Tips and Tricks :: Be mindful of your bouquet

Your bridal bouquet, for those who choose to carry one on their wedding day, is a rather important part of the big day. No it’s not actually that important in the grand scheme of things, you can get married without one obviously, but when a bouquet is included in wedding plans it does become a focal point visually, especially in photos. The overall theme, colors and style of a wedding are represented in this bouquet. This gathered arrangement of gorgeous blooms, that you’ll carry in your hands as you walk down that aisle, can be a big deal. So today, we’re giving a few tips and tricks on how to care for your bouquet.

First and foremost, take care of it! A bouquet can be a rather large investment! Their design is thought through, and every detail is purposely arranged. The concept of the bouquet took time, and the construction required a lot of skill. It’s important to care for this bouquet! When it arrives to your bridal suite, it’s sitting in a vase with water. It’s a good idea, especially in the very hot months and during long wedding days, to keep that vase handy. Whenever you’re not using the bouquet, pop it back into water to keep the stems hydrated. Make them last! Don’t leave your bouquet in a hot car, toss it around or lay it face down for too long. While a quality bouquet should hold up pretty well, you should still be mindful of how you treat it. More delicate flowers won’t stand up to harsh treatment.

Why is it important to care for your bouquet? Besides the fact that you spent a lot of money on it, you want it to remain looking it’s best for a full day of photos. Yes that’s right, we want your bouquet to be pretty enough for pictures, and ready for it’s close up. Most of our couples are doing First Looks, which means we have the luxury of taking a lot of portraits, and we can spread out the photo time into several different times throughout the day. Your bouquet has to last! Taking good care of your bouquet will keep it looking it’s best from the First Look, through the ceremony, all the way through to the sunset session. Trust us, you want your bouquet during the sunset session!

Bridesmaids – don’t forget that your bouquets are also a large investment. While yours may not be the bouquet, it did cost money and should be cared for. So the same kind of care that goes into the Bridal bouquet should go into yours. Bridesmaids bouquets also arrive in vases with water, so keep them hydrated and maintained throughout the day as well. More and more we’re seeing wedding planners/floral designers repurpose Bridesmaids bouquets later on, during the reception as decor. We’ve seen them turn into table centerpieces! So be aware that your bouquet might be needed later on in the day, and take good care of it.

 

Other things to think about with your bouquet…

• Don’t forget to take it back from your Maid of Honor after your first kiss. As you and your spouse walk back down the aisle, make sure to do so with your bouquet in hand! It makes for an awesome picture! So often we see Brides forget to grab their bouquet, and it breaks our little hearts!
• During the bouquet toss, don’t throw the Bride’s bouquet. Ask your florist to create a small, “toss bouquet”. If that’s not an option, choose to throw a Bridesmaids bouquet instead.
• Carry it with you during your grand entrance! Again, it’s going to make for great photos!
• Then again, carry it with you during your exit! Sensing a theme here? 😉
• You can preserve your bouquet, and there are companies who will do that for you!
• Save the ribbon! If preserving your bouquet isn’t something you’re interested in doing, at least take the ribbon off before tossing the flowers. If you work with a really good floral designer, they’re usually crafting your bouquet with artisan ribbons that are far from cheap. Natural silk ribbons are all the rage and saving your bouquet ribbon can make for a gorgeous and sentimental keepsake. A daughter or granddaughter could carry a piece of your ribbon on her own wedding day!