When it comes to choosing wedding flowers, many brides may know the wedding flower they want in their own bouquet, but are a little mystified about the rest of the wedding flowers needed to fill out the ceremony and reception.

While you can leave all your wedding flower selections in the hands of a capable professional florist and get great results, you may want to take a more hands on approach. We hope this wedding flower guide will help making planning your most special day just a little easier.

If you are the creative type, a simple floral craft book will give you all the tips and tool lists necessary to create your own custom wedding flowers that reflect your personal style. It's a good idea to purchase some flowers to practice with ahead of time to make sure you'll be happy with your results. Whatever you decide, there are some standard traditions and suggestions to help make sure you've covered all your wedding flower needs.

Wedding Flower Guide

Wedding flowers for the church would include:

Altar wedding flower arrangements
Pew markers/decorations

Wedding flowers for the reception would include:

Wedding flower arrangement for the bridal table.
Table centerpieces
Buffet table decorations

Wedding flowers for the bridal party would include:

Bridal bouquet
Small Bridal bouquet to toss
Groom's boutonniere
Maid/Matron of Honor bouquet
Bridesmaid bouquets
Best Man boutonniere
Groomsman boutonnieres
Flower Girl bouquet or petal basket
Mother of the Bride/Groom corsages
Father of the Bride/Groom boutonnieres
Step-parent corsages/boutonnieres
Grandparent corsages/boutonnieres

A Few Extra Wedding Flower Tips

* Maid/Matron of Honor wedding bouquets should be slightly more elaborate or in a different color shade than the rest of the bridesmaid wedding bouquets.

* The Best Man boutonniere should be slightly more elaborate than the rest of the groomsmen boutonnieres.

* The corsages/boutonnieres for the parents should differ slightly from the step-parents, and all grandparent corsages/boutonnieres should be different as well. It makes it easier for guests to keep track of who's who.

* Wedding flower arrangements from the church can be transferred to the reception hall for double duty.

* Bridesmaid wedding bouquets could be set in waiting vases and used as decoration for the bridal table.

Remember, these are just wedding flower guidelines. When it comes to your special day, your wedding flower selections and arrangements should reflect your personal taste and style. You can keep things simple or get as elaborate as you like, as long as your wedding flowers help you create the perfectly romantic wedding day you've always dreamed of.