Choosing a Bridal Bouquet

Where did the tradition of the bridal bouquet come from? The first bridal bouquets weren't actually bouquets at all -- they were gatherings of herbs carried by brides to ward off evil.

It was the Victorians who really raised the tradition of wedding flowers having a symbolic meaning to new heights. A shy suitor, raised in a tradition of the decorousness of emotional reserve, really had to say it with flowers to get his feelings across to his ladylove. Each time he gave her a bouquet, she found out where their relationship was going: If he gave her red roses, it was love, but if he gave her yellow ones, he only wanted to be friends. And when he gave her red tulips, his love for her was ardent.

We may have forgotten those meanings over time, but we still follow the tradition of carrying a bridal bouquet. However like most traditions, it has undergone some tweaking to give it our own personal touch.

In addition to choosing the flowers that will go into your bridal bouquet, you have the option of adding a wide range of embellishments that will change the look of your bouquet. Gold and bronze bullion wire, crystals and rhinestones, bouquet jewelry like butterflies or initials, feathers and beads all add pizazz to bridal bouquets. If that sounds too flashy for you, why not customize your bridal bouquet with fruits, vegetables, greenery, or even wood?

Today's brides are breaking away from the standard rose domes and educating themselves on specific designs such as biedemeyers, waterfall cascades, and composition bouquets. Yes, there are plenty of different bridal bouquet styles, so ask your wedding florist for a rundown of the types she or he is able to make.


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Bridal Bouquet Basics

Think of your bridal bouquet as just another one of your bridal accessories. It is no less important than your earrings, your necklace, and your wedding veil considering that it will likely appear in at least half of your wedding photos! When your wedding flower wishes go awry, it can be a disaster, so brush up on your knowledge of bridal bouquets, and get ready for some great tips from Smart Wedding Planning.

The big potential bridal bouquet issues are flowers not being delivered on time, flowers that aren't fresh, and flowers that aren't the flowers the bride ordered. To ensure that none of these happen to you, choose a wedding florist with a good reputation and sign an iron-clad vendor contract. Make sure your florist knows your wedding color scheme and your chosen bouquet design inside and out!

Be definite about the colors and types of flowers you want in your bridal bouquet and in your bridesmaids' bouquets. Include this information in your vendor contract! Some flowers are available in just about every color, while others are limited. Even though, nowadays, many flowers are available all year long, you need to take the season of your wedding into account when you are choosing your flowers. Sunflowers in the middle of winter may not convey the tone you want, plus out of season flowers arel probably be more expensive.

When you are planning the budget for your bridal bouquet, keep your total wedding budget in mind. Discuss your budget and its limitations honestly with your florist at the very beginning. He or she can work with you to explore different ideas that will make your day perfect while making sure that your bouquets don't break the bank.

You also have to consider the size of the bouquets for both you and your bridesmaids, the shade of your gown, if you are going to have an additional bouquet to toss, and the temperature of the ceremony and reception venues, if you will be outdoors for any length of time. (Many flowers react badly to very cold temperatures.) And as if that is not enough to worry about, you need to worry about pollen that may stain your gown. For example, lilies should have stamens removed because of this problem. Be flexible, and make sure you take the advice of your florist, who wants your day to be perfect, too.


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