Bouquet Boo-Boos

Help me out here: why does the most important bundle of flowers in the whole wedding get the least attention? I have scratched my head over this many times and have yet to come up with an answer. I'm hoping that a little advice to future brides will begin to remedy this terrible oversight.

So, here are the 4 Biggest Bouquet Boo-Boos:

Bashful Bouquets

You can have the most beautiful, most expensive, most rare, perfect flowers in your bridal bouquet...but they won't be seen in pictures if they blend in with your gown. There is a trend/belief that all white bouquets are elegant, pure and lovely. That they are, but the issue of noticeability still persists. When you walk down the aisle, don't let green stems be the only part of the bouquet that your guests see. A little contrast can go a long way!

Bold Bouquets

Then there's the other side of the spectrum: loud flowers. There is something to be said for pops of color. Unless pops of color are everywhere. And then that would defeat the idea of POPS of color. Sometimes these bouquets are the product of indecisiveness, but sometimes they are simply an overuse of every part of the rainbow. If you eliminate even 1-2 of the colors in your bouquet, you'll see how perfectly colorful it is (without incorporating the whole garden).

Big Bouquets

Being able to physically lift and carry your bouquet. Yea, that's kind of important. If you want a full arrangement, go for it. Add peonies or lillies, fill with roses or hydrangea, but keep the crazy branches, fake butterflies, and pine cones to a minimum. Nothing screams "Bridezilla" like a bouquet that weighs as much as your Bichon and spans from your waistline to your knees.

Beaded Bouquets

Let me just say that I remember the Bedazzler and bedazzling every piece of clothing I owned. And even in 1985, no one approved of it being used in a floral bouquet. A little sparkle can look pretty, but it's a bit over doing it to add beading to every flower and every petal. Don't get me started on crystalizing the full stem. 

Stop yourself if you feel the need to whip out that old rhinestone setter and crystalize your bouquet. This is tacky. It's tacky now. It'll be tacky on your wedding day. And in 10 years, when you open that coveted wedding album to reminisce, it'll still be tacky.

The good news...

You don't have to be a victim of bouquet badness! Here's how to choose a Brilliant Bouquet:

1) Give it the attention it deserves from the first floral meeting. Don't decide on your bouquet flowers a month before your wedding as you're making all your final decisions on transportation and escort cards.

2) Keep your dress in mind. Do not decide on your bouquet before you have chosen your gown.

3) Be open to options. The colors and/or flowers that you think are least likely a fit, may be the perfect contrast.

4) Know yourself. It's okay to give your bouquet personality and to let yours shine through! (Just keep the above no-no's in mind).

5) Don't forget about your stems. They might be just green sticks to you, but there are lots of ways to wrap, unwrap and tie them.

Centerpieces: Size Matters

Tall, wide, short, long, round, square, skinny, full, curvy...bet you didn't know floral arrangements came in so many sizes.

It can be easier to begin with choosing the size of your centerpieces than the colors - especially if you already have your venue chosen. Size matters when it comes to centerpieces and bigger isn't always better.

Top 3 Questions On Centerpiece Sizing

How can I have big arrangements without blocking my guests from socializing across the table?

Skinny vases and/or flower stems. You can have big bright flowers and loads of them at the top of a tall vase. Still, keep the inside of the vase as clean as possible. Too much going on in a semi-thin glass can give the appearance of a thicker vase...and could create a barrier between your cousin Robert getting to know your former college roommate Kelly. Now wouldn't that be a shame?

Should I do all big arrangements?

We don't think so, but that's a personal preference. 18 tables of tall vases and lots of flowers can overwhelm a room and achieve the opposite look you were intending. And you might have bobbing heads all around the room trying to see speeches and introductions because branches and lilies are everywhere. Do 9 tables of tall arrangements and 9 tables of low, full arrangements. Remember, keep the low ones below eye level or we're back to the same issue discussed above.

How can I achieve the full look on the table and at the top of the vase? Or can I?

Low, full arrangements at the base of the vase. Still keep the fullest part of the arrangement above eye level, but adding in low flowers on the table will give the centerpiece a wider, fuller appearance without obstructing views. And poking people in the eye.

Two Final Pieces of Advice:

1. There IS a such thing as over doing it when it comes to flowers. Try to visualize your options in the venue before going crazy with centerpieces or even have your planner or designer do a sketch of what it will look like. Most florists will do a mock centerpiece complimentary, so ask about getting one for your tasting. This will make visualizing much easier. Less can be more, and often is with arrangements. 
2. If you're planning to incorporate branches, hanging mini lanterns, top heavy vases, large pieces of fruit, candelabras, etc., it's best to consult a floral expert or a wedding planner before implementing your selections. Tipping vases, bouncing limes and fire hazards can make for a heck of a show, but not the kind you want at your reception.