Bridal bouquet and bridesmaid bouquet: Andrew Flemming
With so many things to plan, you may be wondering where to start with how to choose the perfect wedding bouquet! Denise from Angels with Dirty Faces Photography has joined us with some top tips to help you pick your bouquet!
Bridal bouquet: Heaven Scent, Photo Credits: Angels with Dirty Faces Photography
Where to begin
The first thing you need to decide on is your dress! Your wedding bouquet will be strongly influenced by your style of dress, you will want it to compliment the deisgn and colour of your dress. The bigger your dress, the bigger your bouquet will need to be, as a single stem would be completely lost. Just as, a sleek and simple dress would be over powered by a large bouquet.
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“If you have already chosen your wedding dress and those of your bridesmaids, use these for inspiration when it comes to defining the colour palette for your bouquet. The colours and flower varieties in your bouquet should ideally be reflected throughout the florals on your big day, using beautiful seasonal flowers wherever possible.”
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“The shape of your bouquet is often dependant on your dress. A classic full skirt is often balanced by a posy style bouquet – round rather than trailing. This doesn’t mean you have to have a neat posy – it can be made much more natural and flowing with delicate ferns and other foliage to give a softer edge to the bouquet. Whereas a more fitted dress might be more suited to an elegant trailing bouquet – again, this doesn’t need to look too rigid, there is a big emphasis on nature and movement right now, soft foliage trails in a more natural style, rather than the classic teardrop with a very defined shape.”
Bridal bouquet and buttonhole: Gilly Bean Flowers.
choosing your bridal bouquet colours
Alongside matching your bouquet to your wedding dress design, there are other factors to keep in mind when choosing your colour scheme. Ensure you consider your grooms outfit, as well as his groomsmen outfits. Additionally you could take into account your favourtie flower(s), and make sure that they are worked into the overall design.
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“When I meet a couple for the first time, I invite them to my house where it’s relaxed with no time pressure over a pot of tea as I think it’s more personable.I start by asking the couple about colour schemes and ideas about flowers that they may have. It’s important every thing blends in together colour wise to match suits, ties , brides dress, colour of bridesmaids etc. I am quite honest about my thoughts as I want everything on the day to be perfect for the couple. They will be looking at their wedding pictures for years. It all needs to look fab and blend beautifully together!”
Photo Credits: Angels with Dirty Faces Photography
Choosing seasonal flowers
Picking flowers that are not in season can be tricky to get hold of, can cost you alot more and are not the best choice for the environment. Despite peonies being a favourite wedding bouquet flower, they can be quite illusive at certain times of the year.
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“I give ideas on design and flower choice, and of course flower availability. As long as the colours are right, most brides I work with are very relaxed about which flowers I use. This makes my job a lot easier as I can choose flowers that are available. Of course, the prices greatly fluctuate throughout the year. However, a bride may say she’d like peonies for a march wedding which are not available. In that case I would advise against that choice. I’ve always managed to deliver and have very happy clients!”
Flowers: Lamberts
Deciding on a shape
The list of different shapes and styles of bouquets available can be very daunting. From trailing bouquets, crescents, rustic and nosegay, your florist will love to inspire you!
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“Round, asymmetrical or trailing? The shape of your bouquet is dependant on the style, shape & detail of your dress. It should compliment rather than compete so keep your bouquet in proportion to your height & size. Furthermore, don’t let it overwhelm you or hide any of the beautiful intricate details on your dress. As a guide, your bouquet should be narrower than your waist.Wild & natural or compact & round? Again it is important to take into consideration the design of your dress when choosing the style of your bouquet but also think about the overall look & feel of your wedding and how your bouquet will work with the other florals in your venue.”
Bouquet: Seventh Heaven, Photo Credits: Angels with Dirty Faces Photography
What else to consider
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Your wedding should be an extension of yourself and your partner. Your choices should reflect your personality and style, so go with what you love!
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One thing to consider is whetehr you or anyone close to you has a flower allergy? Silk, or dried flowers are great options.
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If someone close to you isn’t able to attend, or you have lost someone special, it might be nice to add a small trinket or locket to your bouquet to ensure they are with you in spirit.
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Different flowers can have different meanings. For example, Lily of the Valley means purity, however Marigolds mean cruelty, grief and jealousy! Who knew?
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Let you florist know your budget, they can help guide you to the perfect flowers that fall within your budget. This will help keep your choices realistic.
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“British grown flowers, reducing carbon footprints and embracing nature by choosing seasonal flowers is certainly on the up. It might be an idea to research which flowers are in season and ask your florist if they could be incorporated.”
Dried flower bouquet: The Artisan Dried Flower Company
Booking your wedding flowers
Once you have your venue and date secured you should start searching for the perfect suppliers. You can always give your florist your date, and then go back to them once you have your dress picked. You wouldn’t want to miss out on your perfect vendor! Although most florists will be happy to fit you in with short notice if they can, 6 – 12 months are a good guide.
Photo Credits: Angels with Dirty Faces Photography
Finding Wedding Inspiration
Pinterest and Instagram are a great place to get inspiration for all elements of your wedding day. Packed with ideas and visuals, they are my ‘go to’ place for dreamy imagery!
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“When choosing your bridal bouquet, there’s lots to consider. Social media and platforms like Pinterest are a great way to browse bouquets and get to know which styles you are drawn to. It might even be that you learn which style you don’t like, which is a great starting point for your florist. It’s always good to know what to avoid!”
Classic flowers: Ambience Venue Styling
Bridal bouquet in a real setting
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“Claire and Nathan chose blush pink and ivory for a romantic, feminine look. Nathan is Australian and asked if we could incorporate some native Australian flowers. The main flowers were Roses and Dahlia which were in season in September, for the Australian flowers I used Eucalyptus and Chamelaucium, it’s common name is Wax Flower and true to the name, has a waxy feel to the petals which form tiny daisies. These small flowers may not have been noticeable by guests, but were a subtle nod to Nathan’s home which both Nathan and Claire really appreciated. The Wax Flower and Eucalyptus were also present in Nathan’s buttonhole. Claire’s bouquet was a classic posy style with various smaller flowers, including Astilbe, Astrantia and miniature Roses to break up the solid look of the larger Roses and Dahlia.”
Wedding flowers: Rebecca Marsala, Photo Credits: Angels with Dirty Faces Photography
Quotes from:
Bloom in Gorgeous, Flowers by Kim
Denise is a wedding photographer based in Hertfordshire who specalises in documenting awesome people having an awesome time! Check out Angels with Dirty faces Photography, or see Denise’s Wedding Bouquet Inspiration board!
Wedding bouquet by Aunty Barbara!
Thanks to share blog choosing your bridal bouquet colour according to seasonal.