Purple Wedding Flowers For the Bride

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If you've never considered purple wedding flowers for your wedding, now is the time! Purple is a wonderful color for your wedding, whether you prefer pale lavenders, brilliant violets, eggplant, plum, or dusky grays with just a hint of purple. There are all kinds of flowers available to suit any preference, and they can be used in almost any bouquet.

Here's a look at some of the best purple flower choices around:

Purple Roses

When you talk about romantic flowers, most peoples' thoughts go to roses. They're among the most popular wedding flowers, and can be found in shades of purple from cool lilac to brilliant purple. These purple roses are also among the best smelling roses available. Mix and match roses to create attractive centerpieces and bouquets. These purple wedding flowers really make you feel like you're getting the royal treatment.

Purple Lilies

Calla lilies are another popular romantic flower, and they also come in purple. Choose miniature calla lilies in a shade of purple for mixed flower arrangements, such as bouquets, centerpieces, and decorations. Lilies are a truly elegant addition to your wedding flowers.

Purple Tulips

Roses and lilies aren't the only option, however - tulips are an excellent type of wedding flower that's available in all different purple shades, including plum and a dark, nearly black shade that's extremely sophisticated. Add it to mostly white wedding decor for a look that really stands out from the rest.

Sweetpeas

Ruffly and old fashioned, purple sweetpeas are the ideal addition to a vintage-styled wedding. They're cute, and make a great bouquet on their own. For spring weddings, or any other ceremony that needs a touch of sweetness, you can't go wrong with sweetpeas.

Grape Hyacinth

Also called muscari, these flowers look a lot like a flowing bunch of grapes, and are a great choice for adding variety and texture to mixed flower arrangements, or for making wreaths for the flower girl. Like sweetpeas, these flowers have a sweet, old fashioned charm that's perfect for spring ceremonies.

Orchids

There are several very dramatic purple orchids, such as medium purple phalaenopsis orchids, and dark vanda orchids, which feature white accents. Both do very well in centerpieces, and as part of a large, dramatic bouquet, but may not be appropriate for male members of the party or for smaller arrangements.

Pansies

Pansies are among the most famous of the purple flowers, and come in a range of attractive colors. They're a great casual wedding flower for the spring, and can be used in all sorts of arrangements.

Lilacs

A sprig of lilac carries a wonderful scent, and a beautiful color. Despite their name, lilacs actually cover a range of purple shades, from the light, grayish tone that takes its name from the flower, to blue-purple tones and even reddish-plum colors. You might be surprised by the range of options in lilacs as purple wedding flowers.

Choosing purple wedding flowers is only one of the many choices you have to make when planning your wedding. For many more tips on planning your wedding, click on this link, PlanMyWeddingTips.com

Wedding Customs Throughout History From Kissing The Bride To Flowers Associated With Weddings

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The legend concerning kissing as part of the ceremony

There is a story that the custom was for the priest to kiss the groom after the ceremony. The groom then kissed the bride, the priest kissed his assistants, and they kissed the guests!

The tradition regarding the white bridal gown

The lovely silk illusion veil of today has evolved out of a series of Oriental customs from past ages. Once, in Far Eastern countries, people believed that wicked spirits were especially attracted to women. So, as protection from the Evil Eye, women always wore veils. The custom continued although the feeling behind it changed with time into a role of modesty and obedience. From this the veil developed into a symbol of chastity. Then it became accepted as a sign of the submission of women.

The introduction of the veil into Europe came through returning Crusaders. In early wedding traditions in Europe, the bride was bargained for through her father, was swathed in a bridal veil, and revealed to her mate after the ceremony!

In early centuries, Hebrew, Greek and Roman brides wore veils of many hues and veils threaded with gold and silver. In Southern Europe, early Christians placed a large cloth over both bride and groom. In Anglo-Saxon times, the bride wore her hair hanging loose as part of the wedding ritual. The Chinese held a sacred umbrella over the bride's head. Around 1500 in Europe, there was a fashionable conical headdress topped with a veil that hung to the toes. Each era has revealed a different style for the bridal veil. Now the bride prefers a transparent one that does not conceal her hair.

