Four Important Questions to Ask When Planning Your Bridal Bouquet

By Jennie K. Brown

Before you begin fashioning your homemade bouquet, make sure you’ve considered the questions below.

1. Are the flowers I wish to use available and in season? Although most types of flowers can be ordered and sent to you for your big day, a more cost-effective option is to use in-season varieties. (Look for a list of seasonal flowers at right.)

2. Does the shape and size of the bouquet complement the tone of my wedding? Create a round bouquet for a more traditional look. Fashion a loose bouquet for a relaxed mood. A crescent or long-stemmed bouquet works best for a formal church wedding.

3. Do the flowers complement my dress, not compete with it? An ornate gown would pair well with clean-looking flowers. A simplistic dress would be complemented by a bold single color bouquet or by an arrangement studded with silk ribbons, pearls and crystals.

4. Do I need to rent a large cooler, or do I have space available in my home refrigerator? Floral arrangements need to be refrigerated for proper preservation. You definitely don’t want droopy flowers on that walk down the aisle.