Floral know-how
By Doris A. Black

Whether you carry a single calla lily or a bouquet of white roses, the flowers you choose for your wedding should serve as a symbol of your love. They should be beautiful and dramatic. Before choosing a florist, do some homework and learn the lingo.

Bridal bouquets are typically designed in one of four basic shapes:

+ Cascade, in which the flowers fall forward in a pendulous manner.

+ Nosegay, the most common choice, in which the flowers form a large, round, upright shape with the stems forming a cone.

+ Asymmetrical, a very informal design composed of a collection of blooms in an irregular shape.

+ Pomander, a ball of blooms carried by a loop of a ribbon, making a lovely accessory for flower girls.

No matter which style of bouquet you choose, the flowers may be wired, in which a florist wire is inserted into the upper portion of the flowers and the lower portions of the stems are removed, or hand-tied, in which the whole stems remain and are tied or taped together. Handtied bouquets are heavier than wired and generally are not as comfortable to hold.

For a formal wedding ceremony, the bride traditionally carries an elegant all-white bouquet composed of either one type of flower or two or three different types. Most commonly used are roses, tulips, peonies, hydrangeas, orchids, calla lilies or gardenias. For a less formal ceremony, bouquets might contain a mixture of colorful blooms selected to enhance the bride and complement the color scheme of the wedding party.

When choosing the flowers for your bouquet, consider

the type of ceremony

know-how planned, the location of the ceremony and the style of dress you will be wearing. For example, a formal church wedding requires a more formal bouquet than an informal mountaintop wedding. An elegant ballroom gown should be complemented by a bouquet of proper proportions. This rule applies to all bridal gowns. The bridal bouquet should never outshine the gown. The bouquet should also be proportional to the bride's height. A cascading bouquet may be more appropriate to a tall bride than to one of smaller stature.

Bridesmaid's bouquets are typically smaller than the bride's bouquet. They may match in color but should not be identical. A good florist will vary the bridesmaid's bouquets slightly.

The groom's boutonniere will correspond to the bride's bouquet and the groomsmen to the bridesmaids. Again they should vary slightly so as to not look repetitive.

Corsages have been traditional favorites for mothers of the bride and groom, but small nosegays are also appropriate.

Flowers to enhance the ceremony can be as simple or elaborate as your budget allows. Traditionally for a church ceremony there are altarpieces, aisle arrangements, door decorations and candelabra decorations. Before ordering, find out what your church allows for wedding flowers. Some have strict guidelines. For daytime ceremonies, almost any color combination is magnificent, but for an evening ceremony, an all-white altarpiece

really stands out. If you

are tight on funds, you may prefer to keep ceremony florals to a minimum and put the bulk of your floral budget

into flowers for the

reception, where you'll be spending

the most time.

Table centerpieces are the norm at receptions with the largest arrangement at the head table. The florist can help you create elegant arrangements, but many brides like to do this themselves. It saves a little money and is a fun, creative endeavor. If you elect to create your own designs, follow these few simple rules of design. The head table should naturally have the largest arrangement but not so large that it blocks everyone's view. Centerpieces on guest tables may hold various flowers in different containers to help keep the reception lively and fresh. A simple vase tied with ribbon is adequate. Additionally, consider providing candles to enhance a romantic atmosphere at the head table and at guest tables.

Who pays for all these lovely floral arrangements? Typically the bride's family pays for the reception and ceremony florals as well as the bridesmaid's bouquets. The groom typically pays for boutonnieres, corsages and the bride's bouquet. However, this is not set in stone. Often funds from both sides of the family and friends contribute to making the day special.

When selecting a florist, look for a designer with wedding experience. A professional wedding floral designer knows the ins and outs of creating beautiful arrangements for such a special event. They understand the pressures of dealing with nervous brides and will recommend certain flowers based on what types are in season to coordinate with the wedding theme. They know the importance of delivering on time the freshest florals that will last the whole day. Interview several to view previous designs. Discuss your budget and ask the florist for recommendations to help stay within that budget. Call at least two previous clients to establish if they were happy with the service they received. After you hire a professional florist, listen to their suggestions. With all their experience, they know how to enhance the ceremony and reception.

Flowers have long been a wedding tradition. They enhance the look of a church and the throwing of the bouquet is a time-honored tradition. Who wants to break with tradition?