Too many styles of wedding bouquets?

Not sure which style suits my gown?

Not sure which style suits my bridesmaid gowns?

Not sure of flower choices and colour schemes?

These questions are the 4 main questions that the Florist is asked by the Bride during the first Bridal Consultation. A bride may not understand a great deal about flowers, but will be aware of the effect they want to achieve to create the atmosphere they want for their wedding.

The role of the Florist is to show you, the bride, a range of designs, discuss which designs will suit your individual style of gown and discuss the flowers and colours that are available when the wedding is to occur. The aim is to design a bouquet that interprets the bride's wishes and enhances her dress. Full simple gowns are enhanced by large bouquets of flowers with trailing foliage. Slim line fitted gowns can be overpowered by large bouquets and results in neither the dress or bouquet being seen at their best. The bouquet may be a simple posy or arm spray, or you may choose a bold crescent design containing a minimal number of flowers.

Matching the colour of the flowers with the bridal gown is very important and it is also important to either tone in, or contrast the flowers to the colour of the bridesmaid gowns. Another important factor that needs to be considered is the setting for the wedding. This is due to the wide range of wedding venues now available to the bride and her partner. For example, a relaxed country or garden style wedding, a reception house or a beach side wedding. The setting will reflect the atmosphere and personality of the couple getting married.

Lets begin with the range of designs that are available. Bouquets can be simple, a Circular Posy, or very complex, a Shower Bouquet, and the bride's bouquet does not have to be the same style as the bridesmaid's bouquet. The link may be bouquet shape, flowers or colours used or a combination of all the above. However, the style of the dresses and the height of the bride and bridesmaids is taken into consideration when advising on the size and style of the bouquet.

Wired Bouquets

Circular Posy Bouquet

Formal

Clearly defined circular bouquet with either an even edge of foliage bordering the flowers or foliage spread evenly through the flowers. A simple and elegant design may only use one variety of rose edged with Camellia leaves.

An example of a formal style is the Biedermeier or Victorian Posy. Flowers are arranged in concentric circles of flowers and colour. The circles do not have to be the same flower or colour. For example, alternating rings of Roses and Sweet Peas

Informal

Posy that is not strictly round (oval) and flowers are placed in a less formal pattern, balance is achieved by equal amounts of flower and foliage colour on either side of the bouquet

Both the informal and formal posy styles go well with the short or slim fitting dresses as they allow the dress to be viewed as well

Teardrop bouquet

Posy top with a wide trail ending in a point. Classical bouquet that suits most gowns.

Formal, structured design usually with a mix of small and large blooms at the top of the bouquet gradually forming a point at the bottom with the smaller blooms. For example roses with foliage.

Trailing bouquet

Formal , less structured bouquet than the teardrop bouquet, the trail is narrower and generally longer

For example a mix of tiger lilies, fruit and wheat in the body of the design leading down to a trail consisting of a single stem of tiger lilies and wheat.

Crescent Bouquets

bouquet with two trails attached to form a crescent shape with a central posy section between.

Can be a ver bold design using a minimal number of flowers , such as cymbidium orchids and fern

Allows the skirt of the gown to be viewed more than a teardrop or cascade design allows.

Shower Bouquet

A classical larger style bouquet that is very free flowing and has multiple trails leading from the body of the design.

Looks great with a romantic billowing dress that has a full train and veil

Cascade or Waterfall Bouquet

Not overly different in shape to the shower bouquet, the difference is how the foliage and flowers are placed into the design.

All flowers and foliage appear to be cascade forwards with some of the lighter ferns flowing over the top of the flowers

Natural Stem Bouquets

Circular Posy Bouquet (Strauss)

A hand tied posy of flowers held together by the wrapping of their natural stems with ribbon

Flowers can be mixed varieties or a single variety.

Can be either formal or informal (garden wedding) depending on the flowers chosen and the ribbon or bow that completes the design.

Arm Spray

A selection of usually long stem flowers that rest on the inside of the arm which is completed with a bow at the base of the bouquet.

Examples of flowers used in this style are Roses, Arum lilies and Tulips.

Popular bouquet in the 1920's and has become increasingly popular in the 1990's with the development of the cascading arm spray made from such flowers as arum lilies, asparagus or filigree fern and freesias.

Now, lets consider colour.

The type of flower and the colours of the flowers chosen for you bouquet will reflect the atmosphere of the wedding. Matching the colour of the flowers with the bridal gown is very important and it is also important to either tone in, or contrast the flowers to the colour of the bridesmaid gowns. The season and the setting of your wedding will also reflect on your choice and colour of flowers. Lets look at some examples of bouquets for each of the seasons and a few different settings.

Spring wedding in the garden either at home or at a reception venue with a formal luncheon in the garden

Ivory wedding gown and purple bridesmaid dresses

Natural stem hand-tied bouquet of spring blooms, roses, lily of the valley and foliage for the bride and her attendants. The bride's bouquet may use a different tone or colour of roses. eg darker pink or cream. A different option for the bride is an arm spray using the same flowers as the bridesmaid posy.

Rose buttonhole for the men

Table centre-pieces of roses and lily of the valley in cream pots

Summer wedding with a sea side reception

White wedding gown and lemon bridesmaids dresses

Teardrop bouquet for the bride of shells, green Singapore orchids, Camellia leaves and strand of green amaranth. Wired round posy of shells, green Singapore orchids, Camellia leaves and strand of green amaranth for the bridesmaids.

Orchid buttonhole for the men.

Table centre-pieces of green Singapore orchids and amaranth displayed in Bamboo bases with shells scattered on the table.

Autumn wedding at a heritage listed reception house

Ivory wedding gown with terracotta bridesmaid dresses

Cascade bouquet for the bride of autumn tones (orange, yellow, cream, terracotta, dark red). For example orange tiger lilies, lemon roses, lemon freesias and red peppercorn berries with asparagus fern. Bridesmaids may have a teardrop or posy of the same flowers finished with gold ribbon.

Peppercorn berries and rose buttonhole for the men

Table centre-pieces of three small terracotta pots each containing red, yellow or orange roses. Another option is gold candelabras containing a mix of red, yellow and orange roses with lilies and peppercorn berries and fern

Winter wedding at a chalet in the snow

White wedding gown with a fur trim cloak and mint green bridesmaid dresses

Trailing bouquet of white tulips and dark green camellia leaves and ivy trail coming out of an imitation fur muff. Bridesmaids bouquets could be a wired round posy of white tulips and dark green camellia leaves

Tulip buttonhole for the men

Table centre-pieces of white tulips in chrome containers(pots, goblets, buckets)

The main thing to remember is that your bouquets are a reflection of your personality. an Allow enough time with your florist to discuss all the floral designs required for the day and delivery arrangements. It is also a good idea to take along a picture of you wedding gown, the bridesmaid dresses and a swatch of the material if possible for colour matching purposes

Gail Anderson is the managing director of The Sydney School of Floristry.