Flowers are a lovely accessory in any wedding. An accessory is exactly what they should be. A bridal party should not look like a walking floral arrangement. Flowers should be in harmony with the overall feeling of your nuptials, whether it's formal or informal, traditional or contemporary, indoors or outdoors. Here are a few tips on how to make sure you are the center of attention on your wedding day, not your flowers.

How to Choose a Florist

The first rule in choosing a florist? Book early.

Get opinions from friends and relatives and visit a few bridal florists whose work you've admired. On the initial visit, just browse through the shop and through photographs of previous work. Talk with the florist to see if he or she has the expertise to do the type of designs you want, within your budget. Discuss the type of wedding you plan to have and possible locations. Select a florist you feel comfortable working with.

Once you have decided on the colors for the bridal party and have firmly set the location, time and type of wedding, bring to the florist swatches of fabric, a list of your favorite flowers and pictures of the look you want.

Be open-minded. Florists have a good idea of what will look good, what's possible and what's affordable.

Fresh, Dried or Silk

Time was when only fresh flowers were acceptable for weddings. Now, real-looking silk and fresh-looking dried flowers are becoming more and more popular with brides for a variety of reasons.

If someone in the bridal party is allergic to flowers, you should use silk.

Some brides who wear snow white dresses think they need snow white roses in their bouquets, but there aren't really any pure white roses. Natural-colored roses look more real and don't blend into the gown.

If you use silk flowers, you can use the bridal bouquet that will actually be in the wedding if you have your portrait taken ahead of time.

For some brides, nothing but the freshness of cut flowers will do. You miss the fragrance if you don't use real flowers. For many brides, the flowers seem less if they're not fresh.

Aside from the overall feeling of the wedding, the flowers should blend with not only the bride's dress but also her complexion and hair and eye colors.

Consider how the flowers will look in the photos. It's the memories and photos that will last.

It's not necessary for the bride and bridesmaids to carry the same flowers, but the flower types should coordinate. Create a connection between the bride, groom and also the parents.

Imagine standing at the back of the church on your wedding day. Describe what you see. Is it formal, pastels, daytime, bright colors? When your fiance sends you flowers, what type does he send you?

The quality of silk flowers will make the difference between a natural or fake looking bouquet. Good silk flowers look real in photographs. Quality silk flowers will hold their shape; the stems will be hand-wrapped with no plastic stems showing.

To stay within your budget, give the most attention to the bride's flowers; keep the others simple. A single long-stemmed rose, possible with sheer ribbon, is very elegant and a popular European choice for bridesmaids.

Before you start making definite decisions, check to see if your church has any regulations or restrictions regarding the use of flowers. The types of arrangements should be determined by the size and lighting of the church, the season, and the colors of your wedding.

Finally, while every bride seeks to enhance their wedding decor with flowers, keep in mind that you are the center of attention on your big day.