Wedding fashion changes every year. If you remember, quite recently absolutely all brides had a wedding veil. Currently, not all young ladies wear such an attribute. And this enumeration can be continued endlessly.
One thing remains unchanged - the presence of a wedding bouquet. This is an accessory that has been popular at all times and is still considered one of the most important attributes of a bride at a celebration.
There are many signs and traditions associated with the bride’s bouquet that everyone tries to observe. The most important issue regarding this attribute is the misunderstanding of who and when should present such a festive accessory to the bride.
Symbolism and meaning
In the past, the groom gave flowers to his chosen one as a marriage proposal , and the actual acceptance of the bouquet meant the final decisive “Yes!” from her side. Interesting! Plants and their shades told about the feelings of a man and his attitude towards the girl.
Today, traditions have changed somewhat, and the bouquet, in addition to its sacred function, has acquired an equally important aesthetic significance. Of course, it is interesting what exactly the groom will choose on his own, but according to tradition, he should not see the newlywed’s dress, so the chance of an unsuccessful purchase that does not match the bride’s outfit is very high.
For this reason, brides are increasingly involved in choosing flowers, at least at the level of recommendations, and the interpretation is shifting from assessing the girl’s personality to what she wishes for her future family:
- roses - for love;
- gerberas - for mutual understanding;
- orchids - for fidelity;
- and many other positive meanings and symbols designed to protect and bless marriage.
What should the bride's bouquet be like?
In this regard, there are several basic rules about the flowers from which the bouquet is made. They should be:
- alive, because artificial ones are a symbol of grief and sadness;
- light shades, which symbolizes a bright future and tender feelings of the young;
- have good symbolism, since not all flowers carry positive energy, for example, as you know, yellow tulips are harbingers of separation.
Perhaps the only obligatory observance is that the bouquet must be composed of fresh flowers. As for the shades and varieties of flowers, these days the beauty of a bouquet is more valued than its symbolism. However, if you want to follow the signs, then here are a few options for which flowers are best to make a bridal bouquet:
- white or red roses - the former symbolize tender affection, and the latter passionate love (but you should not choose tea roses - they promise separation);
- orchids personify the promise to always be together and fidelity until the end of life and promise a speedy replenishment of the family;
- lilies - with their help, a man says that he promises to take care of and protect his beloved from adversity;
- chrysanthemums - the sincerity of the groom’s feelings and his complete trust in his chosen one;
- daisies speak of the pure and sublime love of a young man;
- irises are an assurance that the couple will overcome all difficulties together and will not separate.
When choosing flowers for a bouquet, you should take into account that lilies and orchids have a strong smell, so if the bride is sensitive to strong aroma, it is better to avoid them.
Who should buy for a wedding?
Now there is no strict tradition of who buys a bouquet for the bride , so you can choose the best option for yourself.
Most often a bouquet is purchased by:
- groom;
- bride;
- bridesmaid;
- parents.
Of course, any solution has its pros and cons.
Groom
Thus, the accessory purchased by the groom is undoubtedly the most romantic and traditional , besides, any girl is interested in what flowers her loved one associates with and whether he knows her floral preferences.
But if the chosen one is not very good at design and floristry, then you risk getting an inappropriate composition that will stand out loudly in the photographs and spoil the mood. In addition, men tend to choose functional rather than aesthetic items, which is not always appropriate for a wedding.
A compromise option is that the groom buys the bouquet, but the bride chooses for him several photographs with compositions she likes , and also talks about her wishes for the color palette and specific plants.
Important! Even if the bride chooses the flowers herself, the groom should still pay for the bouquet and give it directly on the day of the celebration. Don't deny yourself this sweet tradition.
Bride
If you are used to controlling things that are important to you, then choosing a bouquet yourself would be a reasonable option. Indeed, who better than the bride understands what one of the central accessories of the image should be? In addition, in this case, you will be able to carefully select the composition for the dress, makeup, and accents in the decoration of the celebration. Sometimes the appetite comes while eating, and you can understand that this particular branch should crown your bouquet in the florist salon itself.
Girlfriends
Bridesmaids often help the hero of the occasion choose the perfect dress, makeup, and room decoration, so it’s logical to entrust them with this important mission. It is best if you choose flowers from a friend whose taste you admire. It is not forbidden to talk in detail about your wishes, or, on the contrary, allow yourself a small surprise.
Parents
As for parents, entrusting them with the purchase of a wedding bouquet is a controversial decision. On the one hand, this will show your boundless trust in your loved ones and once again emphasize that this is your common family holiday. If the mother buys the bouquet, then this is an excellent occasion to express her daughter’s gratitude and love, if the mother-in-law, it is to establish good relations.
On the other hand, it is important to understand that for parents, their children’s wedding day is an extremely exciting event, sometimes even more so than for the young people themselves. This is why you should treat your mother or mother-in-law’s feelings very correctly, and under no circumstances criticize the chosen bouquet, even if it turns out not to be very suitable in the end .
Choice of colors
Specific plants can be chosen both based on the bride’s taste and based on their meaning. The most common guest at weddings are roses, a symbol of multifaceted love, always with cut thorns:
- white roses mean innocence, purity;
- pink - romance;
- red - boiling passion.
Combinations of several shades look interesting; such a composition is imbued with perfect harmony.
