Here is an overview of why wedding flowers can work as great favours and how you can go about choosing and presenting them perfectly at your event.

Why Use Flowers as Wedding Favours?

Typical wedding favours are disposable, forgettable items that guests usually forget about soon after leaving the reception. Using flowers as wedding favours provides a unique gift that is sure to have a more lasting impression. Instead of chocolates or other small, typical items, flowers provide a sign of appreciation for your guests that they will enjoy at home for days after the celebration.

Flowers need to be purchased and arranged for weddings regardless of whether they’re being used for favours or not. Incorporating your wedding favours in with other flower choices allows you to eliminate two design tasks at once! When looking at this level of convenience combined with the unique nature of the gift itself it’s easy to see what a great favour flowers make.

How Should I Present Them?

There are a number of different ways to make your wedding favours look great. One idea is to arrange miniature bouquets at each of the reception tables. These don’t need to be expensive — a small selection of flowers taken from your wedding arrangements works perfectly. This also allows you to echo the design of your floral theme on a small scale and lets your guests bring home a physical memory of the celebration.

For an even more unique presentation idea, leave packets of flower seeds at tables along with a small photo of the blossoms and growing instructions. Presenting your floral wedding favours like this makes for an interesting and interactive gift that can live on in your guests’ garden long into the future.

Your wedding flowers are important, however, and, fortunately, there are many different ways to help you in saving money on your floral arrangements and decorations without having to downsize their role.

Prioritize Your Spending

We all want to have beautiful flowers used in every aspect of our weddings but, with a little careful planning and creativity, money can be saved by prioritizing how your flowers are applied across the event. For example, the bridal bouquet, centrepieces and the ceremony backdrop are all aspects of the wedding that are memorable (and heavily photographed) — put your favourite flowers and designs in these areas and cut back on others to stretch your budget further.

Another great way to get the most out of your spending is to prioritize based on location. If you’re planning on having an outdoor event, save money by making use of the natural landscape in your event. Not only is this a budget-friendly option but it also makes for an aesthetically pleasing set-up that takes advantage of nature’s beauty. You can also save even more money by buying your wedding flowers entirely from a single supplier rather than a number of different shops.

Look at Alternatives

Alternative flower styles help to lower costs without sacrificing the aesthetics that you’ve decided upon. There are many ways to substitute more expensive blossoms for ones that look just as good but for a lower price point. Try using long, single stem flowers like orchids, calla lilies or roses for your bouquets and coursages for, what ends up being, a unique and beautiful look. Centrepieces can also be made cheaper with arrangements that call for only one or two flowers garnished with synthetic materials (baskets, ceramics, rocks, etc.) or non-blooming plants (twigs, leaves, needles, etc.).

By keeping these tips in mind it’s possible to have a great looking wedding while staying within your budget.

Here are a few tips on how to effectively use wedding flowers in the decor of your event.

Wedding Flower Placement

Placing wedding flowers throughout a reception hall is an aspect of the art of floral arrangement in itself and, because of this, it’s important to pay attention to doing it right. Unifying the style of flowers used as decoration with corsages and ceremony accessories makes the entire celebration tie together properly. Ensure that you use complementary colours or tones and styles that don’t clash unnecessarily with each other as well.

Flowers are appropriate almost everywhere as long as they are tastefully placed and don’t crowd other design elements. Use beautiful blossoms as centrepieces (in vases or arranged in other decorative holders), along the trim of chairs and even with wedding favours. Try accenting the use of any flowers with lace or ribbon in order to fully bring out their designs in order to fully complete the effect.

Wedding Flower Choices

Almost any type of flower is appropriate for your wedding, as long as it matches the rest of your decor. It’s important to embrace the season of the event and pick from flowers that are naturally in bloom during its time of year however. Not only does this help tie the outside world in with the hall itself but it also helps to avoid wilting and keep costs lower.

As long as the colour of your flowers matches the overall motif of the non-organic decorations and wedding party’s outfits it’s hard to go wrong. Keep these tips in mind as you plan your wedding’s flower placement and know that your celebration is sure to look great.

