Wedding flowers attiring the wedding hall dates back to the ancient ages. The fragile softness of a flower is aptly compared with delicate beauty of a woman, which might be the basic reason for including flowers in a union of
two hearts before God. 
In ancient Rome, brides carried bunched of herbs and flowers under their veils, symbolizing fertility and fidelity as well as to ward off evil spirits.  Greek weddings were adorned with Ivy, the symbol of everlasting and unbreakable love and orange blossoms was the favorite of the ancient Saracens, representing happiness and fulfillment because the orange tree blooms and bears fruit simultaneously.
Wedding flowers are not only beautiful in aesthetic value, but are as considered as the right tool to convey emotions and appreciation. A part of the important occasions in your life, they enhance your wedding, reception or party, adding charm and aroma to wonderful ceremony.  If you are a bride-to-be looking for some tips and advise on selecting bridal bouquets, read on!

The right wedding flowers

Traditionally, the bridal bouquet consists of white or cream flowers like stephanotis, sweet peaks, lilies of the valley, orchids, roses, carnations or gardenias. The classic and timeless white bridal bouquet consisting of lily of the valley and orchids is still a popular choice for brides who want an all-traditional wedding.
If you are budget conscious, choose flowers that are in season and readily available.  Fresh cut flowers are not mandatory and you can find a lot of places in your city where you can rent elegant potted plants, flowers or trees.
Fragrance is also a crucial criterion; scented bouquets are becoming a rage. Some of these fragrant flowers include peonies, gardenias, stephanotis and tuberoses. Certain flowers have special meanings and you might wish to include them in your bouquet, as a tender message to your loved one. Check the link given at the end to choose your flowers.

The right florist for your wedding flowers

For busy brides, a good florist is an asset, a godsend who will contribute towards the smooth proceedings of your wedding flower arrangements.  The florist will be able to assist you in selecting the appropriate flowers to complement your color scheme and style of wedding.
After finalizing the degree of formality of your wedding and have selected yours and your attendants’ attire, you need to find a creative and capable florist. Pick up your local directory and visit several florists to view samples of their work, and discuss services and prices according to your budget.  Once you’ve selected your florist, discuss the details at length, describing the style of your dress, your attendants’ attire and the theme of the ceremony. 

Wedding flowers color

The perfect bouquet is designed to complement the bride and her gown. Traditionally the bride's bouquet composed of white flowers to symbolize purity and innocence. The white bouquet is still a favorite; though many prefer colors that complement both the dress patterns the general color scheme of the wedding.
As a rule, always carry a sample of fabric from the bride's dress to the florist for matching colors. Your florist should posses a photograph of your wedding gown, as well as a fabric swatch of the attendants’ dresses.  Even if the bride has a white wedding dress, this will come handy as whites can vary in their shade and intensity or when picking bouquets for bridesmaids.

Wedding flower shapes

An elegantly shaped bouquet can compliment even the simplest wedding dress. Most florists have a selection of photographs of classic bouquet shapes. Visualizing your wedding gown with the bouquet shape and your wedding color scheme will help you in making a good decision. You can also ask the florist to advice on the bouquet shapes and the flowers’ seasonal availability.
"Trailing waterfall" shape and the round "posy" of tightly arranged flowers are the most popular designs. The "trailing waterfall" shape draws the eye from top to bottom and can therefore make the bride appear slim and tall. However, it can eclipse a petite bride if it’s too big.
The cascading shape of bouquet best complements a full-length skirt, though with a shorter skirt length, it can result in an unbalanced look. As a general rule large bouquets suit long, formal dresses while small bouquets or a single bloom compliment a knee-length dress.

Bouquet arrangements for wedding flowers

There are various ways of arranging wedding flowers in bouquets, from a single stem to a freeform bouquet. One bouquet style rising in popularity is the posy style or the hand tied bouquet. Made from a fresh bunch of flowers, this bouquet will give a "just picked" look of freshness and draws attention to the middle of the body. It may not be suitable for brides with thick hips and also for very tall brides.
The bouquet is usually held just below waist level. If this is likely to hide a design of the wedding dress, which you particularly wish to be seen, choose a bouquet that lies across the arm. The bouquet ribbons are tied at the ends into knots to symbolize unity.

Headdress of wedding flowers

A well-chosen headdress can create a spectacular effect. Browse through some magazines or ask your florist some good advice on matching the headdress to the dress and the bouquet.
Don’t forget to ask about the freshness of your flowers. Flowers by their nature are delicate and are apt to wilt faster on a hot day. to avoid wimpy headdresses, choose a headdress of flowers made of silk or some other flowing fabric, as these look good all day and can be kept as a memento of the day. 

Written by Radhika Meganathan