How essential is a wedding flower arrangement? Remember the antics of oddball Steve Stifler, in “American Wedding.” The night before the wedding of his friends Jim and Michelle, Steve accidentally destroys the wedding’s huge flower arrangement.
However, to make amends, he purchases every single flower in a local flower shop. Working against the clock, Steve and his football team busily set up the flowers. They complete their task just prior to the start of the wedding! Though you will probably never have to replace an entire wedding flower arrangement, knowing the ancient history of floral design can help you to better appreciate and choose a wedding flower arrangement.
Looking at books, sculptures, music and ceramics throughout history shows the significance of flowers to our society; with some of the most lavish examples in art found during the period from the 1600s to1800s. Wedding flower arrangements have been significantly affected by the trend of the “European and New World Style” of flower. The “Mass Arrangements” of large numbers of colourful flowers is typical and popular in European flower arrangements.
Ancient World, Ancient Arrangements
The ancient Egyptians often used flowers for temple offerings and banquet table ornaments. The arrangements usually included simple patterns, such as leaves or buds accompanied by a series of single flowers. They also often interchanged blue and green flowers, or short and long stems.
Next, the Greek era used flowers differently. In contrast to the Egyptians’ frequent use of containers to house flowers, the Greeks used flowers more often for decoration. However, they created the Cornucopia, or the Horn of Plenty. These flower arrangements were typically balanced and triangular, using one or a few colours.
Continuing the Greeks’ traditions of flower arrangements, the ancient Romans sometimes created flower arrangements in baskets and cornucopias. However, often their creations were lacking the elegance of the Greeks’.
Subsequently, the Byzantine Period continued the Greek and Roman’s flower arrangement methods. However, the Byzantines included fruits as well as flowers in their garlands. Additionally, trees were artistically placed in containers, along with flowers and leaves in containers such as goblets and baskets.
Picking a Florist of Historic Proportions
With the hectic manner in which we live our modern lives, few of us have learned the art of wedding flower arrangement, or would have time to learn it! Therefore it is an important part of the wedding which we pass on to a specialist. It is necessary to ensure that your florist correctly captures to style of your wedding with the wedding flower arrangement. Thus, it is wise to ensure that your wedding florist has the following qualities:
Understands your preference
Can advise suitable alternatives, if your initial idea is unavailable
Offers a contract with all promised services listed
Can guarantee fresh flowers
Understand your budget and what you want to get for it
Can deliver the wedding flower arrangement that you desire
Can guarantee prompt delivery of your wedding flower arrangement
Listens to your ideas, wishes and recommendations
A wedding signifies a milestone in your life. Therefore, make your wedding flower arrangement a historical one!
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