Brides And Bridesmaids: Matching Or Mismatched Flowers?

Flowers are a key part of any wedding, adding beauty and romance to the ceremony. But with so many options available, how do you decide what flowers the bridal party should carry? While there's no right or wrong answer, it's worth considering the various traditions and alternatives.

Cost implications of flowers for bridesmaids

Flowers are often the focal decoration at weddings, and as such, they can come with a hefty price tag. Bridesmaids' bouquets typically range from $80 to $180 each, but there are ways to save money on these floral arrangements without sacrificing style.

Firstly, it is important to establish a wedding budget and determine what percentage of finances will be allocated to flowers. According to experts, couples should plan to spend 8-10% of their total wedding budget on flowers. This equates to approximately $2,400-$3,000 for a $30,000 wedding.

To save costs, bridesmaids can carry smaller bouquets with fewer flowers. Opting for seasonal, locally-sourced flowers can also keep expenses down, as these blooms are usually more affordable and fresher than specialty varieties that need to be shipped from far-flung destinations.

Additionally, mixing in affordable selections or filler flowers, such as baby's breath, hypericum berries, and greenery, can stretch arrangements without breaking the bank. For example, one idea is to incorporate pops of coveted, more expensive flowers, such as David Austin roses or peonies, with more affordable blooms.

Another cost-saving measure is to repurpose ceremony flowers at the reception. By reusing the bridal party's bouquets or floral arrangements that lined the aisle, couples can get twice the use out of these flowers without purchasing completely different pieces.

Finally, it is worth noting that there is no hard and fast rule that the bride and bridesmaids must have the same type of flowers in their bouquets. While some brides may prefer a coordinated look, others may opt for mismatched bouquets to showcase their unique style. Ultimately, the decision comes down to personal preference and the desired aesthetic for the wedding.

Alternatives to flowers for bridesmaids

There are many alternatives to flowers for bridesmaids to carry down the aisle. Here are some ideas to consider:

Books

If books played an important part in your friendship, have your bridesmaids hold a book as they walk down the aisle. You could give them all the same novel or have them select their own favourite book to make it more personal.

Baskets

Baskets are not just for flower girls. Your bridesmaids could carry petals or flowers in a basket instead of a bouquet. This adds a rustic and storybook-inspired touch to your big day.

Local Foliage

If you're getting married in a sunny destination, your bridesmaids could carry dried palm leaves. For a rustic vineyard wedding, consider carrying a bouquet of grapes instead of flowers. Local foliage can complement the location and theme of your wedding.

Sunglasses

For an indoor or outdoor wedding during the warmer months, your bridesmaids could wear glamorous sunglasses as they walk down the aisle. This will give them a movie-star glow and lean into the cool-girl aesthetic.

Fans

Hand fans have been used throughout history as a wedding accessory, especially in China and England. A fan is a beautiful and elegant accessory that can be matched to any wedding theme. Try a woven fan for a beach ceremony or a lace fan for a glamorous wedding.

Corsages

Corsages are a graceful and stylish alternative to bouquets and can be hands-free, pre-arranged on the bridesmaid's wrist as they walk down the aisle.

Single Stem

Your bridesmaids could carry a single flower instead of a bouquet. You could choose one particular flower from the bridal bouquet or use one of the same flowers in muted tones.

Hair Pieces

Your bridesmaids could wear flowers in their hair instead of carrying bouquets. One oversized flower can be a statement piece, while floral bands or crowns can create an instant boho look.

Matching vs. mismatching bouquets

There are no rules when it comes to bridal bouquets and bridesmaids' bouquets. It's entirely up to the bride to decide whether she wants her bridesmaids to carry the same flowers as her or not. Some brides prefer the aesthetic of matching bouquets, while others prefer to mix and match. Ultimately, it's a matter of personal preference and what the bride feels will complement her wedding dress and the bridesmaids' dresses.

Matching bouquets can create a cohesive and elegant look for the bridal party. The bouquets can be similar in style but slightly smaller in scale for the bridesmaids, with some specialty blooms reserved for the bridal bouquet to make it stand out. This option can be especially appealing if the bride wants to incorporate specific flowers with symbolic meanings into her bouquet.

On the other hand, mismatching bouquets can add a unique twist to the wedding and allow for more creativity and personalisation. Mismatching bouquets can be a great way to bring in a broader range of colours and textures, creating a vibrant and dynamic look for the bridal party. It can also be a more budget-friendly option, as bridesmaids' bouquets can be smaller and less expensive than the bridal bouquet.

When deciding between matching and mismatching bouquets, the bride should consider the overall theme and vibe of the wedding, as well as the colours and styles of the dresses. If the bridesmaids are wearing different prints and styles, a monochromatic palette for the bouquets can help to create a cohesive look. If the wedding has a rustic or outdoor theme, alternatives to bouquets such as lanterns, fans, or flower crowns can be considered.

In the end, the choice between matching and mismatching bouquets is a personal one, and there is no right or wrong answer. The bride should choose what feels comfortable and reflects her unique style and vision for the wedding.

