As soon as you've picked out your gown and our attendants' dresses, a trip to the florist is next on the agenda. Be sure to bring colour samples and if available, a picture of your gown. Today's flowers are completely different than even a decade ago. Now silk flowers are so life-like, they're difficult to distinguish from the real thing. Two advantages to having silk flowers for your bouquets, besides lasting forever, is their availability (they're here year round), and they can be made up weeks in advance. If only fresh flowers will do, today they are available almost all year; and if you're after something exotic, chances are it's grown in the wholesale florists greenhouses, and are easily obtained from your local florist. Today's brides choose from large white callas to tiny lily of the valley, bouquets made from ginger, boutonnieres from azalea florets, and corsages fashioned from white gladiola petals and stephanotis. However, the traditional roses, orchids, carnations, daisies, and gypsophila (baby's breath) are still, by far, the most popular. Whether your choice is silk or fresh, deal with the professional florist. He is in business to design the bouquets and floral arrangements to enhance both your wedding ceremony and the reception. [ back ]