By the Philippine Association of Wedding Planners
What is a special occasion without flowers? Beautiful floral arrangements are a must at any occasion that demands elegance. Every bride and groom desire to make their wedding day special, and the wedding flowers - the choice of floral theme, color and style - is one of the most effective ways to do so. For many centuries, the bride and her entourage have carried bouquets and have decorated wedding venues with floral arrangements. Nowadays, the possibilities are endless in providing you with an opportunity to choose your theme, color and style that reflect your unique personality and celebrate your exceptional love story.
Here are some of the most often asked questions regarding flowers:
How much amount should we allocate for flowers in our wedding budget?
The average allocation for flowers is 8-12% of your total wedding budget. This includes the flowers for the entourage including the female principal sponsors and the mothers, the ceremony and the reception décors.
How do we avoid spending too much on flowers?
There are many ways to save on flowers:
1. Reduce the number of your entourage. Less members of the entourage mean your florist would have to create fewer bouquets.
2. Reduce the number of guests at your wedding. Fewer tables mean fewer floral centerpieces.
3. Choose flowers that are in season. These are often less expensive and easier to find. Most florists have a book containing a list of the various kinds of flowers which abound in a particular season.
4. Choose less expensive flowers. There are flowers that are expensive no matter what the season. The imported ones will definitely be more expensive than locally grown ones.
5. Consider options other than floral arrangements for table centerpieces. Flower petals scattered on the table with candles of various sizes, tea lights or votive candles in glasses create an elegant effect that would not be too heavy on your budget.
6. Choose a naturally beautiful venue. A garden wedding ceremony or reception hardly needs additional floral arrangements, while an ornate church may hold on its own, needing less floral arrangements.
7. Most couples consider a wedding during the Christmas season where the venues are gaily decorated, again, needing less floral arrangements as the background décor is free.
How do we make sure that the flowers we ordered are of the right color and are arranged correctly on our wedding day?
Ask your florist beforehand to do a mock-up of each flower arrangement that you ordered. Florists who own reputable flower shops can do this. Keep in mind though that your payment should be enough to cover the extra cost of the mock-ups.
How would I know the size and shape of the bridal bouquet that is suited for me?
Bouquets vary in size, but they should always be proportional to the person carrying them. The bouquet should be no larger than the size of your face or head. Bouquets should never overpower the bride.
What are the different shapes and styles of bouquets?
The more popular ones are:
1. Round Bouquet – the traditional bouquet that is suitable for both formal and informal weddings. Sometimes called a "colonial bouquet".
2. Nosegay Bouquet - A small, round-shaped, cluster of flowers often not as dense as traditional, round bouquets. Nosegays often include more greenery and ribbon streamers, and are mounted in a tussie-mussie (a small, Victorian-style, cone-shaped holder made of metal or glass).
3. Biedermeier Bouquet - A bouquet, similar to nosegays, with blossoms of different types and/or different colors placed in a defined circular pattern.
4. Hand Tied Bouquet - Generally round in shape, also referred to as "clutch bouquets". This type of bouquet consists of a simple gathering of flowers, which is bound and tied with a ribbon and stems left exposed.
5. Cascade Bouquet – An elongated style which features more flowers at the top of the bouquet, tapering downwards with flowing foliage and ribbons at the bottom.
6. Arm Bouquet - Also known as a "pageant bouquet". It is composed of long-stemmed flowers that rest naturally across the inner bend of the bride’s elbow.
7. Fan Bouquet - A small cluster of flowers attached to an elaborate fan. It is reminiscent of the Victorian Era, and is popular for old-fashioned or vintage style, Southern USA style, and Asian-inspired weddings.
8. Pomander Bouquet - A flower-covered ball suspended from a loop of ribbon. Flower girls and junior bridesmaids carry them most often.
9. Wrist Bouquet - Technically more of a corsage than a bouquet, this style is comprised of a small floral arrangement worn on the wrist.
Celia B. Cunanan
The Social Connection
822.6191/ 0917.7929161
celia@thesocialconnection.net
www.thesocialconnection.net
If members of entourage are wearing barongs on the day of the wedding, what type of boutonniere should be used?
No boutonnieres should be worn on barongs. Aside from the fact that the pin will ruin the cloth of your barong, aesthetically speaking, it does not look nice at all. Boutonnieres are only worn when the entourage party and the groom are in suits or tuxedos.
How could I achieve the look I want for my reception décor if I am on a tight budget?
First, choose flowers fitting your color motif that are in season all year round. Second, you could substitute imported flowers with local flowers that have similar attributes. For example, ranunculus look similar to roses; stephanotis can double for the more costly lily of the valley; dendrobium orchids can take the place of cymbidium orchids. Playing up substitutes is a challenge in itself so hiring a good florist is equally important. They could make suggestions and give out ideas on what would be a better substitute for a specific flower. Third, think big! Choose large blooms and place them in big urns or pots with lots of fillers so that when your guests a look at the place they would be awestruck by the entirety of the wedding reception. Fourth, be creative by mixing flowers with lots of candles or with local fruits to lower down costs. Using nice greens as fillers could also be a nice alternative. Fifth, as much as possible avoid coinciding your wedding day with special holidays like Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, etc. where the selling of flowers is at its peak and blooms become more expensive than usual. Lastly, use your wedding reception venue’s overall look as your basis for choosing colors and the theme. By using the existing décor you could definitely have the look you want without spending much.
What areas of a wedding reception should we focus on as focal points?
The common focal points that need to be decorated are the entrance or registration area, the stage and the couple’s table, the presidential table where the principal sponsors are seated, the buffet table (if you have a buffet set-up) and the cake table. By focusing on these areas you would still be able to work within your budget without compromising the theme of your reception.
What are the different types of centerpieces available?
The most common types for guest table centerpieces are 1) the round and low, 2) the tall, 3) the cluster, and 4) the single-vase arrangements. Centerpieces vary from flowers in clear vases (tall or low), candelabras, combination of fruits and flowers, potted plants or herbs to tall, fluted glass vases. The creativity of each florist differs. The challenge for them is to create the look you want but within the limits of your budget.
If I have a color motif, does it follow that my flowers should also be of the same color?
The color motif is there to help your florist be guided on the arrangement and flowers to be used. However, the color scheme should not necessarily pertain to the color of flowers to be used. Your florist should be able to know what flowers complement or contrast with your motif. They could even make use of other elements such as ribbons or vases to bring out your main color motif.
Peaches Go-Tiu
Peaches Go Events Planner
672.1452 / 0917.5349523
peachesgo.tiu@gmail.com
peachesgotiu@yahoo.com
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