Wedding Flower Bouquets
At A Glance

There are several different types of bouquets required for a wedding. Each bouquet is designed to be specific to the member of the wedding party. Traditionally these bouquets are very similar, use the same flowers and arrangement styles to keep uniformity through the wedding party. More and more the trend is to have less “formal” type arrangements and more individualized type bouquets for each person in the wedding party. In addition more exotic and non-traditional flowers are being used which add to the uniqueness of each of the bouquets. Another growing trend is using decorations, laces, pearls, dried flowers and foliage in wedding bouquets.

The most common wedding bouquets are:

Bridal

The arrangement carried by the bride. Often these are the most elaborate of the wedding bouquets, and often include dramatic flowers such as roses, lilies, chrysanthemums, tulips, daisies, or more exotic flowers such as bird of paradise or orchids. Depending on the theme of the wedding, the bridal gown and, of course, the bride’s personal preference these bouquets can be hand-held, arm held, cascading, or even wrist type corsages. Hand tied bouquets using lace and pearls are lovely and provide a romantic look to the wedding.

Bridesmaids and Maid of Honor

The bridesmaids and the maid of honor usually carry the same type of bouquet as the bride, only of a smaller size. Often the maid of honor’s bouquet will be slightly larger than those of the bridesmaids. The flowers usually reflect the same type of flowers that are contained in the bride’s bouquet. So, if the bride was carrying red roses and white carnations, the bridesmaids might carry pink roses and white carnations.

Grooms Boutonnière

The groom usually wears a single flower surrounded by greenery. Often it is the same color and flower as the central focus of the bride’s bouquet. In the above example the groom may have a boutonniere with a single red rose surrounded by some baby’s breath and greenery.

Best Man and Groomsman Boutonniere

These often are very similar to the groom’s boutonniere, but will generally be of a lighter or complementary color. Perhaps with this wedding the groomsmen would wear a white carnation or a small white rosebud. Traditionally the men in the wedding party tend to wear roses or carnations, but more exotic flowers are also being used. Tulips and daffodils work very well for spring weddings, and holy berries and greenery look terrific for winter red and white themes.

Corsages and Boutonnieres

It is customary that the parents of both the bride and groom’s parents were corsages or boutonnieres to match that of the wedding party. These are usually in theme with the bridal bouquet, with roses, lilies, mini carnations, freesia and calla lilies used that reflect the colors of the wedding. Many couples opt for wrist bouquets or corsages for the mothers, and traditional boutonnieres for the fathers.

Centerpieces for the tables, floral decorations for the ends of the church pews may also add to the beauty and romance of the special day.