Flowers abound at any wedding. They are in the bouquets, decorating the venue-such as New Orleans wedding reception halls on the tables and even the guys are wearing them. Choosing the right flowers for the ceremony can be quite daunting.

There are so many different kinds to choose from that it is hard to narrow it down. The best place to start when choosing your wedding flowers is to look at the seasonal varieties. Whether your wedding is in the fall or in the summer, there are certain flowers that will be in season and it is to your benefit to use them.

For one thing, they are cheaper when they are in season. This is because they are more plentiful and won't need to come from some exotic nursery or greenhouse. Depending on how many flower arrangements you want, this can be one of the priciest parts of the wedding. So, if you can save some cash by buying seasonal, it just makes sense. If there is some exotic flower that you've had your heart set on, use it only in your bouquet or sparingly mixed in with the more bountiful seasonal plants.

Another reason for choosing seasonal is that the plants will be healthier and more vibrant than the more expensive hothouse grown flowers that aren't in season. You don't want droopy or pale-looking centerpieces. You want a burst of life on each table and around the venue, such as New Orleans wedding reception halls. Seasonal flowers compliment the season- for a fall wedding, the flowers look like fall. Colorful spring weddings can have the playful colors of spring flowers all around. Since most brides plan the theme of their wedding to match the time of year, seasonal flowers are perfect accents.

So, how do you know what is in season? Ask your florist to show you only the ones available for that time of year. Here are some of the more popular flowers by season:

Winter: The most common variety and likely the least expensive is the gerber daisy. This is a beautifully simple flower that comes in a variety of colors. Use this is as your base and then add more exotic seasonal flowers such as the cymbidium orchid or the lovely bells of Ireland to dress it up. Tulips are also available in colder months and, like the daisies, come in a multitude of colors. Though not flowers, there are some great pieces of greenery and plants that can be used to accent your seasonal flowers in the wintertime. Holly with or without the berries gives the wedding a festive Christmas feel as do poinsettias.

Spring: Tulips are at the height of their season by springtime as are peonies. Hyacinth and Lily of the Valley are also popular springtime flowers. However, though seasonal, Lily of the Valley is expensive and you only have a short window of time to take advantage of its season- April and May. Again, gerber daisies are also available to add some whimsy to your centerpieces or bouquets.

Summer: You will have your greatest choice of seasonal flowers in the summertime. This is probably the best time for roses since this is their actual season. But, you are certainly not limited to this traditional flower. Snapdragons, irises, lilies and columbine are all very unique flowers that will make your bouquets or centerpieces stand out. Calla lilies make particularly elegant bridal bouquets for the bride who wants something simple but bold. Gerber daisies are also available this time of year.

Fall: There are quite a few colorful flowers to choose from in the fall. Hydrangeas, dahlias and chrysanthemums are all popular choices. To accent your floral arrangements, fall is a great time to incorporate fruits and vegetables in to the centerpieces. Pumpkins and squash add great color to a table. You can even use the fruits and vegetables the vase for the floral arrangement. Crab apples and cabbage also give interesting color and texture to your centerpieces. Red-hot pokers are in season and they add a shock of red to your tall arrangements. For an even more fall-like centerpiece of pedestal arrangement, use your seasonal flowers and accent them with bits of grape vine or decorative grass and wood limbs.

Roses are tried and true and available pretty much year around. However, don't be afraid to experiment with your flowers and have some fun. Plan to spend a good bit of time at the florist going over different color schemes and arrangement styles. Your flowers are a great way for you to be creative and express your personality. Whether you just have a few simple arrangements and the bouquets or drape the whole venue and New Orleans wedding reception halls in flowers, the final tally will still be a good portion of your budget, but seasonal flowers will save you some money. There are so many benefits to choosing seasonal flowers and they create a beautiful backdrop for your special day.