Bridal party wedding flowers
by Sheila Gilbert
Bridal Bouquet
The Bouquet should be in harmony with your stature and the style of your dress.
If you are a petite person, don’t have a shower bouquet that will overwhelm you. Choose a hand tied posy or a small shower (cascade).
If you are tall you can choose a sheaf arrangement e.g. Calla Lilies or a full shower or a hand tied posy with larger flowers e.g. Gerberas or Lilies.
If you have a full-skirted dress a round shaped bouquet is most appropriate.
If you have a sheath dress a sheaf arrangement will be very elegant.
Bridesmaid’s Bouquets
These should be in harmony with the bride’s bouquet – similar style and flowers. A swatch of material should be taken to the florists when choosing the flowers. The colour of the bridesmaid’s dresses can be incorporated into the bride’s bouquet by using a similar coloured ribbon to tie the stems.
Groomsmen’s Buttoniers
These are usually co-ordinated with the bride’s bouquet – usually similar flowers adorned with ivy leaves, steel grass or berries.
Corsages for Mothers
Orchids are often a popular choice and colour is chosen to compliment outfits. If the material of the outfits is very flimsy a wrist corsage would be ideal.
If the wedding ceremony takes place in an informal setting i.e. the beach or garden less formal flowers could be picked a few hours before the ceremony and tied into a posy. This will stay fresh for a few hours.
Choice of Flowers
Roses are a firm favourite and are most suitable for a posy or mixed with other flowers in a cascade.
Calla Lilies in a sheaf style or in a cascade or crescent.
Orchids – Phallenopsis orchids are wonderful in a cascade. However, they can crush easily.
Berberas are very suitable for hand tied bunches.
Above all choose a style that you are comfortable with.