bummed about bouquets? try these!
Good day, my darling lions!
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You know floral design is something near and dear to my design-y, ambiance-y heart. I see so many brides choosing the same-old, same-old when it comes to bouquets. You know what I’m talking about…hand tied with ribbon, spherical mixed mounds of flowers. I’ve made so many of these, I could probably whip one up in my sleep.
Alright, lions, time to toss those mass-produced bouquets. You’re unique, you’re quirky…why can’t the flowers you carry down the aisle reflect this? Here are some different shapes and variations on the traditional that you can try!
Love that round shape but want something different?
Okay, let’s start with something akin to the in vogue design. A biedermeier bouquet is comprised of concentric circles of individual colors and flowers…kind of like a floral bulls-eye! These bouquets are very formal in feel and design and work really well with a very traditional looking gown.
Scale down that round bouquet and you have a nosegay. Nosegays are teeny little bouquets (very Victorian in feel and look) comprised of smaller flowers, greenery, and sometimes mounted in a tussy-mussy (a little metallic holder…very cute and very vintage!).
Are you wearing your grandmother’s dress from the 1940’s or 50’s? A ballerina bouquet is a sweet tip of the hat to your nana. Instead of lots of flowers, this uses tulle, fabric, ribbon, and greenery to create the illusion of a bouquet with only a few flowers woven in.
Now, take your typical round bouquet and tug on it. A teardrop bouquet is based on the same shape, but with some length towards the bottom. This style can draw attention to an intricately beaded and embellished bodice.
Take that length a step father to the super-romantic, dramatic cascade bouquet. Short brides, beware…cascades might make you look short. However, for those of us comfortable in our short stature, these bouquets are romance all wrapped up in one neat package! Princess Diana rocked one of these when she got married, so if you’re looking for a royal wedding, choose one of these.
Next is my personal favorite as far as the round bouquet family goes. A composite bouquet is a large flower that is assembled by gluing or wiring petals together to make a larger flower. In one of my earlier posts, I referenced a duchess rose I created out of eighteen individual roses. You can also make a glamelia (a camellia made out of gladiolus florets) or a galax rose (made out of galax leaves wired together).
Not a roundy-moundy girl?
Consider taking a page from yours truly and having a presentation bouquet draped across your arm. You can channel your inner Miss America with this bouquet. I carried a bouquet of bells of Ireland, jade roses, Tropicana roses, mango calla lilies, super green carnations, lily grass, and one very sneaky red carnation that draped across my arm. I loved it because I had a very heavily beaded bodice and chiffon overskirt that split at an Empire waistline, and I didn’t want to disguise that. Besides, I’m the floral + ambiance lioness!
Pomander bouquets aren’t just for flower girls anymore. These little orbs of flowers leave your hands free to hug friends and family, but when hung on a shepherd’s crook, double as reception décor. Double duty means less cost, dear lions!
Going with the same idea of keeping your hands free, a wrist bouquet would look amazing. No, this isn’t your traditional ribbon and lace corsage. Instead, think of a few flowers woven with my favorite tool, deco wire, cascading off your wrist with a shower of crystals and petals. It’s fun, funky, and far from traditional.
I hope I’ve given you some ideas of different ways to accessorize with flowers for your weddings. So I challenge you again dear lions, as I always do, push that envelope! Don’t settle for the same old, same old; expand your floral boundaries! I’ll be right here to help you along the way.
Unbridled love,
Amanda
floral + ambiance lioness
want to pick my brain? e-mail me at amanda@dandylionevents.com