The OurWeddingDay Blog

If you’re not having a secular wedding, then you might want to explore flowers associated with your religion. On your wedding day, flowers will be ubiquitous, so why not make sure your wedding reception flowers have an extra special meaning and significance? The following wedding day flowers are associated with religious symbolism and the like.

Christianity
The white Madonna lily is associated with the Virgin Mary, and has been since the beginning of Christianity, when her tomb was laden with the varietal after her assumption to heaven. Religious figures have said that the white petals were a metaphor for her pure soul and body. The white lily is a common symbol in paintings of the Annunciation and represents the very moment when Angel Gabriel announced to the Virgin Mary that she would be the mother of God’s son.

Hinduism
If you are having a Hindu wedding, then stock up on the flowers, because they tend to play a large role in traditional Hindu weddings. In fact, "puja," which means Hindu worship, is translated as “the flower act.” If you’ve ever been to Bali, you’re well aware of the flowers that are placed on the ground every single morning in worship of the Hindu gods. The most significant flower in the Hindu religion is the lotus, which symbolizes fertility, prosperity, and beauty.

Buddhism
The lotus flower is held in high regard in Buddhism. The lotus is symbolic of the man who’s well rooted in the world because of his experience. It is said that Buddha himself would cause lotus flowers to bloom in the wake of his footsteps.

Chinese Religions
The following flowers are often used as part of Chinese weddings, including the wedding reception centerpieces: Daffodils, lotus, orchids, and peonies. In Chinese culture, the peony flower symbolizes spring and renewed life.

Read more:

• Flowers You'll Need & How to Choose Them
• Interfaith Wedding Planning
• Choosing the Right Wedding Florist

When you think of roughly how many flowers you’ll need for your wedding, chances are you’re underestimating. There are so many important players in your wedding as well as locations that require flowers that you'd better make sure you have this wedding flower checklist handy! If you’re going through an online wedding florist, or about to explore your local wedding florists, make sure to have this list close by so as not to leave anyone or anything out.

• Bride's bouquet
• Bride's headpiece
• Bouquet for your Maid of Honor
• Bouquet for Honor Attendant
• Bouquet and/or halo for Flower girl(s)

• Boutonniere for Groom
• Boutonniere for Best Man
• Boutonnieres for Groomsmen and Ushers
• Boutonniere for Ring bearer

• Corsage for Bride’s mother and Groom’s mother
• Corsages for Grandmothers
• Boutonnieres for Fathers
• Boutonnieres for Grandfathers

• Flowers for the altar
• Decorations near and on pews
• Candelabras
• Various flowers for church

• Head table centerpiece
• Guest table centerpieces
• Flowers for cake table
• Flowers for buffet table
• Flowers for the guest book table
• Flower arrangements for the restrooms

The size of your wedding as well as your venue will affect how many or how few flowers you'll require, so feel free to omit any of the flowers listed above when searching for your online wedding flowers.

Read more:

• Corsages and Boutonnieres
• Sashes, Bows, and Fabric Flowers
• Wearing Flowers in Your Hair

Floral wedding centerpieces are often described as the final touch to a wedding that can make it amazing or, well… slightly less than amazing. Although wedding flowers can get expensive, there are ways you can have beautiful floral arrangements without an exorbitant cost. Here are a few things to keep in mind when budgeting for your floral wedding centerpieces:

Give your florist flexibility to use what is in season. If there are certain flowers that you absolutely do not like, mention them; but otherwise, communicate the overall colors, height, and textures that you want your centerpieces to have. This will allow your florist to create the look you want without using the most expensive flowers. Also, try to think about the flowers that are in season and most readily available; these are usually the best deal.

For winter wedding centerpieces, consider getting married around the holidays, as churches are often already decorated with lights and greenery. However, if you want to avoid high flower costs, do not get married in February, as the cost of flowers skyrockets around Valentine’s Day.

Use vases that are high and dramatic on their own, which you can fill with other foliage such as branches. This will create an interesting arrangement (with a lot of design and texture) without having to fill the entire space with flowers.