It can be difficult to pick the right wedding flowers when there are so many different choices available and many get overwhelmed with indecision. There are, however, some styles that are always a safe bet, regardless of theme or season.

Here are a few tips for enjoying classic, timeless wedding flowers that are sure to make your day look beautiful.

Beautiful, Classic Choices

Creating a classic wedding flower arrangement is simple when you know of the best choices available to you. Whether you’ve picked your theme already or are still in need of inspiration, roses, lilies, wildflowers and orchids are a wonderful place to start.

Roses are one of the favourites due to their wide variety of available colours (reds, whites, pinks, purples), stunning and instantly recognizable shape and wonderful scent. They’re a versatile choice as well and can be used as table settings, bouquets or decorations.Aside from roses, lilies are probably the second most beloved wedding flower. Their fragrance is refreshing, they’re available in any number of colours (which makes fitting them in simple, regardless of theme) and their shape and style is timeless.

Orchids are another popular flower, possessing an exotic look that allows them to capture attention more than roses or lilies. They make a great choice for table pieces (either in vases or in arrangements) and can make the perfect choice for spring or summer weddings where their bright purples and cool pinks capture the season. Wildflowers are also a beautiful option for the warmer seasons. They are adaptable, can be found in many colours and bring the magnificence of nature into any church, temple or wedding hall.

Keep these tips in mind and take confidence in knowing that classic flowers will always help make a wedding great.

Preparing the right flowers for a winter wedding isn’t as difficult as many may think. Here are a few tips for choosing the perfect winter wedding flowers.

Traditional Flowers

Years ago, enjoying traditional flowers at a winter wedding would have been impossible (outside of tropical areas). Now, with the wide availability of internet flower shops and quick shipping options it’s simple to purchase any type of flowers even in the winter when flowers that are native to the region aren’t growing outside.

The white of winter makes it a great idea to enjoy classic wedding flower choices that offer contrasting colours. Red roses are a wonderful pick for this reason. Other common wedding blooms like calla lilies, amaryllis’s, stargazer lilies or gerbera daisies can be arranged in any number of colour pallettes, from contrasting reds or complementary whites and pastels.

Special Choices

Accenting the beauty of the weather outside is simple when choosing flowers for a winter wedding. As mentioned above, red or soft yellow colours make an exceptional option and can be enjoyed through classic flower styles. Other, special winter wedding blooms can also be taken advantage of. Some great choices include bouquets made of flowers like hydrangeas or orchids. Composing the wedding party’s boutonniers with white, full flowers is also a smart idea that brightens the festive atmosphere.

Try adding winter foliage to arrangements in order to fully tie together your floral designs with the season. Add a special touch to your decor by bringing in winter favourites like ivy, holly, winter berries, pine branches or mistletoe to ensure that the beauty of winter is fully embraced at your event.

Absolutely not!

Even wedding etiquette experts agree that giving away your precious bouquet is not necessary. These days, it’s not mandatory and the tradition can be skipped altogether, or modified so that all the single females hoping to get married can have a chance at improving their luck by catching the bouquet and thus be next in line to get married. In either case, you as the bride, will be able to preserve your bridal bouquet as a precious keepsake.

Here’s what you can do instead to save your bridal bouquet
Instead of parting with the beautiful bouquet you carried down the aisle during your service, it’s common practice for your Toronto florist to make another arrangement, specially designed just to toss. In fact, most brides choose to do this, and the option is available at a very reasonable price (ask for a deal – sometimes, it’s provided to the bride for free). However, make sure to tell your wedding florist to create something for this purpose. They’ll usually create something smaller in a similar but simpler style, scaled down.

If you want to skip the toss, you can always dedicate a special bouquet to a particular person in your wedding party. Perhaps a mother-in-law, maid of honour, or a bridesmaid would be a good choice.

