Bloomin’ Blog by Bloomtastic Florist

17 Tips to Enhance Your Wedding
By Heather Waits, Bloomtastic Florist

Before Your Big Day…..

Create a Wedding Board – Not sure it’s all going to flow together? Here’s an easy fix—paste pictures of your linens, flowers, dresses, favors, tuxes, wedding cake, rings, shoes, invitations, venue(s), etc. on a large piece of poster board. This will allow you to see the “big picture” and make sure it all coordinates together and, if not, paste a new picture up there, and ask friends for their input as well.

Dress Duty – Your wedding bouquet is meant to compliment your dress, not compete. The style of your dress will ultimately dictate your flower styling. Be certain to show your florist a picture of your dress so that the size, shape and style work with the dress and not against it.

Know What’s Going On – Are there other events taking place before or after you at your venue/church? You need to know, and so do your vendors. Ask your contact at the church and/or venue so you plan what time to arrive and when to have your vendors arrive.

Church and Reception Exceptions – You want to toss petals as you and your new husband leave—better make sure the venue allows it! Now more than ever, churches and halls are excluding messy clean-up items such as bird seed or rose petals that may stain the carpets. Some churches also require that the flowers, such as altar arrangements are left at the church. Be in the know– ask!

Photographer — Make certain he/she knows when to arrive and the order you want pictures taken in, as well as the progression of the ceremony so he/she can capture the all the special moments. Also, discuss the specific pictures that you would like to have taken ahead of time.

Wedding Consultant – You can better your overall experience by retaining the services of a seasoned professional. Consider hiring a consultant to ensure all the “i’s” are dotted and “t’s” are crossed.

The Weather – If you are dreaming of an outdoor wedding, have a back-up plan in case it’s too hot, too cold or it rains. Your guests will thank you.

The Day Of…

Keeping Mothers Happy – A thoughtful gesture to include the Mothers in a special way at the ceremony is to present them with a single flower; the Bride presents the Groom’s Mother while the Groom present’s the Bride’s Mother with a single flower, say, a rose. Another great offering is to give a flower arrangement, such as an altar arrangement to each of the Mothers at the end of the day.

Pamper Yourself — Let the day of your wedding be an enjoyable time with your family and friends. Don’t plan every second with something that has to get done — even if it’s hair, nail and makeup appointments. Plan some down time, power nap, or relax with a cool beverage.

Your Guests – Your wedding day is all about you and your new husband, but keep in mind you are the hosts and you need to accommodate your guests. Having a few designated “host/hostesses” is a great idea to manage any last minute requests by your guests to make them feel welcome.

Delegate – Remember, the rule is: “This is your day, you need to enjoy it!” So when friends and family start inquiring if there is anything they can do, say, “YES!”

Nourishment — Have light, healthy snacks available while everyone is getting ready for the wedding (and don’t forget about the guys). This will keep everyone happy and content.

Wrist Corsages – All the movement and bumping wrist corsages endure on an active wrist makes for a fragile item. Attaching the wrist corsage to the wrist of the opposite hand you write with (or dominant hand) is best. Or, opt for a pin-on corsage and have the ladies wearing corsages master the “side hug.” Another tip: Your corsages and boutonnieres have been out of water the longest, making them more fragile, so keep them in the refrigerator and don’t have them pinned on until absolutely necessary.

Carrying Your Bouquet – Chances are you’ll be a little tense when walking down the isle. RELAX! Take a deep breath and let your arms rest at your hips. Most dresses are designed for you to showcase the bouquet at this area; otherwise, you’ll hide the beautiful design of your dress (with your bouquet), which is why you purchased it in the first place. Allow your bouquet to compliment your dress and become a part of the entire look, not over-shine your dress.

Eat During the Reception – Sure, there is a lot going on and Aunts and Uncles to see. However, don’t forget to eat! You and your new husband need to enjoy all the elements of your wedding, especially the food. Bon Appetite!

Wedding Goodbyes – Your guests may not be the night owl you are and may want to leave before you. If you want a grand farewell, plan that into your day so that everyone will be there to see you off.

It’s Your Wedding – You can honor old traditions and create new ones. This is YOUR day, enjoy it and make it memorable!

For more information on wedding florals, check out Bloomtastic Florist’s wedding blog and online photo album:  www.bloomtasticweddings.com