A comprehensive list and description of bridal and bridesmaid bouquet shapes and styles

Once you’ve set the date, selected a location, chosen the formality, and selected the perfect bridal gown and bridesmaid gowns that will set the mood and main color scheme for your wedding, you’ll begin thinking about your wedding flowers. Since a walk down the aisle would not be complete without flowers (and a beautiful bouquet always complements the radiant glow of an ecstatic bride), your bridal bouquet is probably the first floral arrangement you will begin formulating in your mind.

Generally, the wedding style and formality you choose will influence, if not determine, the style of bouquet that you select. For example, if you are planning an ultra formal wedding, it’s likely that your wedding gown will have a royal or cathedral length train and you’ll wear a long veil. Your bouquets and other floral arrangements should also reflect this formal style. In contrast, for an informal wedding where you’ll be wearing a suit or a simple dress with a sweep train or perhaps no train at all), you’ll likely select a smaller bouquet, nosegay, or single-bloom style. A good rule of thumb is that your train length and wedding formality should determine the formality of your bouquet. Bouquets vary in size from small to large, but they should always be proportional in size to the person carrying it.

There are many shapes and styles of bouquets from which to choose. Here are a few of the most popular styles:

* Round
Simple, elegant, traditional bouquet that is suitable for both formal and informal weddings. Sometimes called a “colonial bouquet,” this type of bouquet does not have to be perfectly round in shape and can be designed as a tight cluster for a denser look or loosely arranged for an “airy” feel. The flowers chosen for a round bouquet can influence the bouquet’s formality. For example, roses project a more formal look while daisies project a more informal and casual look.
* Nosegay
A small, round-shaped, cluster of flowers often not as dense as a traditional round bouquets. Nosegays often include more greenery, ribbon streamers, and are mounted in a tussy mussy (a small, Victorian style, metal or glass, cone-shaped holder).
* Biedermeier
A European-influenced bouquet with blossoms of different type and/or different color placed in a defined circular pattern. A bouquet similar to the nosegay and named for a German style of interior design.
* Hand Tied
Generally round in shape, hand tied styles are also referred to as clutch bouquets. This type of bouquet consists of a simple gathering of flowers, which is bound and tied with ribbon with stems left exposed.
* Cascade
Sometimes called a teardrop, fountain, or waterfall bouquet, this sophisticated and elongated style features fullness and an abundance of blossoms at the top of the bouquet then tapers downwards with flowing foliage, floral streamers, or ribbons at the bottom. This bouquet can be designed very dense with flowers and foliage or can be more loosely arranged for an “airy” or “wispy” look.
* Crescent
A dramatic bouquet of arching flowers and foliage that extend from the center of the bouquet and can be designed to project a traditional or contemporary look. Flowers can arch from either left to right or right to left depending on preference. There are two types of crescent bouquets, symmetrical and asymmetrical. A symmetrical crescent features a balanced look with arched blossoms and foliage of the same length on both sides. An asymmetrical crescent features arched blossoms and foliage of different lengths so that one side of the bouquet is longer than the other.
* Heart
A romantic, alternative shape bouquet featuring two, full, arched shapes at the top while tapering down to a point at the bottom of the bouquet. Typically the traditional shape, often seen at Valentine’s Day, symbolizing love and romance.
* Arm
Also known as a presentation or pageant bouquet, arm bouquets feature a gathering of long-stemmed flowers that rest naturally across the inner bend of the elbow. A ribbon or bow is generally used to keep the bouquet together. Popular floral choices for arm bouquets are calla lilies, gladiolus, orchids, long-stemmed roses, delphiniums, and larkspur.
* Freeform / Contemporary
As the name implies, this style bouquet often has flowers or greenery coming out at various angles with no specific, recognizable shape. Freeform and contemporary bouquets are most often designed with tropical flowers and foliage that have unique shapes.
* Oval
This bouquet is a combination of both a cascade and a round. It is elongated in shape, but features rounded shapes on both the top and bottom. Generally the bottom is narrower than the top, but the overall shape resembles an oval.
* Single Stem
While not technically a bouquet, single stem arrangements have gained in popularity over recent years, as simplicity has become the trend. Single stem designs generally feature a unique design element, such as an intricately wrapped stem (for a long-stemmed flower), elaborate bow, streamers, or a decorative lace bloom collar (for a shorter stemmed flower) to give the design more interest and appeal.
* Composite
A bouquet where the focal area is a large flower that has been created by assembling together detached petals from numerous flowers. Examples of composite flowers are glamellia, duchess rose, and galax rose.
* Fan
A small bouquet or cluster of flowers attached to an elaborate fan. This style of bouquet is reminiscent of the Victorian Era, and is popular for old-fashioned or vintage style, Southern USA style, and Asian-inspired weddings.
* Pomander
A flower or foliage covered ball or cone suspended from a loop of ribbon. Adult attendants can carry pomanders, but young attendants such as flower girls and junior bridesmaids most often carry them.
* Ballerina
A round bouquet composed of masses of tulle or net and few flowers. This type of bouquet was popular in the early 1940s when flowers were scarce due to World War II. For modern brides, a ballerina bouquet offers a cost-effective, yet beautiful solution for a tight floral budget.
* Basket
Flowers arranged and carried in a shallow basket and often used in a garden or garden-like wedding setting. Most often carried by young attendants (flower girls and junior bridesmaids).
* Wreath or Hoop
Made popular by the wedding of Britain’s Duke and Duchess of York (Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson), this “bouquet” is a large ring decorated or intertwined with foliage and flowers. Generally thought of as a symbol of eternity with no beginning or end.
* Book
A small prayer book or bible used as the platform upon which a small bouquet is placed. The design may be composed of a small cluster of flowers or may be featured as a small cascade. Generally flowers are attached with ribbon or a small armature to prevent damage to the book.
* Wrist
Technically more of a corsage than a bouquet, this style is comprised of a small floral arrangement worn on the wrist. Flowers and foliage are mounted on a small base that is attached to a strong elastic bracelet that fits around the wrist. Worn by brides and bridesmaids who want something near their hands for the look of a bouquet, but want the freedom of having both hands free from carrying anything.

