Oops-A-Daisy have put together bits of advice for you to start thinking about when choosing your wedding flowers. We have lots of designs that we have already show on our web site, but are always willing to create a be-spoke design to your design/style/color.

Many brides say that selecting flowers for their wedding can be as stressful as choosing their dress. But it doesn't have to be that way. The first thing to remember is there are no wrong choices here.

Now more than ever, brides and grooms are making their ceremonies a true reflection of their individual personalities. Rigid rules for color and type have gone by the wayside. The one place where rules do still apply is chapels and churches. Check with your location to make sure of the requirements.

Here are some general areas to find a wedding flower idea:

Talk with friends and family	Native flowers for your location
Bridal magazines	Photos of other weddings
Garden catalog	Open air markets
Colors with special meaning	Paintings
Neighbors who garden	Advertisements
Other ceremonies you have attended	Travel Brochures
Botanical gardens	Interior Design books & magazines
Coworkers (everyone likes to talk about their ceremony)
Library books (gardening, flower arranging, flower identification)

One idea could be, if you are going to be wearing you grandmothers or mothers' wedding gown, look at the flowers those two blushing brides chose. You can still personalize your bouquet for your wedding. You can easily add other flowers or copy the arrangement style but not the blooms.

Open your mind to all possibilities for your wedding flower ideas. Don't rule out anything at first. For now, let every idea have merit. For sure, some things will get tossed out or not work, but the seed of the perfect flower might come from something as simple as the neighbors front yard landscaping. Let your imagination run. As long as the flowers have meaning for you, they are the perfect choice.

Below are a few pointers to get you started…

Start with the Dress
When it comes to designing a bridal bouquet, there is a perfect place to start -- with your dress. First consider its style. A modern, straight sheath might be best complemented by a tight round cluster in one bold color, a simple arm bouquet draped with a long, luxurious velvet ribbon, or a hand-tied arrangement consisting of just one or two flower varieties. On the other hand, if your dress is heavily decorated with beads and/or lace or has a full traditional skirt, a large teardrop cascade or free-form bouquet might balance the ensemble best. But please remember, this is your day and you should not be ruled by what traditionally has gone before.

Shapes
If you have ever looked through a bridal magazine, then you are lead to believe that there are many different types of wedding bouquets.

But in fact there are really only three different types of wedding bouquets; all other bouquets are just variations of the above types.

Posy bouquet
A posy bouquet is a simple wedding bouquet, in a circular shape. Simple, elegant, traditional bouquet that is suitable for both formal and informal weddings. These types of bouquets do not have to be perfectly round in shape and can be designed as a tight cluster for a denser look or loosely arranged for an "airy" feel. The flowers chosen for a round bouquet can influence the bouquet's formality. For example, roses project a more formal look while daisies project a more informal and casual look. Also known as Hand tied, round, nosegay, Composite, Ballerina, Pomander or Biedermeier bouquet.
Teardrop bouquet
A teardrop is shaped like a bunch of grapes- wide at the top, and tapering to a point down the bottom. These bouquets can be designed very dense with flowers and foliage or can be more loosely arranged for an "airy" or "wispy" look Also known as a spray, cascade, teardrop, fountain, crescent, heart, or waterfall bouquet.
Sheath bouquet
A sheath is a long shape of flowers that is laid across the arm. A ribbon or bow is generally used to keep the bouquet together. Popular floral choices for arm bouquets are calla lilies, gladiolus, orchids, long-stemmed roses, delphiniums, and larkspur. Also known as Arm, Single Stem, or Presentation bouquet.

Choosing Your Color

Dramatic Shades - Reds, Oranges, Yellows, Magenta Pink & Purple

Softer Colors - Pinks, Lilac, Lemon & Soft Green

Natural White or Ivory with gentle accents of color

Brides usually have a favorite color they chose, or to compliment the bridesmaid's fabric. It can also depend on hair tones & complexion, especially if you are looking for a floral design for the hair.

