Green Wedding Guide

Floral Decoration for an Eco Friendly Wedding

Flowers play an integral part in our lives and have become strong symbols of a range of spiritual experiences. Initially they were chosen for their fragrance and not appearance or color. Rosemary for devotion and enduring love, marjoram for joy and medieval brides wove garlands of flowers and herbs to ward off evil spirits and hoped for the blessings of love, fertility, good health and joy. Planning your wedding in an eco friendly manner is not only cost effective and fun, but aligning the celebration of your love in a manner that is respectful to the earth and all her creatures will add to your bliss.

While it is best to choose flowers that are grown locally and are in season, it is worth bearing in mind that flowers that are Organic or Veriflora certified are not only grown in a manner that is gentle to the earth but in a socially sustainable setting as well. Settling on a “themed’ wedding can sometimes be daunting.

The vast range of choices can be liberating but can occasionally lead you to be a slave to the planning process. Focusing on your own aesthetic as a couple, on your life goals, what inspires you and brings you joy and contentment will bring beauty and joy to your special day. Nature is a great mentor and our natural desires are usually in tune with the seasons.

Seasonal flowers, grown locally using organic methods or are by far the best option. The soft pastel blooms of spring, to the masses of color in the summer, to the jewel toned brilliant hues of the fall and the whites and deep red berries of the winter. Blooming and variegated leaf plants add a lovely and natural touch to any setting and come with the added benefit of lasting long after the ceremony is over.

Wedding Styles 

Generally speaking, there are some broad categories for wedding flowers. The look you are attracted to may be influenced by the choice of venue. For instance classic flowers are a popular choice as it suits most places of worship and hotels. It is also more cost effective with the use of seasonal flowers and foliage for an elegant result. The romantic look and feel can encompass various styles with the use of seasonal flowers and herbs for a scented and feminine feel.

Lots of swags and garlands made from seasonal blooms and herbs draped with ivy and the soft glow of candles. This is best suited for venues in the country, on the beach or in the back yard. A minimalist look and style can involve a confident and striking look. It is better suited to unusual or more urban sites such as loft space, museum or smart restaurant.

The selection of a deep colored flower arranged en mass in structured architectural arrangements or the choice of succulent plants of various shapes and textures in streamlined containers is an ideal choice.

Bridal Party Flowers

The bride’s bouquet will be the most photographed floral arrangement of the day. It is important to create a bouquet that is unique to you and comfortable to carry during the ceremony. There are no rules that are set in stone for your wedding flowers. The advantage of a simple round bouquet with roses is that it is relatively easier to make and looks good in pictures regardless of how they are held. A natural posy of just picked flowers with some herbs such as lavender, rosemary or scented eucalyptus is also easy to make and is perfect for a more informal event. Making your bouquet with fresh flowers and succulent plants is a novel way of celebrating sustain ably and of preserving a living memento of your wedding day. Once the ceremonies are over, you may plant your bouquet in a pot and watch it grow. The bridesmaid bouquets should complement the overall theme and suit their outfits and side. The bouquets are usually smaller but more colorful than the bride’s bouquet and should be made in proportion to the person who is carrying them.

Boutonnières – It is customary for the groom’s boutonnière to be a flower from the bride’s bouquet. The flower usually matches the groom’s outfit. A succulent boutonnière can be transplanted along with the bride’s succulent bouquet for a novel twist on preserving a memento of your wedding day. There are other members of the wedding party who usually wear boutonnières – such as the groom’s father, the bride’s father, the best man and ushers. These are usually coordinated with the bouquets carried by the bridesmaids and the flowers. Corsages while it is traditional for the mothers and grandmothers of the bride and groom to wear wrist corsages and large boutonnières. An option to consider is having a decorated clutch purse, with a single flower or small Posey. Baskets of flowers are popular for Junior Bridesmaids and flower girls. The advantage of a basket is that it can be put down and won’t get damaged or droopy if mishandled. A basket filled with rose petals can add a lovely scent to the festivities, especially if they are scattered on the floor.

The Ceremony

The ceremony may be for only a short time of the whole celebration, but it is essentially the heart of it. The flowers you use can express your personality and create the ambiance you wish for. If you are getting married in a religious ceremony, you will have to check with the minister, rabbi or priest about what decorations are allowed. Many traditional religious spaces are beautiful and are sometimes decorated for the season. If you opt for a civil ceremony you will be working with a blank canvas and can create your own atmosphere.

Topiaries with the addition of ribbon and flowers in decorative pots are a welcoming sight. Blooming rose topiaries not only add color, but have a lovely soft scent. You can also use bougainvillea, climbing roses or jasmine vines with a small trellis to keep their shape. Some big cities have plant rental services that might be an option to consider. Green potted shrubs such as privet work very well especially if they are decorated with seasonal flowers for a lush elegant look.

The Reception

Ambiance, Table Settings, Centerpieces and Cake

The whole ambiance of your wedding reception will be determined by how comfortable and attractive the lighting and how pitch perfect the sound system is. The brightly lit room with loud music is not conducive to a relaxing setting. Neither is a dark gloomy room where one has to strain to hear the speeches. Candles made with soy or without lead can be used for the soft glow of candle light which is flattering. The right lighting and sound levels will make everyone feel more confident and relaxed. It’s good to consider LED lights as they use very little energy and produce a lot of light. Table linens are very important and are usually coordinated with the flowers. Napkins are a similar consideration and can be adorned with a single flower or a sprig of herbs trimmed with a little ribbon. Many hotels and party rental companies now have the option of using Organic table linen.

Centerpieces

An elegant and opulent bouquet of flowers in the middle of a table is a welcoming sight. The recent trend of having a mixture of tall and short table center pieces can add an interesting dimension to the reception room. Flea markets and thrift shops can be mined for containers for all the arrangements. The tall arrangements are usually topiaries, candelabras or tall glass vases. It is very important to have the flowers raised above the heads of the guests, so that it allows the guests to carry on a conversation with people on the other side of the table. Ideally the centerpieces should be 15 inches or less for the shorter arrangements, or over 26 inches for the taller. A creative grouping small potted plants in a large decorative pot, or having a potted plant decorated with fresh flowers and fruits is easy, eco friendly and cost effective.

Cake

The wedding cake is centerpiece of the reception. There are many imaginative and creative ways to decorate your cake using sugar flowered designs, or organically grown flowers and herbs. Please be mindful of using flowers that are not organic as often the stems are dipped in fungicides before being shipped out by the growers. There are many organically grown blooms that are perfect to decorate your cake.