.

 

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Alternatively should your wedding be during a religious event, the decorations that are already present at the church may form the basis of your colour schemes and also considerably reduce the overall quantity needed.
Remember that the church altar is the focus of attention for most of the ceremony. For this reason, it will be wise to centre the decorations around the altar rather than anywhere else. This way, you will achieve optimal visual effect.
The other prominent area seen during the ceremony is the aisle and therefore the pews. While it can be expensive to decorate every pew it is useful to consider decorating perhaps every second or third pew instead. Ribbon is extremely popular along the pews and you can drape material and greenery yourself very easily, again reducing costs.

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Another item which however might not always be necessary, is the aisle runner. In many cases it has been considered impractical and cumbersome for the bride.  Thus, it is advisable to consider this carefully.

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These days the quality of silk and dried flowers is excellent and they make a tasteful alternative to real, fresh flowers. In some cases they prove invaluable for those guests who suffer from allergies.
Remember to talk to the appropriate parties before decorating the church to avoid any misunderstandings or improper etiquette.

 

Wedding Planning Articles

Flowers for your Wedding Reception

Published by TheWeddingSite.com - All about getting married in Malta

flowers_wedding_reception

The entrance to your wedding reception should be decorated to provide the deserved impact which a wedding occasion merits.  It is reasonable to expect that the decorations here will take the form of a grand display with complementing arrangements on every table.

Large features in the room such as the fireplace, beams, alcoves, windows and even chandeliers, can be dressed up for the day.

One of the best ways to make the most of your flower arrangements is to display the bride and bridesmaids’ bouquets as centrepieces at the head table or cake table.

Another idea is use as ornaments on the guest-book table or the area where the gifts are located.  Don’t be surprised by the fact that some guests would be interested in a closer look at the bouquets, so why waste them?

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At the reception venue, consider your theme carefully and bear in mind all the places you need to decorate.  Take a good look around to make sure that you view all the areas your guests have access to. These include staircases, lattice walls, toilet facilities, cloakroom, bars, patio areas and other outside spaces or quiet rooms.

Make sure you determine the effect of the existing lighting and how it can be used to illuminate your displays. Supplement this lighting, if need be, with the familiar, tiny, white bulbs draped through greenery, along the length of the stairs and their banisters or above the windows and alcoves.

 

flowers_wedding_reception

 

Next step is to calculate the quantity of flowers you will need and locate a suitable supplier.  Large quantities can command good prices if you shop around so take the initiative and ask.  Think about the advantages of renting plants for large areas.  If you want to use freshly cut flowers, such as the classic rose or lily, tulip, or lilac, the effect can be pure grace, simply by placing them in a vase.  This completely avoids the need to master flower arranging.

To limit the quantity of fresh flowers in centrepieces, pad them out using ribbons, candles and greenery.   You can even try to buy decorating accessories when they are being sold at discount prices.  There are many sales, especially at Christmas time, that could provide a good supply of well priced items, typically the white lights, candles, balloons and other great ideas for your theme.

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Tulle is another accessory that is used as a substitute for fresh flowers.  It consists of either fine lace or ribbon netting.  It can be made from silk. Generally it is seen as bows, pockets, bags, drapes and any number of different styles of bundles to accompany the centrepieces.

Always check at the reception venue if any complimentary flower arrangements will be included.  Should this be the case be sure to coordinate carefully with your chosen theme.

Wedding Planning Articles

Wedding Floral Trends

Published by TheWeddingSite.com - All about getting married in Malta

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Fashion will always influence the choices we make for an occasion of such magnitude, but as fashion is so varied, today’s bride is faced with choices that are endless.  As times and traditions change brides can look further beyond the simple bouquet of plain white flowers with ferns. These days, anything goes!

To narrow these choices, TheWeddingSite.com has put together some of the more popular trends to guide and perhaps inspire you. Take a look…

White is the symbol of joy and traditionally for this reason associated with weddings. It is no wonder that high on the list of favourites is the ”champagne wedding”, which includes a theme of all-white, fragrant bouquets for the attendants and bride.

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If a simple, stylish theme is what you are seeking then the perfect complement to an uncluttered gown is the single lily.

On the other hand, if the theme ”bold is beautiful” suits your style, then the full colour spectrum offers countless themes.  These include the large yellow sunflower, the bright-coloured tulip or the mixed blend of the posy bouquet.

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Other contrasts to the classic “champagne” wedding theme are the rich, saturated colours of rose, burgundy and deep violet. Their rise in popularity can be seen in many brides’ and attendants’ bouquets.

The influence of the Victorian era can also be seen at many weddings. The Victorian wedding is full of romance, etiquette and quaint touches of sentiment. Colours include the soft blush of the rose and sweet sentiment of the orange blossom.

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Flowers are the heart of the traditional bridal head wreath or coronet, and thus, the theme for the bouquets starts here and extends to the flower girls. Mothers of the bride can be given a single flower to carry, or another popular form is the simple pretty nosegay.

Another consideration is to coordinate the florist with the caterer so that the floral theme is progressed at the table. The ideas flow as far as decorating the cake knife, the goblets, or serving plates with flowers.
Such detail is stunning and completes the atmosphere of the reception beautifully.

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Wedding Planning Articles

More about your Wedding Flowers

Published by TheWeddingSite.com - All about getting married in Malta

more_about_flowers

 

So much advice can be shared on the subject of flowers for the big day. Below are real pieces of advice that have proven to be very useful and practical.

There is always the chance that one of the flower bearers or people close to the flowers is allergic. The best thing to do is to first check with those directly concerned to avoid potential mishaps.

One of the popular trends, is to match the colour scheme of the flowers with the pertinent details on the dress. Both the headpiece and the bouquet would naturally coordinate with embroidered items or accessories featured on the dress.

It is extremely symbolic to choose flowers because of the meaning associated with them.  As a further challenge try to remember that while colour and meaning are important, so is the fragrance that fills a room. The scent of gardenias, peonies, stephanotis and tuberoses are particularly popular, but remember that if you have a particular wish for an unusually scented flower, you should give the florist ample time to order it.

In many cases flowers have drooped during the day because the effects of the heat and sunlight have been overlooked. Fresh flowers should be cut at the last possible time.  Secondly, these arrangements should be kept in some water, or possibly in the refrigerator, until the time that they will be carried.  At this time, it is wise to have towels at hand to blot out any possible water dripping.
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Do not try to conceal the stems of flowers in the bouquet as this actually produces a rather artificial look. Make sure the stems can be clearly seen and arrange them so that they diminish towards the ends.  The presence of greenery in the bouquet acts as a useful backdrop to focus attention of the flowers themselves and also provides support in the bouquet.

One convenient touch is to make two bouquets for the bride. One can be used up to the point when the bride tosses her bouquet after the reception and the second serves as another memento of the day.

The florist will want to know as much information about your ideas for the flowers as possible. Everything from photos, pictures or sketches, to colour guides that narrow down the exact tone of a colour, are essential in order to help the florist understand what you have in your mind and create what you want.

Lastly, it is better not to wait until the day to find out how to pin the flowers that are to be worn in the bride’s hair or on the dress. Make sure that you are confident and be careful to avoid stains from the petals or particularly the pollen.