To find a florist, Brides magazine suggests asking around. Ask them which floral shop they contracted with and if they were happy with the results. When you find a florist whose style you really like, be ready to talk about your budget. And before you sign on the dotted line, Brides magazine says to make sure all the details are in writing, including total costs and payment schedules, the deposit and when it's due, your first choice for flowers and unacceptable substitutes and even the number and color of each flower that is to be used in bouquets, centerpieces and arrangements such as garlands, wreaths and pew markers. Brides can cut costs by selecting flowers that are in season, avoiding a wedding date that is near a big flower-buying holiday such as Valentine's Day or Mothers' Day, or making arrangements to share flowers and costs with another bride who will be getting married before or after you at the same venue.
Bouquets can also double as centerpieces on banquet tables.
Once the details are in place, you may want to choose flowers that have special meaning to you, such as your state flower or you mother's favorite blossoms. But flowers also have a long history of conveying unspoken emotions - everyone knows what a red rose means. When putting together your bouquet you might like to keep in mind the meanings behind the beautiful blooms. In the same vein, if you're superstitious you'll want to avoid larkspurs, which represent infidelity, marigolds, which symbolize grief, and yellow roses, which stand for jealousy. The Knot also provides a handy glossary of bouquet terms so you can start planning the style you want for you and your bridesmaids.