Planning a wedding yourself can be very challenging, but there are plenty of advantages that will come along with it. There’s nothing else that will make your wedding so you than working on details yourself. You can make your wedding more personalized by doing it yourself, and by considering the following ways below:

Through your wedding invitations…

You can personalize your wedding through wedding invitations that could be handmade or feature a several details about you and your husband-to-be. Don’t limit yourself to monograms alone, because there so many personalized ideas you can use to create a more personal invitation. You may consider folded origami-style invites that would look like a crane once folded. Or you can use calligraphy for a small monogramming. There are even wedding invitations that feature a brief story of how the bride met his groom, while there are others that go beyond that story. Just think of possible ideas you can include to your invitations in advance.

Through your wedding songs…

Another common way to personalize your wedding is through your wedding songs. Compile some of your favorite songs that will be played on the day of your wedding. You can have some songs played during the wedding entourage or in some parts of the wedding ceremony, while the rest are to be played at the wedding reception. Pick songs that you both like and have inspired you throughout your relationship.

Through your wedding decorations…

Use your photos to create personalized touches on your wedding centerpieces. For example, you can use photo glass vases to hold flowers on each table. These photo glass vases are available in many online stores at relatively cheap prices. Or, you can include monograms to your place card holders and centerpieces if it is possible.

Through your wedding favors…

There are so many personalized wedding favors available today. These favors could be edible or non-edible, which can be personalized with your names or monograms, and wedding date. If you wish to make your own wedding favors at home, that would also be fine and a personalize idea as well. Personalized wedding favors could also be cheap monogrammed candles or soaps. If you want something elegant and classy, you can find engraved pewter favors. Almost everything can be personalized, it is all up to you to choose which is the best and personalize it with the right specifications.

Personalizing your wedding doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot. If you can make some of your wedding supplies, feel free to do so. Personalized favors, and centerpieces could also be something inexpensive. You can find lots of cheap novelty items at your local thrift stores or online stores that can be personalized. You can find also personalized wedding favors on many e-stores that come with free engraving. You can really save a lot on these choices of wedding supplies, plus you’ll get a chance to create additional an touch that reflects you and and your spouse-to-be.

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Planning your wedding reception doesn’t have to be a headache. Yes, there are many details to deal with, but with a little preparation and this quick ideas guide, you’ll have everything under control.

Selecting the location of your reception is the first thing you need to do. If you’re going to have it at your ceremony site, this makes planning your reception a lot easier. If you want to have it at a different location, however, you need to decide where and soon.

Some popular choices are local hotels, restaurants, private homes, clubs, and museums. Whichever you select, keep in mind that the location tends to set the tone for your reception.

After you’ve decided on your reception location, you need to find out about fees, and make sure they fit your budget. You also want to be certain the space is large enough to accommodate your reception needs. Many locations will cover everything from food to parking for a flat fee. Other locations will only rent you the space or provide partial services. These ideas will require you to work with multiple vendors in order to have everything you need. And they will have their own fees and charges. Make sure you know everything each company will supply down to the last fork and how much they charge.

Now, you’ll need to decide whether to you want to have hors d’ oeuvres or a complete meal at your wedding reception. Keep in mind any budget constraints when making this decision. Also, before you start making calls, know how many people you’ll be providing food for. Then you’ll want to begin looking for caterers if your location doesn’t offer food service.

You can find catering services in your local Yellow Pages, online, and through recommendations from your friends and family. Interview them first, and after you select one, be sure you know if they provide dinnerware, glasses and flatware in their costs and what those costs are. If your caterer doesn’t provide these, they will be able to offer suggestions on suppliers.

Finally, here are a few other ideas you’ll want to plan for to ensure your wedding reception is stress-free and enjoyable for everyone, especially the bride, you!

* Tips and gratuities
* Gift attendant
* Parking
* Valets
* Music and equipment
* Wait staff
* Bartending services if alcohol is to be served
* Shuttle or cab service after if alcohol is served
* Rose petals and rice

Who does not wants to look good with stylish clothes and attractive accessories? And when it is the bride; then, everything needs to be perfect. First and foremost thing that matters in making a bride look stunning is the bridal sarees she needs to wear. By this, it means that such kind of sarees have to be extremely exclusive and have different designs. The need to look different has enabled the designers to make sarees as per the ongoing trends. Not just this; some of the fashion designers are also making fusioned bridal sarees .

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Check out these latest bridal mehendi designs for Indian weddings at IndianWeddingSite.com. You can browse through the mehendi pictures and find the perfect bridal mehndi design for your wedding.

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