Read more:

• Floral Centerpieces that Will Turn Heads
• Unique Wedding Centerpiece Ideas
• DIY Reception Centerpieces

Your floral wedding centerpieces are such an important aspect of your reception because they can either make or break your overall wedding décor. If you’ve ever been to a wedding with less than pleasing floral centerpieces then you know what I’m referring to. Often times, guests are able to take wedding reception centerpieces home, so you’ll want to make sure they’ll even want to. If you want to go a step beyond just “pleasing” centerpieces and gather ideas for pieces that will turn heads and leave an impression, then make note of the following ideas.

Potted Flowers
The best part about choosing potted flowers as your wedding flower centerpieces is that they are typically cheaper than most floral arrangements, and they aren’t thrown away a few days after your wedding. If you’re not thrilled about the color of the pot, then go ahead and get crafty and paint the pots (your wedding colors!). If you’re having an Asian themed wedding, then you have the option of placing potted bamboo or Asian Orchids at each table.

Photos with Flowers
Another way to create unique floral centerpieces with a little something extra is by tucking photos of you and your fiancé in with the flowers of your choice. Black and white photos or fancily photoshopped photos will look best. You could photoshop them as black and white with a splash of your wedding colors. You could also make photos of you and your fiancé look aged with the proper photoshop skills. Once you’ve found the perfect photos then attach them to metal wire or chop sticks, and stick them into the pots next to your wedding flowers.

Glowing Flowers
Mixing flowers with candles will add some light, color, and glow to your floral centerpieces. You have a lot of options with this look. If your venue won’t allow lit candles, then you could always find battery-operated votives, which surprisingly look a lot like real candles, and some of them are scented! Battery operated candles come in all sizes; so don’t feel as though you’re limited to only small candles. If you’re able to use real candles then the sky is the limit. Have fun with it and pick colorful, scented, uniquely shaped candles and place them around your floral centerpieces. Another option is to find small, medium, and/or large cylinder shaped vases, fill them with water about ¾ of the way and find the perfect floating candles to place on top.

With the countless floral centerpiece options at your fingertips you shouldn’t have any problem finding the arrangement that tickles your fancy. There are various ways to kick off your search if you’re not sure where to begin. One way to get going is to use your wedding colors as your staring point. Ask your wedding florist to show you flowers that match your wedding colors. Another option is to allow your theme to be your guide. For example if you’re having a spring wedding, then explore arrangements that are indicative of that.

Your floral wedding centerpieces are such an important aspect of your wedding reception that it’s imperative you choose wisely. Your guests will spend a good amount of time at their tables, so why not dazzle them with wedding reception centerpieces that are both eye catching and unique?

1. Floating flowers and candles: There aren’t any rules that state you must choose a traditional flower arrangement as your reception centerpiece so have fun and mix it up! For this type of centerpiece, which is very easy to assemble, you need at least three glass bowls depending on how large your tables are. Once you have added water to each bowl, place silk flowers in one of them, and floating candles in the other two.
2. Floating flowers and fruit: This centerpiece is very similar to the first one, except instead of floating votives it requires floating fruit candles. What makes this piece so unique is the scent of the fruit candles, which are sure to impress your guests and fill your reception with the sweet smell of grapefruit and oranges. Most suitable for spring or summer weddings.
3. Glass Pond: One of the most unique wedding centerpieces and one of the coolest. To assemble, you need to find a large glass bowl, preferably 28” in diameter, fill the bottom with river washed stones, and add water. Then add floating flower candles, glass bubbles, and real lily pads (if you can find them).

There is more to wedding flowers than just selecting your bouquet. A lot of work needs to be done even before you start exploring local wedding florists—know what to expect before it’s time to choose. Different areas of your wedding require varying amounts of flower placement.

• Wedding Party: You will need to obtain bridal bouquets for you and your bridesmaids, boutonnieres for the groom, groomsmen, and fathers. You may need additional boutonnieres for stepparents and grandparents. You will also need corsages for the mother of the bride and groom, and choose the perfect petals for the flower girl to drop along the aisle. Wedding flower etiquette varies from family to family, so it boils down to what feels best for you.
• Decoration: You will also need to choose centerpieces for the reception dining tables, as well as any other tables that would be bare if not adorned with flowers. Flowers for your ceremony are not a requirement, but will make your ceremony setting that much more special and esthetically pleasing for you and your guests, and don’t forget about your wedding photos.
• Cake: Many couples forget about cake flowers. Though you’re not required to decorate your cake with flowers, many couples do. If you’re on the fence, consult your wedding cake designer and they will help you explore your options.

