The Bride's Boquet
The Bridal Bouquet is one of the MOST IMPORTANT accessories for your wedding day!
Finding the right bouquet that compliments your wedding dress will help you nail your wedding day look. Just like wedding dresses, you have a stunning variety of bouquet choices, and this is the easy thing. Wedding flowers come in all sizes, shapes, colors and price ranges. So, it isn’t difficult to fashion the perfect bouquet for your budget, taste and wedding theme. The not-so-good news is that there are so many ways in which you can do this, that it can sometimes leave you confused.
On your WEDDING DAY, your bouquet will be one of your main accessories. This simply means that the bouquet should match or compliment your wedding dress. Unless this happens, your look will not come together, and may not create the impact you desire.
In order to match your bouquet to your wedding dress, here are some factors to keep in mind.
Both styles should match
Just like with wedding dresses, there are modern and traditional styles for bouquets too. For example, round bouquets and nosegays are traditional shapes while hand-tied bouquets and arm sheaf bouquets are contemporary styles. For best results, your bouquet style should match your wedding dress style. So, if your dress is traditional or classic, it would look best with a traditional bouquet.
Strike the right balance
Balance is key to getting the look right with all your wedding accessories. If you pair an elaborately embellished wedding gown with equally detailed accessories, the details will drown in the chaos. The result will be a cluttered look. So, aim for a balance where your dress and accessories contribute to a cohesive look. For an opulent wedding dress, choose a simple bouquet while you can go with an elaborate one with many details, for a minimalist gown or simple silhouette.
Pay attention to shape and size of your bouquet
Just like you try to find a gown that matches your natural proportions, you should find a bouquet that doesn’t overwhelm you or look too tiny on you. Choose the shape and size in such a way that it matches your built, and doesn’t look out-of-place. The shape of the bouquet is also relevant in highlighting your natural features and the dress details that you want to draw attention to. For example, if your dress features a narrow waist, choose a bouquet that is narrower than your waist, so it doesn’t crowd this area. Similarly, a cascading bouquet with several details in the lower half may hide the details on your skirt.
Pay attention to the exact color of your dress
By the time you are done with wedding dress shopping, you will have realized that wedding dresses come in different shades of white. The effect of your bouquet will differ, depending on the shade of white in your dress. This is specially important if the flowers are light in color, as it can look washed out, intense or shabby, depending on the white background. Your florist will be able to help you choose the best colours that work with your dress. To make this happen, collect a swatch of fabric from your gown so she plan accordingly.
Match it to your overall theme
Your bouquet should reflect your wedding theme and the colors in it. So, find a design and flowers that add to the overall effect. Matching your bouquet to the wedding color palette actually opens up your options and gives you more room to make adjustments that fit your choice and budget. You can use flowers that are in the centerpieces and floral décor, in your bouquet too, so it comes together beautifully. Also, make sure that your bouquet goes well with that of your bridesmaids, so your photos are all picture-perfect.
Little details that match it to your overall look will make it extra-special
There are numerous ways in which you can match the tiny details in your look to your bouquet choice. One of the options is to consider the jewelry you will be wearing. Jewelry has a great impact on your total look, and so it should be complemented by the flowers you choose. Keep the lines and effects similar, and it will integrate seamlessly. If you are using lots of sparkly jewelry, but the dress is relatively simple, you can create an elegant and sophisticated look by adding a sparkling accessory like a brooch to your bouquet.
Now that we’ve discussed the factors to keep in mind when choosing your bouquet, let us take a look at some suggestions for bouquet shapes for common wedding dress silhouettes. Remember that these are only suggestions. You may be able to find many more options, but this will give you a starting point. I hope you get the idea!
1.The sheath
The characteristic feature of this silhouette is its simple and slim style that simply drapes around the natural curves of the bride. The design resembles a column, with little to no extra added volume. It has a modern look, and is best complemented with few flowers with sophisticated looks and clean lines.
The casual look of this silhouette is beautifully complemented by simple bouquets that can be in any shape. You can choose from round, pageant or cascade bouquets depending on your height and the features on the dress.
2.A-line
Another non-fussy silhouette, the A-line is a universally flattering gown style. The amount of detail on this style should be your guide to choosing the right bouquet.
