You’ve got the date, the location, and the dress, now it’s time to pick out the flowers. But where do you start? Flowers not only add color to your wedding, they also set the tone for the event. Do you want a classic, romantic feeling, or something more contemporary? Maybe you want the bouquets to look like they came straight from the garden? Style, color and flower choices greatly affect the tone of your wedding. Here’s a quick guide to help get you started! Classic flowers typically include whites and ivories and may incorporate hints of light yellow or pink. These bouquets have simple, clean lines and create a romantic feel to your wedding. Bouquets can be either hand tied or cascading; wrapping bouquets in double-faced satin or lacy ribbon will help add elegance. Classic wedding flowers may include roses, gardenias, stephanotis, stock, calla lilies and lily of the valley. For something a little different, you may want to select a modern theme for your flowers. Modern bouquets throw the rulebook out the window. Do you have red dresses? Rather than sticking with white roses, try orange, red, pink, or purple ones. Want Hollywood glam? Add rhinestones or wire to give your bouquet that extra edge and elegance. Modern bouquets offer a wide variety of options to set your bouquets apart. Try a bright satin ribbon with accented crystals or rhinestones to give your bouquets a little added flair. Modern flowers include roses, calla lilies, lilies, tulips, orchids, and fiddlehead ferns. Almost no flower is off-limits in a modern bouquet. Exotic-themed flowers take modern bouquets to the next level. The bright array of color brings fun and excitement to any wedding. If you want to make your guests feel as if they are on a beach in the tropics (without the added expense of a destination wedding), then exotic flowers may be for you! These bouquets often have asymmetrical angles and funky lines. Exotic flowers include all varieties of orchids, fiddlehead ferns, birds of paradise, freesia, Asiatic lilies, anthurium, spider mums, and bamboo. If you prefer to stick closer to home with your flowers, then a gardenesque theme might be the way to go! Gardenesque flowers can be whimsical and romantic or fun and casual. Garden flowers include stock, delphinium, wax flower, gerbera daisies, peonies, sunflowers, bear grass, mums, hyacinth, tulips, wheat, sweet peas, dahlias, snap dragons, alstroemeria, and hydrangea. For a really natural look, consider wrapping bouquets with twine or raffia instead of ribbon. No matter which flowers you select, make sure the styles of your bouquets fit with the rest of your wedding. When speaking to your florist, it is always helpful to have an understanding of what you want the overall feel to be. Pictures, including those of your dress, bridesmaid dresses, and bouquets you like, will be helpful at your consultation. Your florist will be able to help you choose the best flowers for both your budget and your theme!