UpScale & Posh Blog

Bridal flower bouquets started off with an interesting history where a combination of flowers and herbs were first used in ancient times to ward off evil and to symbolize fertility!  This tradition has now evolved into beautiful flowers that every bride carries down the aisle.  Wedding flowers are a significant part of a wedding day.  No other day in a woman’s life will she as closely identified with flowers than on her wedding day.  Of all the wedding flowers the bridal flower bouquet is the most special for a bride.  A bridal flower bouquet is a thing of beauty and is an important element of the wedding.  The bridal flower bouquet is the finishing touch for the bridal gown and should complement the wedding dress perfectly.  As the bride walks down the aisle not only should the wedding dress command attention but the bridal bouquet should catch guests’ eyes as well.  The dress and wedding flower bouquet should be in harmony.

There are many diverse styles of bridal flower bouquets.  Each style will has its own unique name and some date back in history.  Selecting the proper wedding flower bouquet can be a daunting decision with so many different styles from which to choose.  When deciding on the proper bridal bouquet the wedding ceremony, venue setting, style of dress, and size of bride should be part of the decision making process.

A bridal bouquet can be from a single stem calla lily to a full bridal bouquet with draping flowers. The style of flowers that you ultimately select will most likely mirror that of your wedding dress.  For example, a chic and elegant column dress will be flattered with a single stem of calla lily, but a princess style dress with lots of detail would be better complimented with a more round or oval flower bouquet.  A very traditional style of wedding dress would look fantastic with round flower bouquets, oval bouquets, cascading bouquets, or crescent bouquets. Take into consideration the shape and style of your wedding dress.  Then choose a bouquet that will work with it.

Also, size of the bride is another factor to take into account.  Generally, petite brides look best carrying a small flower bouquets, hand-tied flower bouquets or nosegay bouquets.  Cascading flower bouquets, arm bouquets, and crescent bouquets with tendrils of flowers or Ivy are great choices for tall brides.  Larger flower bouquets work better for the tall bride as opposed to smaller flower bouquets.  Short Brides look best carrying round flower bouquets, hand-tied bouquets, or a crescent style bouquet with tendrils. For the full figured bride big flower bouquets works well for you and you can carry almost any bouquet style with the exception of tiny bouquets.

Every bride has her own special style and taste.  There are no two brides or no two weddings the same.  This is true for the wedding flower bouquet; no two are ever the same. Below are descriptions of the different styles of Bridal Bouquets to help you determine the best bridal bouquet for your style and size.

For today’s bride the most popular choices are as follows:

 

• The Posy Flower Bouquet

A Posy bouquet is round and small and can easily be held in one hand. There are two styles of posy flower bouquets, one style is loose, hand tied and unstructured, the other formal and wired. The stems of the flowers are removed and replaced with florist’s wire. This provides a much lighter posy with and easy to hold handle.

Usually the Posy Flower Bouquet is wrapped in satin, velvet or organza ribbon with embellishments of pearl pins and beading trims. The Posy bouquet is the most popular choice for brides in Dubai.

The Clutch or Hoop Bouquet

The Clutch or Flower Hoop Bouquet hand-tied bouquet is a loose-tied arrangement of a simple gathering of flowers, bound and tied with ribbon with stems left exposed.  Queen Anne’s lace, phlox and cosmos are magnificent examples of this style.

The style of bridal flower bouquet is one of the least complicated to make. It has no definite style or shape and usually features the bride’s favorite flowers hand-tied in a bunch.

This is a beautiful choice for an outdoor wedding with that just picked from the garden look. Long-stemmed flowers look especially lovely in this style with the stems wrapped in a large satin ribbon accented with little pearls.

 

• The Teardrop or Cascading Bouquet

Teardrop or cascading flower bouquet is quiet popular today.  They are designed in a fluid shape to gracefully spill over the bride’s hands to trail downwards for a sophisticated and stylized look.  The Teardrop flower bouquet is roundish at the top but pointy at the bottom.  Almost any flower can be used in this design.  It is one of the most traditional and elaborate flower bouquets and is perfect for a traditional wedding.

The Cascading bouquet, which is the most formal and most traditional of bridal flower bouquets, is designed to spill gracefully over the bride’s hands as it flows downward for a sophisticated and stylized look.  The traditional shower bouquet is known as the large multi-trail bouquet, subsequently renamed the princess in honor of the late Princess Diana and her impressive bridal flower bouquet.  The modern smaller version is called the teardrop bouquet or trail bouquet.

Originally the cascading flower bouquets were originally referred to as shower bouquets or teardrop bouquet. These replaced the fashion of posies around the time of 1910.  This style became over stated and large they almost covered up the bride. They reached their peak from 1920 – 1930′s until WWII.

