Among the most ubiquitous decorations are the plants and flowers that enhance the setting. They not only lend their natural beauty to the occasion, but also serve as symbols of the couple's new life together. From his work area at Stetson Flowers, floral design Patrick Cross-Lindsey points to flower arrangements as important to weddings as ever. The basic floral arrangements, he said, include the bride's and attendants' bouquets and mothers' and grandmothers' corsages, the boutonnieres for the groom and his groomsmen, and the flowers that dress the altar. Besides those, he said, there are the reception pieces - the table centerpieces, cake decorations and garlands for around the tables.
People go from the extravagent all the way down to the simple bouquet and boutonniere.
Cross-Lindsey said flower arrangements for weddings have changed little over past years, but styles have changed, following trends towards simplicity and added color. A girl will get a simpler dress, then maybe go more into the flowers, so she accents the bouquet rather than the dress. The current fashion tends to be a little less formal. And the ones going in for the simple look look will also use daisies and carnations. More and more arrangements incorporate color.