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Wedding Flowers: Bouquet shapes and how to choose the right one

You have chosen the perfect wedding dress, jewelry to match, the hairstyle to sport and shoes to glide down the aisle. You’re almost the perfect bride, except for one small detail that will add the finishing touches – your wedding bouquet!

Bridal bouquets are not just a bunch of flowers that are put together at random. When chosen well, your bouquet will complete your bridal look perfectly. How do you get it right?

Let us look at the different shapes in which wedding bouquets are available, and find the choice that is the right size and shape for your figure.

Circular bouquets: Nosegays and Posies

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The round bouquet is a popular traditional choice. It can be created from the same flowers or an assortment of blooms that are neatly arranged in a circular fashion. Nosegays and posies are extensions of the classic round bouquet, but are smaller in size. In nosegays the flowers are arranged tightly, the cluster is small and the stems are all cut to the same length. Posies are small bouquets that are usually tied with a ribbon.

This shape is generally versatile, and all three go extremely well with classic ball gowns or A-line dresses. Posies particularly suit petite brides. You can choose the size of the round bouquet, or the arrangement of the flowers to complement your figure, so it helps to balance out your look.

Hand tied bouquet

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You can understand from the name itself that these bouquets have a casual look and feel. The chosen bunch of flowers are gathered together and simply tied with a ribbon. Unlike the other prim and perfect bouquet designs, hand-tied bouquets are loosely tied to create a messy look, with the stems and foliage showing. It is an apt choice for an outdoor wedding, and you can adjust the size and choice of flowers to match your size.

Cascade bouquet

By Photo by and (c)2007 Jina Lee (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC BY-SA 2.5-2.0-1.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5-2.0-1.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Credits: Jina Lee CC-BY-SA-3.0
This is a rich bouquet with flowers that flow downwards to resemble a mini-waterfall. The style was a hit in the 1980’s and is one of the most creative arrangements. An assortment of flowers are necessary to create the luscious cascade, and it is often mixed with lavish specks of green. It is also known as the teardrop bouquet, when the thickness of the arrangement thins towards the ends of the bouquet.

The flowers chosen for the bouquet will determine whether it is traditional or modern. The contemporary choice includes orchids and lilies, while the traditional choice has roses. Since the bouquet falls downwards, it has a slimming effect which works well for plus-size brides. The dramatic design also matches mermaid or ball gown skirts.

Presentation bouquets

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This style is similar to the ones we see at pageants. Long stemmed flowers are tied together and the bouquet is held across the body to rest in the crook of the arm. It has a formal touch and suits all body shapes.

Composite bouquets

This is a bouquet that takes time and effort to create. An individual big flower is crafted out of hundreds of small petals from individual flowers, which are glued or tied together. It is more expensive than the other bouquets, but is a unique and stunning design worth its price.

Now that you know the technical differences between the various bouquets available, you should be able to choose the one that is right for you. Visit Best for Bride for more wedding advice and tips.

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What Wedding Flowers Are in Season?


In order to save money on wedding flowers, many people advise brides to choose wedding flowers which are in season. However, little is ever said about when each type of wedding flower is actually in season. Here is a brief guide showing what flowers commonly used in wedding decor are in season each month. A flower’s season is typically longer than a single month, so some flowers are mentioned several times. If the wedding date has been chosen, the bride can check that month to see which flowers are in season. Roses are available year round, but much more expensive during February.

January

Alstromeria, Bells of Ireland, Calla Lilies, Casablanca Lilies, Daffodil, Gerbera, Jasmine, Narcissus, Snapdragons, Star Gazer Lilies, Stephanotis, Sweetpea, Tulips

February

Anemone, Bells of Ireland, Calla Lilies, Daffodil, Delphinium, Ranunculus, Star Gazer Lilies, Sweetpea, Tulips

March

Anemone, Bells of Ireland, Calla Lilies, Cherry Blossom, Cornflower, Daffodil, Dahlia, Freesia, Orchid, Ranunculus, Star Gazer Lilies, Sweetpea, Tulips, Zinnia

April

Anemone, Bells of Ireland, Calla Lilies, Cornflower, Cherry Blossom, Dahlia, Daffodil, Delphinium, Freesia, Hydrangea, Lilacs, Orchid, Ranunculus, Star Gazer Lilies, Sweetpea, Tulips, Zinnia

May

Bells of Ireland, Calla Lilies, Hydrangea, Peony, Ranunculus, Star Gazer Lilies, Sweetpea, Zinnia

June

Bells of Ireland, Calla Lilies, Chrysanthemum, Foxglove, Glorioso Lilies, Hydrangea, Iris, Star Gazer Lilies

July

Bells of Ireland, Bird of Paradise, Calla Lilies, Chrysanthemum, Foxglove, Glorioso Lilies, Iris, Star Gazer Lilies, Sunflowers

August

Anemone, Bells of Ireland, Bird of Paradise, Calla Lilies, Cockscomb, Chrysanthemum, Foxglove, Glorioso Lilies, Iris, Star Gazer Lilies, Sunflowers

September

Anemone, Bells of Ireland, Calla Lilies, Chrysanthemum, Cockscomb, Star Gazer Lilies

October

Anemone, Bells of Ireland, Chrysanthemum, Cockscomb, Marigold, Star Gazer Lilies, Statice, Zinnia

November

Anemone, Carnation, Chrysanthemum, Gerbera Daisy, Narcissus, Orchid, Pansy, Statice, Waxflower

December

Anemone, Carnation, Cosmos, Gerbera Daisy, Holly, Narcissus, Poinsettia, Sweetpea, Waxflower

 

Flower seasons can vary depending on your geographic location and availability. Brides can ask the florist which flowers will be in season at the time of the wedding. Flowers that are out of season often can be found and used for the wedding. The cost of out-of-season flowers is higher than those that are in season. If the wedding budget is a concern, it’s best to stick to flowers that are in season.

