Fire Dragon Hideaway Wedding Flowers in Sri Lanka

Wedding flowers are an integral part of your day and it’s important to know what you’re getting when you book a wedding package. The ‘norm’ in Sri Lanka for the homecoming party, which is what you might call the wedding reception is lots of bold red colours. Why? Because it’s traditional for the bride to wear a red sari during this event. What’s more, flowers in a Sri Lankan wedding tend to dominate the view. Bold colours, and lots of them, all with their own personal wedding veils. It can feel like a trip back to the 1980s so if you’re looking for something less ‘meringue’ and more simple it would be a good idea to give the venue firm direction or to arrange them yourself.

Weddings in Sri Lanka are a big affair. Often with hundreds of guests, an array of bridesmaids, and the proceedings can last 2 or 3 days. So, keep in mind your motives when you’re planning your wedding abroad. Are you trying to save money, simplify, spend quality time with friends and family, have a perfect and unique day to remember or do you just like the idea of a Weddingmoon? Whatever your reason, keep that in focus. If your wedding liason in Sri Lanka is a native just remember that their concept of the perfect wedding is probably significantly different to yours, so you want to make your desires absolutely clear.

Keep in mind that a full set of artificial wedding flowers could cost up to 60,000 LKR (about £300), fresh flowers are more expensive. This would probably include ceremony flowers, reception entrance flowers, table decorations, the reception sofa and table, bouquets and car flowers. Since you’re probably staying in the hotel, you’re unlikely to need the car flowers and depending on the number of guests you may or may not want table decorations. Furthermore, depending on the size of the venue and whether or not you’re having a beach ceremony, you can probably use the same flowers for the ceremony and the reception.

If you’re planning a Weddingmoon in Sri Lanka, you’ll probably only be at your wedding hotel for the required 4 days’ residency, before your big event. So, here are some good tips to help you achieve the look you really want.

1) If you’re booking with a 5* hotel they will offer a wedding package and make all the arrangements for you, so you’ll want to give them some specific instructions if you’re not a happy go lucky kinda gal. Also, ask the wedding liason to give you a walk through of the day in the venue on Skype so that you can see what flowers you’ll really need. Then you can make your selection.

2) If you’re booking with a smaller hotel or venue you may have much more flexibility to design your flower arrangements yourself or even visit the florist and finalise the plan when you get there. For smaller flower arrangements the florist will need 3 or 4 days to prepare. Cut flowers may need a little longer. You may cringe at the idea of artificial flowers on your wedding day, however, they look good in photos and they don’t wilt. Think humidity!!! You can always mix and match and choose fresh flowers for your bouquet and/or table decorations.

3) Ask for what you want. Sri Lankans are very creative and can certainly deliver if you ask. Send pictures of the design, colour, and size of what you want. Also send all instructions by email so you have a trail to refer to. We all forget things when we’re planning an event so if everything is in writing you have a point of reference.

4) What colour is your dress? What colour suit is your hubby going to wear and what are your bridesmaids wearing? Consider all of these things when you’re selecting the colour for your flowers. Many people opt for a clean and simple ‘all white’ for their flowers and yet remember that a dash of colour can look fab in photos.

5) Be clear in your own mind about the following questions:

a) Do I want simple flowers or an ornate affair? Check if pieces have veils.

b) What is my budget for flowers?

c) What colours do I want?

d) How many flower pieces do I want? Do I want any flowers for the cake? How many bouquets? Do I want an arch? Do I want podium flowers? If so, how many? Do I want table decorations? Do I want fresh flowers to give away?

e) How much say do I want in the design? Do I want to work directly with the florist? Is that practical?

f) Does your design idea overwhelm or compliment your dress?

g) Fresh cut or artificial?

If you are on a tight budget, then you can have flowers similar to the display shown on the right for some 10,000 LKR (That’s £50), so nice flowers don’t have to break the bank.