If the dress features ornate embellishments in the bodice, a simple bouquet with intense and dark colors should look good with it. If the dress is simple and has few embellishments, it is a good idea to dress it up with an intricately designed bouquet. Multicolored flowers of different shapes and sizes can add textural dimension to the overall look.
3.Mermaid
The mermaid dress is sexy and fits snugly around the natural curves of the bride wearing it. The silhouette is modern and stylish. So, this should be reflected in the bouquet choice as well.
Image Credits: Michael Coghlan, via Flickr
Cascade bouquets, hand-tied ones and those embellished with modern, bold accessories would make good combinations with a mermaid gown. It is also a good idea to keep the size small and colors bright for maximum impact. Flowers like orchids would contribute to a sophisticated look with this silhouette.
4.Ball gowns
Ball gowns feature full, voluminous skirts with a very dressed-up look. Since these dresses add more volume to the natural figure, it is suggested to balance the look with an interesting but not overwhelming bouquet choice. Again, the embellishments on the gown can be used as a guide to choosing the bouquet design.
Image Credits:Jessica Branstetter, via Flickr
Round bouquets, pomanders and flowers in baskets, or cascade bouquets with volume at the top would look appropriate with this style of dress. A small bouquet would be drowned in the poufy skirt. So, this should be avoided.
5.Short hemlines
Wedding dresses for casual weddings sometimes feature short hemlines that end at any length above the ankles. The bouquets chosen for these dresses should also be fun and playful, just like the dresses that they accessorize.
Nosegay and posies are a good combination with these dresses.
Apart from the wedding dress silhouette, you should also pay attention to the wedding dress features when choosing your bouquet. This is because specific features in a dress can determine the overall look, and some bouquet styles match such dress features better than others. Let us take a look at some of them.
6. Lace
Lace wedding gowns are a timeless classic. Depending on the type of lace, the dress silhouette and motifs on the dress, lace dresses may be contemporary or classic. Nonetheless, lace is a signature vintage element, and it will always look good with a traditional bouquet. Soft round bouquets with plenty of greens peeping through are a great option. For an endearing touch, you can also consider wrapping the flower stems with a layer of lace, to further tie it to your wedding dress.
7. Dramatic back details
Wedding dresses with dramatic back details are all the rage now. From keyhole designs to low-cut backs and illusion details, there is plenty to choose from. The relevance of this detail is that this is usually a signature element in the bride’s overall look, and her choice of bouquet should address this feature. Back details in lace can be combined with traditional and classic bouquet designs. However, if the details are modern, like a low-cut style or cut-out design, it looks best when worn with a bouquet that is styled in a modern fashion. Exotic flowers and intense colors will bring out the sophistication of such a gown.
8. Strapless necklines
Wedding dresses with strapless necklines usually feature an embellished bodice, ruching in the neckline or a motif that draws attention to the upper part of the body. Strapless necklines are distinctly feminine, and look best with dainty floral bouquets with soft curves and lot of texture. Light colors like pastels and pink hues, as well as soft green ferns and foliage that add warmth to the flowers are a good choice with this style of dress.
9. Halter neck
Halter necklines, when chosen appropriately, are slimming and very sexy. The bare shoulders and exposed arms render an air of confidence to the bride who chooses this feature in her wedding dress. This type of dress draws the attention towards the neck and jaw. So, a bouquet that doesn’t divert focus from this feature is the best combination for it.
Flowers in intense single colors or those that blend with the dress color and have soft trailing leaves in cascade formation are a good choice. Since the bouquet isn’t too dramatic, it will serve as an accessory that complements but doesn’t distract from the main features of this dress style.
10. Sheer wedding dresses
When the wedding dress has an almost translucent effect, it is a signature factor in itself. Since these dresses look lucid and dreamy, while also having a sexy side, a bouquet that is solid and sophisticated would enhance the effect. Choose dark, bold colors and a simple and small formation, so it stands out but adds to the impact of the gown.
Choosing your wedding bouquet may be a daunting task, as the options are endless...
Check with your florist for suggestions. As a talented professional who knows her way around flowers, she will be a great guide to helping you find the look you want, and from the options that you can afford. Also, don’t forget to create your own inspiration board just for the floral aspects, so you know what your choices are.
For more advice, tips and all your wedding shopping needs, visit- Best for Bride.