In addition, the bride’s bouquet often includes:
- fragile graceful lilies, both regal white and multi-colored . This flower speaks of admiration and fidelity;
- a more miniature and natural version - alstroemeria , reminiscent of small lilies with predatory pretty spots;
- for lovers of the exotic, sensual two-color orchids will be an excellent solution;
- chrysanthemums, callas, eustoma - many less common, but absolutely charming buds will also fit wonderfully into a wedding composition;
- In spring and summer it is good to use seasonal flowers - daffodils, tulips, peonies, gerberas. Sometimes decor from dried flowers, flowering twigs, and berries is also appropriate.
At a Hawaiian, fairytale or other themed wedding, it is acceptable to use very exotic flowers , such as a giant protea.
You can create a bouquet not from plant elements, but from fabric, beads, brooches.
How much does a wedding bouquet cost?
The final cost of the bouquet consists of: Seasonality of plants. Using seasonal and wildflowers significantly reduces bouquet costs. Exotic flowers. The cost of transportation and the floating exchange rate greatly influence the price of rare specimens from exotic countries. Complexity of the composition. The pricing of the fragrant accessory depends on the timing of the bouquet, additional decorations and floral accessories. Cost of delivery. Self-pickup will help reduce costs if the flower shop is nearby
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Size and shape
If you settled on large buds, for example, lilies, then it is better not to have too many of them. Moderation looks much more elegant. Miniature inflorescences look good when there are a lot of them.
The shape of the bouquet should be chosen based on the appearance of the bride and the theme of the celebration:
- the cascade is suitable for tall girls in flowing Greek robes;
- a round bouquet for short princesses in lush ball gowns;
- For Thumbelina in straight-cut dresses, it is better to choose a more textured Biedermeier.
An interesting bouquet option is glamelia, an artificial flower consisting of many petals or inflorescences. No less intriguing is the pomander - a sphere of buds without a stem, which is attached to a satin ribbon and worn on the wrist like a bracelet.
Recently, asymmetrical bouquets of non-standard shapes have become increasingly popular - they allow you to express the uniqueness of each specific bride, her inner world.
Interesting! It is believed that the bouquet should contain as many flowers as the bride’s age; if it is an even number, then one more.
Selection of shades of color: symbols and signs
It is believed that the shade of a floral composition, as well as its content, can affect the future life of a couple:
- Bright scarlet bouquets speak of the danger of too violent emotions , both passion and jealousy, so it is better to dilute the red with white or at least greenery;
- Black bouquets, as well as purple and burgundy, can mean the fragility of the union , and even the imminent death of one of the lovers, so choosing them for a wedding is not recommended;
- But cream, white and pink ones promise a happy life and tenderness for each other.
Important Tips
- If the wedding is themed, then it is enough to explain the general style to the florist - and half the job is done. Vintage, rustic, loft and other fashion trends have recognizable details that, when used in a bouquet, will immediately make the accessory part of the overall picture;
- It is worth considering the appearance of the bride. It is still not customary to see a wedding dress before the celebration, but the bride can take a photo of a piece of fabric so that professionals can decide on suitable and conflicting shades. You can describe the outfit in general terms - flowing or lush, open or modest;
- Height and weight are also important in determining the shape and volume of the bouquet. Tall girls look great with cascading compositions or a scepter. Round and hemispherical bouquets are more suitable for short and plump people;
- It is better to avoid flowers with a strong smell , such as lilies, since the bride will have to hold the bouquet in her hands for the whole day, and the strong aroma can cause headaches or even allergies. If a girl still insists on such plants, consult a florist. Often the problem is solved by removing the stamens or after treating the buds with a special solution.
Important! The weight of the composition also matters - an armful of flowers is undoubtedly incredibly romantic, but by the end of the evening the bride’s hands will not thank you for it.
- The boutonniere should be purchased at the same time as the bouquet , since these two accessories must overlap in order to turn the couple into a single whole;
- It is best to order flowers directly from a florist salon and about a month in advance. This way, specialists will definitely have time to select all the necessary elements, because some plants may have to be delivered from afar.
Schedule the delivery of the bouquet on the morning of the wedding day. This way you don’t have to worry about the safety of the buds, because plants often require quite complex manipulations, which is not very appropriate in the pre-wedding bustle.
How to choose a bouquet?
If a girl has instructed her man to choose and buy a bouquet on her wedding day, then he definitely needs to know what criteria to rely on. A man is not a person who is based on feelings and emotions.
Often he is used to relying on a rational approach. As surprising as it may sound, choosing a bouquet may also require common sense.
You have to take into account several points at once that will help you acquire a beautiful, worthy composition:
- Wedding image of the bride - it is generally accepted that a girl should not show her lover her dress before the official registration ceremony. However, no one forbids a man to ask what tone the outfit will be in or maybe there is some kind of through color. For example, a young lady may have a white dress, but with red satin ribbons. In this case, the groom will not go wrong by choosing a bouquet of rich red roses. Girls love to discuss their own wedding, so they will be very happy to share their secrets with their loved ones.
- Pay attention to the color scheme in which the entire festive ceremony will take place. It can be in blue or purple tone. Be sure to tell the florist this, and he will help you create the right bouquet.
- Ask your beloved her favorite colors and shades. If the ceremony is classic, without focusing on one shade, then you can always diversify the wedding with the bride’s favorite colors. The girl will be doubly pleased that on the main day of her life you chose her most favorite plants.
- Ask a professional to help you choose flowers that don't have a scent. It happens that girls really like lilies. But their appearance is one thing, and their smell is another thing. Do not forget that the bride will walk around with the bouquet for a very long time, so by the end of the evening her head may simply be splitting from such a aroma.
- Try to choose a composition in which not all flowers will be in bloom. They may just be starting to bloom. This will be even better, since there is a chance that such an accessory will remain in your home for a long time, delighting and emitting positive energy.
