Wedding Bouquets

THE HISTORY OF THE WEDDING BOUQUET
Brides carrying flowers hold roots dating back to ancient times.  Brides used to carry or wear flowers in their hair or garlands, signifying new beginnings, fidelity and hope of fertility.  Along with the pleasant association of the above, the sad truth strong-smelling herbs and spices were thought to ward off and drive away evil spirits, bad luck, ill health and help mask the smell of body odor.   They didn’t have running showers and luxury baths like today, and even river ‘cleansing of the bride’, had its limits.  Couples often used herbs instead of flowers, and each had a significant meaning.   Dill was especially popular since, being the herb of lust, and it’s consumption by the bride and groom during the reception was thought to increase sexual desire.  Rosemary was the herb used to wish the couple lots of children.  Kings and Queens went further and had more elaborate wedding flowers to signify wealth and add fragrance to the air.     Some say when royalty married, the villages could smell the flowers miles away.   

When choosing your wedding bouquet, consider some, if not all of the following:

1)  COLOR

•  Whether you prefer muted and soft colors like whites, ivories and greenery OR adore bright and bold statement colors, there is no right or wrong when it comes to your bouquets.   The main thing is that the bride’s bouquet is a reflection of HER, and that her groom’s boutonniere matches her bouquet colors.   The wedding is, after all, all bout the bride and groom.   All other flowers can flow off the color selections in the bride’s bouquet and perhaps the attendant’s dresses. 

2)  STYLE

• There are so many styles to choose from nowadays, but the easiest terms to remember will be tight & round, free-flowing and loose, tight tear-drop, or free-flowing cascading bouquet. 
• Contemporary/modern, traditional, whimsical, natural/dried, wood/paper florals, broach bouquets, etc.    There is no limit to ideas on social media these days for unique styled bouquets.  

3)  TEXTURE

• Incorporating different textures in your bouquet is usually recommended to give your flowers added dimension.   This is done by adding different varieties of flowers and greenery and you can even add other elements.  Allow your florist to be creative and have fun with it.  There are no rules when it comes to textures.  Natural wheat, pampas, bunny tails, etc. can look amazing when incorporated into bouquets.   ​

4)  SIZE

• The size of a bouquet should always be taken into account for each individual bride.   For instance, if you are 5’11 or taller, you can afford to carry a beautiful longer, free-flowing or cascading bouquet.    However, the opposite may apply (although not in all cases) for someone who’s 5ft tall.   Perhaps a smaller version of the cascading bouquet or a tighter round bouquet would be more comfortable to carry.  Also, smaller does not mean less or minimalistic.    Your bouquet should be the ‘icing on the cake’ to show off that beautiful wedding dress.  

5)  BUDGET

• When selecting the bouquet of choice, remember to discuss with your florist the type of flowers you like.   
• Always take photos of samples and either send them to your florist or show during your consultation.
• Remember to ask for alternatives if your flowers are not in season and if possible, view flowers in person to get better ideas.
• Be HONEST and UPFRONT about your budget.   There is no sense in asking for peonies if you only have a budget for daisies.  Your florist will show you flowers that will fit within your budget. 
• When cutting budgets, remember the main focus of attention on the day, should be to ‘feature’ the couple.  Spending a little more for the bride’s bouquet and matching boutonniere should be at the forefront.   Most of the wedding elements will pull off the bride’s bouquet and there are so many other options for attendant’s bouquets at more cost-effective price points.