The latest trends in floral design

White calla lilies say sophistication and class. Red roses show classic romance. Purple orchids add a touch of the exotic. And orange gerber daisies give a whimsical feel.

When you're dreaming up the vision for your wedding soiree, flowers are one of the main elements you'll use to strike the perfect vibe. So choose your floral palette wisely, and then allow it to tie your theme together from your alter or huppah at your ceremony to your buffet and table centrepieces (and don't forget those bouquets and boutonnieres, too!)

So whether you're putting your arrangements in the hands of an experienced florist, or you're ambitiously trying to do them yourself, here's the lingo you need to master the latest floral tricks and trends:

Color and texture. Go for a monochromatic arrangement of all the same type of flower (who doesn't love a vase of pink roses?), or vary one factor (a variety of different pink roses, peonies and hydrangea -- or choose all roses but in different hues of pink, peach, and white), or have a mix of blooms in a select palette of coordinating colors.

Height and numbers. For centrepieces, you want to choose a short, tight arrangement, or something in a tall clear vase that doesn't block guests from easily talking with each other. One popular look, tall vases that fan out at the top so to minimize the amount of vase at eyelevel, and maximize the drama of the arrangement above. You can mix and match with short blooms at some tables and taller ones at others -- or even three or four different tiered levels of arrangements. Or replace the traditional one vase per table with a grouping of smaller bud vases, all clustered together as one arrangement.

Candles. Candle light does wonders for the mood of your event. And what bride wouldn't want her guests gazing at her in soft spotlights? To get the look: set up a circle of votives around your flowers, or hang lights from a taller arrangement or from branches of a plant or topiary tree.

Water. Float a gardenia blossom in a shallow bowl (maybe with some floating candles, too), or submerge a long stem of orchids under water filling a tall vase. For a different effect, add coloring to your water.

Creative Containers. Think outside of the conventional glass bowl and use baskets, urns, or pots in silver, ceramic or terracotta. Family heirlooms, jewellery boxes or tea pots make great flower holders, too. Remember: not every table has to match. Break the conventional rules and you can achieve relaxed, shabby chic.

Uncut. Plants are a great alternative to cut arrangements. Plus there are the added bonuses that they don't take the same amount of intensive setup time as cut arrangements, and can be easily transported to decorate your tables at your send-off brunch the next morning as well. Choose a pot or wicker basket for a casual feel, or use sculpted topiaries or miniature trees for a polished look.

Other elements. Twigs, berries, rocks or colored glass add character to any arrangement. Or for a burst of bright color, intersperse flowers with green granny smith apples or cut lemons, limes or oranges.