How to Choose a Bridal Bouquet: Style, Flower and Colour Guide

The bouquet complements the dress, so the choice should start with the dress. Round, full bouquets create a balanced look with princess-cut gowns with full skirts. With mermaid or A-line dresses, cascade bouquets that flow downwards continue the silhouette, while elegant bouquets made of a single type of flower suit simple, minimal dresses beautifully.

The dress's embellishment also influences the choice. With heavy lace, crystal or pearl detailing, a simply structured bouquet lets the dress shine. With plain, unadorned fabrics, the bouquet can be bolder in colour and texture. Make sure the bouquet does not cover the waist and skirt details of the dress at the height where it is held.

The round bouquet, with its tight, neat dome shape, is the most classic style and suits almost any wedding concept. The cascade bouquet, trailing downwards at the front, creates a grander effect and is especially popular at hall weddings. Natural or bohemian bouquets, with their asymmetric form, generous greenery and flowers in different textures, suit garden and countryside weddings.

Single-flower bouquets, made only of white roses or calla lilies, for example, offer modern, understated elegance. Long-stemmed arm bouquets are an alternative for brides looking for a more dramatic look. Whichever style you choose, asking the florist for sample images or a trial bouquet helps you picture how it will look in photos.

Seasonal flowers arrive fresher and ease the budget. In spring, peonies, tulips, freesias and ranunculus; in summer, roses, hydrangeas, lisianthus and wildflowers; and in autumn and winter, roses, orchids, amaryllis and dried flowers are standout options. Roses, orchids and baby's breath are available all year, making them safe choices in any season.

The venue and time of day should also be considered. For a bouquet carried outdoors all day on a hot summer day, more durable varieties such as roses, orchids, lisianthus and baby's breath should be chosen over delicate flowers like hydrangeas and peonies. At evening hall weddings, white and light-toned flowers that reflect light help the bouquet stand out in photos.

White and cream bouquets are a timeless choice, but using exactly the same white as the dress can make the bouquet disappear against it. Cream and champagne tones work better with off-white or ivory dresses, while greenery or blush accents alongside white create a more balanced look with pure white dresses.

The bouquet's colours should harmonise with the wedding's overall palette, the table flowers and the groom's boutonniere. Pastel tones such as blush, peach and lavender create a romantic feel, while vivid colours such as burgundy, fuchsia and orange turn the bouquet into a strong focal point in photos. Working with a single vivid accent colour keeps a multicoloured bouquet from looking busy.

The bouquet's size should be set according to the bride's frame and the volume of the dress. A very large bouquet can overwhelm a petite bride, while a very small bouquet can look out of proportion with a voluminous gown. A bouquet that does not cover the bride's torso when held at waist height usually gives the most balanced result.

Because it will be carried all day, weight matters too. A bouquet that is comfortable to carry through the ceremony, photo shoot and entrance, with a stem that fits the hand and is wrapped in satin or lace ribbon, offers both comfort and elegance. Adding a piece of fabric from the dress or a small meaningful charm to the stem turns the bouquet into a personal keepsake.

Having the bouquet made on the morning of the wedding and keeping it in a cool place until it is collected preserves its freshness. Not leaving it in direct sun between photo sessions and, if possible, placing the stems in water for short periods are especially important at summer weddings.

If the bouquet toss tradition will take place, having a smaller, lighter toss bouquet made is a good way to keep the main bouquet as a keepsake. The main bouquet can be dried or pressed after the wedding and kept for years. Having the bridal bouquet prepared by the same team as the table flowers, ceremony table and boutonnieres ensures all the flowers complement each other in colour and style.