Back to Basics: Flowers

Next on your planning to do list is to find a florist. We thought we'd share a few basic pieces of information that might help during your initial florist consultations or interviews. We always recommend having your planner accompany you to these meetings. Your planner can be a great resource in helping you convey the look and style you want to create to the florist as well as helping brainstorm with the florist in creative alternatives that fit your budget!


There are four main classes of flowers. Pull a little from each category with a little greenery and your bouquet can come together in a snap!


Line Flowers: have florets along a long stem usually form the outline of a large arrangement or a cascade in a bouquet (Cantury Bells, Forsythia, Lily of the Valley, Snapdragon, Sweet Pea).


Form Flowers: are distinctively shaped and used in the main focal area of an arrangement or bouquet (Alstroemeria, Bird of Paradise, Calla Lily, Freesia, Gardenias, Lily, Orchid, Hydrangea, Tulip).


Mass Flowers: are used as the bulk of an arrangement or bouquet (Gerbera, Lisianthus, Mums, Peony, Rose, Sunflower).

Filler Flowers: are used to fill voids (Caspia, Baby's Breath, Heather, Spray mums, Spray roses).


Greenery: usually used to hide the "mechanics" such as foam or wire. Can also be used as filler for large arrangements.

This stem tied bouquet has cymbidium orchids, cala lilies, roses and dahlias

You can arrange your blooms in several different ways.

Cascade: a waterfall-like "spill" of blooms and greenery that's anchored in a hand-held base.

Classic Hand-tied Bouquet: a dense bunch of blooms tied with floral wire. This style is most popular today.

Composite: handmade creation in which different flowers are wired together on a single stem, creating the illusion of one giant flower.

Nosegay: small, round cluster of flowers, all cut to a uniform length; usually made with one dominant flower or color. These are becoming increasingly more popular with the mothers of the bride (or groom).

Pomander: bloom-covered ball suspended from a ribbon.

This image shows a great use of pomander balls made of gerber dasies.

You could also use roses or mums to create the look!