 

• The Nosegay Bouquet

This type of floral bouquet came into existence in the 14^th century.  It became more popular during the time of Queen Victoria, from mid-18^th century.  The Nosegay Bouquet follows the usual shape of a round bouquet but densely filled flowers.

The Nosegay can be a small, medium or a large size bouquet.  The most widely used flowers for nosegay bouquets are roses, carnations, iris, and daisies.  The Nosegay Bouquet can be made either with only one type of flower or a combination of flowers.  Traditionally they mounted in a tussie-mussie which is a small Victorian style metal or glass cone-shaped holder.

The Nosegay is very popular with flower girls and bridesmaids. In modern times it has been revived and reinvented with additions of lovely satin and organza ribbons and larger floral arrangements.

 

• The Biedermeier Bouquet

The Biedermeier Bouquet

This flower bouquet has recently shown a surge in popularity due to its dramatic beauty and contrast.  The Biedermeier bridal bouquet has a very pleasing geometry design. This flower bouquet is entirely symmetrical with the flowers arranged in symmetric circles.

This style of bouquet is European-influenced.  The flowers are closely structured and carefully designed in defined circular patterns of different colored flowers.  Each ring or circle in the Biedermeier Bouquet has one variety of flowers only.

Originating in Switzerland in the late 1800’s the Biedermeier style flower bouquet often contained orange and lemon peels for extra fragrance.  The Biedermeier named for a German style of interior design.

The Biedermeier flower bouquet is perfect for carrying out your wedding theme colors.  This can be a finishing touch to a very stylish and beautiful wedding.

 

• The Arm Sheaf Bouquet or Presentation Bouquet

The Arm Sheaf Bouquet or Presentation Bouquet

Originally known as the Bernhardt bouquet.  It was inspired by the presentation bouquets given to the popular actress of the day, Sarah Bernhardt.  It first became popular in the early 1900’s.   Also known as the presentation or Arm Sheaf Bouquet, the design consists of long stemmed flowers such as calla lilies, gladiolus, orchids or long stemmed roses.  The Sheaf can be single-ended, with stems showing at one end or double-ended with no stems showing. Beautiful ribbon provides the finishing touch.

This is a  very chic and stunning alternative to more traditional styles of flower bouquets.  It is best for modern weddings.  This style is tastefully designed to be cradled in the bride’s arm and can be as simple or as elaborate as the bride chooses.   Carried in one arm, it is an elegant and natural flower bouquet which looks beautiful with sheath or slim wedding gowns.  However due to its size, carrying Sheaf style bouquet may be less popular with brides who wish to keep their arms free during their wedding.

• Single Stem Bouquet

 

Looking for a flower bridal bouquet that is simple but classically elegant?  Then the Single Stem Bouquet is perfect for you. It usually highlights a single large flower such as a lily or a truly elegant single stem of Phalaenopsis Orchids flowers accented with ribbon wrapped around the stem for added emphasis.

 

• The Ballerina Bouquet

The Ballerina Bouquet

The ballerina bouquet is softly romantic round bouquet.  It is designed using of tulle and few flowers. This type of flower bouquet was popular in the early 1940s when flowers were scarce due to World War II.  For modern brides, a ballerina bouquet offers a cost-effective, yet beautiful solution for a tight floral budget.

The tulle was used to give the flower bouquet added bulk and it gives it a romantically soft elegant look.  It goes beautifully when carried by a bride wedding gown that has tulle or organza overlay.  Ribbons, pearls, or crystals are frequently used to complete the Ballerina design.

• The Scepter Bouquet

The Scepter Bouquet

If you are looking for a flower bouquet to provide a touch of drama to your wedding day then The Scepter Bouquet is for you.  This design takes the shape of an over-sized flower wand.

The handles are extra long, accented with ribbon, cording, pearls or crystals.  The scepter bouquets are suitable for any wedding occasion and may be carried by any member of the wedding party.

• The Muff Bouquet

The Muff  flower bouquet was created early in the century and was very popular in Europe.  Due to the cold winters it was borne out of necessity.

In mid winter, the bride’s hands would sit into the muff, a lovely corsage-shaped bouquet attached at the front.  Unusual and unique, a perfect choice for a winter wedding.

 

• The Prayer Book Bouquet or Bible Spray

   

   

This flower bouquet style is designed using a Bible or small Prayer Book as the platform upon which a small bouquet is placed. The design may consist of small cluster of flowers and finished is about the size of a corsage.  It is attached with ribbons or a small armature to prevent damage to the book.

An alternate way of carrying a Prayer Book is to place a single flower stem through the center of the book. The Bible or Prayer Book spray bouquet is a sign of faith and spirit. A long-time favorite of devout brides. While this style is a traditional choice it can be designed in a modern manner.