The origin of the trousseau

The trousseau can be directly traced back to the barter-price, purchase-price and dowry systems. It was customary for a bride to come to her husband well-provided with a dowry, so that the man might be compensated for his expenses in caring for the children of his wife's lineage. In our present time in this country, it is not thought essential that a bride bring to her husband money or land, but she is usually provided with a good supply of personal clothing, household linen, silver, china, etc., although much of this also comes along as wedding presents and the meaning of flowers.

The origin of the wedding gifts

The tradition is also closely related to the bride's dowry. In all societies and in all centuries, the celebrations attending the marriage ceremony included the exchange of gifts, even if only of food. By Saxon and Elizabethan times, it was customary to bestow upon the bride various items of hardware which she carried in her belt, such as bodkins, knives, scissors, pinchers, scales, etc. There is record of wedding gift-giving as far back as the Norman Conquest. Among the peasants, gifts were understood to be loans which the couple was expected to return once they were established. As the feudal lord grew in power, he passed laws requiring that all those dependent upon him make generous gifts for his children's marriages. He even arranged for the Church to act as record-keeper for him to insure that no one escaped from "giving" his share.

How Flowers are associated with a wedding

Throughout history, most celebrations of weddings, whether pagan or Christian, use flowers in some way. Almost every country has its own traditions and symbolism concerning flowers.

Popular contemporary customs associate the orange blossoms most closely to the wedding ceremony. The wearing of a wreath of orange blossoms as a crown over the bridal veil was a Saracen custom introduced by returning Crusaders. Orange blossoms were so expensive that only the wealthy could afford them and poorer brides resorted to artificial ones. A "kissing knot" of croton leaves and rosemary was hung over the bridal couple in Elizabethan England. In Sweden it was believed necessary to put chives, garlic or rosemary in the bride's bouquet to keep the dwarfs from bothering her on her wedding day! In Poland it was believed that to sprinkle the bride's bouquet with sugar would keep her temper sweet. In Rome, roses and marigolds were used to decorate the bride's home. Here are some of the "meanings" associated with certain flowers:

Apple blossoms or quince blossoms: better things to come

Clematis: love vine

Ivy: good luck

Rosebud: a promise

Myrtle: lover's flower

Laurel: peace

Tulips: infidelity

Yellow flowers of any kind: jealousy

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"Bride Wars" - The Friendship!

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The movie Bride Wars is a predictable but fun movie about two lifelong friends who get engaged at the same time. As their wedding plans progress, their friendship starts to fall apart. It is a great movie to remind brides about what is really important in life.

In the Bride Wars, we meet two women living in New York who have been friends since they were girls growing up together in New Jersey. Liv, played by Kate Hudson, is a Type A go-getter, with a successful law career. Her best friend Emma (Anne Hathaway) is a mild mannered beauty who teaches middle school. The girls are such close friends that their relationship means at least as much, if not more, than the ones they have with their boyfriends.

The defining moment of Liv and Emma's friendship is when their mothers took them to tea at the Plaza Hotel when they were young girls. They witnessed a wedding taking place, and right then and there they both decided that the only wedding worth having is a June wedding at the Plaza. The radiant bride dropped a piece of her hair bridal jewelry - a blue flower hairpin- and it became a treasured momento for both Emma and Liv.

Fast forward two decades, and both women are living in New York with their serious boyfriends. Their friendship is as strong as ever, and when Liv discovers that she is about to become engaged (she find the little blue box!), Emma could not be more thrilled to be her maid of honor for what they both expect will be the most perfect wedding ever. However, before Liv's boyfriend can actually pop the question, Emma's boyfriend proposes to her. This sets off instant jealousy in Liv, and you can see the beginning of the competitive spark that will nearly destroy their friendship.

Once Liv gets her ring, both ladies trot off to the most fabulous wedding planner in New York, who tells them that there are two dates available for June weddings at the Plaza - perfect! However, trouble ensues when the planner's assistant accidentally books both weddings on the same date. Suddenly the two best friends in the world become bitter rivals, as neither one is willing to change her wedding to another date or venue and abandon the dream of the June wedding at the Plaza.

