The Bridal Bouquet
Choosing the flowers for your bouquet is perhaps the most pleasant of all pre-wedding tasks. It's quite likely your ideal bouquet can easily be created, and even improved upon, with the help of a talented florist. Clipping photographs from magazines or bringing along a book with pictures of bouquets is an excellent way to make sure the florist understands what you want.
As you browse through these sources, you might be struck by the variety of bouquets they display. Today's abundant selection reflects every style of wedding bouquet seen over the past five centuries, as well as some delightfully modern versions.
Rules about wedding bouquets have all but vanished, leaving brides free to design any sort of bouquet they like. Flowers are no longer limited to white or cream, although pale blossoms are often chosen because they fit the spirit of the occasion and don't draw attention from the bride.
A recent trend is to simply hand-tie a mass of like-colored roses with ribbon so they look graceful yet unpretentious. The simple, just-picked look has been extremely popular for the past several years, and its appeal is understandable: An armful of flowers gathered in a loose bouquet indeed makes a charming sight. Some brides, though, yearn for a more elaborate look. Also in vogue are striking cascades of Dendrobium orchids mixed with roses, peonies, gardenias and lilies of the valley.
Some brides find it hard to resist adding a bit of color to their bouquets, most often blue or lavender. Lilacs and hydrangea are popular choices here. Fall weddings seem to inspire even bolder palettes: Burgundy roses arranged with pale, peach-colored blooms make for a stunning and very romantic bouquet. Red roses and poinsettias are always popular for holiday weddings.
A small back-to-the-herbs movement is taking place today. An herb bouquet, which also contains flowers, might include a combination of sage, lemon balm, lavender, rosemary, orchids and twigs. It smells heavenly and will make a wonderful keepsake. Although herbs will never take the place of flowers, for many brides these bouquets offer a sweet alternative to the standard rose-and-lily arrangements.
- Rose (white): Innocence and secrecy
- Rose (red): Love, respect
- Rose (lavender): Enchantment
- Stephanotis: Happiness in marriage
- Calla lilies: Beauty
- Lily (white): It's heavenly to be with you
- Daffodil: You're the only one
- Tulips: Perfect lover
- Hydrangea: Thank you for understanding
- Orchid: Beautiful lady
- Gardenia: You are lovely
- Bells of Ireland: Good luck
- Snapdragon: Gracious lady
- Sweet pea: Thank you for a lovely time
- Lily-of-the-valley: Sweetness
- Daisy: Loyal love
