April showers bring May flowers. Weddings soon follow.

What are the latest trends in wedding flowers? Several events provided answers to this question. In January the Bridal Extravaganza Show was held in Houston. Usually about 18,000 people attend. This year there were stunning displays of California wedding flowers at this event. One featured an entire wedding cake made from California cut flowers and foliage.

Those attending the Philadelphia Flower Show got sneak previews of what to expect. This show also featured special displays of wedding flowers.

Weddings are exhausting affairs. That’s why many families choose to use the services of a professional wedding planner. This gives family members a chance to enjoy this special time together.

For the most part weddings are grand events. They require many different kinds of flower arrangements.

You may find it is impractical to create all these yourself unless the wedding is a very simple one. Instead, focus your creative efforts on the planning process. Do all your research, and decide exactly what is needed. Then present your list to a professional florist well ahead of time.

When you’re planning a wedding, do give the florist plenty of notice. They need to know well ahead of time in order to place their orders and ensure that everything you want is available. Give them a list of suitable substitutions. Let’s say that the white calla lilies you want aren’t available. Would you rather have a calla in a different color, or another white flower instead?

Avoid disappointment. Make your plans early, and follow through accordingly.

There is a wonderful new book to help you with those wedding plans. Watson-Guptill has just published “Wedding Flowers Made Simple-Over 80 Glorious Floral Designs For That Special Day” by Stephen Roberts. This practical how-to guide takes you through every step of the process-from planning arrangements to conditioning and caring for flowers to creating the arrangements. For each design there is a recipe with step-by-step assembly instructions. There are arrangements of every imaginable type, including ones for chair backs, doors and doorframes, centerpieces, mantles, and garland headdresses.

Roberts organized the different arrangements into various chapters. In addition to seasonal favorites, he has classic ones featuring roses and other timeless choices. For quick reference use the gallery section. In this part of the book he has color photos of all the arrangements. These are organized by type, such as flowers to wear or carry, outdoor decorations, and flowers for the reception.

To learn more about the individual flowers, consult the alphabetical plant directory.

Is there a wedding in your future? Perhaps you’re planning for the wedding of a loved one. Make it easy on yourself. Get a copy of this book, and start planning now.