Which bouquet style is best for you?

Written By Althea Wiles

Confused about which bouquet style is the best fit for you, your dress and your wedding?  Your mother (or grandmother) suggests a cascading bouquet; your maid of honor tells you nobody carries cascades any more.  And you want something that makes everyone happy AND fits your personality.   

So how do you decide on the best design?  Bridal bouquets come in a variety of shapes and styles.  As one of your most important accessories, your bouquet should compliment your size, your dress, AND your personal style.  The guide below gives helpful tips on bouquet styles.  

Cascading Bouquet: A mass of flowers at the top, trailing down to a narrow tail.  The tail can be any length.  In the traditional cascading bouquet, the tail is usually 'flowing.'  Contemporary versions are usually more structured.
* Also known as a 'Shower Bouquet"
* Works well with taller brides and full figured brides but can be scaled down for shorter or more petite brides. 
* Compliments ball-gowns,  full skirted dresses, and dresses with long trains.
* Generally a formal bouquet style, but type of flowers used can change this. 
* Perfect for the bride who wants a very traditional and/or formal wedding.
Cascading bouquet: pink lilies, white roses, tree fern, ruscus & lily grass~  Hand-tied bouquet with cascade: carnations, dendrobium orchids, baby's breath & bear grass~  Cascading Bouquet-Summer Mix with Sunflowers~  

Teardrop Bouquet: A more contemporary version of the cascading bouquet.  This bouquet is usually more structured than the traditional cascade and is often a bit shorter.  Bouquet is shaped like a teardrop.  
* Works well with full figured brides, but can be scaled down for other figures.
* Compliments full skirted dresses, A-line dresses that flare at the waist, and dresses with long trains.
* Perfect for the bride who wants modern touches to a traditional wedding.
Bouquet: pink rose and orchid tear-drop~   Teadrop - Lavender & purple roses, calla lilies & lisianthus #2~


Arm Bouquet: A gathering of blooms carried over the arm. 
* Also known as a 'Pageant Bouquet"
* Works well with slim figures.
* Compliments empire and sheath dresses.
* A good design for line flowers such as Calla Lilies.
* For a modern twist, this bouquet can be carried to the side rather than cradled in the arm.
* Flower type determines the formality of this style.
* Perfect for the bride who wants to carry larger flowers.
Arm Bouquet: Pink calla lilies & gerbera daisies~   
Arm Bouquet-Light blue Delphinium with Curly Willow & Ivy  

Hand-Tied Bouquet: A gathering of flowers with the natural stems left intact. Stems may be covered with ribbon or foliage or left natural.  Usually a round shape, but can also be oval or egg-shaped. 
* Also known as a 'Nosegay' 
* Currently one of the most popular bouquet styles.
* Works well with brides of medium heights and builds.
* Compliments most dress styles if properly proportioned
* Can be very formal or very informal depending on type of flower(s) used, stem treatments, and size
* Perfect for the bride who wants a contemporary look or an understated look.
* Also perfect for the bride who wants a very natural (wildflower) look or a casual look.
Hand-tied bouquet: pink and white roses, peonies, & stock with pittisporum #1a (close up)~ 
 
 
Hand-Tied Bouquet-White Stock, white Dendrobium Orchids, and & ivory roses~ 
 
Bouquet: White Gerbera Daisies~   
Hand-Tied Bouquet-Pink & White Summer Mix~
 
 
  

Nosegay: A gathering of densely packed flowers in a round shape.  Traditionally, nosegays are made with the natural stems intact.  However, they can also be created in a bouquet holder. 
* Often thought of as 'old-fashioned' but can be designed to be more contemporary. 
* Interchangable with the Hand-tied bouquets for dress styles, figures, and looks.
Hand-Tied Bouquet-White Roses #2~  
Hand-Tied Bouquet-Pink Peonies with Pittisporum~


Posy: A small version of the round bouquets, either hand-tied or nosegay styles.
* Care must be taken that this bouquet is not lost against the wedding dress.  Thus it is often used for younger or smaller members of the bridal party.
 
* Works well for the very petite bride.
* Works well for Junior attendants, flower girls, and mothers.
* Often used as the Tossing Bouquet.
* Compliments non-traditional shorter wedding dresses.
* Fits an understated wedding.
 
Bouquet: Miniature Calla Lily posy #1c~   
Posy-Blue Hyacinth with Limonium~  


Biedermeier: A very structured round bouquet where flowers are arranged in concentric circles.
* 
Works well with brides of medium heights and builds.
* Usually a very formal design.
* Perfect for the bride who wants formal but doesn't want a cascading bouquet.
Hand-Tied Bouquet-Autumn Biedermeier #1

Crescent: A version the cascading bouquet where both the left and right side trail downwards.  Crescent bouquets can be either symmetrical (both sides equal in length) or asymmetrical (one side shorter than the other).
* 
Works well with taller brides and full figured brides but can be scaled down for shorter or more petite brides. 
* Compliments ball-gowns,  full skirted dresses, and dresses with long trains.
* Generally a formal bouquet style, but type of flowers used can change this. 
* Perfect for the bride who wants a non-traditional cascading bouquet or who has an artistic flare.
Crescent bouquet with lilies and peacock feathers~  
Crescent Bouquet: Gardenias and pearls


Pomander:A round ball covered in flowers and suspended from a ribbon.
* Works well with petite brides.
* Works well for Junior attendants and flower girls.
* Compliments shorter dresses.
* Perfect for the bride who wants something 'different,'  and has a playful personality.
Pomander: Green Button Mums-ivory accents    
Pomander-Pink and White Mix with Pearls   
Pomander-White Carnations and Pittisporum
Althea Wiles
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