Choosing the right wedding bouquet size can make a huge difference to the way you look. A wrong-sized bouquet may be unflattering to your ensemble, and that’s something you definitely do NOT want on your wedding day. We help you decide the right size of your bridal bouquet with some handy pointers.
“The most popular size for a bridal bouquet is a 12″ Wide Hand Tied. But there is no rule here, just what you like best!”
― Wedideas
With a plethora of bridal bouquet styles available these days, picking one for your wedding can be quite a dilemma. Should you pick a dainty one or a large one? Should you go for something long and flowing, or should you opt for something that is wider and has more volume? Should you go with standard mums or should you do something crazy with a bunch of wild flowers? There are a lot of factors that determine the kind of bouquet you should pick. But even more important is knowing the right size of the bouquet that you want to hold while you walk down the aisle. How big, small, wide, or narrow should it be? Do the flowers make a difference? Let article guide you on picking the right size bouquet. However, before you get to that, it is imperative that you know the types of bouquets that are most popular with brides these days.
Different Types of Bridal Bouquets
The arm sheaf is a long-ish bouquet that is held in one arm by the bride. The biedermeier is an England-inspired bouquet that has rings of different colored flowers strung tightly together.
The cascade bouquet has flowers cascading out of it, while the nosegay is a round bouquet with flowers tied together in a tight, neat bunch.
The teardrop bouquet, as you can see, resembles a teardrop, while the posy, a smaller version of the nosegay, is a bunch of flowers with their stems cut off and tied with florist wire.
Picking the Right Size
Now that you’re familiar with some of the most popular options that you can use, let’s have a look at how you can pick the perfectly sized bouquet for your big day. The style of the bouquet that you pick will obviously influence its size. Do you want a full bouquet of roses? Do you think long-stemmed tulips will work? Do you prefer a neat and tidy hand-held bouquet or want something more dramatic like a fan-shaped one? When it comes to picking the right bouquet, it’s all about aspect ratio. There are certain things that play an important role in influencing this. Let’s have a look at what they are.
Your Body Type
The first and foremost thing that you need to take into account is your body type. Are you a petite bride? Are you tall and slim? Do you have an hourglass figure? Or do you have a pear- or apple-shaped figure? The shape of your body is a good clue you can use to pick the size of your bouquet. You have to decide whether you want the bouquet to accentuate or balance out your body shape. If you are petite, then a long-ish bouquet that has flowers cascading out of it is perfect for you. For a tall and slim bride, an up-sized posy can bring balance, or a teardrop bouquet can further enhance the height. Long-stemmed bouquets are the way to go for a woman with a pear-shaped body. This will help in striking a balance with its elongation. A cascade or large teardrop will flatter an apple-shaped bride, and as for brides with an hourglass figure, big posies or cascades are the way to go.
Size of the Dress
After your body type, the next thing that defines the size of your bridal bouquet is the kind of dress that you’re wearing. When it comes to the dress and bouquet, the ratio is an undisputed 1:1. Are you wearing a ballgown? A full posy or an elegant biedermeier is what you should carry. Are you wearing a sleek, straight number? A long-stemmed bunch or an arm sheaf will work wonders to enhance the dress. Simply put, if your dress is big and your bouquet is small, there are chances of it getting completely lost in all the fluff. If your dress is sleek and elegant and you carry a huge bouquet, the beauty and detail of the embellishments on the dress will go unnoticed. So, to ensure that every aspect of your beautiful outfit gets complete justice, pick a bouquet according to the style of the dress.
Size of the Bridesmaids’ Bouquets
Here’s another clue you can use to decide how big you want your bouquet to be: your bridesmaids’ bouquets. Do you want both the bouquets to be equal in size, or do you want yours to be bigger than theirs? Are both bouquets using the same flowers? Are they also the same type of bouquet? How will a picture with both the bouquets look? Will yours get the attention it deserves? Answer all these questions, and you’ll have a good idea of how big or small a bouquet you should carry.
The Flowers
The type and the number of flowers you want to use will also determine the size of the bouquet. This in turn can depend on the theme you have chosen for the wedding. Are you looking for roses or are you OK with a bunch of morning glory? Are full blooms like gerbera daisies what you want or will bulbous tulips work? When picking the flower, remember that a big flower does not necessarily mean a big bouquet. The trick is to pick a flower that is the amalgamation of your body type and the theme of the wedding.
The Venue
The size of the venue, like that of your dress works in a 1:1 ratio in relation to your bouquet. If the venue is huge, a tiny bunch of flowers can seem diminutive. Instead, opt for a full bunch with lots of extras and embellishments. To complement a venue that is sleek and modern, pick a neat nosegay or a long-stemmed bunch of full blooms.
The Groom’s Height
Another thing that can help you decide the height of your bouquet is the height of your groom. If you’re shorter or are of the same height even after you put on your heels, then you can focus on your body type and pick a size and style. However, if you become taller with heels, it will help to have a round-shaped bouquet, or a posy, to help draw attention away from the vertical disparity.
The guidelines given above are in no way the norm. They’re mere suggestions based on the different aspects that can enhance the way you and your entire wedding look. So, though you can definitely use them as pointers, remember to incorporate your identity in the style and size of the bouquet that you pick for your wedding.