Why can't I bring chrysanthemums to the wedding?
From choosing the right flowers for a special occasion to what the different colors mean, it's all explained here. I also show you how to pick healthy flowers if you are the one choosing them!
Best Flower Advice Anywhere!
My wife is the expert consultant for this lens. Having taken floral design classes and working in both design and sales for a wholesale florist, she knows it all when it comes to flowers. I adapted this lens from a handout she made for a class presentation.
Flowers for Special Occasions
Some occasions have specific flowers that are supposed to accompany them. If you scorn tradition, then skip this advice, but know that the people you give flowers to may not subscribe to your worldview!
- Get Well: Bright colors such as gerbera daisies. Stay away from flowers with strong scents.
- Birthdays: Flowers in their favorite colors! (Gerbera daisies come in a variety of colors.)
- Graduation: Mixed flower bouquet or purple flowers.
- Funerals: Chrysanthemums (of course, that's why we don't bring them to weddings!)
- Valentine's Day/Anniversary: A red rose says love like no other flower. Roses of any color can express love because of their formal look. Bouquets and vase arrangements are both nice.
A Great Floral Design Book
Flowers: The Complete Book of Floral Design
Amazon Price: $29.70 (as of 12/15/2009)
Paula Pryke is a floral design master-guru. This book is beautiful and informative.
Flower Colors and Their Meanings
A flower's color does a lot to convey emotion and intent. By following the advice listed below you will never make a floral faux-pas.
- Blue: Blue flowers offer a sense of calm, dignity, and serenity.
- Orange: An orange flower is a bold statement of color and vitality. Often associated with the sun, a bouquet that contains orange flowers brings thoughts of passion for life, satisfaction, and an air of confidence.
- Pink: The pink flower can signify a teasing interest, grace, and happiness. It is often a more modest gesture than a striking red flower, offering an allure of mystery as to the intentions of the giver.
- Purple: A purple flower represents royalty, pride, or success.
- Red: A red flower can be a symbol of desire, lust, devotion, and beauty. Usually means "I love you" or "Will you marry me?"
- White: White flowers symbolize purity and innocence.
- Yellow: Yellow flowers simply make people smile. It is the color of friendship, joy, and lightheartedness.
How to Pick a Great Rose
First of all, look for healthy petals. Is the flower firm or droopy? If one or two petals are bruised, that's okay, just pluck them off. But if the petals are spotted or come off at the touch, then stay away!
Now for the florist's secret quality check: Pinch the base (head) of the flower. If its firm, this is a good sign. If its loose, then the rose is "blown" in florist-talk, meaning that the petals are so loose the flower won't last much longer.
Become a Master Floral Designer
Paula Pryke's Flower School: Mastering the Art of Floral Design
Amazon Price: $29.70 (as of 12/15/2009)
Another great book by Paula Pryke, this one gives you the skills to be an expert floral designer.
by cactusdo
Back to my USA home after two years as a volunteer in Belgium and France, found a lovely wife and we're figuring out life together. (more)
Explore related pages
Rare and Unique Flowers- For those who love nature and gardening, nothing is more relaxing than sitting o...
Wedding Flowers ~ Wedding Bouquets- Main among several important aspects of planning a wedding are the Flowers. The...
Rose Motif Free Crochet Pattern
- Make this lovely rose motif to decorate handkerchiefs, pockets, purses, linens....
Hydrangea Care- This lens will inform you on everything you need to know about hydrangea care......
Gifts & Flowers for Valentines Day- It is this special day when we express our love by sending that special someone...
Floral Design by The Flowergod- The Flowergod releases weekly videos demonstrating flower design, flower arrangi...
