Years ago, when deciding what flowers were accessible for a wedding at different times of the year, was rather easy. Spring flowers in the spring, summer ones in summer etc. However, with the worldwide floral markets opening up and becoming more global, the availability of blooms is greater, although there are still some recommendations and restrictions.
 Photography by John Lyons Photography, Windsor, Ontario- will travel When you consider your flowers, reminder to consider the season. Here in Southwestern Ontario, the climate is seasonally influenced; meaning tulips in July, although available, do not show as well as they do in March or April. Not only do they look better, they smell better and are usually a less expensive price. When there are lots of blooms growing at once, it does drive the price down, making them more affordable.
Know too, that nature can change everything due to crop failures from frost, floods, drought and other natural occurences. Not all flower shops can access every flower. Different importers offer different choices; smaller centres sometimes cannot bring in enough of one type to justify the cost.
Be creative and flexible when you pick your flowers for your bouquet, wedding accents for your attendants, Maid of Honour and Best Man and your ceremony and venue. Flowers are romantic, smell great and add a celebratory feel to any wedding day!
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Just as you would any other legal documents for large items you purchase, such as a car or a home; be sure to have a written contract and/or a letter of commitment from each of your wedding services. This is the only way to assure that you and the service provider agree on all details. Include a departure, goods that will be delivered and time of delivery, contracted costs, overtime costs, deposits required, balance due and due date.
 Brandon Scott Photography, Windsor, Ontario- will travel If you have a list of details (such as types of flowers in each bouquet or arrangements or items to be included (like your total number of tuxedos and their sizes, that you are renting) amend the contract to include that information. Both you and the service provider should sign, and you should both have copies. The contract should clarify any price increases and clearly state that you will pay the original quoted price.
Since your reception will likely be the most costly item in your wedding budget, the contract should contain the most details. If you are purchasing a wedding “package”, make sure that all those items are specifically listed in the contract, from the exact food items and courses that will be served to the brands of liquor poured at the bar to the style of the service (white glove, full tuxedo) that will be attending to your guests during the reception.
If your reception facility is undergoing a renovation, that should be noted in your contract, along with the completion date, as well as any provisions they will make should the renovation not be completed for your day. Any special considerations for your event that are being made by the facility should be noted in your contract. For example, if they are providing table arrangements for you or they are providing extra bar during the cocktail hours, make sure the contract states that clearly.
Other services such as D.J. or limousine, invitations, catering, etc., services should provide times when events are happening and when and where they will be to service you.
Have someone bring your contracts to the wedding to answer any last minute questions or concerns. Purchasing wedding services is the same as purchasing any other item during your daily life. Any time money is exchanged and particularly when it deposits are given months before the service is delivered, it is important for both yourself and the service provider to know the terms of the sale and how it is going to be handled.
Bridal bouquets reflect society’s current passion for gardening, individuality and a new love for colour. Many bouquets look unique because florists blended traditional flowers from the garden with more exotic flowers to make an exquisite arrangement.
The natural feel of the hand-tied bouquet of blossoms and greenery is very popular with modern brides. The style fits today’s wedding styles. The nosegay, a small, round, very uniform bouquet of like blossoms has been very popular with brides. It is best suited for compact uniform blossoms like roses and calla lilies. If not tied with ribbons, this style of bouquet may be placed within a tussy-mussy; an ornamental cone-shaped holder that was popularized in the Victorian era.
Ask your florist about purchasing or renting table top tussy-mussy holders to use your bouquet as stunning table decor.
 John Lyons Photography, Windsor. Ontario- will travel Consider the season of your wedding and what flowers will be in bloom. These will be healthier and more readily available .
Spring flowers include; tulips, daffodils, cherry blossom, lily of the valley, peony, crab-apple blossoms, forsythia, sweet pea, viburnum, and ranunculus. They are all fresh and welcoming flowers after a long winter season.
During the summer months you’ll find daisies, garden roses, hydrangea, clematis, cosmos, sunflower, zinnia, black-eyed Susan, colourful lilies, Iris, anemone, hasta leaves and yarrow. These are all bolder florals.
The palette of the Fall is awash with vibrant colours and the flowers available include crab apple, dahlia, ornamental berries, autumn foliage, mums and wheat.
Winter brings evergreens including juniper, cedar, white pine, and boxwood, preserved flowers, ornamental berries, seedpods, rose hip and forced bulbs.
During all seasons you can secure the following flowers; roses, freesia, gardenia, stephanotis, dendrobium orchids, calla lily and vines.
Flowers always create a festive and romantic mood; now they can also express special sentiments as well.
Flowers will play an important role in making your wedding day an event to remember. You will visit more than one bridal salon and certainly try on more than one style of dress while looking for your wedding gown. Selecting your florist and flowers deserves the same attention.
When choosing a florist, look for a wedding specialist. Your florist should insist on a picture (or description) of your gown, your attendants’ dresses, as well as a fabric swatch of your colour theme. The florist, having seen the picture or sketches of the gowns, hould be able to recommend a suitable size and shape of bouquet that will not interfere with the detailing of the gowns. Remember; a bouquet should enhance the gowns, not overpower them.
 Steve Pomerleau Photography, Windsor, Ontario- will travel If a florist “pushes” a particular style on you, ask yourself if that florist really has your best interests in mind. All too often, such bouquets are common, easily duplicated, and highly profitable for the vendor. At this point, you may wish to consider another florist. The florist who seems to best understand your wishes and with whom you feel the most comfortable, should be the one to win your business.
Also, be aware of the “invisible flower syndrome”; traditionally the bride’s bouquet was composed of white flowers. Unfortunately, a bride carrying a white bouquet and wearing a white gown has paid for an invisible floral accessory. This becomes particularly apparent in wedding photographs. To avoid this, add coloured flowers and/or assorted greens to create a contrast.
Years ago, when deciding what flowers were accessible to you at different times of the year was rather easy. Spring flowers in the spring, summer ones in summer etc. However, with the worldwide floral markets opening up and becoming more global, the availability of blooms is greater although there are still some recommendations and restrictions.
 Steve Pomerleau Photography, Windsor, Ontario- will travel When you consider your flowers, reminder to consider the season. Here in Southwestern Ontario, we are climate and seasonally influenced, meaning tulips in July although available, do not show as well as they do in March or April. Not only do they look better, they smell better and are usually a less expensive price. When there are lots of blooms growing at once, it does drive the price down.
Know too, that nature can change everything due to crop failures from frost, floods, drought and other natural occurences. Not all flower shops can access every flower. Different importers offer different choices; smaller centres sometimes cannot bring in enough of one type to justify the cost.
Be creative and flexible when you pick your flowers for your bouquet and wedding accents for your attendants, Maid of Honour and Best Man. Flowers are romantic, smell great and add a celebratory feel to any wedding day!
 Trevor Booth Photography, Windsor, Ontario- will travel
 John Lyons Photography, Windsor, Ontario- will travel
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