If possible, book a florist eight months or more before your wedding. There are numerous florists in the Harrisburg area including Pealer’s Flowers ,Hammaker’s Flower Shop, Royer’s Flowers and Gifts, Blooms by Vickrey, Jeffrey’s Flowers and Home Accents, and Paper Moon Flowers and Events, to name a few. Whoever you choose, your goal is to find someone who is organized and professional and whose style and personality meshes with your own.
Know your wedding colors and ceremony and reception locations. If you have a picture of your wedding dress and any fabric swatches from the bridesmaid dresses, bring those along at your first meeting. Have a budget in mind. The right florist for you will take all of these elements (your style, venue, and budget) and create something special just for you.
Bridal Bouquet
You’ll first want to determine the look of your bridal bouquet. All other floral pieces will take their cue from this piece. Full, rounded bouquets are gorgeous, as are cascading bouquets which are a classic choice making a modern comeback. Just as we’re seeing bridesmaids in mix-and-match dresses, we’re seeing mix-and-match bouquets more frequently and mix- and-match boutonnieres as well.
Ceremony and reception
If you’re having your ceremony in a place of worship, check with your officiant for any restrictions before finalizing the flowers. Some churches request that flowers remain on-site for weekend services, though this practice is rather outdated.
For the reception, there are countless floral styles to incorporate into the décor, including elegant vases filled with cut flowers, towering candelabras with verdant accents, topiaries, scattered rose petals, assorted small vases with just a few blooms each, and so much more. Keep in mind that the height of the arrangements shouldn’t get in the way of conversation. The key is to either make the arrangements low enough to talk over or high enough to talk under.
If your bouquets are doubling as decoration at the reception, equally spacing the bouquets at the head table is a lovely way to go. Finish off the table with a garland of greenery laced with flowers for a gorgeous effect. If your budget allows, consider adding floral flourishes throughout the reception hall to tie everything together. You can also use greenery to fill in a large room.
Flowers For All Seasons
Winter: Amaryllis, Casablanca Lily, Freesia, Gerbera Daisy, Heather Holly, Narcissus, Poinsettia, Rose, Stephanotis.
Spring: Peony, Sweet Pea, Lilac, Ranunculus, Hydrangea, Tulip, Calla Lily, Magnolia.
Summer: Anemone, Azalea, Camellia, Daffodil, French Tulip, Hyacinth, Jasmine, Lily of the Valley, Mimosa, Pansy, Primrose, Violet.
Fall: Celosia (Cockscomb), Chinese Lantern, Chrysanthemum, Crosnia, Dahlia, Statice.
Year-Round: Baby’s Breath, Carnation, Cattleman, Chrysanthemum, Cymbidium Orchid, Daisy, Dendroblum, Orchid, Freesia, Gardenia, Gerbera Daisy, Gladiolus, Iris, Lily, Rose, September Aster, Snapdragon, Stephanotis, Tuberose.
Whatever your wedding’s theme and style, by collaborating with your florist, you’re sure to have the flowers of your dreams. Work together, but always remember to trust your florist’s expertise. In so doing, your wedding flowers will be gorgeous.