Much ugliness ensues as the two enraged brides attempt to sabotage each other's big day. The tricks run from a spray tan disaster to blue highlights the week before the wedding. There is also a wild bachelorette party showdown, not to mention a dirty trick to make sure that Liv will gain too much weight to fit into her Vera Wang gown. The two girls are forced to find other people to be their maids of honor, and also manage to frighten their fiances with their catty behavior.

Along the way, each bride learns something important about herself. Liv discovers that she does not have to try to be perfect at all times, and that it is okay to be human. Emma realizes that being a people-pleaser means that she pleases everyone but herself. As she develops a backbone, Emma also comes to realize (spoiler alert!) that her fiance is not the right man for her.

In the end, what both characters come to realize is that they are incomplete without the other. At the end of the movie, Emma presents Liv with the little blue piece of bridal hair jewelry that had started their wedding obsession, and she walks her best friend down the aisle. It is a very sweet moment, and both girls see that life's most special moments are meaningless if they are not shared with the ones that you love.

Laura is interested in wedding planning and wedding trends including jewelry,receptions and gifts. Bridal jewelry is a great way to express your individuality.

Bride Hairstyles - Secrets Revealed For Your Perfect Wedding Hair

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After you have chosen your wedding theme and the perfect wedding dress for your special occasion, you should start planning your special bride hairstyle that is complimentary to you and your wedding dress. It is wise to plan carefully for this, as the brides hairstyle is one of the most important of all the presentations on your wedding day.

You will want to decide if you will have your hair cut, or get a perm or perhaps colored to achieve the look you want for your wedding. You should be planning your bridal hairstyle months in advance, so you have time to try different ideas and make up your mind about the issues that stem from producing your prefect look.

Important Bride Hairstyles Tips!

In the six months prior to your wedding, you should have your hair trimmed regularly to protect your hair from split ends. Also, avoid unnecessary use of styling aids and heated hair appliances. Hot oil treatments and head massages are good for conditioning your hair. However, if your hair has been chemically treated, you should take special care to use the right kind of shampoo and conditioner to bring out the best condition of your hair.

In the three-month period before your wedding, you will need to locate a good hairstylist to do your bridal hairstyle. If you already have a regular hairstylist, it is best to stick with her or him since she or he already is familiar with you and your hair. If you do not have a regular hair stylist, it is best for you to ask around, find out what others have experienced with their own hairstylists. Once you have chosen the hairstylist that is best for you, you then should make an appointment with your stylist for a wedding hair plan.

Be sure to have a look at current pictures of hairstyles with your stylist to help you choose the bridal hairstyle that fits perfectly with you and your wedding dress.

Tips For Getting Bride Hairstyle Results:

1. Be sure to wash your hair the night before the wedding rather than the day of your wedding since freshly washed hair is much harder to work with.

2. Arrive at your hairstyling appointment on time no matter what else is going on, so that there is plenty of time for your hairstylist to do his or her job.

3. Try to be natural in the appearance of your bridal hairstyle rather than to be outrageous or difficult.

4. On the day of your wedding, with your beautiful creation of beauty in gown and hair, remember to smile.

With these tips your bride hairstyle will certainly be something to remember.

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Shopping For Elegant Mother Of The Bride Dresses

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There are many places to shop for elegant mother of the bride dresses that are also affordable. You don't have to spend a lot of money to ensure elegance. In fact, if you shop with an eye on line, cut and style, rather on designer name and price, you'll be surprised at how elegant you can look without spending an outrageous amount of money. There are elegant mother of the bride dresses to suit every budget size.

When you begin to shop for your dress, you may want to spend a bit of time browsing the ultra expensive collections of top designer created elegant mother of the bride dresses. You're not browsing their dresses to buy, however. The purpose of browsing those expensive and elegant mother of the bride dresses is to see what is current in the fashion world.

