Flowers for the Bride & Groom
July 5th, 2007 - Flowers and Décor.Focal Flowers: The Bouquet and Boutonniere Between the inventiveness of the floral industry and the abundance of the floral kingdom, there are almost as many styles of bridal bouquet as there are brides to carry them. Generally speaking, the bride’s bouquet determines all other flower choices, so don’t take this consideration lightly. You’ll cherish your choices for years to come–and it’ll make all the other decisions easier. When planning your bouquet, you have numerous decisions to make: the type of flower, the color combination, the style of arrangement, and the size. Start your search with images of bouquets you love. Your florist will know what to call them–the specialized terms range from Biedermeier to tussy mussy–but you dont need to know the lingo to know what you like. Is clustered or cascading more you? Do you prefer a single color or a splash of mixed hues? Do your tastes run to an American or a European palette? At all times, remember to keep the style of your gown focal and feel free to let your personality shine through. To the groom: Though you can certainly have equal say in flower decisions, your traditional floral attire is a sort of welterweight next to the bouquet’s magnitude. All the more reason for it to be perfectly lovely. For a beautifully coordinated boutonniere, choose a focal flower from the bridal bouquet and add a tiny touch of greenery or pair two blossoms together that feature the colors of your day. As a closing note, if you plan to toss the bouquet, a separate throw bouquet can be a good choice. See if your florist will add one onto your order for free. And if you plan to preserve the original, make arrangements early–you may need to drop off the flowers (or have a bridesmaid do it) very soon after the ceremony for the best results. – Emily Bedard, Amazon.com Wedding Expert 
