Bloom with Bride and Joy: Perfect Bridal Bouquets for the Perfect Day

This week’s wedding Wednesday expert is Sara Jenkins-Sutton, the co-founder of Chicago-based Toparius Urban Garden and Floral Design. Sara is sharing some great ideas for bridal bouquets– from the latest and most popular trends to some very unique and personal bouquet ideas.

Nobody said planning a wedding was easy, and for some brides-to-be, selecting wedding bouquets can be daunting since there are thousands of varieties in an array of colors and sizes to choose from.  While the main event is the wedding ceremony, small yet intricate details such as the bouquets are what really pull the whole celebration together.

Wedding bouquets are a tradition that spans centuries and many cultures. The custom is rooted in symbolism, perhaps to memorialize an ancestor or exemplify the wedding’s theme. Its history, however, is pure superstition. Women carried aromatic bunches of garlic, herbs and spices to ward off evil spirits who would be awakened by the marriage celebration. In Victorian times, flowers became the secret messengers of lovers; each flower having its own meaning.  Lovers began using floral exchanges to convey messages so flowers were chosen with regard to their traditional significance.

In modern times, we all know brides pick their flowers that best suit their personality, bridal gown and their own unique style and taste. Today’s wedding bouquets are more personal than ever, running the gamut from classic all-white formal arrangements to unique designs featuring brightly colored Hyacinths, Lilies, Birds of Paradise, Craspedia, and Hydrangea.

So now that the summer wedding season is in full-bloom, here’s the latest trends in wedding bouquet design:

Flower choice: incorporate flowers that have special significance to the couple like the birth month flower of the bride and groom or the first bouquet your fiancé gave you

Mix it up: opt for a combination of flowers and colors, pick a color theme or a seasonal mix of flowers

Sentimental stem: Wrap the handle of your bouquet with a piece of the dress or veil of a loved one

Lockets: adding a locket with the photo of a loved one is a great way to include a special guest who could not be in attendance.  Couples could also choose a picture of themselves from early in the relationship, their children, even their pets

Go green: wedding bouquets come alive with opposite lush green leaves; don’t be afraid to add color and volume by integrating greenery like wispy Bear Grass or long and leafy Lily Grass

Ditch the handle: use your creativity and attach bouquet blooms to a clutch, a book, a fan or any object of with special meaning to you and your groom

Change shape: carry a pomander of tightly bundled blossoms, cradle a sheaf of long stemmed flowers in your arms, allow cascading shower to spill over you hands, or go hands free with a bracelet bouquet

Sense of style: white flowers never go out of style but simple and elegant are popular this summer; try a hand-tied posy bouquet or use exotic flowers such as Anthuriums, which can be designed to be classy and modest

Accessorize: Add sparkle to your special day by adding crystals, beads, pins and acrylic diamonds into the design of the bouquet; for a more modern look, incorporate decorative wire or feathers around the stem of the bouquet

Royalty: Made almost entirely from Lily of the Valley, Myrtle, Sweet William and Hyacinth, Kate Middleton’s bouquet was unusual yet small and subtle, setting the standard for bridal bouquets over the next several years

Love story: Adorn bouquets with pearls to create an ultra-romantic bouquet; pair soft color flowers such as ivory or light pink with big, plush blooms like Peonies

Cluster of color: Create a loose stem bouquet with cascading blooms in bright colors such as hot pinks, turquoise, yellow and jewel tones

Trendsetter: Lilies, Peonies, Hydrangeas, Tulips and Orchids represent the trendier choices. Bouquets with a just-picked and looser casual look replace the more tightly-bound bouquet shapes of previous seasons

Bridal bouquets are such an amazing statement that no matter what vision you have, the personal touches and details are what make your bouquet as unique as you are.