Since my last #WeddingWednesday post was about gorgeous rainy wedding day photo ops (April Showers), it's only fitting that for May's post we talk about flowers!
When it comes to weddings, your floral arrangements will literally make or break you. In most cases, flowers are a main aspect of the wedding decor and can also turn out to be one of the most costly. There are plenty of ways to keep your cost of florals down and there are even ways to preserve them after the wedding is over! But first let's explore the best flowers for each month of the year!
Florals by Month
When planning floral arrangements, it definitely helps to know what type of flowers are in season during the month of your wedding. By planning accordingly, you can have the freshest, most beautiful flowers that are also available and affordable.
Some flowers are available all year round. They are: roses, anthuriums, orchids, tropical flowers, lilies and Gerber daisies.
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| Roses Image c/o Pinterest |
For weddings in December, January or February, try: ranunculi, gerbera daisies, tulips, calla lilies, anemones, kangaroo paws, gloriosa lilies, chrysanthemums or roses. Tip #1: Winter has best choice and prices on cymbidium orchids. Tip #2: Tulips are best in quality and pricing in February.
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| Calla Lillies Image c/o Pinterest |
Spring weddings in March, April or May call for: lilies of the valley, peonies, tulips, hyacinths, mophead hydrangeas, cherry blossoms, columbines, lilacs, poppies, ranunculi, roses, freesias and violets. Tip #3: Lilacs are only in season during these months so don't expect them in any other season. Tip #4: Lily of the valley can be very expensive and availability is usually limited to May.
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| Roses & Peonies Image c/o Pinterest |
If you're tying the knot in June, July or August, go with: asiastic lilies, black-eyed Susans, cosmos, delphiniums, gladioli, columbines, larkspur, pee gee hydrangeas, roses, clematis, cockscomb, daisies, garden roses, rudbeckia, sunflowers, viburnum or zinnias. Tip #5: Hydrangeas are best in the summer. Any other season results in inferior blooms.
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| Roses & HydrangeasImage c/o Pinterest |
For fall weddings in September, October or November, try: physalis, amaryllis, bittersweets, hydrangeas, roses, sugar maples, sunflowers, scabiosas or gerbera daisies.
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| Sunflowers, Daisies, & Roses Image c/o Pinterest |
Tip #6: Gardenias will brown very easily from contact.
Tip #7: Callas are sensitive to cold temperatures and can suffer from frost damage. They have good heat tolerance and retain moisture well.
Tip #8: Stephanotis is extremely delicate.
Bouquet 101
Tip #7: Callas are sensitive to cold temperatures and can suffer from frost damage. They have good heat tolerance and retain moisture well.
Tip #8: Stephanotis is extremely delicate.
Bouquet 101
Now in terms of bouquets, there are varying shapes and sizes:
Best Blooms by Color
It's also important to consider your wedding colors when choosing flowers:
Floral Fiancials
When it comes to cutting wedding costs, it is possible to save on your florals. Here are some ways to do so...
1. Work out your priorities - Decide where florals rank on your list of wedding priorities. A general rule of thumb is to allocate 10% of your overall budget to flowers, and significantly more if you want to fill your reception space with elaborately designed displays.
2. Limit your choice - Stick to one or two flower varieties and ask your florist to use natural foliage for added texture.
3. Be flexible - You may need to compromise on specific floral varieties in order to keep to your budget. Your florist should be able to suggest less expensive alternatives that will floor just as great as your first choice.
4. Keep it simple - Time is money. If your florist has to spend hour creating complex arrangements, costs will rise. Simple hand-tied bouquets will keep costs low and are just as beautiful.
5. Double up - Make the most of your church flowers by transporting them to your reception hall. Pedestals and potted trees are easy to move and look fabulous as an entrance display, while pew-ends can double as chair-back decorations. Recycle bridesmaids' bouquets into centerpieces after the ceremony.
6. Be creative - A few statement blooms surrounded by lots of inexpensive greenery can look striking, so consider having less flowers and more foliage. If you've got your heart set on an expensive flower, just use it sparingly - carry just a few blooms in your bouquet so you feel surrounded by it all day.
7. Accessorize - Use mirrors and glass to add the wow factor. A simple tablescape can be totally transformed by incorporating a large circular or square mirror tile. Scatter fresh rose petals and votives for gorgeous romantic display.
Post Wedding
After the wedding, keep memories of your flowers by preserving them. Here are some suggestions on how to do so:
Tip: All preservation processes must start while the flowers are fresh (so while you're on your honeymoon). Ask a trusted bridesmaid to start the process for you. If you are using a professional, be sure to schedule this in advance.
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| Image c/o Pinterest |
It's also important to consider your wedding colors when choosing flowers:
 |
| Image c/o Pinterest |
When it comes to cutting wedding costs, it is possible to save on your florals. Here are some ways to do so...
1. Work out your priorities - Decide where florals rank on your list of wedding priorities. A general rule of thumb is to allocate 10% of your overall budget to flowers, and significantly more if you want to fill your reception space with elaborately designed displays.
2. Limit your choice - Stick to one or two flower varieties and ask your florist to use natural foliage for added texture.
3. Be flexible - You may need to compromise on specific floral varieties in order to keep to your budget. Your florist should be able to suggest less expensive alternatives that will floor just as great as your first choice.
4. Keep it simple - Time is money. If your florist has to spend hour creating complex arrangements, costs will rise. Simple hand-tied bouquets will keep costs low and are just as beautiful.
5. Double up - Make the most of your church flowers by transporting them to your reception hall. Pedestals and potted trees are easy to move and look fabulous as an entrance display, while pew-ends can double as chair-back decorations. Recycle bridesmaids' bouquets into centerpieces after the ceremony.
6. Be creative - A few statement blooms surrounded by lots of inexpensive greenery can look striking, so consider having less flowers and more foliage. If you've got your heart set on an expensive flower, just use it sparingly - carry just a few blooms in your bouquet so you feel surrounded by it all day.
7. Accessorize - Use mirrors and glass to add the wow factor. A simple tablescape can be totally transformed by incorporating a large circular or square mirror tile. Scatter fresh rose petals and votives for gorgeous romantic display.
Post Wedding
After the wedding, keep memories of your flowers by preserving them. Here are some suggestions on how to do so:
- Hang the bouquet to dry in a safe area upside for several weeks or months and they will dry nicely. Store them in a bouquet preservation box.
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| Image c/o Pinterest.com |
- Press them - can be done professionally or on your own.
- Use Silica gel - put the flowers in a container and bury the flowers with the gel. After a few weeks, dust off the powdery residue. This is perfect for sturdier flowers like peonies, roses and zinnias.
- Freeze dry - this is probably the most expensive, but it does keep the floors looking very close to what they looked like on the big day. The process keeps the color but takes out the moisture.
Tip: All preservation processes must start while the flowers are fresh (so while you're on your honeymoon). Ask a trusted bridesmaid to start the process for you. If you are using a professional, be sure to schedule this in advance.
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| Image c/o Pinterest |
Though this was one of my longer posts, I hope that it was helpful and informative!
As always, thanks for reading!
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