As you arrive at your ceremony venue and walk down the aisle, guests will get their first glimpse of you. Your bouquet is an important part of your look so you should make sure you choose something that you love, and that complements your outfit.
Choosing your flowers
If you're having your ceremony and reception at the same venue, it's a good idea to co-ordinate your bouquet with your table flowers. However, if you're getting married elsewhere, there's no reason why your bouquet should co-ordinate with anything other than your dress and your bridesmaids' outfits.
When you're choosing the flowers for your bouquet, there are a few things to take into consideration. As well as the price and whether the flowers are in season, you should also bear in mind their scent. Lily of the valley, roses and sweet peas, for example, have a sweet scent, while oriental lilies have a heavy scent and chrysanthemums are spicy.
Your bouquet will probably be out of water for most of the day, so you should select flowers that are durable and that won't wilt when they're handled. This is more important if you choose a wired bouquet - a hand-tied bouquet can at least be put in water up to and after the ceremony.
Finally, your dress will determine the appropriate flowers for your bouquet. If the fabric is floaty and elegant, heavy flowers will be overwhelming, while a dress in a rich fabric such as velvet needs equally rich blooms.
The ideal shape
There are numerous styles to choose from, although round bouquets tend to be the most fashionable. Other popular styles are the teardrop, shower and posy.
- Teardrop bouquet The teardrop has a posy top but trails to a point at the base.
- Shower bouquet Again, the shower has a posy top but trails down to a single flower and is generally larger than a teardrop.
- Posy A smaller version of a round bouquet that can be formal and wired or natural looking with simply tied, unwired flowers.
Consider the shape of your dress when you're choosing the style of your bouquet. For example, if you're wearing a very full-skirted ballgown-style dress, a small posy will look rather insignificant, while a large, ornate shower or teardrop bouquet can easily drown a simple, straight gown. Your shape and height may also influence your choice. If you are petite, a very large bouquet will look too heavy, and your dress will be hidden from view.
The big day
You might not be aware of it but there is a skill to carrying your bouquet in the correct way. If you are being walked down the aisle, you will have to carry your bouquet in one hand, so make sure it's not too heavy. If you have bare stems at the base of your bouquet, make sure they are completely dry and don't let them touch your dress. Don't hide behind your bouquet. Make sure your guests can see your dress.
The end of the affair
As the end of the day looms, you need to decide whether you would like to stick with tradition and toss your bouquet, or whether to save it as a memento. One option is to ask your florist to make you a second inexpensive bouquet specially for throwing to your female guests. You can then take your main bouquet away with you.
If you would like to keep it, you will need to keep it as fresh as possible. Put the stems in water during the reception and, whenever possible, keep the flowers in a cool place. Flowers can be dried, preserved or pressed, and there are various companies that will do this and then display them in a frame.
Chances are you will be jetting off on honeymoon, so ask your mother or chief bridesmaid to take charge of your bouquet at the end of the day and ensure it arrives safely with the company you have chosen to preserve it.
Photo Louise Sumner
See our Supplier Directory for florists in your area
