Use Flowers To Add Some Spark To Your Fourth Of July Barbeque

By Wesley Berry, AAF

Independence Day is right around the corner and, for many people, the Fourth of July goes hand-in-hand with backyard barbeques. Want to add a little extra spark to your Fourth of July celebration and make your guests "ooo" and "ahhh" over something more than the fireworks? Use flowers to decorate and your guests are sure to walk away talking about a lot more than the food and the weather.

Flowers are a fabulous way to add colors brighter than any fireworks in the sky to your party. They can be used in a number of unique ways to add to the theme and beauty of your party, regardless of whether you're holding it indoors or outdoors. They can add to the décor of your informal barbeque or to a more formal dinner party. You can choose to stick to the traditional red, white, and blue colors of our country for your Independence Day celebration or you can increase the sparks with bolder, brighter colors. Flowers are so versatile and universally appreciated that the possibilities are endless.

Your florist can help you plan your party decorations. He or she is sure to have some really terrific ideas and may even be willing to come to the place where your party is being held to get a better idea of the spaces where flowers will be displayed and the overall theme of the party. Call you florist a few weeks in advance of the party date and set up a consultation appointment.

However, if you prefer to handle your own floral decorations, here are a few ideas you could use to make your Fourth of July Party a real bang:

* Have your florist create table centerpieces using red, white, and blue flowers. Your florist can add bright curly ribbons, sparklers, and other accessories to mimic the shapes and colors you see in fireworks displays.

* Tuck a few blossoms into your napkin rings. Your guests will not only have a more beautiful place setting, they can also take the flowers home as a party favor.

* Use a garland of flowers to drape around an outdoor gazebo or archway.

* Place loose blossoms on the buffet table around and between dishes of food. Be sure to choose flowers that will stand up well to the summer heat and place them on the table just moments before your guests begin to arrive.

No matter how you choose to use flowers for your Fourth of July celebration, your guests are sure to appreciate the time you've taken to make your party a special event. With just a little time and effort, your party can sparkle brighter than the Independence Day sky.

Wesley Berry is member of the American Academy of Floriculture (AAF) and President of Wesley Berry Flowers, a successful multi-million dollar floral business that was established in 1946. He is also the Headmaster of the Professional Florists' Institute, a floral design school located in Michigan. Visit Wesley Berry Flowers on the web at http://www.www.wesleyberryflowers.com .