Finding the Perfect Bridal Bouquet and Boutonniere for Your Wedding Day

Finding the Perfect Bridal Bouquet and Boutonniere for Your Wedding Day
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Finding the Perfect Bridal Bouquet and Boutonniere Set for Your Wedding

Every bride dreams of carrying a stunning bridal bouquet down the aisle on her wedding day. The bouquet is one of the most iconic symbols of marriage and complements the bride's gown beautifully. Choosing the right bridal bouquet and matching boutonniere set is an important decision for any bride.

The bridal bouquet and boutonniere should coordinate perfectly with each other and fit the overall style and color palette of the wedding. From romantic and elegant roses to modern tropical flowers, there are endless possibilities when it comes to finding the ideal floral arrangements. Read on for tips on selecting the perfect bridal bouquet and boutonniere set for an unforgettable wedding day.

Match the Style of the Wedding

When selecting a bridal bouquet and boutonniere, it's important to match the style and feel of your wedding. A formal black-tie wedding calls for sophisticated all-white blooms like roses, lilies, orchids or gardenias. For a boho chic or rustic wedding, you may want to incorporate seasonal wildflowers, herbs, greenery and baby's breath. The flowers you choose for your bridal bouquet and boutonniere should align with your wedding theme and design.

Consider the Season

Plan your bridal flowers according to the season in which you're getting married. Spring weddings open up a world of possibilities like tulips, daffodils, peonies, magnolia and cherry blossoms. Summer brides may opt for vibrant sunflowers, daisies, snapdragons or zinnias. Fall offers beautiful options like dahlias, asters, mums and marigolds. Wintertime often means blooms like amaryllis, camellias, freesia, hyacinths or roses.

Select the Color Palette

Building your wedding color palette starts with the bridal bouquet! Coordinate the flower types and colors with your wedding vision. Pink peonies and roses make a romantic statement. Blue hydrangeas and thistles add depth to a white bouquet. Soft coral and peach shades are trending for a modern bouquet. Keep your wedding colors cohesive by having your bouquets, boutonnieres, centerpieces and decor all share the same palette.

Consider Flower Meanings

Different flowers carry unique meanings and symbolism that can add sentimental value to your bridal bouquet. Roses signify love and appreciation. Lilies represent devotion. Daisies convey innocence and purity. Iris symbolizes wisdom. You can create a bouquet that sends a meaningful message with thoughtful floral selections.

Incorporate Greenery

Almost every bridal bouquet looks better with the addition of greenery and filler flowers. Greenery elements like eucalyptus, ivy, fern and herbs add fullness and texture to floral arrangements. Accent blooms like baby's breath provide a delicate, romantic touch. Make sure your bouquet has depth by incorporating foliage and accent flowers.

Size Matters

When it comes to bridal bouquets, proportion is important. An oversized bouquet can be difficult to carry and a tiny one may get lost. For most brides, a rounded cascade or hand-tied bouquet approximately 12-18 inches wide is ideal. This provides beautiful fullness without being cumbersome. For a boutonniere, a bloom or two with some greenery in a 2-3 inch diameter is usually perfect.

Match the Boutonniere to the Bouquet

Your boutonniere should complement your bridal bouquet seamlessly. Select 1-2 of the featured flowers from your bouquet and recreate them on a smaller scale for the boutonniere. For example, if your bouquet includes roses, peonies and eucalyptus, create a boutonniere with a mini rose and sprig of eucalyptus. This ensures a cohesive look.

Consider Personal Preferences

Of course, your own tastes should influence your bridal flowers too! Maybe lilies of the valley hold special significance. Or perhaps peonies are your undisputed favorite bloom. Don't be afraid to incorporate flowers you love into your wedding flowers. It's your day, so allow your personal preferences to shine through.

Work With Your Florist

An experienced wedding florist can guide you through all the options and help bring your floral vision to life. Provide them with inspiration images, color swatches and style preferences. A talented florist will use their expertise to create gorgeous arrangements tailored just for you. Let them know your budget so they can meet it. With a good florist, you'll end up with the perfect flowers.

