Wedding Flowers  

The first recorded use of flowers and herbs in weddings dates back to the Ancient Greeks. They were used to make interwoven garlands and wreaths which were placed on the heads of the bride and groom. Many herbs were believed to have magical powers, thought to protect the married couple from evil spirits and bad luck and symbolise new life and fertility. In modern times, the custom of enhancing the wedding ceremony with flowers continues although most brides now pick their flowers for colour, scent and personal appeal.

What to Order. This varies immensely and will depend on a number of factors; the number of attendants, size and type of venue and your personal preferences. The list below is a guide to the standard services most florists provide: 

Flowers for the Bride:  There is a huge choice these days in bridal bouquets but it’s wise to take into consideration the style of the wedding dress when deciding on the size and shape of the bouquet. The most popular bouquets are: 

The Posy: The posy is small and round and can easily be held in one hand. There are two styles of posy bouquets, one can be loose, hand tied and unstructured, the other formal and wired, constructed into a much lighter posy with an easy to hold handle. These two styles are widely used where the natural stems are wrapped in a beautiful satin or organza ribbon and some embellished with pearl pins and beading trims.

The Crescent: This style of bouquet is perfect for sophisticated and contemporary weddings and is best carried below the waist. The crescent shaped bouquet forms a soft arch using flowers with definite shapes wired together to form a slender handle that you can hold in one hand.   Flowers are usually tapered and extended at each end while the centre is more compact and it can be symmetrical or not.     

The Shower: This large shower or cascading bouquet is the most traditional and formal choice and is designed to spill gracefully over the bride’s hands as it flows downwards in a stylish way. Almost any flower can be used and the bouquet is rounded at the top and pointed at the base. The modern smaller version is known as the teardrop bouquet.  

Arm Sheaf: Although the arm sheaf bouquet first became popular in the early 1900's it is now one of the most popular choices for today’s bride. These types of bouquets are made with long stemmed flowers, for example the calla lily, which the bride carries cradled in her arm. It is a stunning alternative to more traditional styles of bouquets and best suited to modern style weddings.

Alternatively you may want to consider some of the more unusual floral options of fans, prayer book/bible spray, single stem, wrist bouquet or muff spray.

Whilst the most popular choice is still fresh flowers you may want to consider silk flowers which are perfect if you have an allergy or wish to keep your bouquet as a reminder of your special day. 

Flowers for the Bridesmaids:  The bouquets for the bridesmaids usually co-ordinate with the bridal bouquet in terms of colour and style. The adult attendants’ bouquets normally have the same flowers as the bride but in a smaller arrangement and for the younger bridesmaids there is the choice of several options including small posies, baskets, wrist corsages or flowers worn in the hair. 

Flowers for the Men:  The groom, best man and ushers usually wear a boutonniere or buttonhole in the lapel of their suits. Again they usually follow the same theme in terms of flower choice and colour to match.  

Flowers for the Family:  It is also thoughtful to include parents, grandparents or other senior members of the family when ordering your flowers. These would take the form of matching buttonholes for the men and corsages for the ladies in the wedding party. If you feel this is beyond your budget they may suggest they contribute to the cost themselves.