When choosing the design of your bridal bouquet, give careful consideration to your personal style, body shape, along with the lines of your dress. Discuss these details with your florist during consultation. Offer photos and magazine pages that you have collected illustrating design styles and color harmonies that you especially like.

Think about your body shape  

To achieve proper proportion, your height should be the first consideration. Give your height measurement to the florist as you discuss the length of your bouquet. Then consider your overall body shape. This should influence the shape, length and width of your bouquet. For example, a petite bride might opt for a smaller bouquet that doesn’t overwhelm or hide her dress. On the other hand, taller brides can look very graceful holding a longer trailing bouquet. The newest on-trend bouquets are vertical – called floral cuffs.  They can be an excellent choice for accenting this body type. A long, cascading design will flatter a full figure and lengthen the look by drawing the eye down instead of across the body. 

Consider your complexion and hair color

Your choice of color harmony should also take into consideration the hue of your complexion, hair color and make up. Brides with dark complexion and hair often opt for a stronger floral color palette while a bride with fair complexion and light hair color can look fragile surrounded by color that is too intense. Take this into consideration when choosing the tone of your dress as well. Crisp whites are often very attractive on brides with a darker complexion and hair, while softer ivory tones may highlight a bride with more delicate coloring. Adjusting your choice of make-up and accessories to fit your personal coloring and attire is also important. If you are unsure of your best colors, seek the advice of a professional makeup artist. 

Study the style of your dress

It is important to keep the cut and detail of a dress in mind when designing your bouquet so that the two compliment each other.  A traditional dress with a full skirt often needs a larger, more detailed bouquet for balance. A contemporary over the arm sheath or cuff bouquet cascading vertically would suit an elegant dress with a slim silhouette. A traditional cascade can accent the bodice of an empire waist, while a simple, casual dress is best accessorized with a small, informal bouquet. The traditional dress of a specific culture, of course, requires a bouquet that fits the same theme.

Equally important is the ornamentation of the dress. If your dress has many intricate details you will want to highlight those by using complementary detail in your flowers. However, if your dress is beautifully adorned, be careful not to overwhelm the dress with finishing details that are too busy, overly textural flowers, or a size that is too large and hides the dress. Your florist can help you select the most appropriate flowers to personalize your style, accessorize your dress and complement your figure.

Discuss flower options with your florist

Provide the same basic information to your florist concerning your bridesmaids and their gowns. Offer estimations of height and body profiles, complexion and hair colors, and any special considerations for each girl. Provide your designer with a picture of the dress and color swatch.

Discuss the seasonal flower choices available for your bouquet. Agree on appropriate substitutions should your first choices be unavailable. Realize that flowers are a perishable product and their availability can vary due to conditions that florists cannot control such as weather, transport, and quality issues. Decide with your florist on selections that reflect your choice of style, color, and textural preference.  Place your confidence in their professional ability to make appropriate substitutions if necessary to provide you with a fresh, beautiful, well designed bouquet. Agree on a price point for your bouquet and other wedding flowers. Once you have placed an order for your flowers and paid a deposit, request a copy of the written description of your choices and prices.

Assist your florist in designing your bouquet by taking to the consultation

• Picture or sketches and fabric swatches of your dresses
• Pictures of the bouquet styles that you prefer
• Samples of color harmonies that you like 
• Pictures of flowers that appeal to you
• Picture of your wedding day hairstyle if planning to wear flowers in your hair