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When it comes to wedding florals, few things are as iconic as the bridal bouquet. It’s one of the aspects of a wedding brides love designing most—and many brides opt to press or dry their bouquet after their big day is over, ensuring they can hold onto those precious petals for years to come. But, with so many bridal bouquet styles to choose from, how do you know which best complements the overall aesthetic of your wedding? Not to fear, brides-to-be! Today, we’re breaking down the ins and outs of seven iconic bridal bouquet styles. Get ready to finally see the florals through the trees. Because committing to a spouse is one thing....but committing to the right set of stems? Now that can be scary.
1. Pageant Bouquet or Presentation Bouquet
What it is: Called a pageant or presentation bouquet, this bouquet style typically has longer stems and is designed to fit into the crook of a bride’s arm (rather than held in her hands like with typical bouquets).
Who will love it: Pageant bouquets are gaining popularity in modern boho weddings. They’re perfect for the bride who loves the look of long stems and wants a bouquet that’s out of the box, super lush, and extra dreamy.
Things to consider: Presentation bouquets make for stunning photographs, but they’re not as practical for walking down the aisle, as they’re meant to be held in the crook of your arm. You’ll notice a ton of presentation or pageant bouquets on Pinterest in styled photoshoots but not as many in photographs from real weddings.
2. Hand-Tied
What it is: Hand-tied bouquets are super popular lately, because they envelop that lush, laid-back, wild aesthetic so many brides are going for with their florals. Hand-tied bouquets are typically tied off by ribbons or twine (with stems left showing at the bottom for that "fresh-picked-flowers" feel). They’re usually chock-full of an assortment of both flowers and greenery and are meant to feel less constricted and “looser” than typical round bridal bouquets.
Who will love it: Brides looking for something that’s wild, free, and boho-inspired will love a hand-tied bouquet. Hand-tied bouquets are perfect for bohemian affairs and outdoors ceremonies set in a garden or forest. If you want something that feels organic and fresh-picked, a hand-tied bridal bouquet is for you!
Things to consider: These puppies can get heavy! Because a hand-tied bouquet is meant to look super lush and often contains tons of both greenery and flowers, they can be a little burdensome to carry for long periods of time. That said, if you’re going for something that’s super lush and free-form, the aesthetic is well worth the arm-workout.
3. Cascading
What it is: Cascading bridal bouquets are just what they sound like: arrangements that cascade downward (like a waterfall). Think wispy, long vines spilling forward in front of your hands.
Who will love it: Consider yourself the queen of all-things whimsical and dreamy? A cascading bridal bouquet is for you! The waterfall shape of these can feel super feminine and fairytale-like, so they’re perfect for charming garden weddings, stunning ballroom weddings, and classic cathedral weddings alike. If you’re using lots of vines and greenery throughout your other florals, a cascading bouquet might just be the perfect option to tie everything together.
Things to consider: Cascading bridal bouquets are a sight in and of themselves—so they don’t typically pair well with super elaborate wedding gowns as they can be overpowering. Instead, they’re the perfect way to complete a simple, understated bridal look. If your gown is crazy detailed, a cascading bouquet might end up taking away from or competing with your day-of digs.
4. Round
What it is: Round bridal bouquets are just that: round! Round bouquets typically consist of a single type of floral (or varying types of florals in a single color) arranged in a perfect dome. Stems are typically wrapped tight with a silk ribbon.
Who will love it: Looking for the most timeless and elegant of all bridal bouquet styles? This is it. Round bridal bouquets have been popular in weddings for years—and they’re not going out of style anytime soon. If you’re rocking a princess ball gown and/or going for a classic, formal wedding aesthetic, a round bouquet is your best friend.
Things to consider: A round bouquet is a true classic, so you’ll want to make sure it fits with the overall aesthetic of your wedding. (They don't fit as well with super modern, playful, or boho weddings.) Keep in mind round bouquets typically make the strongest statement when they’re monochromatic or consist of all one type of flower. They also look best kept to a moderate-to-small size, so if you’re dreaming of a massive, lush bouquet, you might want to consider the hand-tied, pageant, or cascading style instead.
5. Posy
What it is: Think of a posy bouquet as a round bouquet’s younger sister. Posy bridal bouquets are typically meant to be held in one hand (while round bouquets are held using both hands) and are often given to grandmothers, mothers, or bridesmaids for their walk down the aisle. Just like a round bouquet, they’re arranged into a round dome.
Who will love it: Brides looking for something small and petite that won’t overwhelm their gown will likely love a small posy bouquet.
Things to consider: Because these are smaller and typically used as bridesmaids bouquets, you might want to consider a floral mockup first to ensure a posy bouquet isn’t too small or underwhelming for the look you’re going for.
6. Single Stem
What it is: A single-stem bridal bouquet consists a single, lone flower held in place of a traditional arrangement. But don’t let the idea of a single-stem bouquet fool you—done well, they can often make the most impact.
Who will love it: Live by the adage less is more? A single-stem bridal bouquet is for you. If you’re going for a romantic, earnest, simple wedding aesthetic, opting for a single garden rose, protea, or other high-impact flower is the perfect option. We also love single-stem bouquets for super earthy, outdoorsy affairs.
Things to consider: You don’t want it to look like you forgot your bouquet and picked a random flower on your way to the wedding instead—so be sure to choose a large, high-impact flower or dress up a single-stem by tying it with a flowing ribbon or long piece of linen.
7. Nosegay
What it is: A Nosegay bridal bouquet is super similar to a Posy bouquet, only it contains more greenery than a posy. While a Posy is typically focused on all florals, a Nosegay will have leaves or greenery that peep through as well, with the focus being on just a few floral stems (as opposed to an entire bunch of them). Just like a Posy, a Nosegay bouquet is small and hand-tied.
Who will love it: Want something small and understated but with a stronger focus on greens, this bouquet is for you!
Things to consider: These are typically given as gifts to bridesmaids or grandmothers/mothers for their walk down the aisle, but they can work well for petite brides or brides who want to opt for a smaller bouquet and keep the focus on their gown instead of on florals.