Bouquet size and style

The bouquet size and style for the bridesmaids can vary depending on a few factors, including the bride's preference, the wedding theme, and the bridesmaids' dresses. Here are some tips and ideas to consider:

• Complementary Style: The bridesmaids' bouquets should ideally complement the bridal bouquet while being slightly smaller in scale. This creates a cohesive look for the bridal party. The bridesmaids' bouquets can include similar flowers to the bride's, with some specialty blooms exclusive to the bridal bouquet to make it stand out.
• Size Proportion: The size of the bouquet should be proportionate to the bridesmaid. A small bouquet may get lost, while a too-large bouquet may overwhelm the person carrying it.
• Budget-Friendly Options: If you're on a budget, consider alternative bouquet styles. Single-stem flowers, wrist corsages, or even single blooms can be more affordable options. You can also mix and match more expensive flowers with cheaper ones or opt for artificial flowers.
• Unique Alternatives: If you want to forgo flowers altogether, there are unique alternatives to consider. These include lanterns, fans, parasols, ribbon wands, wreaths, dreamcatchers, or even clutches that match the bridesmaids' dresses.
• Personal Touch: Adding a personal touch to the bouquets can make them more meaningful. For example, you could include specific flowers that hold symbolic value or choose flowers that complement the colour palette of the wedding.
• Dress and Theme Coordination: The bouquet style and size should also consider the bridesmaids' dresses and the overall theme of the wedding. For instance, if the bridesmaids are wearing modern dresses, a bouquet with feather accents might be a good choice. If you're having a rustic wedding, consider alternatives like mason jars or even small clutches.
• Monochromatic Palettes: If your bridesmaids are wearing different prints and styles, opting for a monochromatic bouquet palette can help keep the overall look cohesive and elegant.
• Floral Crowns: If you want your bridesmaids to have their hands free, floral crowns can be a beautiful alternative to bouquets. This works especially well with more casual dresses and beach or rustic wedding themes.
• DIY Options: If you're crafty, you can create DIY bouquets or alternative arrangements. Paper flowers, music sheet flowers, or fabric bouquets can be unique and budget-friendly options.
• Seasonal and Thematic Elements: Incorporating seasonal or thematic elements into the bouquets can add a special touch. For example, consider tropical florals like palm leaves for a destination wedding or fur for a winter-themed wedding.

Remember, there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to bouquet size and style. Feel free to mix and match elements that reflect your personal style and the overall vibe of your wedding.

Bouquet preservation

There is no rule that dictates that brides and bridesmaids must have the same flowers, and it is entirely up to the couple getting married to decide. Some brides prefer the aesthetic of the bridal party carrying the same flowers, while others opt for different flowers or even non-floral bouquets for their bridesmaids.

If you are looking to preserve your wedding bouquet, there are several methods you can try, ranging from simple DIYs to professional services. Here are some detailed instructions for preserving your bouquet:

Press the Flowers

Select as many flowers as you'd like to preserve and arrange them on clean wax paper. Place the wax paper with the flowers inside the pages of a heavy book, adding another piece of wax paper on top to protect the flowers from the ink. Weigh the book down with something heavy and leave it to dry for about seven to ten days. Once the flowers are pressed and dried, you can frame them as a keepsake.

Hang the Flowers Upside Down to Dry

This method is suitable if you want to preserve the original shape of your bouquet. Simply remove any ribbons or pins holding the bouquet together, cut about half an inch from each stem, and hang the flowers upside down to dry in a dark, temperate area. Let the flowers air-dry for at least a week or longer, depending on the temperature. Once dried, you can arrange the flowers in a vase or create a wreath.

Submerge Them in Silica Gel

Silica gel is a porous sand that absorbs water and dries flowers in one to seven days. Form a base of silica gel in an airtight container and gently place your flowers face-up in the sand, being careful not to overcrowd the container. Slowly pour more silica gel around the petals, ensuring the shape of the flowers remains intact. Seal the container and let it sit for a week. Once the flowers are dry, remove them carefully and spray them with an artist-fixative spray or hairspray. You can then arrange the flowers in a vase or shadowbox frame.

Make a Resin Paperweight

Clear epoxy resin is another way to preserve your flowers in their original shape and color. You can get creative by using different molds, such as a sphere or heart shape, and even add glitter to your mold. First, dry your flowers using the silica gel method. Then, pour a thin layer of resin into your mold, place your flowers face-up, and slowly pour more resin into each flower, ensuring you get into every nook to avoid air bubbles. Fill the mold halfway and arrange your flowers to your liking, as you won't be able to change them once the resin dries. Finally, fill the mold to the top and let it harden for about 24 hours before removing your resin keepsake.

Dip the Flowers in Wax

Wax-dipping is not a permanent preservation method, but it will extend the life of your flowers for up to six months while maintaining their original shape and color. Melt paraffin wax in boiling water until it is smooth, then turn the heat down to low. Dip your flowers into the warm wax and slowly turn them to allow any excess to fall back into the container. Dip each flower twice to ensure longevity, then hang them upside down to dry or place them upright in a vase.

Preserve Them With Glycerin

This unique preservation method replaces the water in the blooms, keeping them looking fresh. Fill a vase or container with two parts lukewarm water and one part glycerin, then place your flower stems inside. Wait two to three weeks for the absorption process to complete.

Frequently asked questions