Ideally obtaining a swatch of material would greatly assist in acquiring that perfect match. If, for example, the bridesmaid's material is a strong color you could go for ivory or white and try to add highlights of that color with flowers, accessories or ribbon.

Choosing your Bloom - Creating the perfect bouquet

Posies require small flowers for example, Roses or small Orchids.

Arm Bouquets have more impact when designed with long stemmed, elegant flowers like Calla Lilies.

Trailing Bouquets have a mixture of shapes with a few focal flowers to give that extra interest.

Here are some favorite flowers, by color, to help you decide…

Ivory & White - Stargazer Lily, Roses, Rosebuds, Lisianthus, Gerberas, Lily of the Valley.

Yellow & Lemon - Roses, Calla Lilies, Ranculus, Lisianthus & Orchid.

Lilacs & Purple - Roses, Scabious, Iris, Delphinium, Lisianthus, Lavender, Bluebells, Sweet Pea & Thistle.

Pinks - Roses, Orchids, Gerbera, Calla, Lily, Scabious, Daisies & Hydrangeas.

Oranges & Reds - Zinnia, Roses, Calla, Ranculus, Anthuriums, Poppies, Glorious Lily.

Boutonniere

Buttonholes – Bridal Party

The men wear their buttonholes on the left, Ladies wear buttonholes and corsages on the right (corsages with the tail up).

Key Men for Buttonholes:

• Groom

• Best Man/Woman

• Fathers of the Bride & Groom

• Ushers

• Page Boys

Choosing a buttonhole will depend on the color-way you’re working to, For example: colors in the Bride’s Bouquet, color of waistcoat or accessories.

If you were choosing a dark jacket like navy or black then an Ivory flower would be complimentary.

With an Ivory jacket, a colored flower gives a strong impact.

For a Gold or Silver jacket choose something simple.

Traditionally the Bridegroom will chose a flower from the brides bouquet - his design will be the most impressive.

For the Best Man/Woman a similar design to the Groom’s as he/she plays an important role.

Dad’s and Usher’s flowers will be more subtle but still go with the theme.

Page Boys from 2yrs – 16yr will also be included for buttonholes - smaller depending on age.

Popular choices of flowers - Open Rose or Rosebud, Calla Lilly, Zinnia, Alstromeria, Freesia

Ladies Buttonholes will have some delicate touches but most prefer a Corsage these are worn on the right hand side with the tail up.

Corsages

This is a special day for the Mothers of the Bride & Groom they will have chosen their outfits carefully. Any information you can give your florist will assist in a perfect match, resulting in a stunning look.

Choosing a corsage - something individual, popular choices include

Rose, Freesia, Orchid, Feathers & Accessories for a modern look

If your outfit material is delicate, you may decide to wear your corsage on a belt, handbag or scarf - just something light to compliment.

Reception – Dress it up

Receptions can look dull but with the right floral touches, whether it’s an extravagant style or elegant, simple designs, it’s your dream and your florist can make it happen.

Top Table Suggestions

Dress your top table with a low, dramatic design to lead your eye to the Bride & Groom (with complementary arrangements for the guest’s tables) all add to the romance of the day

• Candles in small vases

• Single flower arrangements placed upright with trailing ivy

• Garlands draped along the front of top table to soften the edges

Guest’s Tables Suggestions

• Silk flower with a candle will add extra interest

• Single Rosebuds for the ladies on guest tables

• Contemporary setting of Calla Lilies in vases

• Vibrant Gerberas in colored glass

Other Floral Suggestions

• A Floral Arch will not only add impact to any room it will also create many photo opportunities

• Buffet table designs need to be tall & striking

• Decorate your cake table with garlands and bows - dress to impress

• If you’re limited for space, decorate the tables with overlay tablecloths in your favorite color

• Pick up more color with chair bows on alternate chairs or just top table
  
  

Marquee Suggestions

• Make the support poles for the marquee a feature by dressing with tulle, garlands or arrangements that drape from the ceiling

Gifts - for the guests who have helped make your day special, Silk Arrangements are an ideal keepsake.