Planning the Perfect Wedding: Ceremony Flowers

 So you've completed the major task of choosing a ceremony site, now what?  Well, now you get to think about flowers for the ceremony! Flowers are an essential part of the decor for the aisle and altar, and can help transform any ceremony site into your own personal vision.

The choice, of course, is personal, but many weddings feature a very simple aisle, with one or two flower arrangements at the opening or even a light sprinkle of rose petals running the length. Others feature ribbons, simple swags of ivy, or wreathes on pew ends. To keep costs down, remember that the bridal couple is the centerpiece--several floral accents may be unnecessary.

The altar, or bimah in a synagogue, is usually the focus during most of the ceremony. Wedding Ceremony Flower Arrangements should be large enough for all to see, but, again, they can also be simple. Depending on the particular tradition, flowers may decorate the unity candle or Bible. If the wedding is Jewish, flowers are often used to decorate the traditional chuppah canopy.

If you're tying the knot in an unconventional setting, flowers are often used to decorate arches or trellises on a beach or patio. Again, these should be large enough to be seen, but can also be kept simple.

Wedding Ceremony Flowers are a great way to personalize the ceremony site! In fact, the same flowers can often can be used at the reception site after the ceremony.

Say it All With Flowers!

Not only roses convey the Meaning of Love. Many other beautiful flowers have significant relevance and have been used to communicate feelings of love throughout the ages. So why not personally select something different to send to that special someone this year?

Consider these romantic alternatives:

Red Carnation: Aching heart, Admiration
Gerbera: You are the sunshine of my life 
Holly: domestic happiness
Lilac: First Love
Lily: Purity
Orchid: Delicate Beauty
Red Tulip: Declaration of Love
Yellow Tulip: Hopelessly in Love

Not sure or looking say something else? Just ask. The staff at Bergeron's can help you select a thoughtful and unique gift to show how much you care. You really can say it all with flowers!

How to Send Bereavment Flowers

When you receive news that someone has died it is customary to send flowers for the funeral. Funeral flowers are a touching way to share your sadness and grief with those who have recently suffered a loss. There are many different types of funeral arrangements, and different cultures have very different positions on funeral flowers, so your best option is to talk to someone close to the bereaved if you aren't sure about their specific customs.

Funeral arrangements were traditionally made up of white flowers but it is also common to see a mix of flowers and colors. Some types of flowers used in sympathy work are lilies, calla lilies, roses and dianthus (carnations) but it is perfectly acceptable to send another type of flower. If you know what the person's favorite flower was, it is a nice gesture to send a personalized floral arrangement, one including his or her favorite flowers or colors, or an arrangement that incorporates his or her favorite things (golf, gardening, favorite location, for example).

One of the first and most common questions after deciding to send funeral flowers is where should the flowers go? While many people choose to send the flowers to the funeral home for the viewing or church for the service, the attached cards are not often seen by the family. Sending flowers to the family's home is also an excellent option. Also, often a gift of a potted plant is even more appreciated than cut flowers, which fade and die over time. The potted plant can later be placed in a memorial garden or even planted on the grave site.

It is most important to remember when purchasing funeral flowers that you want to bring comfort to the mourners, so make sure that your choice is something that will bring them comfort. If you are unsure, the staff at Bergeron's is, of course, always available to help you make a selection.

Win a Dozen Valentine's Day roses!

Fan Bergeron's on Facebook for exclusive sales, contests & giveaways!
Our online community is growing, and we want you to grow with us!  Our Facebook page provides you the daily scoop on what's happening at Bergeron's. Don't miss out - become a fan of Bergeron's to learn about exclusive news, happenings, products, sales, contests & giveaways!

Bergeron's is giving away a dozen red roses for Valentine's Day!
This month, Fan us on Facebook and win a delightful arrangement of roses! Perfect for that special someone, that friend you've been meaning to thank, or even for yourself. To instantly be entered in the drawing for a dozen free Valentine's Day roses, simply go to the Bergeron's Facebook page and become a fan. One winner will be drawn at random on February 10, 2010. The winner will be contacted via Facebook. Roses will be delivered on February 12, 2010 to destination of winner's choice (in the Washington DC metropolitan area). See below for rules and details.

TO ENTER: No purchase necessary. Contest begins Wednesday, February 3, 2010 and ends on Wednesday, February 10, 2010. To enter, go to Bergeron's Facebook page and become a fan. If any dispute arises concerning the identity of an entrant, the owner of the Facebook account (owner of email registered with Facebook) shall be deemed the entrant.
 
DEADLINE: Giveaway entries include ALL Bergeron's fans on Wednesday, February 10, 2010. Fans received after this time will not be considered.
 
WINNER SELECTION AND NOTIFICATION: One winner will be selected by Bergeron's via randomized selection, from among all eligible entries, on or after Wednesday, February 10, 2010. The winner will be notified at the Facebook account used to enter the contest. If a selected winner is ineligible, declines the prize, or if Bergeron's is unable to make contact with a selected winner after reasonable effort and time (48 hours), the prize shall be forfeited and may be awarded to an alternate winner selected by another randomized selection from all remaining entries.
 
AWARDING & DELIVERY OF PRIZE: Subject to eligibility verification. The winner will receive one dozen arranged roses, to be delivered to destination of his or her choice in the Washington DC metropolitan area.  
 

Planning the Perfect Wedding: Floral Consultation

Congratulations, he popped the question and you said yes! So now what? As for the wedding flowers, the first step is to arrange an appointment with Bergeron's for a complimentary wedding consultation. This is best done at least six months prior to the wedding date.

During this first meeting, we like to get to know you and your ideas for your perfect wedding day. To get the most out of your wedding consultation, be sure to bring along any ideas, notes, magazine clippings and photos you may have. We also recommend your bring fabric swatches and pictures of the bridal gown and attendant dresses. If you have any important keepsakes or memories you would like included in your bouquet, such as your grandmother's brooch or special handkerchief, bring those along as well.

This consultation provides you and your florist with one-on-one time so you can both get an idea of your wants and needs and theme of your wedding. We will also go over details such as style, color, size and shape of your bouquet, number of corsages and boutonnieres you will need, and the style of each. Ceremony details will include how do you want your nuptials area framed? Do you want decor for the seating? If so, how many rows does the site have? Does the venue you've chosen have items for use on your day, i.e. candelabras or pedestals? What about how the reception is set-up? How many tables are you going to have? Are you and your fiance going to sit at a sweetheart table or have a head table with all of your attendants seated with you? Each wedding is different, so why not have your style captured?

We have many books here at Bergeron's for you to peruse. In fact, feel free to stop by and check out our library any time. Just give us a call at 703-455-0220 -  you are welcome any time the consultation room is not in use!

We look forward to getting a clear vision of your perfect wedding and making your ideas a reality!

What is the Length of a Long-Stem Rose?

Ever wonder, with all the information out there, what the real definition of a "long-stem rose" is? This link is the best description I've found and since I couldn't say it better, click on the link below and find out the real scoop!

http://thefloristblog.dragonflyflowers.com/2009/03/15/some-real-florists-perspectives-on-long-stem-roses.aspx

Know what you are ordering. So many just throw around the words, "long-stem", but aren't really sure what that means.

At Bergeron's we carry 60cm "Long-Stem" roses on a weekly basis in a variety of colors, so please call us, your professional, "real" local florist, and let us deliver some beautiful long-stem roses for you!