Table Of Content

Kate Dawes` Guide to Wedding Flowers The Importance of Wedding Flowers Wedding flowers are one of the most important elements of your big day. Not only do they provide colour and scent, but they symbolize life, growth, and rebirth. Behind the dresses, wedding flowers are also a conversation starter and create a definite atmosphere. Getting Your Florist Right—The Kate Dawes Way At Kate Dawes Flower Design, I understand the importance of your wedding day and getting the flowers just right. My small business allows for a very personal interaction so that you never have to compete with large numbers of other clients and colliding dates. In creating your wedding flowers—I seek to enhance the natural beauty of the flowers themselves; designing the total impression rather than focusing on the flowers alone. This attention makes for a day in which the flowers compliment you and your dress and creates a wedding and reception environment which is harmonious and unique to your personality; one which you and your guests will not only talk about, but remember forever. When to Book This depends on how long you have to plan your wedding, but a general guideline is to start talking to me about 4 to 8 months before your wedding. The more time we have, the more time we have to get your desired result. What You’ll Need Before You Book • You'll need to have booked your ceremony site, and know how many arrangements you'll need to decorate it. • You'll need to have booked your reception site, and know the prominent colours of the venue (so the flowers don't clash). • If you are doing floral centerpieces, you'll need to know approximately how many wedding guests you are having, and thus how many centerpieces you'll need. Generally reception tables seat 8-12people. • How many bridesmaids you are having, and the colour of their dresses. • The number of corsages (for mothers, grandmothers,announcers and other special guests) and boutonnieres (for the groom, groomsmen, ushers, and or other special guests). • If you'll need separate arrangements for the rehearsal dinner, post-wedding brunch, entry ways, bathrooms, gift or cake tables, Obviously, if some of these details aren’t finely tuned, it’s not the end of the world. You can come and get inspiration and this may help you finalise these plans. What to Bring on Your First Visit Flowers are based around your personality, what you’re wearing and the venues in which the flowers will be displayed, When you’re first visiting bring swatches of bridesmaid dresses, pages from magazines with bouquets and floral arrangements that you like and any ideas you may have. If you can’t find anything that’s inspiring along the wedding genre, bring an image of a painting that you love or an interior design which communicates what you’re thinking. Anything that inspires you can inspire you’re wedding dream. Whether it be a traditional or a contemporary theme or whether you’re inspiration comes from a Brett Whiteley painting...together, together we can achieve your dream wedding. Have an Idea of Your Budget The general rule ‘they’ say is that 10% of the wedding budget should be dedicated to flowers. Though if your budget isn’t huge it doesn’t mean you need to be scabby with your flowers. There are plenty of cheaper flowers in the market that still look amazing when used creatively and tastefully in bouquets, table arrangements etc. A good idea when deciding your wedding date is planning it so that your favourite flowers are in season. However if you don’t have quite that hindsight (and not many of us do), there are plenty of beautiful seasonal flowers to choose from if your budget’s not huge. Guide to Your Seasonal Flowers This small selection of flowers is only a rough guide as flowers tend to overlap in their seasonal availability. Nature also follows its own set of rules—depending on the weather. Rain and temperature play a large part on the availability of certain flowers Spring Wedding Flowers (September, October, November) Peach, Cherry, Apple Blossom Sweet Peas Peony Freesias Hyacinths Tulips Lily of the Valley Roses (Start mid October) Delphinium Orchids—Phaeleonopsis Arum lilies Ranunculus Waratahs Variety of Natives Babies Breath Snapdragons Anemones Jasmine Summer Wedding Flowers (December, January, February) Roses (Their Season) Cattleya Orchid Dendrobium Orchid Spider Orchid Dancing Lady Orchids Vanda Orchids Peony (May still be available) David Austin roses (November-March) Anthuriums Stephanotis Bouvardia Calla Lily Dahlias Berzilia Hydrangea Lisianthus Disbuds Autumn Wedding Flowers (March, April, May) David Austin Roses Calla Lily Gloriosa Lily Baby’s breath Australian Natives All year round flowers Amaranthus Bells of Ireland Nerines Snowberry Variety of Orchids Disbuds Winter Wedding Flowers (June, July, August) Blushing Bride Earlicheer Daffodils Jonquils Hyacinths Freesias Kale Tulips Hellebores Cymbidium Orchids Geraldton Wax Seasonal Wedding Flowers Roses (Summer is their season though) Snapdragons Chrysanthemums Alstroemeria Carnations Callas Gerberas Oriental Lilies Freesias (Not Febuary) Gladioli Where to Go From Here • Firstly get some inspiration—whether it be from a picture, your wedding dress swatch or a bouquet of flowers. • Secondly, have a rough idea of what flowers you will want. Will you need table decorations, wedding decorations, how many bridesmaids do you have? We can always pear back so don’t be afraid to go beserk! • Thirdly have a budget in mind. • Finally get ready to enjoy the process of making your wedding unique, and wonderful! Contact Kate Dawes Flower Design is located in South Bank, Brisbane and designs for weddings Queensland wide. Please phone & email for enquiries or appointments or visit the website for inspiration and ideas. Phone: (07) 38 462 532 Mobile: 041 872 6971 Email: [email protected] www.katedawesflowerdesign.com.au www.katedawesflowerdesign.com.au