Believed since ancient times to possess magical properties that bestow blessings and protections, flowers are an essential decorative element of weddings. From the small buds adorning the bride's hair to the beautiful clusters lining the pews to the elaborate arrangements gracing the marriage table, the aromatic blossoms bolster the romantic and joyous atmosphere of the occasion. 

Whether you decide to go with whimsical wildflowers or sophisticated orchids largely depends on your personality and the style choices of your wedding day.


 Traditionally, it is the responsibility of the groom’s family to pay for the flowers used in the bride’s bouquet as well as all the corsages and boutonnieres. The bride’s family pays for the rest of the flowers that are used to decorate the marriage and reception venues. 

Making Your Flower Selections

Flowers tend to become one of the biggest expenses simply because their use is so bountiful throughout the wedding festivities. One of the best ways to cut expenses is to buy wholesale and make your own arrangements, although this option requires a bit of talent, a lot of patience and plenty of floral tape, foam, vases and pins. Oftentimes, a professional floral vendor reduce costs and eliminate the hassle of coordinating this enormous project. It is critical that you arrange a consultation with a florist at least three months in advance of the wedding date. 

Another way to trim the flower budget is to repurpose your ceremony flowers for the reception. For example, have your ushers transport the aisle flowers to the reception venue to use on the buffet tables or utilize your bridesmaids’ beautiful bouquets to decorate the tables that hold the guestbook, presents and place cards.

 

When making your floral selections, keep in mind that you will need focal flowers, secondary flowers, fillers and greenery that complement your overall color scheme. Since there are an overwhelming amount of choices, start with determining which flowers will be in season and blossoms that have personal or cultural meanings. The arrangements can be as simple or elaborate as you want them. 

Essential and Optional Floral Arrangements

Rehearsal Dinner

Very few flowers are needed for the wedding rehearsal and dinner. A fun custom is for the bride to carry a rehearsal bouquet made from the ribbons and bows that adorned her wedding shower gifts. You can also add simple, low-profile centerpieces to the dinner tables. 

Marriage Ceremony

• Aisle and Pew Markers
  Fill large vases with long-stemmed flowers to frame the aisle and attach corsage-like bouquets to the ends of the pews or chairs. Cut costs by decorating only the first few rows, which are often reserved for your immediate families. 
• Altar, Archway or Chuppah
  Create a floral frame around the bride and groom by adding fresh flowers where they will exchange vows. 
• Unity Ceremony
  Add a simple gathering of blooms to the unity ceremony table. 
• Bridal Bouquet
  This is likely one of the largest floral arrangements. A small bouquet typically consists of 10 stems while a large arrangement requires 25-30 stems.
• Floral Headpiece
  Weave dainty flowers into a floral crown for the flower girl or strategically place small white flowers in the bride's up-do. 
• Bridesmaid bouquets
  These arrangements are smaller than the bridal bouquet, although the maid of honor's is usually slightly different or larger than the rest of the wedding party. 
• Boutonnieres
  Traditionally worn by the groom, all the male wedding attendants and the immediate male family members.  
• Corsages
  Traditionally worn by the immediate female family members.
• Throwing Petals
  If your venue allows it, you will need dried rose petals for the flower girl basket and for the guests to shower the couple with instead of rice. 

Reception

• Entry door, Arch or Pillars
  Frame a beautiful first shot of the newlyweds. 
• Table centerpieces
  Flowers are typically placed on every table, including near the guest book, the guest tables and the buffet tables. A larger arrangement is added to the bridal table. A small centerpiece usually features 10 stems while a large arrangement requires 25-30 stems.

• Cake
  Even if you do not opt to have flowers on your cake, consider placing fresh flowers around the base. 
• Toss Bouquet
  A smaller replica of the bridal bouquet that is tossed to female guests as a souvenir.