A wedding is a once in a lifetime event, celebrating your commitment and love for each other, your chance to shine and show your style – Your one day in the limelight.

Like all major events a wedding takes planning, so hopefully you’ve done the saving and decided upon a budget. You then need to prioritise,
If flowers are important to you, then a rough guide of what you need to spend is between 10 and 15% of your total budget.

Approximately a year before your wedding date you will need to start looking for a florist. A good place to begin is the internet, using one of the search engines to find florists in your particular area. Have a look at their work; remember style varies greatly, as does experience and knowledge.

Do some research before booking a consultation, and make sure the photos you see on their websites are work they have actually done and not just stock photos. Ask how many weddings they did the year before – Normally this is a good indication of experience.

It is always good to get a couple of quotes and speak to a few different florists – When you find one whose work you like and you trust, then you will need to pay a booking fee to secure their services for your date.

If you are on a very restricted budget let your florist know, they should do their best to make suggestions. You could consider doing some of your wedding flowers yourself, but keep it simple. Maybe hire some tall elegant vases and add a few top quality calla lilies or a couple of stems of tall oriental lilies with some grasses and a light scattering of fresh rose petals for your reception tables.

Remember that like all fresh produce, flowers are graded, supermarket flowers are fine for your kitchen table but not for your wedding flowers! Go to a good florist and order best quality flowers- you really do get what you pay for.

Nikki will be holding another ‘Wedding Day Workshop’ early next year; contact us to book a place if you’d like to come along and learn how to plan and create some of your own wedding flowers. We will also give ideas and advice on decorating your ceremony and reception venues. Workshops are for absolute beginners, and classes are small and informal

Aconitum
Alstroemeria
Amaryllis
Anemone
Calla lily
Waxflower
Forsythia
Freesia
Hyacinth
Iris
Lily of the Valley- late May
Muscari
Narcissus
Prunus (flowering cherry blossom)
Pussy willow
Ranunculas
Syringa (lilac)
Tulips
Viburnum Opulus

Amaryllis
Anemone
Calla lily
Cattleya orchid
Cornus Alba
Cymbidium orchid
Dendrobium orchid
Gypsophilia
Hellebores
Ilex
Liatris
Moluccella
Nerine
Phalaenopsis orchid
Pussy willow
Strelitzia
Tulips
Vanda orchids

Agapanthus
Ammi
Amaranthus
Antirrhinum
Aster
Bouvardia
Cornflower
Marigold
Delphinium
Eryngium
Eustoma
Gladiolus
Gloriosa
Lavender
Lilies
Stocks
Nigella
Peony (May and June)
Phlox
Scabious
Sunflowers.

Wreath of pink roses and green orchids with tiny wax flowers and foliage – Medium or large.

When ordering please quote – ref. 20

Black dahlias and hot pink scented oriental lilies make up this beautiful and vibrantly coloured spray- an ideal family tribute – (approx 90cm long).

When ordering please quote – ref. 19

Modern sheaf of orange ‘Naranga’ roses, teamed with aspidistra leaves and tied with willow.

When ordering please quote – ref. 18

80cm long funeral spray of orange ‘Naranga’ roses, brown hypericum berries, pine cones and orange gerbera make the perfect autumn tribute.

When ordering please quote – ref. 17

Come and visit our stand at the Royal pavilion wedding fair on Sunday 7th February 2010 where you will be able to see some beautiful wedding bouquets, and get ideas for your reception and ceremony flowers. Maybe enrol in one of our spring workshops and learn how to make some of your own wedding flowers- and keep your costs down at the same time.

We are also exhibiting at Stanmer House wedding fair on Sunday 14th March 2010- come along and fill in a consultation request form (without obligation) to take advantage of are wedding fair special offer of a free presentation bouquet. This is only valid when we do your wedding flowers.

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