When you need this
Flowers are where a lot of wedding budgets quietly fall apart. A meeting with a florist sounds relaxing, and then the price list arrives. The English you need is part taste ("We love white and green") and part business ("What can you do for fifteen hundred dollars?").
Florists expect you to bring photos and a number. Say what you like, say what you want to spend, and ask what's in season. Flowers that are in season are fresher and cheaper, because they don't have to fly halfway around the world.
Flowers mean different things at different weddings. A Western bride usually carries a bouquet. At a Hindu wedding, the couple exchanges heavy garlands of marigolds or roses. At many Japanese and Chinese weddings, the flowers are mostly on the tables and at the entrance. Ask what the flowers need to do before you ask what they should look like.
Phrases
the person or shop that arranges flowers
the bunch of flowers the bride carries
the flower arrangements in the middle of each table
a long ring of flowers worn around the neck
growing naturally at that time of year, so cheaper
the smart first question for a florist
tells the florist your limit politely
asks for photos of earlier weddings
the main colors of the whole wedding
a polite way to say it costs too much
fake flowers made of silk or plastic
the bride throws her flowers to the single guests
Say it out loud
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Practice · 3 min
Say the line that fits. Situation on the left, one natural line on the right.
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Say it today
Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.