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by elaine mccord, March 22, 2010

Flowers-The Essentials

Flowers at your ceremony and reception bring color, beauty and joy to you and your guests. They are an essential part of your wedding décor. So, Enchanted Brides called on expert florist Elaine McCord to answer important questions about the flowers at your wedding.

Q: With so many people involved in the wedding whom do brides need to remember to buy flowers for and who usually pays for the flowers?

A: “The personal flower expenses are traditionally divided among the bride and groom. The bride places the total order with the designer.”
The Groom is responsible for:

• The Bridal Bouquet
• The Mother and Grandmother's flowers
• The Groomsmen’s Boutonnieres

The Bride is responsible for:

• Bridesmaids Bouquets
• Toss Bouquets
• Vocalists
• Readers
• Female Guest Register Attendants
   

Q: When do brides need to order their flowers?

A: To order flowers, I generally like to meet with brides about eight months from the wedding date. Not before they have their venues booked and the color of their bridesmaids dress selected.

Q: Why is this important?

A: It is a waste of everyone’s time to meet and develop a design plan that lends itself to specific venues and color schemes only to have to begin all over again. It is important for the bride and her family to have discussed the floral budget before meeting with the floral designer. It is so disheartening to quote a bride the wedding of her dreams, only to find out “after the fact” that it is not going to happen. We can accommodate all of her needs without exceeding the budget if we know in advance what is expected.

Q: When do flowers need to be delivered to the ceremony and reception site?

A: The perfect delivery in my opinion is about 2 hours before the wedding party and the photographers arrive. This allows us time to complete the set up and fine tune everything so that we can proceed to the reception site which requires more execution time.

Q: Where do the flowers need to be placed at the ceremony and reception?

A: At the Ceremony:

• Entrances: placing flowers at doors and gates are a welcoming gesture
• Registration Area: gives guests a preview of what is to come
• Pews: Frame the bridal aisle
• Altar: used to enhance the ambiance

At the Reception:

• All guest tables: this is where the guests will spend most of their time and the centerpieces can make or break the entire ambiance of the room.
• The Buffet Table: florists need to remember to communicate with the caterers!
   

Q: Why is it important to have flowers at a wedding?

A: The importance of incorporating flowers into the wedding is to create an environment of intoxicating romance! The addition of fresh flowers contributes color, nature ambiance, fragrance and texture. Flowers at a wedding set the mood for the event and make not only the bride but also her guests feel truly special. Flowers transform a mundane wedding into an enchanting, unforgettable event!