lease bring as much information with you as possible. A photo and fabric swatch of your wedding gown as well as your bridesmaids’ dresses is extremely helpful in determining the style and colors that will be perfect for all your bouquets. Swatches are especially helpful when selecting your ribbon trim. Take note of what catches your eye as you thumb through books and magazines. Is it the shape and size of a bouquet that strikes you or is it particular flowers or their colors that impressed you? Bring any pictures that you have clipped from magazines to be sure that we have the same design concepts in mind. I am confident that your wedding flowers will be everything you have always dreamed they would be! Below I have shared some information that I hope will be helpful as you begin selecting flowers for your wedding day.

here are several factors to consider when choosing your bridal bouquet. The types of flowers, the colors, and the shape and style are all important elements when making your decision. The fragrance of the flowers you choose can also be a wonderful addition to your bouquet. The flowers you choose should also reflect who you are and your unique personality. Choose the variety of flowers that best suit your own personal style as well as that of your wedding. Think of flowers that have significance for you, or are the most plentiful during the season your wedding will be held. This may be a delicate nosegay of sweet peas for a casual spring wedding, or a gorgeous hand-tied bouquet filled with crimson dahlias in autumn.

he color or colors you choose for your bouquet will help to establish a color theme for your entire wedding. Many brides choose to carry a traditional all-white bouquet, but some take their cue from the color of their bridesmaids’ dresses. Some brides carry a bouquet with a soft pastel color palette, while others opt for a medley of brightly colored flowers to reflect their vibrant and individual personality.

here are many shapes and styles of bouquets to choose from. Consider the style of your gown as well as the formality of your wedding when making this selection. Also keep in mind that bouquets can vary in size but should always be proportional to the bride who is carrying it. These are a few of the most popular styles for bouquets today:

The hand-tied bouquet (also called a round bouquet or cluster bouquet) is a favorite of many brides and is traditionally round in shape. This bouquet is a simple and elegant choice that is ideal for either a formal or informal wedding. The flowers you choose will influence the formality of the bouquet. Stephanotis and roses will evoke a more formal feeling than a mix of tulips and daffodils, which would hint at a more casual affair. The hand-tied bouquet typically leaves the flower stems exposed creating a unique ‘handle’ that can be wrapped with a wide band of ribbon and secured by pearl pins.

The nosegay or posy is a small delicate bouquet that is traditionally round in shape and is a tightly bound cluster of flowers that are either wired or tied together by their stems. A collar of ribbon completes the bouquet. The nosegay is much smaller than the traditional round bouquet and is a lovely choice for a small intimate wedding or for your bridesmaids to carry.

The Cascade, which is the most formal and most traditional of bouquets, is designed to spill gracefully over the bride's hands as it flows downward for a sophisticated and stylized look. Its elongated style features fullness at the top of the bouquet then gradually tapers off with trails of English ivy or other greenery. Gardenias, stephanotis, roses, and orchids are favored in this type of bouquet, although almost any flower can be used in this style.

The arm bouquet (also known as a presentation bouquet) is tastefully designed to be cradled in the bride’s arm and can be as simple or as elaborate as she likes. Favored flowers for this style bouquet include calla lilies and long stemmed roses.

The loose-tied bouquet has an informal style that is generally a simple gathering of loosely arranged flowers tied together with ribbons. This bouquet has more of an airy feel than the round cluster bouquet. Queen Anne's lace, phlox, and cosmos are magnificent for this style. This is a beautiful choice for an outdoor wedding with that ‘just picked from the garden’ look.

The prayer book ‘bouquet’ is a small cluster of flowers typically the size of a corsage which can be placed atop the prayer book and attached with ribbons. Another choice for carrying a prayer book is to place a single flower stem through the center of the book. This is a lovely idea for the sentimental bride whose mother or grandmother began this tradition years ago.

The pomander (also known as a kissing ball) is a flower covered ball suspended from a loop of decorative ribbon. This style can be carried by your bridesmaids, but is more often choosen for flowergirls.

The flower hoop is a ring wrapped in ribbon and decorated with flowers and/or foliage and is thought of as a symbol of eternity with no beginning or end. This too is a sweet choice for flowergirls.

fter you have chosen the flowers and the color scheme for your bouquet, as well as your attendants' bouquets, you can begin thinking about your ceremony and reception flowers. The possibilities are almost endless when it comes to decorating your ceremony and reception sites. If your ceremony will take place in a church, you can certainly decorate the altar with large floral arrangements in your color scheme, which will help to evoke the mood of your wedding and what’s to follow. Decorated candelabras lit and placed near the altar for an afternoon or evening ceremony lend a romantic touch. Often times the pews are dressed in greenery, ribbons and flowers. And decorating the doors of the church is a festive idea, either with beautiful fresh flower wreaths or large bows and streamers. These are great ways to make an impact on your guests as they enter the church and are seated.

our reception flowers will be an integral part of your wedding day as well. Consider the mood you’d like to set for your guests as they enter your reception site. The centerpieces on your dining tables will have the greatest impact. Your vision for these centerpieces may be simple and understated or extraordinarily lavish. The choices you make here will depend greatly on the formality and size of your location, as well as your own personal style. Tall lush pedestal centerpieces that appear to ‘float’ above the tables would work beautifully in a grand ballroom type setting and will leave a lasting impression with guests. Shorter centerpieces will shine as the focal point of the tables in a smaller space, and at just the right height they will still allow guests to converse. Potted orchid plants or ivy topiaries also make beautiful centerpieces, especially for an outdoor reception. Call Bouquets By Bonnie today to schedule an appointment for your free wedding consultation.