You'll have those elegant mother of the bride dresses in your mind's eye when you begin your real shopping at much more reasonably priced retailers. It is common knowledge that high fashion is rarely exclusive. The moment those expensive designer clothes are made available to the consumer, the designers and manufacturers that produce garments for sale at more affordable prices are busy making copies to sell to the average income consumer.

So, while high priced elegant mother of the bride dresses may be out of your reach, the knock-offs will most likely be closer to your desired price range. And, since you did your homework, checking up on what the top designers are putting out for this season, you'll know exactly which of the knock-offs are copies of the crème de la crème of the season.

Another way to ensure elegance at a reasonable price is to choose from elegant mother of the bride dresses that are of classic styles. Because truly classic styles are timeless in their appeal, you can find a quite elegant and attractive dress among those that are discounted for quick sale to make room for the new stock of this year's fashions.

Classically elegant mother of the bride dresses change remarkably little from season to season. If you look at fashion history, there are many classic, elegant mother of the bride dresses that have changed very little over the past few decades. Yet, they still have the power to make a woman look absolutely stunning and fashionable.

Women who are handy with needle and thread can purchase one of the elegant mother of the bride dresses in a classic style left over from a season or so ago and use a little imagination and innovation to alter or add certain details to bring it to up to the minute fashion standards. Checking out the top designers interpretations of classic designs can provide inspiration.

It is possible to find a reasonably priced mother of the bride dress that is elegant and affordable. Investing a little time and effort in creative shopping techniques can present you with a variety of elegant mother of the bride dresses to choose from, ensuring that you will look your very best at your daughter's wedding without spending excessively.

Abe Gardea is a full-time freelance writer and a regular contributor to http://bridesmaid-dresses-n-flower-girl-dresses.com

Father of the Bride Wedding Speech - Top Tips For the Perfect Brides Father Speech

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Weddings are one of the few places where telling lousy jokes won't get tomatoes thrown at you. It could be that one side of the audience don't know the other, so don't want to make anyone upset and therefore laugh politely out of respect, or everyone has had a few too many by the time the father of the bride wedding speech gets started, and they find everything funny at that point. Either way, it is safe to assume that starting your father of the bride wedding speech out with a few corny jokes will not get you thrown out of your daughter's wedding.

One of the most special positions in weddings, the father of the bride plays host, foots the bill, and other traditions deep set in most cultures. Nowadays, things have changed slightly. The father of the bride no longer has to foot the entire bill himself -- this is usually spread out and around. But one thing that cannot be spread out and around is the tradition of "giving his daugher away." Sure this is a hard role to play, and there have been many sightings of fathers turning away from their audience to dry their eyes at their daughter's nuptials.

As host at his daughter's wedding, the father of the bride must stand up to say a few things to keep things flowing smoothly throughout the evening. If the budget calls for it, the father of the bride may hire entertainers to do this for him. Even getting the best man, if he is so inclined to do so, will ease this burden from the father of the bride.

But nothing will replace the father himself when it comes time to give that time-honored speech at the reception following the wedding ceremony. So, if you are a father in the grips of fear at the prospect of "giving your daughter away" and having to talk about it, read on to find out some things that you can traditionally fall back on when giving the father of the bride wedding speech.

Every father of the bride wedding speech begins with some funny anecdote to get everyone to stop talking and listen up. From there you want to thank everyone for being a part of this memorable event, and all the love and support they have shown throughout. Mention some of the happenings of the day, especially any compliments sent to the ladies of the event, like the bride, the mother, the maidens.

Of course, in giving your father of the bride wedding speech, you want to let everyone know a little bit about what it feels like to be in this role. Especially if you have only one daughter, and this chance won't happen again (hopefully), you want to wax a little sentimental here. But keep it short.

No father of the bride wedding speech would be complete without a few phrases of endearment toward the bride. Here is the part of the speech that garners the most tears, mostly from the father of the bride himself. It's okay, let it flow.

Reminiscing now takes place in your father of the bride wedding speech, as you recall for everyone's benefit how the lovely couple met, how you kept the shotgun nearby but unloaded (just in case) and how you fully supported from the beginning the groom's idea to forget college and just hitch a ride across the country and see the sights. Then, humor aside, let everyone know the special feelings you have for the newly married couple.

