The Bridesmaids,
this includes the Maid of Honor (or Matron). They are the Bride’s “Ladies in Waiting”. There to help with the many details and errands that surround the Wedding Event. In many ancient societies Bridesmaids were richly dressed to play decoy for the Bride from any evil spirits. The theory was the evil spirits would go after the Bridesmaids and forget about the Bride who would then wed and live happily. The Maid of Honor, as her title suggest, is the Brideʼs witness. As is the Groomʼs Best Man. Both positions single out the individual to tell all that this person is special to the Bride or Groom. It is for this reason that the Maid of Honorʼs Bouquet should be slightly different from the Bridesmaids. It can be an echo of the Brideʼs with more color or it could be as simple as different ribbons. The addition of jeweled pins or broaches, as in the Bride's bouquet, will also set her bouquet apart. You can add a Locket with Your own personal message in beautifully crafted charms for Maid of Honor and Bridesmaids. A special keepsake for them to cherish as a remembrance of the Day. |
Two Bouquets-both Teardrop, Maid of Honor with white roses is slightly larger, Bridesmaid minus white rose has more pink.
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Color is the basis when choosing Your Bridesmaid’s bouquet flowers. Don’t think about how the single flower color will match the dress but how it will blend with other flowers of similar color or shade to create a whole picture. This can be the area Your Florist's experience will help you to negotiate the many names of flowers and their colors.
Think of a color wheel, for example-Red, You find a range from reds to pinks together to create light and dark shades of Red. The same can be true with flowers, with so many shades together, any of these three bouquets (below) would compliment the one shade of Red or Pink dress You have chosen. The bouquet will pop with color against the Bridesmaid dress rather than blend in and make spectacular Wedding pictures
Think of a color wheel, for example-Red, You find a range from reds to pinks together to create light and dark shades of Red. The same can be true with flowers, with so many shades together, any of these three bouquets (below) would compliment the one shade of Red or Pink dress You have chosen. The bouquet will pop with color against the Bridesmaid dress rather than blend in and make spectacular Wedding pictures
Blues can be a hard color to match as there are very few natural blue flowers compared to variety of the other colors. There are now out in the floral world a larger choice in stem dyed blue flowers because of the demand for this popular color.
Yellow and Orange are good color choices to bring a bright splash of color to a dark blue or purple theme. Think of adding one or both of these colors in to Your blue or purple theme, this will help stop the light sucking ability of these dark colors in pictures.
Now, not saying You can not have the same color in flowers that matches the Bridesmaids dresses, but Your Wedding pictures and video will be brighter and more colorful if You accent the dress rather than try to match it. Think of adding a darker shade of the color to the mix of a light color dress, like a pale pink or lavender. Or go the other way, by adding a lighter shade of the color to a dark colored dress, like deep purple or green.
Black is a classic color, always considered an easy color easy to work with. But like blue and purple can suck up the light in pictures. Red flowers are the most popular color of choice for most Brides next to white. Blue and purple jewel tones of the peacock colors theme, mixed bouquets of bright reds, yellows and orange are all good choices. Time of day, lighting inside ceremony site, the distance between You and the camera can effect pictures. This is the area where a good photographer can make the difference in Your pictures.
It is also, at this point where the Bride should be also looking at the Bouquets with a eye toward reuse at the Reception. This is a wonderful way to help keep costs down. The most popular places are the Head Table and the Cake Table. Other places include Parent or Family tables, Guest Book Table.
It is important that your Bridesmaids know in advance where they are to place the Bouquets when they reach the Reception. Or have your Wedding Coordinator place them in the designated spot. The Bouquets can be moved from the Head Table to the Cake Table during the Cake cutting Ceremony and pictures.
You can also have a Head Table Centerpiece designed to hold the Bridal Bouquet alone or with the Maid of Honor’s.
It is important that your Bridesmaids know in advance where they are to place the Bouquets when they reach the Reception. Or have your Wedding Coordinator place them in the designated spot. The Bouquets can be moved from the Head Table to the Cake Table during the Cake cutting Ceremony and pictures.
You can also have a Head Table Centerpiece designed to hold the Bridal Bouquet alone or with the Maid of Honor’s.
No longer used just for the Flower Girls, Basket Arrangements used for Bridesmaids Bouquets can add a charming Old World touch. There are two popular varieties. The Princess and Fireside Baskets.
The Princess Basket is usually a deep basket 4”-5” high with a opening of 3”-4”, with/without a rim of 2”-3”. Mostly in white, a natural tone is very popular for the Garden Style Theme. Many new baskets have wire or wired objects incorporated in to the handles or weave. Any basket or container you find that adds to your Theme is acceptable.
The Arm-held or Fireside Basket can be white or natural. With a 6” - 12” diameter from end to end. Both basket styles can be made up in the same floral designs depending on the size of the basket. This style of Bouquet for Bridesmaids is very reusable as centerpieces for Guest Tables at Reception. Be sure not to use a basket or floral arrangement which may over power the Guest table.
Another alternative for Bridesmaids is the Floral Purse. This fun and imaginative design can be made from many materials such as moss, flower heads and petals, bark to name a few. It can be a real purse or purse size container, decorated with petals, leaves and flowers. Talk with a Floral Designer for more details about this great new idea.
