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18 Tips on Selecting your Bridal Bouquet

There is enormous historic and emotional significance attached to a wedding bouquet. In ancient times, brides carried chaffs of wheat to invoke fertility and celebrate the joy of marriage. While brides today no longer adhere to this tradition, floral bouquets still embody the beauty and symbolism of this wedding ritual.

Some thoughts to bear in mind

Any decision regarding the gown or the decoration should be immediately shared with the florist or wedding designer.

Left to the last minute, a bouquet can be a serious disaster with little or no relevance to the bride's gown or those of her bridal party.

If an extravagant wedding gown is not a financial consideration, an extraordinary bouquet can serve to enhance a plain dress.

If a dress is elaborate, the bouquet should be simple.

As the bride's choice of flowers may not be seasonal, and thus expensive or impossible to get hold of, alert the florist as soon as possible.

An enormous bouquet always looks disproportionate on a small bride.

For many daytime weddings, a fancy bouquet could detract from the elegance of the bride's outfit.

For varied texture and proportion, certain species of small buds, such as freesia, lilies of the valley or baby's breath, can provide a delicate alternative to anosegay.

A bouquet of some unexpected colour, such as deep orange, black-red or purple, personalises a traditional white wedding gown.

For more daring brides, an unusual lip colour could be coordinated with that of the bouquet.

The bouquet could also be matched to the headpiece and corresponding details on the gown, a favourite among English brides.

Bouquets look strange when the stems are completely enclosed, so the tips should always be visible. All stems should be tapered so that the bride is not holding the equivalent of a tree trunk.

A heavy green leaf sometimes serves as a practical and decorative support for the rest of the bouquet.

Wait until the last possible minute to cut fresh flowers for the gown, headpiece or bouquet.

Dry towels should be made readily available since fresh bouquets are usually kept sitting in water.

If real flowers are to be worn in the hair or pinned to the back of the train, beware of pistils or petals that stain.

Allergies should always be a consideration.

If the bride intends to toss the bouquet, a second one should be made for just that purpose.

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Vera Wang on Weddings