Bridal bouquet

Your bridal bouquet is the ultimate fashion accessory. Like a delicate clutch or a sexy pair of shoes, the right blooms should compliment your outfit and dazzle your beloved.

Consider the weather

Before picking the blooms for your bouquet, think about the season and average temperatures during which your wedding will be held.
If the weather is likely to be hot – you will need a bouquet construction that will allow the flowers to ‘drink’ during the day. A foam holder will ensure your blossoms don’t wilt before the wedding is over and are in good condition to be dried and preserved after the day.
Flowers that are in season at the time of your wedding are more likely to be resilient and fresh and much more affordable. Keep seasonality in mind when choosing your blooms.

Colours

• Pastels are still the leaders of the pack in the bridal flower world, but rich reds, purples and yellows are making their presence known.
• When choosing your bouquet flowers keep your photos in mind and remember that coloured flowers will look fantastic set against your white gown.
• If you are wearing a white gown and you choose white flowers for your bouquet set them off with some nice foliage to create a little contrast.
• Provide your florist with a swatch of your bridesmaid’s gown fabric so they can create a bouquet that will complement your theme.

Bouquet shape

You wouldn’t wear pointy stilettos with your trakky dacks now would you? When it comes to fashion, certain things just don’t go together. Similarly you should consider your gown before you choose a bouquet shape. As a general rule, a slim-fitting dress looks great with a long, trailing bouquet while a fishtail skirt suits a simple cluster bouquet. Asymmetric gowns go well with asymmetric bouquets.
The length of your veil can also make or break the effectiveness of your bouquet. A short veil looks great with a formal posy while a long veil suits a dramatic multiple-trail bouquet.

Carrying your bouquet

The way you carry your bouquet depends mostly on its shape, which in turn depends on your silhouette and style of gown. Your floral designer should be able to advise you on the best option for you, but here are a few useful hints:

• A large bouquet  - hold it low enough to reveal your gorgeous embroidered bodice.
• For comfort and ease down the aisle opt for a smaller bouquet. This will allow you to rest one arm on your father’s arm while the other can carry your flowers.
• If you’re traditional, l’étiquette states that you carry your blooms close to your body with two hands.
• If you’d prefer to hold your bouquet in the crook of your arm, an arm sheaf bouquet might be the way to go.

Bridesmaids’ bouquets

It’s a good idea to plan your bridesmaids’ bouquets at the same time. When choosing your bridesmaids’ bouquets, your main consideration should be your own bridal blooms.

• Choose flowers that will look fantastic without overshadowing the star of the show!
• Keep in mind the style and colour of their gowns as well as their body shapes.    
• Many bridesmaids carry smaller versions of the bride’s bouquet – usually around 2/3 of the size.
• Ensure the design you pick doesn’t clash with the rest of your floral décor. A common colour scheme, flower type or even matching ribbon should do the trick.

Caring for your bouquet

Your wedding bouquet requires special care and attention. Check that your flowers are in good condition when they arrive, then leave them in the delivery box in a cool space until it’s time to leave – the bathroom is usually a great option. Your floral designer may add any final touches and a fine spray of water before you leave.

Bouquet lingo

Bouquets come in so many different styles that it’s hard to know where to start. Basically, there are five main types...
POSY - Circular in shape and constructed using round flowers of equal size.
TRAIL - Slender from top to tip and usually evenly balanced. It may have a wide or a narrow trail.
TEARDROP - Features a posy top but the trail widens to form a teardrop shape. The flowers in the wide trail are wired.
ARM SHEAF (OR SPRAY) - Lies along the forearm or hangs from the hand. It can be formed into a long, narrow construction of neat blooms or into a wider version with soft trails.
NATURAL STEM - Also known as a hand-tied bouquet, it features visible stems and isn’t generally wired.