Question
I'm getting married on July 25th outside in our local city park. It's a gorgeous setting in front of a lake and next to a huge white marble museum. We are trying to put together a picnic reception that is inexpensively done without looking cheap. With that in mind I plan on making my own centerpieces. I have a business license for event planning that I got in order to have access to the wholesale flower shop in my town. What I don't have is experience putting arrangements together.

My colors are somewhat open. The groom and his groomsmen are Scottish and will be in dark blue/grey/green kilts. My bridesmaid's dresses are black. It's an evening wedding that will have half of our guests on picnic blankets and the other half seated at 60" tables. I'm anticipating having about 12 tables and would like to have two or three separate types of centerpieces. I have heavy square glass vases that are 6"X6", hurricane vases about the same size, and large wide mouthed vases that look like XL mason jars.

I thought that I would use a single type of flower (like cabbage roses or hydrangea) and fill a couple of the vases with them. For the rest I want to create a pretty, complimentary, mixed arrangement.

While I love the color lavender and want to use that as one of my dominant colors, I think I also need something warmer as well.

My question is this: where can I find advise on what flowers generally look good together, (and I don't like daisies btw), and do you have any recommendations for the mixed arrangements.

Thanks!

Answer
Congratulations on your marriage!

Sunflowers, that also come in deeper tones, would be great.  So would the hydrangea you mentioned.

Sweet pea, lisianthus, viburnum, hydrangea, english roses, etc. would all be great combo items.

For some help with color, use the color wheel!  If you google "color wheel" you'll find great resources and suggested palates that are sure to blend beautifully.