There are many different types of floral arrangements which are designed to be used in wide variety of situations. From wedding bouquets to table center pieces and party floral decorations, floral arrangements are an excellent way to express your feelings and catch the mood of an event. Beautiful floral arrangements can be created to suit every style and budget, from simple single flower blooms to great floral sprays or arches, and each one can be unique reflecting your own personal style and flair.

Regardless of the event, all floral arrangements need a similar level of care if they are to remain in optimum condition. Fresh flowers require gentler handling than artificial flowers and will last for a much shorter length of time. Many fresh flowers need to be kept well watered and in a position away from artificial sources of heat, direct sunlight and extremes of temperature. Artificial flowers are extremely long lasting if given a little bit of care and as such are becoming extremely popular, especially silk flowers which give a lovely, natural looking display.

If you decide to create your own floral arrangement, here are a few hints to bear in mind. Using florist foam will help you to arrange your design with more precision - green foam for fresh flowers and brown for artificial or dried flowers. Always soak the foam before inserting fresh flowers and try to ensure that the stems are in touching the foam at their base, otherwise they will wilt. It can be useful to cut a little v shaped notch in the top of the foam to allow you to top up with water. Try very hard to resist the temptation to reuse foam, since it will already have holes in it and so you may well be inserting your fresh stems into air pockets which will make them wilt.

Cut fresh floral arrangements can be made to last longer if cared for properly. It pays to use a clean container and remove all leaves which will be below the level of the water. Using cut flower food really can extend the life of your display. For floral arrangements that you want to keep for a while, such as home decorations, choose flowers that are in bud or just half open and you will then be able to watch them open into full bloom. For those displays which require immediate, short term impact such as wedding floral arrangements or funeral sprays, use flowers which are almost fully open.

Artificial floral arrangements need much less care than fresh, a gentle blast with the hairdryer to remove dust is about all that is required, but if creating an artificial display yourself, bear in mind that it may be necessary to weight the container with pebbles, shells etc (this will also cover the florist foam) and try to mould each flower and stem in the way it would naturally grow before placing it in your display.

For many of us however the idea of creating a large floral arrangement, particularly if it is for an important event like a wedding or funeral, is a bit too nerve wrecking. In these situations it is advisable to use a professional florist, who will be able to create a beautiful floral arrangement to your unique specifications. The first step is choosing the right florist and this can often involve a little research on your part.

When choosing a florist, ask if you can look at examples of their work and see if they have designed floral arrangements in a style similar to your own. If this is not the case, it may be advisable to look elsewhere. When you do find someone you like, be sure to clearly tell them exactly what it is you are looking for, having pictures cut from magazines etc. can help with this. Inform them of the colors and general mood of the event, this applies especially to wedding floral arrangements which need to be in the same style as the brides dress and also match the colors of the bridesmaids and groom.