Your Wedding Shopping List - Flowers

Flowers are an integral part of a wedding and can account for a large portion of your budget. Here is a shopping list for all your floral requirements for your wedding.

Ceremony Arrangements - If your venue isn't already decorated with flower arrangements then you might want to look at adding some. Typical arrangements for a religious service include

• Large floral arrangements on stands for the entrance
• Large floral arrangements on stands for either side of the altar
• Door or archway garland
• Pew ends
• Altar arrangement

If you are having a civil ceremony either indoors or outdoors then here are some additional arrangements to consider

• Arbor
• Gazebo
• Top of the aisle

Reception Flowers - You may want to think about transporting your flowers from your ceremony to your reception venue, although this is easier said than done Flowers for your reception include

• Large standing arrangements
• Table centers
• Top table arrangements
• Floral garlands for decoration
• Cake table flowers
• Guestbook/gift table flowers

For these last two many brides choose to use their bridesmaid's bouquets instead.

Buttonholes - Also known as boutonnières. These are the small single flowers worn by the wedding party and any other guests on there lapels or in their buttonholes. Usually they are a flower which is included in the bride's bouquet along with a piece of foliage. The design of these is entirely up to you, although the grooms buttonhole should match the bride's bouquet.

Corsages - These are floral wristbands or pins given to female guests.

Bouquets - Work closely with your florist to design the perfect bouquet for you in accordance with your wedding style and your wedding dress. Bouquets you will need to order include
• Yours
• Bridesmaid's bouquets, posy's or pomanders
• Flower girls posy or pomander or basket

You might also want to order an additional bouquet for you to toss at the reception, particularly if you want to keep yours.

Additional Flowers - You might also want to order additional arrangements to give to
your mother and mother-in-law as gifts. You may want floral arrangements for your hair, your bridesmaid's hair or a floral circlet for your flower girl. You might also want small arrangements for your wedding car. If you are hiring a car then they may add some flowers as part of the hire package, but if you are using a personal car then you may want to add some flowers to the back parcel shelf and maybe to the front of the car too. Some brides like to decorate their wedding cakes with fresh flowers rather sugar ones. Ask your florist to make up some small arrangements to go on top of the cake and to decorate each tier.