Order a Sample Bouquet

It's hard to visualize a bouquet from photos alone. Ask your florist to create a sample hand-tied bouquet using the flowers you're considering. This allows you to see the blooms, colors, textures and proportions up close before committing. You can also carry the sample bouquet to visualize how it will feel on your wedding day.

Preserve Your Bouquet

After your wedding, you may want to preserve your bouquet forever. Florists offer bouquet preservation services to artfully dry and preserve the flowers. This allows you to display your wedding bouquet or pass it down through generations. Some couples press and frame the flowers to hang on the wall for home decor.

Choosing the Right Flowers for a Bride and Groom

Not just for brides anymore, bouquets and boutonnieres are now designed for both partners. Here are some factors to consider when selecting bridal and groom floral arrangements:

Style Cohesion

Strive for a cohesive style between the bride's bouquet and groom's boutonniere. While they don't need to "match" exactly, both arrangements should complement each other through consistent color palette, flower types and style.

Masculine Touches

Add masculine elements to the groom's boutonniere so it feels distinctive from the bride's feminine bouquet. Incorporate succulents, herbs, thorns, unique foliage or dark blooms. Leather cording or twine adds an organic, rustic touch.

Size Contrast

Typically, the bride's bouquet is quite large while the groom's boutonniere is comparatively small and understated. Play with this size contrast for impact. The groom's boutonniere may feature just 1-2 blooms versus a bountiful armful for the bride.

Personalization

Make the floral arrangements feel personal to the bride and groom. The bride's bouquet could include blooms from her childhood garden. The groom's boutonniere can highlight his favorite flower. Personal touches make the flowers special.

Color Variations

Add subtle color variations to differentiate the bride and groom's floral arrangements. For example, the bride may carry blush pink peonies while the groom's boutonniere features deep burgundy peonies. Slight color contrasts add dimension.

Unique Accents

Think beyond flowers alone. Accent the arrangements with unique additions and accessories. The bride's bouquet may incorporate a meaningful charm or brooch. The groom's boutonniere can be highlighted with state pins, feathers or mini succulents for a distinctive look.

How to Care for Bridal Flowers

You've chosen the perfect blooms for your special day. Follow these tips to ensure your wedding flowers last:

Know the Basics

Some flowers last longer than others once cut. Hardy blooms include roses, carnations, chrysanthemums and lilies. More delicate flowers include orchids, gardenias and stephanotis. Ask your florist for care tips specific to your blooms.

Keep Stems Hydrated

After your ceremony, immediately place bouquet stems in fresh water. Recut stem ends by 1-2 inches to improve water intake. Use floral preservatives like flower food to nourish blooms.

Avoid Direct Sunlight

Direct sun exposure can cause flowers to wilt prematurely. Keep your bridal bouquets in a shaded cool spot before the ceremony. During cocktail hour and reception, display arranged bouquets out of direct light.

Mist Flowers

Gently misting blooms with water can help keep them hydrated. Use a spray bottle to mist flower arrangements periodically. Just avoid heavy soaking, which can damage delicate petals.

Prep Ahead of Time

Know your venue rules on flower delivery timing. Deliver flowers as close to the event as possible to ensure freshness. Factor in time for arranging bouquets and boutonnieres onsite.

DIY Preservation

To preserve your bouquet, carefully hang upside down or lay flat between wax paper. Allow 1-2 weeks to fully dry. Then spray with hairspray or acrylic paint sealant. Store pressed flowers in an airtight shadowbox frame.

Unique Bouquet and Boutonniere Ideas

looking for an alternative to traditional floral arrangements? Here are some unique ideas to inspire you:

Monochromatic Blooms

A bouquet or boutonniere featuring different flowers in the same color makes a dramatic statement. Try all-white, blush, or cobalt blue blooms.

