Loveflowers - Bouquet Basics

Deciding on your wedding flowers can be a fun part of your
planning - take a little time to learn about your bouquet options.
It certainly beats sorting out the seating plan!

Bridal Bouquet History
The bridal bouquet has its origin in ancient times when strong-smelling herbs and spices were thought to have mystical powers for warding off evil spirits, bad luck and ill health. During Roman times, both bride and groom wore floral garlands, the circlet symbolizing new life, hope and fertility.

In Victorian times, flowers became the secret messengers of lovers; each flower having its own meaning. Thus bridal flowers were chosen with regard to their traditional significance. Unfortunately many lovely flowers were assigned rather undeserved meanings, such as the beautiful anenome "sickness", delicate purple larkspur "haughtiness" and sweet-smelling lavender "distrust". However, today most brides pick their flowers for color and personal appeal – it’s hard enough to decide without having to worry that your pretty bouquet announces "I declare war against you" (tansy)!

Tips
A good bouquet should look well-balanced and be as light as possible to carry. Interestingly, bouquets are generally much lighter in silk rather than perishable flowers. When determining the size of your bouquet take into account your body frame and the size of your skirt. As you would expect, smaller bouquets are generally suggested for petite brides, as is a larger bouquet suggested to complement a full, hooped skirt. For more inspiration see our bridal bouquets.

The Posy

This round bouquet is a very popular choice. This shape had its heyday in Victorian times, fell out of favour in the first half of the 20th century, then very slowly crept back into fashion over the last few decades. Watch out for wedding flowers constructed with 'bridies' - a plastic device containing water-soaked florists' foam. They are often used by inexperienced florists as they do not require much skill, however, when complete they are unbearably heavy and uncomfortable to hold.

There are three main types of handle treatments: natural stems, a slim ribbon covered handle and wrapped stems. Natural stems posies look beautifully garden-fresh, whereas the easy-hold slim handle looks polished and elegant. Wrapped stems have been very popular for the last few years; the natural stems are wrapped in a beautiful ribbon or fabric, sometimes embellished with pearl pins. For more inspiration see our bridesmaids' posies. For further personalising your bouquets see Easy Embellishments and Custom Combinations.

The Arm Sheaf
Arm sheafs first became popular for brides in the early 1900’s under the name of ‘Bernhardt’ bouquets; inspired by the presentation bouquets given to the actress of the day, Sarah Bernhardt. This shape is held cradled in the arms, or, more recently, upside-down against the skirt of your gown. An arm sheaf bouquet is a good choice if you like the natural look of stems but want something a little larger and more unusual than a posy. Best with sleeveless gowns, if your dress does have sleeves make sure they are full-length and slim-fitting, as anything puffy or lacy tends to clash with this style of bouquet. The ribbon or binding treatment can be a feature in itself, so we choose only the finest quality ribbon for all our bouquets. For more inspiration see our bridal bouquets.

The Crescent Bouquet
A crescent bouquet may be suitable for the bride who wants a small, unusual bouquet with more structure than a posy. It’s perfect for complementing a slim waist and hips, as it has a dainty, curved line. Surprisingly, it has never been a common choice, which means that this bouquet will never date your wedding photos!

The Fan
The fan enjoyed a fleeting popularity in the late eighties. Lacy plastic fans were embellished with carnations, baby’s breath and plenty of tizzy ribbon. Around the same time, some other unfortunate brides (badly affected by frizzing and teasing their hair once too many) chose to carry flower-filled baskets. The sight of what appeared to be an overgrown flower girl walking down the aisle confused wedding guests already traumatised by the sight of the groom in his pale pink tux.
While we may still be trying to forget and move on, it doesn’t take a great leap of faith to imagine a bevy of bridesmaids carrying elegant bamboo fans embellished with jewel-coloured orchids and rich, two-tone ribbon. Perhaps the fan is due for a revival!

The Muff

The Muff is for the individual bride. Far more popular in Europe, where it was borne out of necessity centuries ago, a bridal muff is an unusual, yet perfect choice for a winter wedding. To continue the look, have your bridesmaids wear evening gloves.

The Prayerbook Spray

The Prayerbook or Bible spray is a small spray of flowers attached to a prayerbook or bible’s cover. A long-time favourite of devout brides especially Catholics, it's seen as a traditional choice, but the flower spray can be designed in a contemporary fashion.

