More than decoration, the flowers you choose for your wedding symbolize all of your hopes for marriage -- love, friendship, abundance, and passion. But deciding which flowers to use can feel like an impossible task; it pays to enlist the help of a professional to help you sort through the possibilities and bring your vision to life.

Even if you plan to arrange your own flowers, it's still a good idea to consult a knowledgeable wedding florist who can offer advice and provide flowers that are not readily available to you. In addition, florists with wedding experience will know about the little things you might overlook -- from petals for the flower girl to scatter to powder-room arrangements to an extra, smaller posy for the bouquet toss.

If you prefer to hire a professional to help you conceptualize and execute the entire look of the wedding, consider finding an event designer, who is to a wedding what a decorator is to a house. With an event designer, you can rest assured that no detail will be forgotten.

When to Begin
A year ahead is not too soon to start exploring your options. Talk with recently married friends about their experiences, and ask your caterer or banquet manager for recommendations. You can also visit local flower shops to get an idea of different florists' work.