Flowers are an important part of every wedding. We speak to Sally Thompson, owner of registered ServiceSeeking.com.au business Blushing Blooms, about selecting the right flowers for your big day.
Why flowers?
Flowers add colour and happiness to your wedding day and allow you to show your personality. Whether you choose a soft pretty rose or something really modern like a cymbidium orchid, they help set the mood.
Flowers can be used throughout your entire wedding – from bridal bouquets, buttonholes and corsages for the mother of the bride, right through to flowers for the ceremony, reception and even for the home where the bride is getting ready.
Selecting your wedding flowers
With so many different varieties available it can be difficult to choose the right flowers for your wedding.
The most popular flowers for a bridal bouquet are the peony rose and the David Austin rose. With a soft, delicate look it’s hardly surprising this flower is favoured among brides, however they’re only available in November and December.
If you’re looking for flowers that are available all year round, the fully blown rose or ranunculus make great alternatives.
Other flowers that are available all year round that are hardy enough to make it through the whole day, are Singapore orchids and phalaenopsis orchids.
Wedding flower arrangement ideas
Available in almost any colour imaginable, gladiolus make excellent table centres. A good cost-cutting idea is to transfer the arrangement from the church to the reception.
For effective table centres that are reasonably priced, you can use some colourful orchids or tulips artfully arranged in a vase. Simply add some water, a few blooms and some decorative wire and you’ve created lovely, colourful centrepieces!
Caring for your flowers
When you’ve invested so much into your wedding flowers it seems a shame to discard them after just one night. If cared for properly your flowers could actually last up to a week after your wedding.
To give your flowers a fighting chance, when you get them home cut the stems on an angle and place them in water. Make sure you change the water every 2 days and re-cut the stems. You should also add flower food to reduce bacteria. Flower food consists of sugar and bleach so if you don’t have any official “food” you can always improvise!