How to Create An Exotic Centerpiece for Your Wedding

Beautiful exotic flower arrangements are a classic addition to a formal wedding setting. Many tropical flowers are available year round and come in many shapes, sizes and colors, from delicate orchids to spectacular antherium bird-of-paradise stems. Giant tropical foliage can also dramatically compliment arrangements. An added bonus to these exotic centerpieces is their breathtaking fragrance. Simple and elegant or spectacularly ostentatious, an exotic centerpiece will transform your wedding into a truly special event.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Pictures and examples of exotic centerpieces
• Large vase or container
• Exotic flowers special-ordered from a florist
• Sharp shears or a knife
• Floral anchor foam
• Floral frog

Early Preparations

1. Allow several months to look through books, magazines and sample arrangements to get ideas for an exotic wedding centerpiece. Collect pictures or draw sketches of ideas to take to the florist.
2. Visit a florist who specializes in exotic, tropical flowers at least one month before your wedding day. Show him your pictures and discuss ideas. Choose a number of varieties of flowers such as heliconias, protias, gingers, bird-of-paradise (antherium), orchids and other varieties and include tropical foliage and other fill-in flowers.
3. Place your order and ask to have the flowers arrive at the florist no earlier than 3 or 4 days before the wedding.
4. Ask the florist to keep the flowers in his cooler until you are ready to begin constructing the arrangement. He may even allow you to use his florist workspace. If you must store the flowers yourself, find space in a cool room or basement.

Construct the Exotic Wedding Centerpiece

5. Choose a vase or container for the arrangement. It may be possible to borrow or rent this. You will also need floral anchor foam or a floral frog and sharp shears or a sharp knife.
6. Construct the arrangement 1 or 2 days before the wedding. Find a large, flat space to work. Be sure to have your pictures or sketches of the arrangement handy. Have the shape of your arrangement in mind as you begin.
7. Shorten the stems of the flowers with the sharp shears or knife to fit the general shape of the bouquet. Place the floral frog or floral foam securely in the vase or container. Use the largest flower at the base of the arrangement. Make sure the flower is facing forward and is at the correct angle. Firmly but gently push it into the foam or into the holes of the frog. Make sure it is solidly in place.
8. Work with one flower at a time and spread them evenly throughout the arrangement. Pay close attention so all flowers face outward and the arrangement is evenly spaced on all sides unless it will be against a wall. In that case, make the front and sides fuller.
9. Arrange the flowers, fill in any spaces and correct the shape of the arrangement as needed. Use greenery to accent the arrangement as desired. Make sure the greens don't stick out. They shouldn't come out further than the flower heads.
10. Fill the container with fresh, cool water and see that no foliage is covered by the water. Strip greenery from lower stems if necessary. Keep container filled with fresh water and mist arrangement daily to keep the flowers fresh. Keep the arrangement out of direct sunlight and store where the temperature is 45 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit until the wedding day.

Tips & Warnings

• If there are several small bunches of flowers, bunch them together with a rubber band before placing into the foam or frog.
• Do not place the arrangement in a breezy area or near fireplaces, stoves or strong drafts. You don't want to be without an arrangement on your wedding day!