How you design your flower arrangements and the specific varietals you choose is entirely up to you, but you might want to explore various arrangements before making any final decisions. A great way to explore your options is by visiting your local florist and asking to see photos and live arrangements. Also, use the Internet to find countless photos of wedding flower arrangements.

It may seem daunting at first, but as soon as you pick out the first few bouquets you’ll realize how much fun it is and you’ll forget about the list. If you have any questions regarding what flowers you need, consult your wedding coordinator. Just remember to remain focused on your vision and taste, and your wedding flowers will be exactly what you’ve always dreamt of on your wedding day

Read more:

• Hiring Your Florist
• The Advantages of Faux Flowers
• Budget Tips for Wedding Flowers

Tired of the elaborate floral arrangements you've seen over and over again in wedding magazines? Let your DIY wedding centerpieces reflect your unique style. Check out these new ideas for non-floral wedding centerpieces.

Non-floral Wedding Centerpieces Ideas

• Bring on the beach: Sand and seashells are the perfect compliment to a beach-themed wedding. Add candles of varying heights for extra elegance.
• In a fish bowl: Are you heading to the tropics for your honeymoon? Do you love the water? Colorful beta fish in glass fishbowls make easy and inexpensive DIY wedding centerpieces.
• Fall for fruit: Fresh, colorful apples and pears in beautiful baskets are a perfect compliment for an autumn wedding. Other food ideas might include candies in crystal dishes or miniature wedding cakes.
• Toast the new year: Decorate a holiday wedding with glass vases or champagne flutes filled with ornaments. Select ornaments to coordinate with your wedding color or stick with gold and silver for a gilded finish.
• Candles and more candles: Is there anything more romantic than candlelight? Make your DIY wedding centerpieces from a cluster of topiary candles in various candle holders or vary the size to add visual interest. For a more traditional look, use silver candelabra.
• Photo finish: Share your favorite photos from your courtship. Add pictures from your childhoods. Placing different photos at each table give your guests a great excuse to get up and mingle after dinner.

Read more:

• DIY Wedding Planning 101
• DIY Wedding Cards & Programs
• DIY Shower & Bachelorette Party Ideas

Your reception centerpieces are a vital part of your wedding look and style. When deciding what you’d like to adorn your tables, take a few factors into consideration.

Cost is first on your list, naturally. If you don’t have a large budget, go easy on the table decorations. Large groups of flowers are not necessary; you can have one simple flower, like a lily. Other ideas are non-floral centerpieces like candles (though check to make sure they are cheaper than the flowers). You can also substitute branches and fruits and vegetables for flowers, even seashells. The options are limitless, so talk to vendors and your florists about ideas to fit your budget.  Remember, too, there is always DIY, a great idea if you have the creativity and the time.

Centerpieces should complement the tables, not topple them. Make sure the centerpieces you choose are not so large that guests cannot talk, or see, over them. Not sure? Sit down at the table with a sample, and check the view. Make sure, too, that centerpieces don’t block the view of the head table or the band. Also, you don’t want the centerpieces to be so large that there’s little room for favors, place cards and, of course, food!

Many people are allergic to flowers, so ease up on the heavy scented blooms. A good florist will know that orchids are more potent than daisies, and you can work on this together. You also want to make sure that petals don’t drop onto plates, or, if you’re using candles, that they’re situated properly so wax isn’t melting on the tablecloth. All centerpieces need to be sturdy; you don’t want guests treading lightly for fear the centerpiece is going to fall over.

Your wedding centerpieces should match the style of your wedding. Obviously, if you’re having a Christmas-themed wedding, daffodils would not fit in. The same rule applies to any theme; even if you have your heart set on Snickers Bar Bouquet centerpieces, do they work for your formal affair? It’s your wedding, and the centerpiece decision is up to you. But keep in mind that, if you go for something extremely out of contrast with the rest of your wedding, you might end up feeling uncomfortable with the choice

Non-floral centerpieces are a popular alternative to bouquets or single flowers. They can be simple and elegant (candles), or festive and full (twigs, baskets of fruit). Couples often opt for non-floral reception table centerpieces because they tend to be cheaper than flowers, but they can also add a touch of personality to your wedding.

Keep reading here.