The use of flowers as a wedding decoration dates back to the ancient Greeks however brides then wore head dresses of woven flowers, herbs and twine as opposed to carrying a floral bouquet. The herbs were included in order to deter evil spirits from possessing the bride and although herbs are not commonly used in bouquets today, some countries still include highly fragrant flowers which are thought to have the same effect.

The Greeks considered flowers to be a lasting gift from Mother Nature and were seen to symbolise fertility, being the seeds of the earth. Plus each type of flower had a different sentiment associated with it. Similarly, Victorian brides took longer choosing the flowers for their bouquets than they did their dress because the flowers they chose were seen as a reflection of their feelings for both their groom and married life. So for example, roses and lilac told of love and romance, orchids meant devotion and lilies showed purity and gratitude to their new husband. Today, many brides still believe in these meanings and this often affects which flowers are included in the bridle bouquet.  

The combination of flowers also needs to be thought about carefully because as mentioned above some flowers are thought to signify the sentiments and feelings of the bride. Having a bridal bouquet made with silk flowers means that brides can have their choice of flower combinations at any time during the year and a winter wedding doesn't reduce her options.

Next the overall theme of the wedding has to be considered so that the bridal bouquet doesn't clash with the colour scheme or get swamped by huge flower arrangements in the church or reception area. All of the flowers at a wedding should match however the bridal bouquet needs to stand out on its own as being special and this is why many brides have crystals, beading or large silk ribbons attached to the bouquet. Other brides vary the shape and design of the bouquet while some chose a slightly different shade of their main colour.

Today it is becoming quite popular for the bride to have two separate bridal bouquets made, one that she uses during the ceremony and holds for the photographs and a smaller less intricate one that she throws to the female guests at the reception. This means that the bride gets to keep her bridal bouquet as a memento of her special day but she doesn't disappoint her guests either.

Common choices for a Bridal Bouquet

Floral designers today have very few rules or limitations when it comes to creating a bridal bouquet and often the bride can have a bouquet made which is specific to her exact requirements.
 
In the early days of hand held bouquets, the brides often chose a posy which is a small round flower arrangement that signifies simplicity and beauty. Posies can be held in one hand and never detract attention from the bride or her dress. This type of bouquet was very popular with Victorian ladies however around the beginning of the 1900s, the designs began to become more intricate and the now common spray or shower bouquet developed.

Shower bouquets are large and often long arrangements that have a number of sections with graduating lengths. These types of bouquets are seen as the centre of the bridal attire and are tied together with intricate bows, lace and even ivy or vines. Other popular shapes include pear shaped where the bulk of the flowers are concentrated around the hands and only a few trails fall to form a point, and the trailing bouquet where ribbons, vines and long stemmed flowers fall from the bouquet and hang close to the floor.

Today, there are virtually limitless choices for a bridal bouquet however some styles remain more popular than others. Many brides opt for soft and natural curves with cascading flowers and intertwined leaves. Oriental flowers and Japanese styles are also a favourite because of the bright colours but natural looking designs. Also popular are large geometric designs that originated in the Art Deco period and because silk flowers can be made in a wider variety of colours, shapes and sizes than fresh flowers, bouquets can have ever more intricate designs.

Choosing a Silk Bridal Bouquet

There are many things to consider when choosing the perfect bridal bouquet. Possibly the most important consideration is the bride herself and the bridal dress. The bouquet should complement both the style and the colour of the bridal gown but it should also provide some colour contrast so that the arrangement stands out from the rest of the wedding flowers. The physical shape of the bride will also affect the shape and design of the bridal bouquet because short brides are made to look even shorter if they choose a long flowing bouquet while tall brides look out of place with a posy or short arrangement.