Flowers are another important feature of your wedding (one of many!); the flowers either set the colour scheme of the wedding or need to be in season to match the colour scheme that you want.

In addition to your own bouquet for, you may want flowers within the church/venue (on the isles, and at the front and rear) in the reception venue (table decorations, around doorways, on the cake etc), and not forgetting on the car or outside the church and maybe in your hair. The volume of flowers really does depend on your budget.

Flowers are considered to be an essential part of the wedding, but this does not mean that yuo need to spend great amounts on them. First find out what is in season, this way you will not have to get specialist florists and imports. Ring several florists and get a number of quotes and ask them if that is the best deal they can offer. If you are getting married in a Church or Temple then ask to speak to the person who arranges the flowers on a regular basis, they may do this part for you for a donation. Six months before the wedding is not too early to select your florist at all, especially if you're planning a big white traditional church wedding.

When you talk to your florist, remember:

• The style of your wedding (is it low key, themed, minimal or extravagant and bold?)
• The season you are having it in (for a summer wedding the flowers available will be greater and will vary to what you can with a winter wedding, this will also affect the price of flowers due to blooming.)
• Your budget is very important, so try not to go over your agreed budget when it doesn't have to be done. Every now and again it's allowed but you don't want to be in debt just over flowers.
• Tell them what you like and of course what you don't like.
• And if you do have a colour scheme then make sure they know.

Go to the florist once you have choosen your dress, the bridesmaids' dresses and the main colour theme. Take any colour samples that you may have. Also it's really useful to have examples and styles of both mothers' gowns and the dress of your fiancé and his attendants, again this simply helps with matching and avoids clashes. 

With all of this information to give to your florist they'll be able to come up with floral combinations and artistic treatments to create beautiful floral displays for your wedding. It is always a good idea to request that your florist gives you an itemised bill in advance, and make sure that you supply the florist with the names, addresses, and times for delivery of your bouquet, buttonholes, corsages and floral arrangements.

Traditionally, the bridal bouquet is completely all white flowers but, if you prefer to have flowers with colour then link it to the grooms buttonhole. Also remember that the ushers and groomsmen normally wear carnations which are 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 theme of the flowers.

If you are unsure about what you want then remember the florist will have done many many weddings and will be able to show you photographs and give you some great ideas. As long as you know the basic ideas it can't go wrong and don't be afraid to ask your florist for guidance, that's what they are there for.

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