This would be an appropriate time in your father of the bride wedding speech for you to raise a toast in welcoming the newest member of your family...the groom. You know, not losing a daughter, but gaining a son, that kind of sentiment.

Here at this point in your father of the bride wedding speech, it is important for you to touch upon the couple's plans for the future, and impart some pearls of wisdom to take with them. And of course, you want to wish them the best on the beginning of this part of life's journey they are about to take together.

Then comes the toasting of the bride and groom, to their future, and you might even want to include friends and relatives who couldn't make it to the wedding. After saying a few closing remarks to end your father of the bride wedding speech, you want to revert back to the role of host and wish everyone at the reception a very good evening for the rest of their time there.

As you can see, there really is not a whole lot that goes into a father of the bride wedding speech. They are short, heartfelt and warm, and to the point. Yet they are some of the most important and memorable moments in a father's life, next to his daughter's birth, and the births of any grandkids, so putting together a good father of the bride speech is very important. Just don't forget to mention Aunt Tilly's work on the cake, or family reunions will be the antithesis to your daughter's wedding for years to come.

Everything else about the wedding is paid for ... the flowers, the service, the limousines, the dinner, the wedding dress and so on. Why leave one of the most important parts of the entire wedding celebrations in the hands of an inexperienced speech writer.

Giving a speech is hard enough, but having to write it as well is sometimes just too much of to ask from a father of the bride. That is why we recommend that you purchase a professionally written father of the bride speech and then make some minor changes to personalize it.

If you do feel like you need some professional assistance then you should definitely check out the professionally written father of the bride speeches available at http://www.Need-A-Speech.com.

Wedding Flowers - The 7 Most Popular Forms For Bridal Bouquets

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You may be well versed on the different wedding gown silhouettes like A-line, Empire, Ballgown or Mermaid, but did you know that wedding flowers come arranged in different shapes too? You'll find that the same combination of flowers can look very different depending on the shape of the bridal arrangement. Though shape is important for your wedding centerpieces and other flowers, the biggest place where shape has an affect on your wedding flowers is in your bridal bouquet.

When you choose the shape for your bridal bouquet, you'll want to make sure that it blends with your wedding theme. For example, a heart shaped bouquet would clash with a modern and minimalist wedding where a cascade shaped bouquet would look quite lovely. You'll also want to keep in mind the level of formality of your wedding when you choose the shape for your bouquet. Loose organic bouquets are best suited for garden and beach weddings while pageant bouquets are ideal for formal affairs.

Your bridal bouquet should also flatter the look of your wedding gown. With the right shape, your wedding flowers will lend a beautiful touch to your wedding ceremony and be your best bridal accessory. Large ballgown silhouettes will go well with ornate arrangements like the cascade shape. Simpler gown silhouettes like a classic A-line will work better with simpler bouquets in a round or loose form.

No matter what your wedding theme is, you'll find that there's a bouquet shape that's just right for you. If you're familiar with the 7 most popular bridal bouquet shapes, once you choose your wedding florist, you'll easily be able to talk to her about the type of bouquet you want.

Read on to discover the 7 most popular wedding flower shapes and find which one is right for your bridal bouquet.

Round

Round bouquets are the most popular wedding flower choice for brides. Round bouquets are, as the name implies, bouquets with flowers arranged in a round or globe shape. Though the round shape is a very traditional look for wedding flowers, modern brides appreciate its versatility. Simple and elegant, round bridal bouquets are appropriate for both formal and casual weddings.

Crescent

A dramatic shape that consists of flowers and greenery arched from the center and then tapered at the ends, the crescent shape is best suited for formal weddings. Because of the natural way that the flowers seem to fall around your hands, the crescent shape is favored by many brides. Crescent bouquets can be created with a symmetrical look or they can be created asymmetrically by arranging flowers in a graduated fashion for a more contemporary look.

Pageant

Pageant shaped bouquets are characterized by long stems arranged in a sweeping fashion so that the bouquet can fit nicely into a bride's arm. Named for the way that a beauty queen carries her bouquet, the pageant shape can be used for formal or informal weddings. For casual weddings, the pageant shape should be created loosely to lend an organic and wispy look to the bridal bouquet.

