Underscore the drama of your wedding with the right flowers. Find a professional who will take the time to learn about you and the ambience you want to create. An artistic florist will suggest lovely and unusual designs for your wedding bouquet and floral arrangements whilst offering a wide price range. Six months before the wedding is not too early to select your florist, especially if you're planning an elaborate wedding. When you talk to your florist, be guided by these elements: the style and mood of your wedding, the season or environment, your budget and, more to the point, what you like. Go prepared. Selecting your gown, the bridesmaids' dresses and the overall colour theme is a must before visiting your florist. Take fabric swatches and descriptions (pictures are even better) of your selected wedding apparel. Also have examples and styles of the mothers' gowns and the attire of the groom and his attendants. With this information to hand your florist will be able to suggest floral combinations and artistic treatments to create beautiful floral complements for your wedding. It is always a good idea to request that your florist give you an itemised bill in advance...and make sure that you in turn supply the florist with the names, addresses, and times for delivery of your bouquet, buttonholes, corsages and floral arrangements.

Traditionally, the bridal bouquet is composed of all white flowers but, if you prefer, the addition of colourful blossoms is certainly appropriate. The groom's buttonhole, worn on his left lapel, can be a spray of the same type of blossoms used in your bouquet. Remember that the ushers and groomsmen usually wear carnations different from the groom's and, of course, your attendants' flowers are different from your bridal bouquet. Corsages for the mothers and buttonholes for the fathers are co-ordinated in colour and style within the general floral theme.

You may wish to select certain flowers for personal reasons. Others may be chosen because they have traditional meanings. For example, Hyacinth signifies constancy. Some herbs, too, are important in bridal folk-lore. Rosemary is often used in wedding bouquets because it symbolises remembrance. (In medieval Germany, brides wore rosemary to guard against pregnancy!). Consider including unusual greenery or plants. Asparagus fern and multicoloured coleus are attractive in summer bouquets. Holly and pine sprays are popular for December nuptials. Stalks of golden-brown wheat are a sentimental touch for harvest brides. In any event be guided by the advice of your florist and remember, if budget is a consideration, flowers and greenery in season are more abundant and generally less expensive.

Silk flowers are an equally beautiful alternative to fresh flowers. Manufacturers now produce nearly any type of blossom or plant in fibre form; the bonus is that these exquisite imitators bloom forever.

You'll need a number of other floral pieces for your wedding, including displays for the altar, centrepieces for reception tables, sprays for candelabra, corsages for those who assist with various reception duties, and floral "tokens" for special guests. Ask your florist for guidance. Their artistry, knowledge of wedding protocol and ability to listen to your needs will ensure that you'll get good value for your money, and have the perfect floral accents to enhance your wedding day.

Florists