A sweet item which has been getting attention is the Wreath or Hoop used for Bridesmaids Bouquets. The wreathes are 6” - 12” in diameter with not more than 2” in width. You can leave the wreath natural or spray it in Wedding colors. They can be made from natural materials, Styrofoam, wire, or PVC. Decorated with silk or fresh flowers, ribbons, tulle. They lend themselves well to the Outdoor/Garden style Theme but, can give Formal Wedding a casual flair. The idea can be used throughout the Wedding and be a Theme of its own. The use of a candle or oil lamp completes them as centerpieces at the Reception. Junior Bridesmaids normally have the same style Bouquet as the Bridesmaids, but can be smaller in size like a Nosegay. It is at this spot you can change the Bouquet style to a small wreath or basket but keep in the chosen Wedding flowers and colors. |
Fan Style Bouquets are a borrowed Asian style but are also a lovely, Southern tradition. Their old world charm works beautifully with most Wedding Themes. You can use a performed holder of white or ivory lace, or you could use a collapsible fan of your choice. The performed fan remains open and flowers are inserted to caged floral foam, this is a bonus as the flowers have a source of water.
The collapsible fan is more flexible in design as it can be open, half-open or slightly closed. The flowers and fan must be hand wired together like a large corsage. This method is more costly but is much more versatile. Be sure to decide which end of the fan you want to face up. This can change the look for both types of Bouquets. Either way, both can be displayed on Head Table or Family tables in arrangements to hold them at the Reception.
You can also have the Fan made of Fresh flowers. Roses are the most popular but other flowers like orchids are widely used. Peacock feathers and feathers of all kinds are used for making fans. Antique fans or new modern fans either can be a be good choice for Your Theme.
The collapsible fan is more flexible in design as it can be open, half-open or slightly closed. The flowers and fan must be hand wired together like a large corsage. This method is more costly but is much more versatile. Be sure to decide which end of the fan you want to face up. This can change the look for both types of Bouquets. Either way, both can be displayed on Head Table or Family tables in arrangements to hold them at the Reception.
You can also have the Fan made of Fresh flowers. Roses are the most popular but other flowers like orchids are widely used. Peacock feathers and feathers of all kinds are used for making fans. Antique fans or new modern fans either can be a be good choice for Your Theme.
Books or Bibles decorated and used in Weddings is an old tradition, usually reserved for the Bride, that is seeing new ideas in the present. This book can be a family heirloom, a favorite book of poems, a family or personal souvenir from another event, or a friendship book for Bridesmaids to keep. Usually held closed, it’s size is about 4”-6” in length and 3”-4” in width. Larger books can present a problem in handling and designing, the Open Book/Bible presents a similar problem in that they require the Bride or Bridesmaid to use both hands to carry the Book. Keep size and weight in mind when choosing the Bible or Book for this style of Bouquets. |
Another Old Tradition for Bridesmaids is the Pomander Ball or Kissing Ball. Used for Flower Girls this has now become a Wedding staple for the older Girls. The shape creates a modern feel for the Wedding. And brings in large spots of color for pictures.
Beaded Bouquets come to popularity thorough many countries and cultures. In Latin cultures, two bouquets are bought for the Bride; one for her to keep, the beaded Bouquet, and one to present to the Virgin Mary in fresh flowers. Beaded Bouquets come in a variety of sizes and shapes. They are hand wired in to elaborate cascades and simple nosegays. Usually in all white they can be found with the addition of bold colors or in pastels. Made of wired pearls, crystals, hand wired fabric flowers, a gum-paste like resin flowers, silk flowers or a new innovation of handmade leather flowers. Can also be hand made as a DIY project.
Along with a Boutonnière for the Groom, the Bride can have a Double Rosary or Lazo made to match her Bouquet. It is also, for the Bride to decide if she wants only herself with a beaded bouquet or the entire Wedding party. The insertion of fresh flowers into these stylized Bouquets and for Brooch Bouquets, evolves the hand wiring of the fresh flowers and a reworking of the bouquet. Some parts may need to be removed to accommodate the new flowers. These extra pieces can be reused in the Maid of Honor Bouquet, Groom’s Boutonnière, Motherʼs Corsages, or the Head Table Centerpiece for Brideʼs Bouquet. Remember to not crowd the Bouquet when adding additional items such as, flowers, ribbons or tulle. This may lead to loss of the original bouquet design. These Bouquets can give any Wedding a Formal a Traditional feel. The reuse of these Bouquets at the Reception is the same as fresh flower bouquets.
Recent Fashion Designers have been using an enlarged Wristlet, an Arm Corsage or Arm Cuff, to accent their models showing the gowns. It has also found it’s way in Prom Corsage work. This style of adornment attaches at both the wrist and up on the forearm by the elbow. Usually worn over an elbow length glove. This exceptional design, and the Wristlet design, allows the wearer freedom of movement in both hands while adding flowers and color to the Bride or Bridesmaid attire. These can be embellished with rhinestones, brooches, pearls or anything within Your Theme. Can also be scaled down for Junior Bridesmaids and Flower Girls. The Arm Corsage works well with most wedding types but features best in the Formal and Informal. Their reuse at the Reception is up to Bride and her Theme.
An important note for the Bride and Bridesmaids is the Handling of their Bouquets.
The Flowers and Greens in the Bouquets are fairly hardy but, still need to be handled like a baby. Picking the Bouquets up and laying them down should be held to a minimum.
Do not hold or carry Bouquets face down, gravity itʼs self can pull flowers out. When not poising for pictures, hold the bouquet face up.
Shaking and swing of Bouquets can loosen flowers in floral foam holders. Brides and Bridesmaids need to be aware of their flowers when meeting Guests and friends. Hugging with Bouquets between people will crush flowers which can cause bruising. This is most important for those who wear Boutonnières and Corsages.
Touching and smelling flowers can leave oils from hands and skin. These oils can lead to browning on flowers, this is especially important with Gardenias and Roses. This slight discoloration may be visual to your close scrutiny but usually does not appear in pictures.
Keep a spray bottle of water to refresh Bouquets in warm weather. Be sure not to spray too much water and cause damage to dresses. Get Bouquets to Head Table locations as soon as possible, pictures will start as soon as You and Your party arrive.