A wedding just wouldn’t be the same without flowers—but which ones are the best choice for your special day? With countless styles and combinations, it can be a challenge to narrow down your options. Not to worry! We’re here to answer all your frequently-asked questions, so you can get ready for your big day.

1

Pick Flowers That are in Season

  1. Out-of-season flowers can be pricey, and can rack up your flower budget. Not to worry—there are plenty of seasonal options to choose from that will be much kinder on your wallet.[1]
    • For example, you might add mums, strawflowers, or chrysanthemums to a bouquet for an autumn wedding.[2]
    • Lisianthus, veronica, roses, gypsophila, and alstroemerias are available throughout the year, and might be a good option for a winter wedding bouquet.[3]
    • Peonies, hydrangeas, anemone, and garden roses are all great options for a spring wedding.[4] They’re also excellent choices for a summer wedding![5]
  2. Advertisement
4

Know What Flower Types Represent

  1. Some flowers, like anemones, represent “expectation,” while other blooms, like calla lilies, signify “magnificent beauty.” Pick out some flower meanings that you really resonate with—this is a great way to take your bouquets to the next level![8]
    • Baby’s breath represents innocence, while cornflowers signify prosperity and friendship.
    • Daffodils stand for happiness, and dahlias represent an everlasting commitment.
    • Gardenias symbolize purity and joy, while irises signify faith and wisdom.
    • Orchids represent beauty; sunflowers represent loyalty and adoration; and peonies signify happiness, love, and ambition.
    • The color of a flower can sometimes change its meaning. Red roses mean “love,” while pink roses signify “elegance” and “grace.”[9]
5

Pick Flowers That Match Your Color Scheme

  1. Your flowers don’t have to match exactly with your invitations and decorations, but they should complement the color scheme nicely. Iron out of your wedding’s color scheme first, and then settle your flower colors.[10]
    • With all the flower bouquet combinations, picking the best wedding flowers can feel a bit overwhelming. Don’t worry—just take it one step at a time!
    • Emerald and ruby; yellow and blush; green and ivory; and blue and gold are just a few color combinations that work well in any season.[11] If you’d like, you can also choose a color scheme based on the season when you’re holding your wedding.
    • Neutral colors, like white, blush, and cream, can add a beautiful, minimalistic touch to your bouquet.[12]
  2. Advertisement
7

Choose Flowers That Match Your Dress

  1. Pick out the perfect wedding dress first—this will really help narrow down your options. Ideally, pick a bouquet that’s smaller than your waistline, so the flowers blend in seamlessly with your dress.[14]
    • For instance, if your wedding dress has a lot of material along the back, you might pick a larger bouquet to balance it out.
    • If your wedding dress has floral patterns or designs, you might pick a subtle bouquet that doesn’t look too busy with your dress.
    • If your gown has a thin waistline, you might pick a smaller bouquet instead of a larger, bulkier one that overshadows your dress.
  2. Advertisement
11

Build Your Bouquet

  1. 1
    Assemble the flowers in layers to build your bouquet. Form a square shape with 4 flowers—this serves as the center of the bouquet. Then, layer the additional flowers in a dome shape around the 4 central flowers.[18]
  2. 2
    Secure the bouquet with rubber bands or floral tape. Tie the stems together about 3 to 4 in (7.6 to 10.2 cm) beneath the flower blossoms. Then, slide additional rubber bands or tape down the rest of the bouquet, so the flowers stay in place. For a uniform look, cut off the bottoms of the stems, so they’re all 7 to 8 in (18 to 20 cm) long. Once you’re finished, tie a ribbon around the stems.[19]
  3. Advertisement

Expert Q&A
Did you know you can get expert answers for this article? Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow

  • Question
    What flowers should not be in a wedding bouquet?
    Pilar Zuniga
    Pilar Zuniga
    Floral Designer & Owner, Gorgeous and Green
    Pilar Zuniga is a Floral Designer and the Owner of Gorgeous and Green, a floral design studio and Certified Green Business based in Oakland, California. Pilar has over ten years of experience in floral design. With a focus on being earth-friendly and supporting local growers, Gorgeous and Green has been featured in Energy Upgrade California, Molly My, Apartment Therapy, 100 Layer Cake, Design Sponge, and Trendy Bride. Her studio provides floral arrangements and gift basket, event and wedding design, and she teaches workshops on flower design and sustainability in her industry. Pilar received a BA in Anthropology from the University of California, Berkeley in 2001.
    Pilar Zuniga
    Floral Designer & Owner, Gorgeous and Green
    Expert Answer

    Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

    This can be a very philosophical question. Some people are very in tune to the different meanings of flowers.You can think about the bouquet in terms of simply color and texture, but there are historical meanings to certain flowers. I'm all for going for what appeals to you and what makes you feel good, but consider doing some research on the flowers you are considering to find out more information on their meaning and cultural significance.
  • Question
    What flowers can I use for a bridal bouquet with a lavender and black theme?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You can begin building your bouquet with lavenders. Black roses are a bit gothic and might not work well for a wedding, so look for a more cheerful alternative. You might want to go with black Calla Lilies (extremely gorgeous with a rare style) or black Dahlias (very beautiful, but the color is actually very dark brown). You can ask a florist to further dye these to a color that suits your taste.
  • Question
    Should the mother's and bride's bouquets look the same?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    They can look similar, but not the same, as the bride should be unique.
Advertisement

Warnings

  • Check with your friends, relatives, and wedding party to see if they have a pollen allergy. Some flowers, like sunflowers, have more pollen, and may trigger a reaction.[25]
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
Advertisement

About This Article

Pilar Zuniga
Co-authored by:
Floral Designer & Owner, Gorgeous and Green
This article was co-authored by Pilar Zuniga and by wikiHow staff writer, Janice Tieperman. Pilar Zuniga is a Floral Designer and the Owner of Gorgeous and Green, a floral design studio and Certified Green Business based in Oakland, California. Pilar has over ten years of experience in floral design. With a focus on being earth-friendly and supporting local growers, Gorgeous and Green has been featured in Energy Upgrade California, Molly My, Apartment Therapy, 100 Layer Cake, Design Sponge, and Trendy Bride. Her studio provides floral arrangements and gift basket, event and wedding design, and she teaches workshops on flower design and sustainability in her industry. Pilar received a BA in Anthropology from the University of California, Berkeley in 2001. This article has been viewed 266,945 times.
3 votes - 100%
Co-authors: 40
Updated: May 16, 2022
Views: 266,945
Advertisement