The single stem wedding bouquet relies on the beauty of the flower used. It must  be perfect in all aspects, including being of the right length and right type. The bouquet may be the single flower alone, or garnished with greenery and/or some type of material, like ribbon or lace as long as everything compliments the bride’s dress. Like all wedding flower arrangements, the key to getting what you want is to speak directly with your florist, because perfection can only be achieved by expressing what you prefer.  Our talented florists will create the perfect single stem wedding bouquet for you, applying the same care lavished upon more elaborate arrangements.

Flowers that are popularly used as single stem bouquets include peonies, orchids, lilies, and of course, roses. In fact, actress Jennifer Garner is believed to have held a single calla lily when she walked down the aisle).

The pros of this type of arrangement are many: it doesn’t take attention away from the dress, is generally easy to hold and handle, is far less expensive than other more elaborate bouquets and is undeniably elegant.

Okay, okay. We know that “bouquet” implies a number of flowers, but we use it here as well for lack of a better term.

White wedding bouquets and wedding flowers are usually accented by green foliage, since this colour combination is incredibly fresh, and simply put, stunning. A simple satin/organza bow or something more ornate completes the arrangement, often to compliment the bride’s dress.

Popular flowers for weddings include the following:

roses (Being the most popular wedding flower, roses are the first choice of many couples because they symbolize love, last longer than many other blooms and come in a variety of shapes, sizes and shades.)
orchids
calla lilies
camellias
stephanotis (used more as a filler rather than as the primary flower)
tulips
gladiolus
chrysanthemums

Obviously, you can venture far away from these popular choices and select something different – it’s really up to you! Who says you can’t have a gorgeous wedding bouquet bursting with the petite blooms of lily of the valley. Convallaria majalis was quite popular during Victorian times, mainly due to its representation of purity, simplicity and sweetness.

For more white wedding flowers, contact 416-Florist.com, your local Toronto florist. A Wedding Specialist will be able to help you create the perfect wedding flower arrangements for your big day!

But with so many varieties of flowers and endless selection of arrangements your Toronto florist can offer, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Just remember these 3 things that can help you determine which flowers and flower arrangements are best for your wedding day.

1. The venue. Most people decide on where they’ll be having their wedding service and reception before they decide on the flowers. As a result, the venue(s) should help you determine which flowers are appropriate. While personal taste will always be the most important factor, the perfect flowers can also depend on location. For example, if you’re having it at the beach, flowers and arrangements that can resist the heat and wind may fare better. Think summery flowers and simpler arrangements. Scheduled your wedding at Casa Loma? More extravagant arrangements boasting elegant flowers like roses and calla lilies may be better suited.

2. The season. If money is a concern, you’ll want to buy flowers that are in season. Choose tulips in the Spring, cyclamens in winter – if you don’t know which flowers are in season, just ask us. There’s no doubt you’ll be able to save money doing this. Fortunately, popular flowers like chrysanthemums and roses are in season pretty much all the time.

3. Prepare to prepare. Do a little research before you talk to your florist. Knowing what you like and don’t like can make the planning process easier, and will certainly help your florist understand your preferences!

The Wedding flowers we have available to view online are just a tiny (tiny) glimpse of what we can create for you. We know that each wedding is unique, which is why we recommend you talk to us directly regarding your preferences. Call us at 416-FLORIST to speak with our Wedding Flower experts today!

One of the most important flower arrangement for any wedding is the bouquet. The bouquet represents fertility. The custom of throwing the bouquet is centuries-old, originating from a rather necessary act to protect the safety of the bride. Long ago, the bride was believed to be a symbol of luck, and guests of the wedding often tried to take something from the bride to become lucky themselves – by any means necessary. This proved to be a dangerous custom, so the bride would appease the men by giving them her garter and her bridal bouquet was given to the women. Both items were tossed into the crowd to protect the bride as the guests would scramble around in an effort to be the lucky recipient.

June may still be a couple of months away, but the smarter couples and planners know full well that flowers should be planned months in advance. This is considered good practice, since more time usually allows the florist to accommodate to your needs better. For example, you may want a specific flower that isn’t readily available, but time allows your florist to source that flower and make sure there’s a sufficient quantity available for the day of your wedding. Planning ahead also give s you (and your florist if need be) some breathing space in the event plans change or something unexpected happens.