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Flowers are an important wedding accessory. In keeping with tradition, they should enhance the bride's gown, complement her beauty, and be an integral part of creating a romantic image.

Traditionally the bridal bouquet was white, but some of today's brides like to include colour in their bouquets.

With the help of a professional, todays brides can discover new ideas for bouquets and colour co-ordinated flowers for the rest of the bridal party,
for the Church, and in decorating the reception venue.

Before you begin selecting flowers and arrangements, know the colour of the dresses, and the wedding's location. Check to see if the Church or wedding venue has restrictions or regulations concerning flowers.
In choosing flowers, consideration needs to be given to the style of the wedding gown and even the fabric.

The complexion, of a rose or camellia, would complement a silk taffeta gown, or a dress of silk organiza, while a cloud of gypsophila would create a diaphanous touch of lightness to extend the effect of the gown.

Large white flowers in large bouquets complement the bridal white and the deep blue outfits of the bridesmaids in these striking and different arrangements.

Tall brides can have a wonderful waterfall of flowers whereas a petite bride would look better with a delicate old-fashioned arrangement of miniature roses to suit her size.

Another consideration to think about, is the colour of the bridal gown (the 'white'), and the skin tone, and hair colour of bride.
The bridesmaids dress and colours of the bouquet should work harmoniously.

Because the bride will be holding the bouquet for quite some time, it should be light, with flowers conditioned and well bound so they will not wilt, and retain their freshly-picked look and dewy appeal through-out the day.

This beautifully colour co-ordinated bouquet of fresh Australian flowers was chosen by a dark-haired bride who had her bridesmaids dressed in multi-coloured gowns from the same colour ranges. It was a stunning and different combination.

The beautiful arrangement (right) has been with wild flowers from Western Australia. It goes well with the soft or winter white bridal gown and would complement bridesmaids in pink, wine or plum frocks.

The size, shape and colour of the bouquet will be influenced by the type of look you want to achieve, but you should always ensure that the blooms, no matter how beautiful, are also practical.

Flowers come in many different shapes, colours and fragrances, and each bloom has a special meaning, or power.. Some common meanings for different flowers are --

Roses, being the most popular of flowers for the bridal bouquet, have their own special category. A bouquet of red and white roses signifies unity; red roses are associated with true love, while white roses signal purity and worthiness of love and being loved. The Damask Rose is for freshness, the Dog Rose says "pleasure and pain". The Provence Rose is saying "my heart is in flames".

Gypsophilia (Baby's Breath) - fertility or everlasting love
Daisy - innocence
Jonquils - I want you to return my affection or desire
Orange Blossom - purity or marriage
Violets - faithfulness
Honeysuckle - happiness or bonds of love
Peach Blossom - I am you captive
Gladioli - sincerity
Primrose - I can't live without you.

Pink roses - happy love
Rose (musk cluster) - charming
Yellow Iris - passion
Iris - friendship
Lily of the Valley - sweetness
Arum Lily - ardor
Purple Lilac - first love
Scarlet Zinnia - constancy
Amaranth - undying love

When selecting flowers, remember, buttons holes for the men, corsages for the mothers, church flowers, floral headpiece, bridesmaids bouquets, reception centrepieces, pew decorations, and perhaps a smaller bridal bouquet for tossing.

If you need to watch your costs, flowers from the Church can be taken to the Reception, if you have someone responsible to carry out that task for you.

The work of a great florist can add a special, personal touch to the most simplest wedding. Fresh flowers, silk blossoms, bouquets and boutonnieres, candelabra and balloons all contribute a vivid touch of elegance and joy to your special day.

Allergic to flowers? Want to carry something different?

Beautiful "bouquets" can be made from crystals and gems in colours to complement your bridal theme.
The groom can have matching buttonhole from the same items.
Perhaps someone could make you something special in jade, black and white pearls, amethyst, hematite, pink quartz or Swarovski crystal.

What a wonderful heirloom to treasure.

The bridal bouquet, whatever you choose, is something that groom and guests will always notice and comment on.

Be comfortable with your choice, knowing it suits your personality, outfit and theme.

Another alternative to carrying flowers, fresh or silk/artificial, is to carry a beautiful fan.
Perhaps a family Bible could be carried.
Tulle can also be used to make a clever "bouquet" with ribbons trailing down..