Posted on 2 Comments

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

bridal-168832_1280

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

flowers-422142_1280

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

flowers-447256_1280

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.

Posted on 2 Comments

How to Choose The Right Size And Shape For Your Bridal Bouquet [2024]

Your bridal bouquet is an integral accessory in completing your wedding day look. The first thing that comes to mind when we think of the bouquet is the color and flowers to go into it. But, it is worth remembering that the bouquet should also be in the right size and shape to create an impact. This is what we will focus on in this article.

There are different factors that you should consider when choosing the right shape and size of your floral bouquet to create a balanced overall look. This includes your build, wedding dress, venue and more. Let us look at all of them, one by one.

Height 

You are the bride carrying the bouquet, so it should match your shape and build, to look good. If you are petite or small, choose a medium to small-sized bouquet that will be suitable for your frame. Scale down the bouquet size to fit into your hands, and opt for a tear-shaped one or a composite with a single stem and individual petals wired to it, to resemble a single big flower.

If you are full-figured and tall, you can opt for round, bold bouquets. You can even go for the classic Biedermeier which has flowers bunched in concentric circles.

If you are full-figured, but not very tall, then you would be better off with a tear drop or cascade bouquet, to create a lean look.

Body-shape

Best for Bride
Best for Bride

For women with a full bust and hips, the tear drop or cascade will play down their curves, and help them appear slender. If your structure is a balanced hourglass, you are a lucky bride, and can look graceful with any bouquet.

A pear-shaped bride is thicker below the waist, and bouquets that are bigger on the top, like a long-stemmed one will look good. Apple-shaped brides are larger on the top, and will benefit from tear-shaped bouquets that are medium to large in size. For brides with an athletic/rectangular body shape, medium to large cascades as well as long-stemmed composites work well.

For slender brides, who have a similar size throughout, round bouquets should be the best option. They should avoid large bouquets and also cascades, as these designs will overpower their physique.

Dress type

Sheath style dresses and A-line gowns are uncomplicated and flow gently. Pair it with simple bunches of flowers with long stems, or pretty cascades of delicate blooms to add to your feminine charm.

Splendid ball gowns call for equally attention-grabbing bouquets. Go for round posies or lush teardrop bouquets with rich blossoms to balance your look.

If your dress is embellished with details such as metallic embroidery, rhinestones, crystal beading or even elaborate floral motifs in lace, tone down the bouquet size, so you do not go overboard with too many details. Choose a simple teardrop or cascade, so the focus remains on your wedding dress.

Now that you know what type of bouquet would suit you, all that you have to do is find the flowers to make it perfect. Visit our online gallery at Best for Bride to pick out the perfect bouquet for your big day.