The flower budget for a wedding can be small or extravagant. Some couples decorate the ceremony venue and reception with numerous floral bouquets and runners. Even using wedding flowers in season can become costly if flowers are the main decoration everywhere. Some couples love that and can afford an expensive florist bill. If budget is a concern, reserve the flowers for certain areas where you want that dramatic effect.

Some brides may have an emotional attachment to a particular flower. Checking what months that flower is in season before setting the wedding date may be an option for including the special flower at a discounted price. For more ways to save money when planning a wedding, browse the Best for Bride‘s blog for helpful, money-saving tips.

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Choosing your Wedding Flowers

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One of the most important features of your wedding day is the flowers that you choose to incorporate into your theme, bouquet and decorations. Every bride is looking for the perfect type of flower to use for her wedding and the steps below will help you to choose the best options for your big day.

No Right or Wrong Answer

Remember, there isn’t a right or a wrong decision when you are choosing the flowers for your wedding. You should select flowers that fit within your budget and that you find attractive and meaningful.

If you do have a low budget for flowers, try to keep it simple. Use flowers that are inexpensive and use fewer of them. It is possible to add a small amount of flowers to your wedding without going well over budget. You can also save quite a bit of money by purchasing silk flowers and having a family member help you arrange the bouquets yourself.

Do some research

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There are lots of locations where you can gather information about selecting the right flowers for your wedding. You can start by looking through wedding magazines and through websites that you find online. It is also a good idea to learn more about the flowers that you are considering. Some flowers have a special meaning behind them that may help you to make a better decision regarding if you will be using them in your design.

Watch your Budget

Before you begin selecting your flowers, it is important that you have your budget in mind and are already prepared when it comes to a final price for the flowers. If you do have a small budget when it comes to your flowers, you may need to get creative. One good idea is to select wildflowers that you are growing in your garden or mixing and matching expensive and inexpensive flower types. This may help you to create a larger centerpiece without going over your budget.

Color is Important

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You should also consider the color of the flowers that you are considering. You will need to choose a flower that comes in a color that will be complimentary to the colors of the bridesmaid dresses and decorations.

Considering the season is also an important part of the flower selection process. You should keep in mind that some flowers may not be in season when you are having your wedding. If you would like to add them to your wedding design it may be possible, but it will likely be much more expensive than if you choose a flower that is in season.

Conclusion

Flowers are one of the most common decorations that are added to weddings. They are beautiful and help to create a design that is unique and feminine. There are many things that you should consider when you are planning your flower arrangements, but the tips listed above will help you get started in the right direction.

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Best for Bride

Don’t forget to stop by Best for Bride for all of your wedding planning needs. They will be able to guide you through the process of matching your dresses to the color of flowers that you have chosen.

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Ways to Use Wedding Flowers in Wedding Decor

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Flowers are romantic, flagrant, and colorful. It’s no surprise they are featured in wedding decor in numerous ways. Couples may use flowers in wedding decor for the ceremony and the reception to add to the mood of love and romance. Flowers also can signify growth, beauty, an renewal. Here’s a look at the many ways couples can use wedding flowers.

The bouquet and centerpieces are the most common ways that flowers are used in weddings. These tend to get the most attention from the bride, while other wedding flowers are forgotten. A couple might hire a florist, discuss wedding colors, then forget about the wedding flowers completely. This can be a costly mistake. Not only could the florist choose expensive, out-of-season flowers which would leave the bride and groom with less flowers for their money, but the couple may regret not having more personal choice in the flowers used. The flower arrangements may lack the personal touch that comes from the couple being more involved in their design.

Wedding flowers can be used in new and exciting ways. Couples can explore these floral enhancements and discuss them with the florist in order to have more input about the flower selection. When the couple is more informed about option and involved in the planning, they are more likely to be happy with the end result.

Floral accessories can be used for the bridal party. While the bride’s bouquet often is central to the wedding party flowers, other floral accessories are the perfect way to unify the appearance of the wedding party. When bridesmaids have bouquets of the same flower and that flower is used in the groomsmen boutineers, the wedding party has an additional element of color, consistency, and style. The bride, bridesmaids, and flower girl also may wear hair accessories with flowers.

Flower arrangements at the ceremony can be placed at the ends of rows of seating and in key areas of the room. Couples may want to have flowers centrally placed at the front of the room. If the couple is having an outdoor wedding, any structure used like a gazebo or pergola can be decorated elegantly with flowers.

At the wedding reception, the floral centerpieces are a central placement of flowers on the tables. Another option is a floral table runner. A table runner of flowers is a string of flowers that flows down the center of the table. Some floral table runners extend over the edges of the tables and even cascading down to the floor.

The table runner can be a thin string of flowers, a bulky and thick trail of flowers, or something between the two. The table runner option can be used alone or in combination with centerpieces. Other possible uses of wedding flowers at the reception include small flower clusters or arrangements at the wedding cake, floral accents on lighting and chairs, and floral napkin rings.

Our blog at Best for Bride has more wedding decor tips and advice about wedding flowers. Please take a moment to browse our blog for wedding planning ideas and how to find the perfect wedding dress.