Flowers

The new bridal bouquets are elegant, fuss free and classically stylish.

For centuries flowers have been associated with love and romance, and for florists the bridal bouquet is still the focus of their art form. But the traditional bouquets of roses, lilies and baby's breath are wilting under pressure as more adventurous Australian brides start to adopt international trends incorporating grasses and fruit in a much simpler design.

Bridal flowers are no longer just cream or white, or the turn of the millennium pewter's and silvers. Flowers are being kept within a few shades of the colour palette. However do not discard the traditional rose. One recent trend has been to simply tie a mass of like-coloured roses with a ribbon so they look graceful yet unpretentious. Some designers have even been using bright green wheatgrass in their designs, to give dimension and structure to a floral arrangement, along with a sleek clean look which evokes a warm and summery feeling.

The choice of your wedding bouquet will depend on the style of your gown. The bouquet size should be in proportion to your gown – too large a bouquet will clutter and overpower your look.

The most important6 thing is to find a look that reflects the bride's individual style. Florists advise against making firm decision on flowers too early in your planning process. Colour schemes and ideas may change over time, so four to six months in advanced is the recommended time frame.

Most popular flowers are associated with a desirable quality.

Apple Blossoms – Good fortune

Baby's Breath – Pure Heart

Bluebell – Constancy

Blue Violet – Faithfulness

Daffodil – Joy

Gardenia – Joy

Gladioli – Generosity

Iris – Wisdom

Lily of the Valley – Happiness

Magnolia – Nobility

Orange Blossom – Purity and Fertility

Orchid – Beauty

Rose – Deep Love

White Daisy – Innocence