12 mistakes you don’t want to make when choosing a bridal bouquet

Since flowers are the main décor at most weddings, the blooms you choose for the big day play a key role in executing your vision. Your bridal bouquet and bridesmaids’ bouquets are particular floral elements that can make or break your event. Since these lush flourishes will be on display as you and your bridal party walk down the aisle and pose for photographs, they’ll need to complement the rest of your aesthetic to create a cohesive event. Unlike other wedding flowers, these hand-held floral arrangements are major fashion accessories that can make or break you and your party’s look.

Plus, bridal bouquets represent love, joy, and new beginnings, making them the perfect addition to a nuptials. “It’s an aesthetic accessory and a statement of style, and a symbolic symbol of the first moments of marriage,” says Sammy Go, founder and artistic director of Lambert Floral Studio.

Since bouquets play an important role in a wedding, it’s crucial to choose them carefully. However, too often couples fail to choose the right flowers and designs for their event, which can strain their wallets and detract from the look and feel of the ceremony. Some make mistakes when planning the design, whether it’s opting for out-of-season options or incorporating an overwhelming amount of colors. Others make mistakes on the wedding day, such as neglecting a constant water feature or carrying the accessory incorrectly.

Wondering what the most common mistakes couples make are? We asked four wedding floral designers to share the top mistakes they see time and time again when making bridal bouquets. Read on to find out what to avoid and what to do instead.

Copy another design

While you’re browsing social media for inspiration for your and your bridesmaids’ bouquets, you might stumble upon a design that you love. According to Thuy Nguyen, owner and lead designer of Le Petals Studio, many couples make the mistake of ordering an exact replica of an arrangement they found online. By copying another arrangement, especially from a complete stranger online, your bouquet won’t have any personal meaning.

While you can use elements of the coveted design to shape your own, your floral cluster should feel fresh, distinctive and representative of you. “It’s so important for couples to share their vision and preferences, but at the end of the day, they should collaborate to create a more unique bouquet for their biggest day,” says Nguyen.

Keeping your mind fixed on a particular selection

Another mistake Nguyen advises against is not choosing a certain variety of flowers, whether it’s hydrangeas or orchids. “Couples often provide a long list of must-have flowers to incorporate into their bouquet, but the bouquet should work well with the dress, the wedding color, and the theme,” Nguyen explains. In addition to clashing with your outfit and aesthetic, the flowers you like may not be available due to the season.

Having a closed mind about flowers will only lead to disappointment, however. While it’s helpful to have an idea of ​​what flowers you prefer, keeping an open mind and trusting in the creative expertise of your floral artist will make the process more efficient and enjoyable, and the end result more worthwhile.

Neglecting seasonal options

Using flowers that are primarily seasonal can put a big dent in your wallet. If you intend to purchase peonies, but your wedding is taking place in the fall, for example, you’ll have to import these multi-petaled varieties from a faraway location, which will add significant shipping costs to your total bill. Opting for seasonal options instead (in the example mentioned above, goldenrods, dahlias, and asters, for example) will cut costs. Not to mention, seasonal buds are easier to source and tend to look fresher, fuller, and more vibrant.

Ignore movement with your bouquet

A flower collection that is too structured or rigid will detract from the look and feel of your bouquets. For natural, flowing arrangements, be sure to include movement in your design. Gathering a variety of flowers and plants of different shapes and sizes will help achieve this organic, flowing composition.

How to choose a top-notch screen

If you want to make a statement with your bridal bouquet or that of your bridesmaids, be careful not to go overboard with the design. Arrangements that have large amounts of flowers or large, bulky configurations will be difficult to hold as you walk down the aisle. Plus, a maximalist arrangement will likely detract from your wedding dress or your bridal party’s attire. “I want your bouquet to feel more like an accessory to your entire look, not something it competes with,” says Erin McNeff, owner of Everbloom Floral Design.

Not all buds need to be huge and showy to make a good impression. To add a touch of drama to these portable accessories, you can always display standout blooms, such as royal proteas or garden roses, as long as you balance them with decorative flowers, such as sweet peas and gypsophila.

Overlooking the aesthetics of your wedding

When conceptualizing the design of these exuberant accessories, some couples make the mistake of choosing flowers without considering their overall aesthetic. If you fail to coordinate the bouquets with the rest of the decorative elements of the day, the result will be a busy and overwhelming look.

Each bud in your bridal and bridesmaids bouquet should be intentional and reinforce your theme. Make sure the hues in each arrangement match your color palette and include flowers that fit your function, such as anthuriums for a tropical event or anemones for a modern party.

Not coordinating with your outfit

Just as some couples overlook the influence of their wedding aesthetic in their bouquet design, others fail to consider their attire when choosing petals. McNeff recommends working with your floral artist to select flowers, colors, and dimensions that complement your outfit. “I always ask my brides for a photo of their dresses and their bridesmaids’ dresses, so I can take the entire look into account when designing,” McNeff shares.

Placing your order too late

Waiting until the last minute to organize the details of the big day is a big mistake to avoid, but some couples don’t know how far in advance they should decide on their bouquet designs. Since florists are in high demand, especially during wedding season, it’s important to book your supplier in advance. Also, if you’re importing some of your flowers from elsewhere, which takes longer to deliver, you’ll need to give yourself more time to plan. In an ideal scenario, you should finalize your bouquets six months before the wedding.

Including too many colors

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with a colorful bouquet, but if your palette includes an overwhelming number of hues, your variety won’t have the same impact. Nguyen explains that incorporating more than five colors will overwhelm your arrangement, especially if it’s small in size. “Instead, couples should limit it to two or three main colors from the wedding theme, which would make the bouquet flow well and leave an impression,” Nguyen suggests.

Forgetting to hydrate the flowers

Another mistake that is often made when making a bridal bouquet is not hydrating the flowers on the big day. Since floral arrangements are likely to include fresh buds, they will need a constant source of water to look fresh and full. Otherwise, they will wilt.

Kristen Griffith-VanderYacht, owner of Wild Bloom, notes that florists often deliver bouquets in vases filled with water for a reason. “If you plan to take photos with your bouquet before the ceremony, make sure to put the flowers back in water immediately after you’re done,” Griffith-VanderYacht recommends.

Carrying out your arrangement incorrectly

When walking down the aisle, many brides and bridesmaids hold their bouquets incorrectly. Go explains that some mistakenly hold the flowers to the side, making it difficult for guests to see and photos to take. “Bouquets are often designed not to be seen in profile, but at a graceful angle from the front,” she says. “I recommend relaxing, holding the bouquet at navel height and gently facing forward.” If in doubt, ask your florist to approve or adjust your position.

Throw the assortments in the trash

After the big day, many brides and bridesmaids throw their bouquets in the trash, but this only harms the environment. Instead of disposing of the flowers in a garbage bin, a more eco-friendly and meaningful option is to preserve the petals, either by pressing, drying, or covering them with wax. If displaying the bouquet at home doesn’t appeal to you, you can also deliver the arrangement to a local hospital or nursing home, which will brighten a stranger’s day.