The Bouquet
It is the bouquet that completes a bride’s outfit and
must be in-keeping with the overall style and colour
choices of the wedding, including the bridesmaids’
dresses. The flowers should be fairly simple if the dress
is very ornate and vice versa. The bouquet should contain
the same flowers that are used to decorate the ceremony
venue as well as the reception venue.
The size of the bouquet depends entirely on the style and line of the dress and a bride should bear her height and weight in mind when choosing as the bouquet should look in proportion next to her. If a dress is well fitted then a tapering style of bouquet looks better; a larger skirt on the dress will suit a rounder bouquet. It is recommended that a tall bride choose a longer bouquet than a petite bride, but it is entirely up to the bride what she would prefer in this instance.
Once again it is important to contact florists well in advance {approximately six months before the wedding} and the budget should be discussed early so flowers within the correct budget can be recommended. Having a simple bouquet with only two or three types of bloom can cause more of an impact than a bouquet consisting of many types of flowers which can look mismatched and lacking in impact.
There are no real rules to choosing a bouquet apart from the recommendations mentioned above with regards size. A bride may choose to simply hold one stem or have a bouquet consisting of only one type of flower. A bride should discuss with a florist any ideas she has and she should take a swatch of her dress fabric along with her as well as any magazine cuttings that have inspired her. She should bear in mind the scent of the flowers and opt for something that isn’t too pollen heavy. It is important to find out which flowers suit different times of year and the rate at which they will wilt before making a final decision. Peonies and English roses can suit country weddings, whereas lilies, orchids and tropical stems are better suited to city weddings. A touch of greenery can often be included in the bouquet to bulk it out a bit. Buttonholes for the groom, best man, ushers and fathers should be the same flowers as the bouquet.
Holding the bouquet is something brides often worry about. It should be held at hip-height so the line of the dress is not spoilt. Make sure it is comfortable to hold.
Most florists will wrap wire or satin ribbon around the holding place, but grosgrain is less slippery to hold. Confetti is another area where real flowers can be used. Often metallic confetti is totally banned and paper confetti looks unsightly and can stain a bride’s dress if it gets wet. Check with the venue and advise guests before-hand so that everyone knows the restrictions. Real flower petals are the perfect alternative and there are specialist companies who provide petals in various colours. Flower girls can carry the petals in a basket in order to hand them out to guests or small cones filled with petals can be distributed before-hand.
