Happy Friday!!!
I know it's the weekend for most of you, which means it's also time to get back to the wedding planning.
The bridal bouquet is something that you can really express yourself with. Whether you want real flowers, fake flowers, no flowers, a trailing bouquet, a posy bouquet, etc. It is one of the few things that will completely and specifically be designed for you. Surprisingly enough, the bouquet needs to match your dress, in color and style, and can really affect the way you look on your big day.
So here are some things to keep in mind:
1. Choose your dress before the bouquet. You can have an idea of what you'd like, but style makes a huge difference, and the dress you pick, may not go with the style bouquet you had always imagined.
2. There are a million different colors of white out there. Bring a swatch of your dress to make sure, if you're having any white flowers, that they do not clash with the color of your dress.
3. Also, bring swatches of your other color(s) as well so they can match it. Especially when it comes to your bridesmaids bouquets, they need to match their dresses too!
4. If you do want real flowers, consider which ones are in season. If you want flowers that are out of season, they will be much more expensive, if they're even available. For summer months, look into some sunflowers, hydrangea, or star gazers. For Spring, orchids, cherry blossoms, or freesia. For winter months, roses, holy berry, or carnations. And for Autumn, irises, zinnias, or chrysanthemums. Some flowers are not really affected by the seasons; lilies are one of these.
5. If you are going a different route with it, like a brooch bouquet, make sure there is a very clear understanding of what you want, and what kind of a look you want to stay away from.
Here is an example of a beautiful nontraditional bouquet. It was from a bride who had her wedding here at The Orion, and it was made up of brooches and fake flowers. Probably one of my favorites, so far.
6. This is also a good place to put your something old or borrowed. If you've got a family heirloom, like a handkerchief, or a brooch that you want to add to a floral bouquet, see if your florist can incorporate it. Most of the time it's added to the stems, and can make for a beautiful, and very personal, addition.
7. The more traditional you're going with your dress and wedding in general, the more traditional your bouquet should be. So you'll probably end up with a round/posy bouquet or maybe even a teardrop.
8. If the focus of your dress is on the bodice, don't go with a round bouquet; that'll just draw attention away from your dress. Look into an arm or trailing bouquet. Both are very beautiful but sit a little differently so your dress can still be seen.
This was my mother's cascading bouquet for her wedding. I just love these and it goes great with a dress that has a detailed bodice.
9. Make sure to take some pictures of it beforehand, especially if you have a specific place to put it during the reception. You're photographer is going to have plenty of things to take pictures of that night.
10. Also, keep in mind that you're going to be holding on to it pretty much all night, so make sure it's comfortable for you. Make sure it's not too heavy so it doesn't hurt your wrist and that it has a soft fabric around the stems so it doesn't poke you or irritate your hands.
11. Take the time to see what each flower and color represents, and match it to how your feeling. For instance, roses represent love, white chrysanthemums are for truth, ivy for fidelity, and if it's your first and only love, put some lilacs in it. The world around you may never know, but you and your best friend, will.
12. Different flowers work better with different arrangements. Longer stemmed flowers, like calla lilies, tend to work better with cascading or arm bouquets, where as irises and tulips work a little bit better in the posy bouquets.
13. Consider your body shape as well. If you're really tall, try and stick to a longer bouquet to help elongate yourself and to keep with the line. If you're really short, stick to something a little smaller and compact.
These are just a few things to keep in mind when you are picking out your bridal bouquet. Sometimes I like the idea of just the bride having one, and then having your bridesmaids hold on to something different. Makes it a little more special, and you have a little bit more money to spend on it. :) If it's something you plan on preserving, you don't have to throw it! It's yours. Do with it what you like. Consider getting a small, simpler bouquet to throw and then you won't have to worry about it.
Brooklyn Hicken
Special Events Coordinator
The Orion Ballroom