Cascade

Also known as a waterfall, the cascade shape features great amounts of flowers at the base of the bouquet that slowly taper along the length of the bouquet. The Cascade shape gives the appearance of flowers spilling over the edge of the bridal bouquet. Sophisticated and elegant, bridal bouquets done in the cascade shape can be used for formal or casual weddings.

Heart

Because the heart is the symbol of love, a heart shaped bridal bouquet is ideal if you want your wedding flowers to have a romantic quality. Arranged in a dense heart shape, heart bouquets add a girlish sweetness to your wedding flowers. If you're carrying a heart shaped bouquet, you'll only want to select one or two different flowers to include so the shape of your bridal bouquet is clearly discernable.

Loose

Also known as organic or hand-tied, loose flower arrangements are the epitome of casual elegance. Loose bridal bouquets are characterized by the stems of flowers and greenery loosely tied together by wire or ribbon. Bridal bouquets done in a loose style appear unfussy and are perfect for beach weddings and other more casual wedding ceremonies.

Now that you know what's available, you can start thinking about which wedding flower shape is right for you. With so many beautiful options, you'll have no problem in finding a bridal bouquet that will compliment your wedding theme and wedding gown perfectly.

A wedding expert, Elizabeth Reuth offers wedding tips online for brides and grooms and is the author of the popular wedding vow book Perfect Wedding Vows in Minutes

Bride's Wedding Flowers

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Choosing the flowers is the fun bit of planning your wedding.

There are so many things to decide about when choosing your wedding flowers, including:

• Choosing Your Bridal Bouquet


• Gent's Boutonnieres (buttonholes)


• Deciding on Your Flower Colors


• Flowers for the Ceremony


• Reception Wedding Flowers


• Centerpieces


• Artificial and Silk Flowers


• Tropical Wedding Flowers

A lot of the preparation of the flowers is done the day before and the morning of the wedding when the couple and their families are at their busiest and most stressed. Therefore unless the floral displays are very simple it is wise to have them professionally prepared by a wedding florist.

When deciding on a florist seek personal recommendations from friends and recently married acquaintances. If you are unable to decide, it is best to visit several and look at their displays. Most florists will allow you visit them at a time when they have prepared flowers for other weddings so that you can see the quality of their work. You should also try to select a florist who actually does wedding flowers for a living, not just run a florist shop. Remember it is is your special day, so find a florist who shows passion, love and commitment for what they do as this way you know you are more likely to be getting the best.

Make sure your florist can work within your budget. Decide how much you can afford, then ask your florist for suggestions within this amount. The price of wedding flowers depends on type and availability and the size of the bouquets and decorations. If you are on a tight budget, use flowers that will be in season at the time of your wedding. Or keep things simple: a hand-tied posy of roses looks stunning and is less expensive than an elaborate bouquet.

There are several classic shapes of bouquet and good florists should have a selection of photographs to demonstrate them. The florist should also be able to advise on which flowers match the chosen shape bearing in mind the colour scheme and seasonal availability.

The choice of your wedding bouquet depends of the style of your gown. Bouquets can range from the just-picked-from-the-garden look, to the tailored-stylised formal look. You should always get a sense of balance between your gown and your bouquet. A fresh-picked bouquet from the garden may look out of place with a very formal gown. The bouquet size should be proportion to the bride. Too large a bouquet would simply overpower the bride and clutter her elegant dress.

Buttonholes will match the bride's bouquet and blend with the dark lapels of the groom's wedding attire. Usually the groom, best man, ushers and fathers of the bride and groom should wear buttonholes although other important guests such as the grandparents may also wear them.

Corsages are normally larger than a buttonhole and can be made of the same or similar flowers as those in the bride's bouquet. The mothers of the bride and groom will wear corsages and so may the grandmothers and other important guests. Corsages can also be pinned to the lapel as with a buttonhole or alternatively worn on the wrist or attached to a handbag or purse.

