As spring fever rises with the temperatures, newly engaged brides-to-be will soon be planning the wedding flowers for their upcoming nuptials. In an earlier post, we discussed some of the special details that can be incorporated into the wedding bouquet flowers and the personal flowers for members of the wedding party. Here we’ll take a look at some ways to add personality to the flower arrangements at the wedding ceremony and reception.
Aisle Flowers For The Wedding Ceremony
Flowers can really make the mood of a wedding, and floral arrangements created with an eye for stylish detail will be remembered long after the bride has gone down the aisle. Speaking of the aisle, this is an area which is a focal point for the ceremony and ought to be treated as such. For example, the aisle can be transformed into a veritable garden by placing clusters of flowers and foliage at the ends of the pews. These floral clusters may be accented with a cascade of ribbons or sheer tulle for an even more romantic effect. Or for a sophisticated alternative, the ends of the pews may be swagged with fabric which matches or coordinates with the bridesmaids’ dresses and is tied into an over-scale, Dior bow. Alternate the bows with floral torchieres created on inverted cones covered in gilded leaves.
Protecting Aisle Decorations
For a really elegant feeling, the aisle may be “closed”, meaning that garlands of flowers or fabric are draped between the pews, preventing access from the center aisle which is reserved, untrampled and pristine, for the bride and her wedding party who enter on a white cloth runner (guests are seated from the sides).
Guestbook Table Flowers
The guest book podium provides another opportunity for flowers to delight the wedding guests. Consider laying a garland of fresh and fragrant blossoms across the book stand, and later it can be reused around the base of the wedding cake or at the head table. Or place a simple but gorgeous hand-tied nosegay into a small vase near the book. Add long, flouncy ribbon streamers, and afterwards the bride can lift it from the vase and reuse it as her tossing bouquet at the reception.
Wedding Reception Flowers
Wedding guests typically spend more time at the reception than at the ceremony, so this is an area where the wedding flowers can have maximum impact. Enhancing the guests’ entry experience here will create a lovely ambiance for the rest of the celebration. This can be achieved by hanging flowers over the doors to the room, flanking the entrance with large arrangements of aromatic flowers or lighted ficus trees, and letting the room with sparkle with candlelight.
Wedding Cake Flowers
The cake itself can be the centerpiece of the wedding reception. Consider placing it at the entry to the room where all the guests will encounter it as they come inside. Drape the cake table in a tulle skirt to which fresh rose petals have been glued, and pull the corners up into peaks which are accented with clutches of more, full blown roses tied with shimmery satin ribbons. Complete the tablescape by tucking roses and stephanotis blossoms between the cake layers and on the top…..scrumptious!
Head Table Flowers
What’s the most romantic new trend at the wedding reception? Do away with the onerous head table with its sometimes prickly political alliances, and seat the bride and groom at a small private table for two which is elaborately layered with luxurious linens. Position the table in the center of the room, surrounded by all the other guests, place some glimmering candles and an intimately designed wedding centerpiece in the middle, and add coordinating fresh floral garlands to the backs of the chairs.
The Ultimate Wedding Flower Detail
Of course the ultimate, memorable detail among wedding flowers is to place vases of them in the restrooms, which will surprise and delight the guests. This sort of attention to their comfort certainly heightens the festive occasion.
Your local professional florist has a lot of other ideas for personalizing your wedding flowers and creating an unforgettable experience for everyone who attends. Call to set up an appointment for a wedding consultation today.
Rustic Wedding – Aisle Flowers photo by Back to the Fuchsia, a flower shop in Saugatuck MI.