Longer Style Bouquets - History
Shower bouquets replaced posies as the favourite bouquet for brides around 1910. By 1920 this style became quite exaggerated, with larger and larger bouquets almost concealing the bride! 'Lovers’ knots' were incorporated into the design; yards of ribbons streaming out of the bouquet featured knots along their length into which buds and foliage were inserted. Interestingly, the custom of tossing the bridal bouquet to unmarried girls is only half of the original tradition – the catcher of the bouquet was entitled to untie a lovers’ knot and the wish she made was said to come true. Lovers’ knots are the evolutionary forerunner of swing flowers as featured in our (now discontinued) Sweet Nostalgia collection.

After reaching their peak in the 20’s and 30’, shower bouquets all but disappeared by WWII: their generously elaborate style at odds with the austerely simple suits worn by war-time brides. Corsages and wristlets, now the sole premise of mothers and grandmothers of the bride and groom, were often worn instead of a hand-held bouquet during the war years. A few decades later, a new, smaller shower bouquet regained top position in the 1980’s. This then gave rise to the popularity of the princess, teardrop, pendant, trail and cascade - all variations in proportions of the basic long style.The long, elegant line of these bouquets can often be more flattering to the figure than the plump, round shape of the posy and they complement elaborate and vintage gowns beautifully.

The Princess Bouquet
Formerly known as the large, multi-trail bouquet, this extra generous bouquet constructed with several long tapered trails of flowers was renamed the 'princess' in honour of the late Princess Diana; she carried an extra large multi-trail.

The Trail Bouquet (not pictured)
Princess Mary's unique bridal bouquet has sparked new interest in the trail bouquet - essentially a cluster of flowers with a foliage trail often embellished with extra flowers. Popular in the 90's in Australia, this bouquet is more cost effective than a princess bouquet of the same length.

The Cascade Bouquet

The cascade features waterfall-shaped dimensions, the width across the top not much more than the width below. This gives a more natural, flowing look.

The Pendant Bouquet

The pendant is a short, wide bouquet - think a heart shape without the cleft in the top. The effect is generous and lush and especially suits a monochromatic selection of flowers.

The Teardrop Bouquet

Popular in the 80's, a teardrop is best in smaller size as it is a tighter style with a definite tapered point. If you are after a bouquet longer than 35cm consider the looser style of the cascade.

Flowergirls Sweet Nostalgia Flowergirl's Halo

Young flowergirls are best suited to a hoop, wand, tiny posy or pomander ball which are all easy to hold. A small size is recommended for easily-tired little arms.
From around the age of eight or nine they may prefer to be ‘junior bridesmaids’ and carry a smaller version of the bridesmaids’ bouquets. Complete your flowergirl's outfit with a pretty halo or alice band.

For more inspiration see our flowergirl items.

Hairflowers
Spring Celebration Hair Blossoms

From the earliest times, brides have adorned their hair with flowers. There is nothing more beautiful than flowers in your hair, and your wedding is the perfect day to truly indulge this romantic look. The ‘up’ hair styles currently fashionable work well with a dozen or so dainty bud pins or a single large flower. Hairflowers look best if they appear to have a purpose. For example, holding a lock of hair in place, or encircling a knot or bun. If you chose to wear a veil, a cluster of bud pins tucked in front of the comb embellishes the veil beautifully – this is remarkably simple to do.

Remember with silk flowers it’s easy to practise beforehand, so have a trial with your hairstylist in advance of the big day. And for those on a budget, compare the cost of hairflowers with a crystal or pearl headpiece – you’ll be pleasantly surprised. For more inspiration see our hairflowers.

Corsages and Buttonholes
Corsages and buttonholes are all a lovely way to make parents, grandparents and step-parents feel welcomed and special.

Corsages are given to the mothers, stepmothers and grandmothers of the bride and groom, and worn just below the right shoulder. They may, of course, be given as a special recognition to any of your lady guests you wish to honour. For more inspiration see our corsages. Corsages may also be altered to wristlets – do this in Special Items.

The groom's flower, worn on his left lapel, usually matches one of the flowers in his bride's bouquet. This buttonhole tradition harks back to medieval times when knights wore the colours of their lady in tournaments. The other gentlemen may wear the same buttonhole, or one which matches the bridesmaids' bouquets. Buttonholes are traditionally worn by the groom, fathers, stepfathers and grandfathers of the bride and groom, as well as the groomsmen, ushers and best man. For more inspiration see our buttonholes.