Some reception venues such as hotels and restaurants often include wedding floral arrangements as part of their overall wedding service. Others may make a separate charge. A lot of venues will allow the couple to provide their own wedding flowers and floral decorations. The venue management should be consulted to arrange a convenient time to set up the displays which will not inconvenience the catering arrangements.

The wedding flower decorations usually consist of a large display just inside the entrance which is seen by guests as they enter the reception room, and arrangements on each of the tables for guests. The top table occupied by the newlyweds usually has a more ornate wedding flower arrangement. Large halls and marquees usually provide plain backgrounds and therefore wedding flower arrangements should be spectacular and large to catch the eye. Decorating with potted plants is a good idea as they can subsequently be used in the newlyweds new home.

Brides Wedding Flowers

Wedding Flowers for Crafty Brides

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Are you the kind of person who prefers to make homemade gifts, like hand-knitted sweaters and scarves? Are you a fanatic for scrap-booking? Do you love spicing up your clothes with your own bead and jewel designs? Do your friends turn to you for help when they need something crafty done?

If that's the case, then you may have considered adding your own creative spark to your wedding festivities. One great way to do that is to create your own wedding flower arrangements. Here are just a few ideas for wedding flowers you could do yourself.

Boutonnière

Odds are your men won't be up for sporting your custom jewelry or latest knitting masterpiece at the altar. But you can certainly add your personal touch with flowers.

Difficulty level: Easy

Average time: 10-15 minutes

Skills involved: Wiring and taping flowers and their stems.

The challenge: A little time consuming if there are many to do. Do them assembly line fashion.

Tip: Do not curl your bout stem. No one does that anymore. It looks unprofessional.

Wedding Cake Decor

Unless you're in the running for Top Chef, a wedding cake can be a daunting project. But you can take an "average" cake to "fantastic" with eye-catching florals.

Difficulty level: Medium

Average time: 30-40 minutes

Skills involved: Planning the design; preparing the flowers ahead of time.

The challenge: Coordinating the delivery of the cake with the time you have to do the actual decorating.

Tip: Put the larger flowers in place first, followed by the smaller ones. Add greenery as an accent.

Cascade Bouquet (Teardrop / Shower Bouquet)

You could create a necklace or earring set to add a hint of sparkle to the star of the show, but the bridal bouquet offers much more visual impact. Your bridesmaids will really be fighting to catch this piece.

Difficulty level: Hard

Average time: 45-60 minutes +

Skills involved: Planning the design with appropriate flowers; working with a wet foam bouquet holder; wiring and taping.

The challenge: Getting a good shape that is "airy" and not too compact.

Tip: As a finishing touch, hot glue satin bows to the back to help conceal the plastic holder.

Whether it's bouquets, table decorations or boutonnières, with a little time management and a lot of creativity, you can add your own crafty touch to your wedding.

Jo Lind was once faced with five family weddings in eight months and with budgets that most professional florists would have laughed at. Today, Lind is a certified master florist who has created breathtaking floral arrangements for weddings large and small. Visit WeddingFlowers-DIY.com for all the essentials for a DIY bride.

Major Oversights Most Brides Make When Choosing Flowers

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When one thinks of weddings, one usually envisions a beautiful bride walking down the aisle with a lovely bouquet of carnations in her hand. Yes, flowers are as much a part of a wedding as the bride and groom themselves. Wedding flowers are expressions of love and have long been considered traditional symbols of holy matrimony. No wedding is complete without flowers and choosing the right kind for your wedding is a task upon itself. However, in the frantic, pre-wedding preparations rush, brides often end up choosing flowers for their wedding in a hurry; and the result is: blooms that clash violently with the wedding ambience.

The first trick is to remember that matching your wedding gown with your bouquet (or the overall look of your wedding) is a good idea as long as you don't carry the idea of coordination too far. A beautiful red gown with an exquisite bouquet of red French Tulips might just not be the right idea. Make sure that the wedding flowers you choose are in contrast to your gown, and don't take the limelight away from you. Allow your wedding flowers to actually compliment your wedding day radiance. For example, if your wedding gown is intricately embroidered or sequined then make sure that you carry simple flowers to enhance the effect of your overall appearance.

