The flowers you choose for your wedding will say a lot about you. Orange blossom for example, has always been associated with weddings because it signifies purity and chastity; snowdrops represent hope and, surprise, surprise roses symbolise love.
Most men like to wear a buttonhole or boutonniere on their wedding day, choosing a flower that also occurs in the bride's bouquet. This is a throwback to the time when chivalrous knights of old would wear their Lady's colours to display their love.
Flower garlands and coronets have been worn at nuptial ceremonies since Pagan times because flowers were believed to boost fertility. In the same way, spring was always a popular time to get married because of the association with new life and fresh beginnings.
But whatever time of year you decide to tie the knot, it's a good idea to choose flowers that are in season - it will be less expensive and the choice of blooms will be more in keeping with the theme of your wedding.
In spring you can let your hair down and go for a wildflower meadow feel that includes apple blossom and forget-me-nots.
Splashes of colour in a summer bridal bouquet can bring out the passion of the occasion. The deep, rich hues of an autumn bouquet can be given texture by adding the burnished bronze of beech leaves while in winter, trailing ivy and bright red holly berries look magnificent against a long, elegant bridal gown.
Once you've decided on the content, what about the shape of the bouquet? A large teardrop display that trails down the front of your dress is a good choice for the more petite bride as it adds height. For taller girls, a formal posy will sit nicely as a focal point and balance your height out. A single long-stemmed rose is elegant and understated and for the fuller figure or those lucky enough to have the classic hourglass shape, a large, cascading bouquet is the most flattering option.
Once you have decided on the bouquets and boutonnieres you can turn your attention to the floral displays. A few bold arrangements will make more of an impact than a number of smaller ones but as the flowers can be a very expensive part of the wedding you might want to consider alternatives such as placing prettily decorated pots of growing fragrant herbs or lavender on the tables instead.
