(excerpts from an article published in Rhode Island Monthly's Bride Magazine in November 2003)

All images feature original Grasmere floral designs and are copyright of Beth Siqueland-Gresch.

Petal Pushers

Every bride remembers the first time her groom surprises her with flowers — perhaps it's a whimsical bunch of daisies to signify the joy in their new and lighthearted romance. And no girl can forget her excited flurry of feelings as the relationship progresses and the deliveries of tulips or lilies begin arriving to celebrate her birthday, a promotion or other special occasion. Of course, the first time he sends red roses leaves her cherishing warm thoughts of their developing connection. But the time he remembers her favorite flowers and surprises her "just because," that's it. True love. Flowers naturally evoke a multitude of feelings and memories, making them the ideal element of the wedding to represent a couple's unique personality on the first day of the rest of their lives. [...]

Available in an almost unlimited array of colors, types and arrangements, flowers are a key component in creating the personality of the wedding. A bride who walks down a candlelit aisle with a stunning bouquet of classic white roses will set the tone for a formal elegant wedding. However, at a ceremony and reception dotted with flowers in bold colors such as hot pinks, bright blues or fiery oranges, the guests are likely to take on the exuberance of the decor's vibrant spirit. [...]

Using color as a tool to enhance the wedding is quite popular, according to Beth Gresch of Grasmere in Barrington. "Brides are becoming more confident in making a statement, I am seeing brides looking for a very specific design that gives a sense of the couple's personality" says Gresch. Traditional garden style weddings are always around, bar now there is more of a trend toward a cleaner look. I am frequently working with tones — an arrangement of flowers in a variety of purples or blues or citron green, awry popular color right now — and then even coordinating the flowers with tones in table linens."  [...]

"When it comes to decorations for the ceremony and reception, color remains the dominant-element. Decorations are becoming much more playflul. Couples are using the decor to make individual statements and giving the wedding the same feel all the way through," says Gresch.

In these creative times, many brides are complementing their zesty colors with unique elements to fashion a more textured look; anything from sand and beach glass to candles, ribbons, interesting containers, glasss or even fresh fruit slices.

Creative flowers and accent elements really showcase the couple's personality and also open the decor to sentimental symbolism, perhaps incorporating the favorite flower of a deceased loved one or working shamrocks into a centerpiece for a couple with a strong Irish heritage.

Achieving the look that you dream of depends on working with a florist you are comfortable with, who can offer you what you want in your price range, who under.-stands what you are looking for and will do his or her best to enhance your wedding. Word of mouth is the best place to start looking for an expert.

A good florist will take time to interview you to discuss your needs and wants. Take advantage of this time to question the florist- Here*s a simple checklist of what to ask:

• Request photography of their work or ask them to create a fresh sample for you.

• Determine if they are familiar with your chosen venue to make sure they can work with and maximize your budget.

• Find out how many weddings they will be doing the same weekend as yours.

• Confirm which staff member will actually be working on your wedding, and make sure you have the opportunity to meet with that individual.

• Check into options for preserving your flowers after the event.

• Most important, however, is the designer's own style. Be sure to enquire about their particular technique and if it will complement what you are envisioning.

There is no simple formula for determining how much you will spend on flowers. Three thousand dollars is quite typical. Keep costs in mind when planning the time of year for your wedding If you are having the big event near Valentine*s Day or Mother*s Day, remember that flowers are often much costlier. On the other hand, think about getting married around Easter or Christmas when your church may already be beautifully decorated. In the springtime, consider outdoor venues such as parks, which will already be naturally beautiful with new blossoms.

When planning your flower budget, remember the most important aspects you want to feature,

Guests will spend more time at the reception than at the ceremony so perhaps it is best to go simple early on and splurge at the party Being conscious of the size of the wedding will also keep your flower costs down. If you do not want to spend a lot of money on flowers, consider that when choosing your number of bridesmaids or planning the guest list will affect the number of centerpieces. [...]

When coordinating an event as important as your wedding, being creative with your floral decor may be just what you need to make the event stand out. So go ahead; develop a personality for the event, make a unique statement of a new couple and treat your guests to that wonderful feeling of being surprised by flowers

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