If I had to name my favourite part out of my whole job, I think it would be to see all my gorgeous brides getting ready on their wedding day, and handing over the bouquets to them. I’d be lying if I said there weren’t tears from both parties most of the time! It’s such an exciting, emotional and overwhelming experience. After months (and sometimes years!) of chatting and essentially being internet besties, and here I am presenting them with (what I hope!) is their dream bridal bouquet.  It’s seriously such a special experience. I am so invested in every single wedding I have the pleasure of being a part of, and many of my couples have told me they felt like theirs was the only wedding I was working on because of how personal and intimate the experience is.

The morning of your wedding day will be one of the most exciting and memorable mornings of your life. As you prepare for this big moment, it’s essential to take good care of your delicate, dainty, and whimsical flowers, especially in our very hot climate – oh how I long for a flower shop in the UK where it’s always chilly and wildflowers grow on the side of the road!

Here are a few tips if you have ordered bouquets:

Delivery:

• Your bouquets will be delivered in a box with a small tub of water inside to keep your flowers hydrated. Try to keep your flowers in the water source right up until your photographer arrives.
• I include a small white ceramic pot in all the bouquet boxes for you to use. You can use these pots to display your bouquets in the reception if you like. These pots are a gift from me and are for you to keep.

How to handle your bouquets:

• If your bouquet or the bridesmaids’ bouquets have trailing silks, the ribbons will be tied in a bow at the front of the bouquet.  Hold your hands under the ribbons, so the beautiful silks can flow naturally.
• If your bouquet or the bridesmaids’ bouquets don’t have trailing silks, there will be a small knot at the back of the bouquet. Make sure this knot is facing towards you, so your bouquets are always facing the right way.

How to hold your bouquets:

• Hold your bouquet around bellybutton height. Your bouquet is an accessory – make sure you show off your beautiful self and not hide behind it!
• Slightly tip your bouquet forward so you can see all the gorgeous flowers. This will encourage the whimsical flowers to ‘bounce’ when you walk.

How to keep your bouquets happy:

• Sometimes photographers forget that flowers are so delicate and may leave the bouquets in the sun after the flat lay shots. This is completely understandable as there are lots of factors for vendors to remember on the wedding morning and flowers aren’t usually at the top of their mind, but I’d hate for you to have a wilted bouquet before you’ve even walked down the aisle! It’s important that you remember the longer you can keep your flowers in water and out of the sun, the better.  If you are getting your bouquet preserved, your bouquet preservation artist will seriously love you!
• When your bouquet is not being used throughout the day (during canapés, the reception & couple shots), try to place your flowers in the pot of water to keep them hydrated.  

Here are a few tips of you have ordered buttonholes:

Delivery:

• The buttonholes will be delivered in a box with tissue paper.  Your photographer will most likely want to use your buttonhole for your getting ready and flat lay shots and will encourage you to put your buttonhole on once they arrive.  You don’t need to worry about attaching it until they’ve arrived to you.

Mechanics:

• The buttonholes will be made onto a ‘T’ pin, with the flowers on 1 side of the pin. This pin is similar to a badge or a brooch. To undo the buttonhole, you simply press down on the pin to expose it, then thread this through your suit jacket.

Placement:

• You want your buttonhole sitting on the suit jacket, in the middle of the lapel, slightly above the heart.  You can also pin it through the suit jacket hole. Whatever option you pick, just ensure all members in the bridal party do the same for continuity.  The buttonhole is to be placed on the left.

How to keep your buttonhole happy:

• Whilst there isn’t a little vase delivered with the buttonhole box, try to keep the buttonhole box out of direct sunlight and away from heaters.
• Rember that your buttonholes will be delicate, so don’t squeeze or touch the flowers if you can avoid it.

For flowers to stay looking beautiful and fresh, they need clean water, minimal movement, and no sunlight or heat. While this isn’t entirely possible on your wedding day, the best thing you can do is be gentle with your flowers and follow the above tips to ensure they are as happy as possible, for as long as possible! Remember, your flowers will inevitably slowly wilt throughout the day as they are very delicate. This is completely normal as flowers are sensitive, but it’s about keeping them as happy as possible for you to be surrounded by and to look beautiful in the photos that you’ll keep forever.

I hope these tips were helpful, and I look forward to creating gorgeous flowers for you!

Here’s a flower quote I’m loving lately:  “Flowers always make people better, happier and more helpful; they are sunshine, food and medicine for the soul.” – Luther Burbank