|
Floral Arrangements
Arranging flowers for a wedding occasion is a test for any arranger's
skill and creativity. Flowers will playa significant role throughout the
day. From the bridal bouquet which must perfectly complement the bride's
dress to the church flowers and flowers that decorate and enhance the
reception hall- it is up to the arranger to make the occasion just that
bit more special.
It is the bride's day, and the flowers she and her attendants will carry
and wear are the most important of all. The colour and style of the bridal
flowers will set the theme for those used to decorate the church and
reception hall, providing a focal point from which all the other flowers
take their cue.
If, for example, the bride decides to carry a bouquet of pale green
orchids, white verbena and peach roses, her choice will determine the
colours and the style of the other wedding flowers. Her selection of
traditional and elegant flowers may suggest arrangements with the style
and grace associated with symmetrical pedestals, triangular and other
regular and recognized shapes.
If, on the other hand, the bride chooses a casual display of pale-blue,
lace-cap hydrangeas blended with pink and blue cornflowers and a cloud of
lime-green lady's mantle, this will call for a much less formal approach.
The flowers in church and at the reception could be more 'countrified',
comprising pretty hoops, circlets, ribbon-hanging spheres packed with pink
and blue blossoms, and trailing
garlands of soft greenery.
Flowers for a wedding must look cool and elegant even on the hottest of
days. Those which last especially well include carnations, spray
carnations, single chrysanthemums, orchids, freesias, lilies, stephanotis,
rosebuds and half-open roses, gypsophila and lady's mantle.
THE RIGHT PREPARATION Take the earliest opportunity to go along to the
church and the reception hall with the bride so that you can plan the
flowers together. Ask the vicar, priest or rector for permission to
arrange flowers in the church, and check what are the particular customs
and preferences. At certain festivals in the church year, you may not be
allowed to place flowers on the altar, and some churches do not allow the
font to be decorated in any way.
It is also tactful to ask the flower-rota organizers if you can relieve
them of their duties for the day. They will be able to show you what
pedestals and other suitable containers are available at the church. You
can then plan to hire any others you may need from the florist where you
buy your flowers.
Make a note of all the relevant dimensions, the colour and type of the
backgrounds, the direction of the light and any other factors which will
affect the way the flower arrangements will be viewed. Go through each
stage in the proceedings, from the bride's arrival and the walk up the
aisle to the ceremony at the altar steps and the signing of the register
in the vestry, and concentrate your arrangements on those areas.
POSITIONING THE DISPLAYS
It might be possible to greet the bridal party and guests with a pedestal
of flowers in the porch - the actual size of the area and the degree of
protection from the wind may be deciding factors ~ or to place a basket of
flowers on benches on each side of the outer door. If this is not
practicable, you can move your welcoming arrangement just inside the
church door, with a pedestal placed to one side of the entrance or a
display on the hymn-book table.
The altar steps, where the marriage service is usually held, are the main
focus of attention. You may like to place a pair of matching pedestals on
either side. Instead, there may be a pair of slim tables or stools which
could support two displays that can be seen by the rest of the
congregation.
Make a note of the colour and type of the material that forms the
background whether it is a painted or carved wood screen, silk drapes or a
stone wall. This will determine the outline material you choose for the
floral designs. In general terms, the fussier or more complicated the
background, the more clear-cut should be the outline of the arrangement.
Give the design more prominence by using branches of breech, lime or oak
foliage to determine the height and width of the arrangements and to frame
the flowers.
AISLE DISPLAYS
The bride may have planned on having the pew ends, or at least those of
the rows likely to be occupied by guests, decorated with flowers to create
a floral avenue on her walk up the aisle. This is a lovely idea, and one
which gives as much pleasure to the guests as it does to the bridal group.
Simple bunches of flowers look attractive displayed in this way, the
stalks cut short and tied with ribbon bows. Design them flat on a table
top, with a backing of leaves to protect and frame the flowers.
Place the longest, most slender and tapering materials in the centre to
avoid a heavy look. Trails of small variegated ivy, willow or similar
foliage have a dainty and natural appearance.
flowers ¦
about designer flowers ¦
arranging flowers ¦
balloons and flowers ¦
champagne
flowers ¦
chocolates flowers ¦
Christmas flowers ¦
delivery flowers ¦
dinner
party ¦
floral arrangements ¦
florists that deliver flowers ¦
florists uk ¦
flower arranging ¦
flower care tips ¦
flower delivery ¦
flower gifts ¦
flowers ¦
flowers care ¦
flower shop ¦
flowers info ¦
flowers london ¦
flowers online ¦
flowers uk ¦
london florists ¦
meaning of flowers ¦
look after your flowers ¦
message ideas ¦
online florists ¦
order flowers ¦
order
online flowers ¦
pictures of flowers ¦
send flowers ¦
uk florists ¦
wedding
florists ¦ wedding flowers ¦
wine flowers ¦ flower gifts, order flowers, silk flowers, sympathy flowers, funeral flowers,
wedding flowers,
wedding flowers
delivered, silk wedding flowers,
silk flowers,
corporate flowers,
funeral flowers,
silk funeral
flowers, gifts chocolates, champagne wine,
balloons,
soft toys |
