Irisivy Floral Design

Perfect roses, plump peonies and precious daisies have won many a bride's heart. Bountiful and beautiful, flowers express your wedding palette like no other. From ceremony to centerpiece, flowers are the consistent visual element linking all the activities of your wedding day.

Do not be intimidated if you don't know the difference between an orchid and a lily. A patient and creative floral designer will help you identify your wedding style. When interviewing a floral designer observe their use of color, texture, and overall flair. Share your ideas and your vision, and be open to their suggestions. Examine a designer's portfolio at their studio. Do you enjoy being in their space? A good floral designer understands display, presentation and scale. Pictures in their portfolio should inspire, mutually generating ideas. Ask about the rentals they provide, as many have large prop closets filled with arches, chuppahs, and vases of every size, shape, and style.

With your designer selected, the creative process begins. Supply your floral designer with as much detail as possible. Let them know the particulars: wedding date, time of day, style of wedding (formal or informal), ceremony and reception locations, linens, and a general idea of your budget.

BE PREPARED How to express exactly what you want when you don't know the particular names of flowers? Pictures, pictures, pictures. Before your first initial consultation, gather as much visual detail as possible. The more pictures and magazine clippings you provide, the easier it is for the designer to create your special look. Snapshots of your venue, along with items you would like flowers to accentuate (from your hair to the Rolls-Royce) are all essentials. Swatches from table linens and the wedding party wardrobe (mothers', bridesmaid', flowergirls' and your own gown) are always a big help. Don't be afraid to bring pictures of completely different arrangements and bouquets that grab your attention. A good designer will help you identify, focus and incorporate elements.

TIME-OF-DAY Chosen wisely your floral arrangements should last throughout the day. Some flowers hold up beautifully in the sun; others are better suited for indoors. Let your designer know exactly the time and month your wedding is taking place. A good designer will advise you on what flowers remain perky and perfect under the palm trees, and which wilt before the wedding reception.

THE BOUQUET The star of all your floral choices is your bouquet. Understand bouquets come in all shapes and sizes. From petite nosegays to showering cascades, realize the size and style you select will affect your overall look. First pick a bouquet style that suits your height, frame, and gown. Then combine different blossoms of varying shapes and size, or compose a delicate bouquet of one type of flower. From timeless white, to rich, jewel-toned shades of reds and purples to exotic tropical stems, the selections and combinations are endless.

CEREMONY LOCATION Before making decisions regarding ceremony florals, check with your venue for possible restrictions. Some churches request that altar arrangements remain on-site for weekend services. A cost saving tip: determine if your ceremony flowers can be repurposed for your reception. Ceremony arrangements are ideal for buffet tables, and aisle flowers can be used to decorate powder rooms, staircases and small hallway tables. Using these items twice helps maximize your budget.

RECEPTION LOCATION Your reception location is a big influence in determining your floral design needs. High ceiling venues call for bolder, more dramatic arrangements, while an outdoor venue can be accented with rustic, potted and flowering blooms. Let your floral designer know the size of your reception equipment (dining tables, place card tables etc) during your initial consultation so the scale of your arrangements will be perfectly balanced.

CENTERPIECES The options are many: elegant vases filled with cut flowers, towering candelabras, potted orchids and detailed topiaries are magnificent design statements. Clusters of smaller arrangements or scattered rose petals around densely packed votives are dual centerpiece and favor options. Except for the "14 inch rule" dictating that centerpieces should never obscure guests' vision across the table, there are no hard and fast rules. Mix, match and think "outside the box."

PERSONAL FLOWERS In addition to bouquets and arrangements you'll need to select personal flowers. The ever-forgotten groom is taking a larger role in selecting boutonniere styles. Popular combinations are lavender and calla lily, pristine lily-of-the-valley paired with bay leaves, or the perfect gardenia. For mothers and honored women, romance is in vogue: diminutive nosegay bouquets in silver Victorian holders, a simple but elegant single rose and, of course, the always feminine wrist corsage.

FINISHING TOUCHES What better way to tie-in your cake with the rest of your wedding, than with a floral cake topper? Echoing your floral choices of bouquet and centerpiece, the cake topper is the perfect statement on your delectable dessert. If the budget allows, consider adding a few more finishing touches. Sprinkle petals on serving trays and weave garlands along buffet stations. Finally, do not forget the loveliness of greenery and plants. Ficus trees wrapped with twinkling lights and magnificent potted palms add dimension to all venues.

Wedding flowers are steeped in symbolism, tradition and meaning. Use this opportunity to share your love and sentiments. Be prepared for the compliments to follow.

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LOVE IN FULL BLOOM - FLOWERS, COLORS AND DESIGNS

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