If you are serving a meal, there's no law that says you have to have a centerpiece on every table. Place major focus on a few spots instead of spreading flowers thinly over the whole room. One large arrangement at the entrance, another on a pedestal near the dance floor, and something really sumptuous on a buffet or dessert table, for instance, will have a lot more impact than a skimpy centerpiece on every table -- and cost far less.

A few flowers in some unexpected places can carry a lot of visual weight. A small, beautifully arranged vase of flowers on the bar, by the coat check station, or even next to the sinks in the bathrooms will be seen by everyone at some point during the reception.

And if you're watching the bottom line, beware of big corsages. They are rarely done well, often cost more than their impact merits, and can be cumbersome. And lots of women just don't like pinning them on their clothing. As for wrist corsages, few people can carry them off without looking like they're trying to balance a small animal on their forearm. Keep them small and simple (they don't have to be much larger than the men's boutonnieres), or consider tiny nosegays with flowers similar to those in the bridesmaid's bouquets. Nosegays can be carried or pinned to a handbag, and left on the table at times. And they're never cumbersome.

     Think less about matching - and more about coordinating.

Brides often come to florists assuming they have to "match" flowers to the bridesmaids' or mothers' dresses, or the colors of the room or linens. But what you're really after is an overall harmonious look. It's better to coordinate or even contrast than worry about "matching." Provide your florist with samples of everything you can -- especially dress material and linen samples. Make sure she or he either knows the locations for the ceremony and reception well, or makes a point of visiting them. Your palette of colors should carry through the whole event, from invitations to dresses, and certainly to flowers. But that's not to say it's all one color. If bridesmaids' dresses are blue or lavender, for instance, you might want flowers in shades of yellow or even orange. You need to decide whether you want a monochromatic look or you want something a little more "punchy" that will make the colors "pop." But as you develop your palette of colors, remember that as in a good marriage, opposites often attract.

Don't forget the importance of lighting, and combining lights and darks. This is especially true if you're using a lot of colors from the deep (red-blue-violet) end of the spectrum. These are the first colors to disappear in low light, and can sometimes even end up looking gray or muddled in dim light. Even if you want all blue and purple flowers, chances are they'll look better mixed with white to provide contrast and show them off. Your florist should be able to talk through these kinds of questions with you, and provide advice on lighting the room, too. And of course, most florists are happy to provide candle-cups and tapers that will help show off your flowers to their best advantage.

When thinking about flowers, adjust your preconceptions of what a "neutral" is. Remember that besides all those neutral shades between white and black, pale vellum and tobacco, green is also a "floral neutral." Almost all flowers grow against a backdrop of green, and virtually any color flower can look good against green linens or dresses or in a green room.

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