Bridal Club Magazine
Wonderful Ways To Use Flowers At Your Wedding
Somehow a wedding without flowers wouldn't seem right -
but you don't have to stick to tradition to still have them. Here
are some conventionally challenged ideas to set your creative
juices in motion.
Delicate wreaths entwined in the bridesmaid's hair instead
of bouquets. Think romantic ancient goddesses and fairy princesses.
Greens and blossoms are perfect - stephanotis, stalks of wheat or
yellow daisies. A small purse to carry could be the perfect
bridesmaid's gift or ask them to simply clasp their hands as they
progress down the aisle. Instead of the usual confetti or rice
(often a health hazard to birds) offer pretty paper cones or tiny
baskets of rose petals so that you can escape from your guests
while being showered by a fragrant cloud. Petals that land on your
face and hair look stunning in photographs.
The simplest flowers can
sometimes look the most spectacular en masse. For centrepieces on
your tables, gather dense bunches of Queen Anne's Lace and
variegated ivy for a lush and natural feel. Try clustering three
tall glass tumblers full of flowers on each table - perhaps at
varying heights. Make your men stand out. These days they are
daring to break the formal blandness of their tuxedos with bold and
sexy boutonnieres. Adorn lapels with mini calla lilies, sunflowers
and just about anything else that breaks from the norm.
Use silk instead of the real thing - that way you have a
post-wedding keepsake that won't fade or dry and crumble to pieces.
Boutonnieres and corsages can be created, and faux floral accents
bring a touch of romance to ring pillows, shoes, gift packaging,
place cards, and favours. Roses, orchids, peonies, poppies,
gardenias, violets, lilies of the valley, and pansies are all
available in silk.
Unstructured, ribbon-tied bouquets are all the rage, often
in vivid, monochromatic tones. Wrap bouquets with coloured ribbon
in sumptuous fabrics such as satin, velvet, or organza and don't be
afraid to let the stems show. Rummage at flea markets and antique
stores for fine vintage fabrics, or check out a local wholesale
dealer's supply.
At your reception, decorate free-standing tables (bar, cake table,
buffet, or guest book table) with sturdy flowers or ivy garlands.
Attach floral accents to tablecloths with a glue gun on the morning
of the big day or the night before, or just scatter them randomly
for a spontaneous, untouched look.
Honour a family member through your wedding flowers.
Incorporate their meaningful flowers into your bouquets and
arrangements. Looking for ways to invoke the memory of a deceased
loved one? Find out about the flowers the person loved. If you
infuse your flowers with symbolism, they'll seem even more
beautiful to you on the big day.
Plastic bouquet holders are standard for holding your
flowers, but there's no reason you can't jazz it up: Get your hands
on a tussy mussy. These cone-shaped, hand-held vases first became
popular in the Victorian era and come in pewter, silver plate,
porcelain, faux mother-of-pearl, and coloured glass. You could also
cover the plastic handle with shiny french-braided ribbon or frame
the blooms with a collar of lace and streaming bows. Talk to your
florist about other presentation ideas.
To make that bouquet last forever - dry and preserve it as
soon as possible after your wedding. Take it to your florist who
can dry-freeze it, then frame and mount it behind glass. If drying
it yourself - hang it upside down in a dark but airy spot. You
could also disassemble it and air-dry each flower individually.
Press some into your wedding album, diary or favourite
book.