When planning a wedding one of the many details brides want especially perfect is the flowers. Flowers instantly enhance, brighten, and complete the look and feel of a wedding. The fragrances, the colors, and the beauty of live blossoms help to create the aura of magic that every bride hopes to achieve.

From the altar flowers at the church to the eye-catching centerpieces in the reception room, the flowers will set the style of the event. When choosing wedding service providers, selecting a reputable, experienced florist is essential to making the floral design exactly as envisioned. 

Floral options abound at all price levels. Consider season and style when working with a budget. When planning a wedding date, keep in mind that pricing may be affected if the wedding falls within two weeks of any major holiday.

For reception centerpieces, larger blooms are suggested with the use of fillers to create a beautiful but economical piece. Floating floral is always a nice touch without the need for multiple stems or fillers.

Bridal bouquets vary from bride to bride, reflecting the bride’s individual taste and style. Roses continue to be the most popular bloom and are still commonly used in bouquets. Roses are available in many varieties, in every shade and size. Many new varieties are also available. Ask your florist for the latest colors and types.  

Hand tied bridal bouquets are in full style. Hand tying creates a beautiful and natural look. Brides and bridesmaids alike love this simple style. Other options are three long stem blooms with greens in presentation style. The more traditional style of a cascading bouquet is still popular when choosing floral in all white.

Many brides are incorporating the bridesmaids’ dress colors into the floral used or accenting with this color in the ribbons used for hand tying. When choosing floral for bridesmaid bouquets, some suggestions that are economically favorable are: alstromeria, daisies, asters, carnations, and a few roses. Flowers to use sparingly would be stargazer lilies, roses, gardenias, stephanotis, or orchids.

Coordinating the order of flowers for others in the wedding party is also important to help unify the wedding style. Don’t forget the boutonnières for the groom, best man,
groomsmen, ring bearer, fathers, and grandfathers; and corsages(wrist or pin-on)for the flower girl, mothers, and grandmothers. Others to consider as part of the floral order are musicians, vocalists, cake servers, personal attendants, and ushers. 

Flowers By the Seasons
Spring: tulips, lilacs, freesia
Summer: roses, hydrangea, wild flowers
Fall: sunflowers, ranunculus, mums, stock, hybericum
Winter roses, lilies

For a complete floral planning guide worksheet, go to www.thewomantoday.com

Diane Miskulin is the owner of Occasions Party Store, now in their new location at 2330 Mountain Shadow Drive in Duluth.

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     Every bride wants a special wedding.  The preparations and details leading up to that magical day, however, can seem overwhelming.  Besides setting a date and choosing a dress, a bride needs to consider the venue, decorations, floral services, and equipment rental, among many other decisions.  By following a timeline, such as the one suggested by Occasions Wedding & Events, a bride can be prepared every step of the way.

One Year to Wedding Day
     If the engagement will last at least a year, the timeline can be broken down into several sections, starting with 12 months prior to the wedding.  The first task is to set the date.  Many couples send the announcement card to “save the date.”  Next, set a budget.  Choose attendants, flower girl, and rink bearer and invite them to be a part of the wedding.  Start making reservations including:
     • Ceremony site
     • Reception venue
     • Block of hotel rooms
     • Photographer
     • Wedding designer or planner
     • Entertainment
     • Transportations
     • Wedding night accommodations
     It is not too early to start meeting with caterers, bakers, officiates, and florists.  Determine the overall style which will influence decisions from the gown to the finest details.  Start Shopping!

Seven to nine months
     By now a bride should have her gown and those of her attendants selected.  Delivery of the gowns takes a minimum of four months.  Shop for mothers’ dresses and wedding rings.  Have engagement photo taken.  Other services to reserve:
     • Caterer
     • Hair solon
     • Rehearsal & dinner
     • Ceremony musicians
     • Videographer

Six Months
     Register for wedding gifts, update passports, choose invitations, and make the guest list.  Additional items to shop for:
     • Tuxes for men
     • Attendant gifts
     • Shoes and accessories

Four Months
     The time to finalize many things arrives now:
     • Guests list
     • Selection with caterer
     • Floral selections
     • Décor
     • Cake & cake topper
     • Invitations and programs
     Other items to arrange are insurances and child care.

Three Months
     Send the engagement photo and announcement to the newspaper, and mail the invitations.  Confirm all services and discuss timelines with providers.  Have the gown fitted, confirm honey-moon plans, and provide a list of desired photos to photographer.  Have some fun with attendants such as a shower and an evening to address invitations.

One to Two Months
     The bride can start paperwork to update her address, driver’s license, social security, banking documents, and professional licenses.  Change services such as cable and phone.  Call guests who have not responded to confirm their attendance.  Find someone to be the contact person on the wedding day and provide all services with his or her phone number. Set up a trial hair appointment with your veil.  Break in wedding shoes.

One Week
     Seven days before the wedding, the bride should pick up the steamed gown and headpiece.  Prepare a small bag for emergencies the day of the wedding with hair pins, safety pins, hair spray, panty hose, sewing kit, tape, and camera.  Arrangements should be made for snack trays and beverages to be available for the wedding party before the ceremony.

Rehearsal Day
     Give a wedding day timeline to attendants and those assisting with the wedding and discuss transportation.  Decorate the wedding and reception venues.

Wedding Day
     The bride should have a light breakfast.  When she goes to the salon, she should wear a button-up blouse.  Once at the wedding venue, she can give her attendants their gifts and take impromptu pictures with her best friends.  Now she may relax, smile, and enjoy her special day.

Timeline supplied by: Diane Miskulin - Occasions

Writen by: The Woman Today

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Use this Floral Sheet to assist you with your floral planning needs. Occasions is available to help with floral design. Feel free to contact us with questions or to set up your free consultation.

Welcome to Occasions new wedding blog page!  We will be posting helpful information along with pictures of current wedding decor ideas.  Check back often for wedding do’s and don’ts, guides to help you make decisions, and other tips!  And as always, feel free to contact us!