Flowers add that finishing touch to any wedding; we asked top florist Naomi Tchernyi from Floral Services for her advice on brilliant bridal blooms.

"Apart from your wedding dress, flowers are the single most important feature in completing the overall look that will remain in the memories of those who attend your wedding. The selection of flowers and the colour scheme you choose, can set the mood and atmosphere of your celebration, so it is important to take time to select them," says Naomi.

Select an understanding florist
Flowers are often one of the more expensive items for your wedding, so it is important to find a florist who understands your requirements and your budget. This should be done well in advance and it is advisable to consult with several florists before making a final decision. Ask to see photographs of previous wedding flowers that they have done. Obtain a written quote, to avoid disappointment closer to the wedding day, as prices may fluctuate.

The types of flowers
Before making an appointment with the florist you have chosen, consider the types of flowers you would like. Advise them clearly, of the styles you prefer and the type of wedding you are having. Remember that your style of flowers, should always complement your dress; A ballerina-style ball gown, with train and veil, could include a large bouquet including sprays of jasmine (available in spring), ivy and gypsophilia while a glamorous figure-hugging style gown would be complemented with dramatic orchids, long stemmed tulips or lilies.

Country-style summer dresses can be offset with a bouquet of wild flowers, such as daisies, anemones or cornflowers and gathered with a ribbon, while formal satin dresses call for a more sophisticated choice of blooms, like roses.

Bright, colourful flowers are becoming more popular, especially in the springtime and theme weddings such as Baroque or Medieval can be more fun.

Cutting costs
If budgets are tight, one can certainly cut costs if you have friends or family who can arrange flowers, especially for the table arrangements, but it may be wiser to leave the more intricate floral work such as the bridal bouquet to an expert. Florists purchase their flowers in bulk from the market and can do so at a fraction of the cost, so you won`t necessarily be saving that much in undertaking the job yourself.

Who carries the flowers?
Your bouquet will set the theme for your attendants` flowers, whose design and colour scheme should echo yours. Smaller versions of your bouquet, are ordered for the bridesmaids. Try to have simple, easy-to-hold flowers, for your flower girls and use more flowers in their hair. The traditional orchid corsages and carnation buttonholes are very dated - why not try something fresh and new, such as a corsage made from Inca lilies or sweet-smelling freesias and buttonholes made from a rose with wheat or lavender behind and tied with a piece of raffia?

Flowers at the church?
At a church ceremony usually there are mass arrangements in front, on pedestals. Posies of flowers or bows can be tied to the pews effectively. For a Jewish ceremony, floral garlands, twisted around the chuppah poles, look lovely. Don`t forget the rose petals as an alternative, and often more acceptable option, to confetti.

At the reception?
Flowers for the reception could be simple posies, topiaries or arrangements on candelabra stands. Stairways and arches, at some reception venues also make good focal points for floral displays.

Although traditionally, the bride tosses her bouquet to unmarried ladies at the reception, brides often have a separate one made or merely extract a bloom for this purpose, leaving the rest to be dried and made into potpourri, or pressed into a picture.

The ideas are endless and if you are looking for something different, a professional florist will be able to suggest some unusual ideas.

Article source: LifeWorld