Photo: Milou + Olin Photography
There's no denying that flowers play an integral role in your wedding day décor. From your bouquet, to your centerpieces, and boutonnieres, plenty of people and things need to pinned with your bloom of choice. But who exactly gets to wear a blossom and how much should it cost to outfit your wedding party, ceremony space, and reception in the proper flowers? Plus, if you're on a budget, is it ok to use fake flowers? Our etiquette experts are here to answer all!
Does anyone else, other than members of the bridal party, need flower arrangements?
Yes, you'll need a few extra small floral accessories to distinguish the special guests who play a role in the ceremony (or are particularly close to your heart!). Ushers, the ring bearer, a male officiant — if he is not wearing traditional religious robes — and any other close male family members (fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers, etc.) can wear smaller or modified versions of the groomsmen's boutonnieres. Meanwhile, flower girls, female officiants, and close female family members can wear corsages, feminine boutonnieres, or carry a miniature version of your bridesmaid's bouquets.
We are starting to work on our wedding budget — how much should we spend on flowers?
f you're a total flower fiend, then the sky's the limit when it comes to your wedding flowers. It all comes down to priorities, so if flowers are a big deal to you, then you should plan on spending more on your arrangements. That said, most brides typically spend about eight to 10 percent of their overall budget on flowers. This usually includes the bridal bouquet, bridesmaids' bouquets, boutonnieres, corsages, and ceremony and reception arrangements. But how much you actually spend depends on many different factors, such as the types of flowers you want (some blooms, like peonies and garden roses, are much more expensive than others), whether or not the flowers you choose are in season in your area, and the size and complexity of the arrangements.
Is it a faux-pas to mix artificial flowers with real blooms for wedding décor?
Definitely not. However, if cost is a concern, good artificial flowers (usually silk) can be more expensive than real blossoms. So unless you're allergic to the real deal, consider forgoing the faux in favor of in-season blooms or affordable picks like carnations (which look great in a tight bunch) and gerbera daisies. Another great way to save? Consider repurposing your ceremony flowers at the reception. Assembling simple, small arrangements into centerpieces is a great cost cutter and can be a fun DIY project for you and your bridesmaids. That said, if you do decide to go faux, beware of long plastic stems — they're a dead giveaway and can cheapen the appearance of an otherwise lovely arrangement.