Most brides first think of their wedding bouquet. This is a treasured design that can either be made with fresh flowers or false ones. Bridal bouquets can range from simple and elegant to extravagant and amazing.

As a bride, you may want to choose a theme for your nuptials. Many have more than one type of flower - others pick between romantic roses, calla lilies, gerbera daisies, forget-me-nots, and lily of the valleys.

A bride's bouquet can either be made from a single type of flower of from a variation of many flowers. In ancient times, brides carried herbs and spices to ward off evil spirits and give them a start in their married life based on good fortune and happiness.

Romans and other cultures used flowers during the wedding ceremony for fertility symbolism. In modern times, people send flowers as a way of saying "I love you," "Thank you," or some other form of happy wishes.

Aside from the bridal bouquet, a groom will need a boutonni're - which is a small flower worn on his tuxedo. This custom originated from medieval days when men wore the colors of their women as a sign of love and admiration.

Some brides choose their bridal blooms, not based on color or personal tastes, but on the meaning behind the flowers.

Regardless of how you choose your flowers, you'll want to plan for them based around the season your blooms are available. Does it coincide with your coming nuptials, or will you be paying twice as much just to get out of season flowers?

Here are some of the most popular floral choices, along with their meaning and seasonal availability:

* Red roses mean love and are available year-round.

* White roses represent unity and are also available all year.

* Calla Lilies equate beauty and are easily found March-September.

* Lily of the Valley means happiness and is also found March-September.

* Orchids stand for love and beauty and are yearly blooms.

Before you choose a flower, find a nearby floral vendor and visit their shop to see what kinds of blooms they've arranged. Good flower vendors should have a book for you to peruse to see previous arrangements they've created.

When you finally settle on a type of flower for your bouquet, you'll also need to choose flowers for the other members of your bridal list - including the bridesmaids and groomsmen, ushers, ring bearer, male and female family members in attendance, and petals for the flower girl to distribute.

You'll also have to choose floral arrangements for the d'cor of the location for your ceremony and reception, including the aisles, altars, tables, and traditions such as the tossing of the bouquet (you'll want a mini-bouquet so that you can keep your real one as a keepsake).

As you'll find when searching for flowers to decorate your special day, some options will be affordable while others may be out of your budget. Be sure to ask your florist about alternate flowers that are equally as beautiful, but less expensive if you have your heart set on something outside of your financial realm.