As actor Steve Martin hilariously discovered in 1991SA国际影视传媒檚 the Father of the Bride, there's more to a wedding than two rings, a dress and a pair of vows. A lot more.

ThereSA国际影视传媒檚 the food SA国际影视传媒� chicken or fish? The music SA国际影视传媒� 80s cover band or DJ? And, of course, the attire.

Oh, and the flowers, too.

From chrysanthemums and calendula to alstroemeria and poinsettias SA国际影视传媒� there's a lot to choose from.

ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 where Stacie Smith comes in. SheSA国际影视传媒檚 the owner of Flowers North, a flower and cake shop SA国际影视传媒� located on the bottom floor of the YK Centre SA国际影视传媒� that specializes in weddings and other events.

Ask Smith, and sheSA国际影视传媒檒l tell you the right flower arrangement is just as important as the right slow song in setting the mood for a couple's special day.

So, what do would-be bride and grooms need to know before settling on a flower arrangement that's perfect for them SA国际影视传媒� and their big day?

Smith, who offers clients a SA国际影视传媒渟tress-freeSA国际影视传媒� experience, says it's all about having a vision when you come into the shop SA国际影视传媒� but also keeping SA国际影视传媒渙pen mind.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淐ome in with a few ideas, because nothing is certain,SA国际影视传媒� said Smith, adding couples should keep in mind that not all flowers won't be in season at the time they're getting married.

But from April to June, she says, SA国际影视传媒渢here's very few flowers that you can't get.SA国际影视传媒�

There's three questions Smith asks all clients next:

What are the colours for your wedding? Most couples have a wedding colour scheme picked out before tackling flowers. SA国际影视传媒淭hen we can usually match the tone and hues,SA国际影视传媒� said Smith.

When is your wedding? The date of the occasion plays a big role in flower decorating. SA国际影视传媒淚s it in the fall, winter, spring? That can really determine what kind of flowers we can get in.SA国际影视传媒� Peonies, for example, only stick around for about three months in the summer.

What's your budget? SA国际影视传媒淚t's all about budgeting.SA国际影视传媒� Smith says she'll nail down a couple's minimum and maximum budget and work from there. Price all comes down to preference, says Smith. Clients can opt for something modest and minimalist or splurge on the SA国际影视传媒渙stentatiousSA国际影视传媒� and lavish, from simple bouquets to elaborate centrepieces.

SA国际影视传媒淵ou have some couples who are very simple, so it's a matter of maybe two Calla Lilies in a tall vase. Some couples want seeded eucalyptus and they want high-end garden roses, they want lamb's ear, they want lavender. It varies.SA国际影视传媒�

From there, Smith takes photos and prepares mock-ups leading up to the wedding day, where she'll come and decorate and organize the arrangements herself.

Prices

SA国际影视传媒淎ll quotes are different because each flower is different.SA国际影视传媒� Base prices for any bridal bouquet is $100. Boutineers are $20. SA国际影视传媒淚f they have 30 tables, want garland, want an archway with greens on that, you're looking upwards of $2,000.SA国际影视传媒�

The Dos and Dont's

Smith, a florist for six years, knows a thing or two about what works and what doesn't:

Hygrendas: The SA国际影视传媒済orgeousSA国际影视传媒� yet thirsty flower is great for centrepieces at weddings, but not so great for bouquets. They need constant watering, and will droop in certain weather conditions.

If you're looking for long-term, Gerber daisies have an SA国际影视传媒渁mazingSA国际影视传媒� shelf-life, says Smith. So, too, do roses SA国际影视传媒� despite popular misconceptions, she said. Roses look great in bouquets, too, she said.

Which flowers are 'in' right now?

Wedding venue and attire trends are constantly evolving SA国际影视传媒� and in the wedding flower game, it's no different. According to Smith, the 'in-style' wedding flower right now, which carried over from last season, isn't a flower at all. SA国际影视传媒淭he past season was all about the greens and about the fillers (for bouquets and centrepieces). Seeded eucalyptus is one of the top items people request in their bouquets,SA国际影视传媒� said Smith. SA国际影视传媒淚t's more about the aesthetic than smell.SA国际影视传媒�

Smith said the popularity of greens speaks to a trend of couples' opting more more SA国际影视传媒渞usticSA国际影视传媒� weddings.

Most popular flowers

Roses and lilies take the number one spot, respectively, year-round. From May to the beginning of July, peonies are all the rage, said Smith.

Winter weddings are a thing, too

Just last winter, Smith decorated for a destination wedding for one Toronto couple at the Snow Castle. The Dendrobium orchid bouquet Smith prepared froze, of course, but made for a great photo-op, she said.

Smith, who juggles her florist role and job as full-time mom as a newly elected councillor, says she gets SA国际影视传媒渓ess sleep now,SA国际影视传媒� but bringing clients' visions to life keeps her going.

SA国际影视传媒淚t's totally rewarding to be like I helped make that moment magical. When you actually put it all together SA国际影视传媒� there's no words for it.

FACT FILE

Alternative flower options in town:

Store: Rebecca's Flowers, Too

Address: 100 Borden Dr #19

Store: Let Me Knot

Address: 5112 52 St., Suite 200