Don’t forget the grandparents! 

Flowers are an essential element of every wedding.

The ones you choose will have a big impact on the atmosphere, and could make or break your budget.

This list of floral essentials from one of our recommended florists, Louise Pepper, will help ensure yours achieve the former and avoid the latter.

Must-remember blooms for every bride and groom

1. Bouquets for the bride and bridesmaids
   
2. Button holes for your groom and ushers
   
3. Button holes for immediate family, such as sisters who are not bridesmaids – and make sure you don’t forget any grandparents, as button holes are an important gesture to make them feel involved
   
4. Hair blooms for the bride and bridesmaids
   
5. Pedestal display for your church or venue
   
6. A bunch for every other pew or row of chairs (if you can stretch to it, a floral display at the church gates is great for photos)
   
7. Floral centrepiece for every table.

“Of course, if money’s no object, you can literally have whatever you want!” said Louise.

“However, the above list is the minimum I advise my wedding couples to invest in, to create the effect they want to on their big day.”

And she has some other top tips for making sure the pennies stretch as far as possible, where wedding blooms are concerned.

“Flowers are expensive and therefore I always advise spending wisely, on the key elements which will have the most impact. For example, I would always avoid lots of small bunches or – at the other end of the scale – going over the top and having too much.

“What works best is a few, carefully selected, bolder displays, for overall effect.”

According to Louise, traditional English blooms, like peonies, roses and freesias are very much back in vogue with brides.

The key, though, to achieving an appropriate look, is reflecting the seasons.

“These days, you can have pretty much any flower at any time, but that doesn’t mean it will look right, and importing blooms introduces a whole new level of cost,” added Louise.

“For example, a lot of brides like lily of the valley, which is beautiful, but hugely expensive to get hold of out of season. It’s much better to go with flowers that are naturally in bloom in the UK at the time of your wedding.

“This can result in some really beautiful, outside-the-box ideas too, such as featuring pumpkins in the autumn.”

Getting expert advice can also save some expensive wrong decisions.

“Florists like me will usually buy flowers in sets of 20 and it’s important to bear this in mind when you are planning your displays. So, having one white rose for the groom’s button hole, for example, wouldn’t be cost effective.

“However, from experience, we can advise you how to best use your flowers in various aspects of your event, to save on cost and avoid waste.

“It’s great to do your research with magazines and social media sites, but talking to a professional will help tie that back to what is practically possible.”

Choosing colours is a real science, too.

“I would always suggest getting advice on your flower colours. Start with your bridesmaids’ dresses, as everything else hangs on them at a wedding. For example, there would be no point in having orange flowers if your bridesmaids’ dresses are made up of greys, pinks and lilacs.

“The seasons also have an impact on the colours you choose. Pastels look very pretty in the summer, whereas deeper, warmer colours are better in the winter, including winter greens.

“Start by taking a material sample along to a florist and they will be able to help you narrow your choices down to a shortlist of suitable blooms that will complement your look.”

Louise has been a florist for over 30 years – in fact, it’s the only job she ever wanted to do. She is well-known across the region, having had her own shop, The Pepper Tree, in Swanland for a number of years. She has worked all over the world, with well-known faces and landmarks, including Sheffield’s Meadowhall shopping centre.

At Village Farm Marquees, we have a number of trusted suppliers like Louise, who we work with regularly to deliver outstanding quality events. If you are thinking of arranging a wedding, corporate event or other special occasion and would like to find out more about what we can offer, call (01262) 468160 or email info@villagefarmmarquees.co.uk to arrange your free, no obligation initial consultation.