The second trick - and something that most brides forget to take into consideration - is making sure that the flowers you choose for your wedding suit the formality of the occasion. A beach wedding would demand flowers suited to the fun ambience, such as exotic orchids, whereas the elegant white Lily of the Valley may be suitable for a traditional church wedding.

The flowers you choose can speak volumes of your feelings and suitably deliver the message you want to give to your beloved. Each and every wedding flower symbolizes a certain emotion; what better way to light up the occasion then to do up your wedding with flowers that hold a special meaning for you? You can ask your wedding planner or check the internet for the special meaning each type of flower holds.
And before everyone - including that annoying aunt who just flew in - convinces you that forget-me-nots are just perfect and make your blue eyes light up and twinkle, please remember that it's your wedding and it's a good idea to choose your wedding flowers that appeal to you the most. Make this special wedding day the most memorable day of your life by choosing flowers that speak of your individual tastes and not what trends or traditions dictate.

Tidys Flowers wants to help you to fulfill your wedding dreams. It offers wedding flowers and bridal bouquets because this day should reflect you and your love for each other.

Wedding Flowers - Classic Choices For The Modern Bride

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Planning a wedding is like telling a story. And it is the flowers that set the tone for the way the story unfolds. By their opulence or their simplicity, they create the drama of the day. For today's bride, that story seems to be set in the past as many seek a simple, more classic look not just for their gowns, but for the flowers that will accent them. Here are a few ideas on how to choose flowers for the modern bride.

Princess Diana's long cascade of flowers caught the public's fancy at her 1981 royal wedding, but that look seems fussy and frilly by today's standards.

Now, most brides want a nosegay bouquet, often with a mixture of colors. Some brides have firmly planted ideas about which flowers to use. But for those willing to experiment, florists can create a colorful mix using flowers like calla lilies, gerbera daisies, spray roses, cymbidium orchids, stargazer lilies and cattleya orchids. Greenery often consists of ivy, huckleberry, plumosa, smilax or leatherleaf. For pastel arrangements, stephanotis and gardenias are still popular.

But as flowers quickly fade, so does their individual popularity with fickle brides. Flower choices move in cycles, and every few years, one or two types emerge as the favorites.

Lily of the valley is a good example. It's a tiny white bell-shaped flower and seems to be increasingly popular. In years past, brides chose the stargazer lilies because they went so well with colors like dark green, navy and burgundy, which were the popular colors for bridesmaid dresses. Now, brides are choosing dress colors like seafoam green, champagne, periwinkle blue and buttercup yellow. And lily of the valley is perfect for this new trend.

Jewel tones are another new favorite, giving brides a golden opportunity to highlight the themes of joy and celebration. This is a bolder, brighter look. These are flowers that come in colors like hot pink, bright yellow and deep purple. The English garden look of mixed colors will always be appealing, but some brides have completely tossed the bouquet out the window and instead opted for the stark, but elegant look of the hand-tied bouquet.

The look is simple and natural, such as a cluster of tulips wrapped with a single ribbon perhaps. You literally see just flowers and stems, with each petal touching and no greenery at all.

But bouquets are just the beginning. The florist is often responsible for the altar flowers and reception arrangements as well. Depending on the time of the wedding, morning, noon or evening, certain colors and styles may work better.

Rich and vibrant colors work better for daytime weddings, while monochromatic schemes (total white, total blue) add a soft and sophisticated touch to nighttime occasions.

And while the flowers take center stage at the actual ceremony, they often serve as a decorative backdrop at the reception for other design elements like candelabras, statuary, urns, pedestals and columns.

Finally, the expense involved can really take the bloom off the wedding experience. But a beautiful wedding doesn't have to cost a fortune.

L Hayes is a wedding professional and owner of Wedding Favors Emporium. They carry an extensive line of unique wedding favors as well as bridesmaids, groomsmen, and bridal shower gifts. For more information about wedding planning and wedding reception ideas, visit their website at: Wedding Favors Emporium.com