Foliage-Based

For an organic look, design arrangements using more foliage than flowers. Think eucalyptus, leaves, ferns, herbs, succulents, and minimal blooms.

Tropical Flowers

Vibrant tropical and exotic flowers like orchids, anthurium, birds of paradise or protea add modern flair.

Dried Flowers

Preserved and dried flowers have a vintage, romantic vibe. Try hydrangea, pampas grass, cotton, preserved roses or dried lavender.

Alternative Materials

Get creative by incorporating non-floral materials. Options include feathers, brooches, beads, vines, berries, fabric strips, or paper.

Wildflower Bouquet

A casually-tied bouquet with seasonal wildflowers and baby's breath feels whimsical and organic.

Wrist Corsage

For a retro touch, the bride can wear a floral corsage on her wrist rather than carry a bouquet.

Celebrity Wedding Inspiration

Looking for more bridal bouquet and boutonniere inspiration? Here are some gorgeous celebrity wedding floral arrangements to admire:

Meghan Markle's cascading bouquet of forget-me-nots, lily of the valley, astilbe, jasmine, and astrantia, designed by Philippa Craddock. Her groom Prince Harry's boutonniere featured the same blooms.

Miranda Kerr's cascading organic bouquet of garden roses and lilac flowers accented with greenery. Her husband Evan Spiegel wore a matching boutonniere.

Nicky Hilton's elegant all-white bouquet containing roses, ranunculus, astilbe, peonies, and stephanotis. Her husband James Rothschild wore a white rose boutonniere.

Poppy Delevingne's wildflower-inspired bouquet with a loose, whimsical feel. Her husband James Cook's boutonniere coordinated with pops of blue thistle.

Solange Knowles' modern circular bouquet featuring peonies, roses, and greenery by Flora Design. Her husband Alan Ferguson's boutonniere mimicked the compact round shape.

Gwyneth Paltrow's lavender-hued bouquet of garden roses, peonies, and purple Lovelock Akebia vines designed by Robbin Yelverton. Her groom Brad Falchuk wore a matching boutonniere.

These celebrity weddings demonstrate how the bridal bouquet and boutonniere can align beautifully through coordinated colors, flower types, and styling. Let your favorite star's wedding inspire your own perfect floral statement.

Finding Your Dream Bridal Bouquet and Boutonniere

With so many beautiful flowers to choose from, selecting your dream wedding bouquets and boutonnieres is an exciting part of wedding planning! Determine your personal style, wedding theme, color palette and floral preferences. Look to seasonal blooms and incorporate meaningful flowers. Work with a florist to bring your vision to life in gorgeous floral form. With these tips in mind, you're sure to find a bridal bouquet and boutonniere set that's perfect for your big day!

FAQs

What are some popular bridal bouquet flowers?

Popular bridal bouquet flowers include roses, peonies, hydrangeas, lilies, orchids, tulips, ranunculus, gardenias, and stephanotis. Seasonal blooms like daffodils, magnolias or dahlias are also trending for bouquets.

How can I make my bridal bouquet unique?

Make your bridal bouquet unique by using an unexpected flower color like blue or burgundy blooms, incorporating foliage and herbs, adding personal charms or brooches, using all one color, or designing an unusual shape like a hoop bouquet.

Should my boutonniere exactly match my bouquet?

Your boutonniere does not need to precisely match your bridal bouquet, but it should complement it. Use 1-2 of the same flower types in a miniaturized version for cohesion. The boutonniere can be distinguished with masculine touches like succulents or darker shades.

How can I preserve my wedding bouquet?

Popular preservation methods include fully drying your bouquet upside down or pressing between wax paper, then sealing with hairspray or acrylic spray. You can also work with your florist on professional bouquet preservation. Display your preserved bouquet in a shadowbox.

When should I order my flowers?

Speak to your florist about lead times, but generally 6-9 months in advance for custom orders. Simple bouquets may be able to be ordered 1-2 months out. Just avoid ordering too far in advance, as you want the flowers as fresh as possible.

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