Types of Bouquets

When planning your wedding, the flowers are a very important consideration. They affect the look of your photos, they reflect your wedding's theme and ambiance, and they affect your budget. The many terms and styles can become confusing since the options have dramatically increased. This page can be used as your guide to selecting the appropriate arrangements for you and your bridal party.

Arm or Presentation Bouquet: Also known as the pageant bouquet, feature a gathering of long-stemmed flowers cradled in the bride's arms across the inner bend of the elbow. A ribbon or bow is generally used to keep the bouquet together. Popular floral choices for arm bouquets include calla lilies, gladiolus, orchids, long-stemmed roses, delphiniums, and larkspur.

Ballerina Bouquet: A round bouquet composed of masses of tulle or net and few flowers.

Biedermeier Bouquet: Similar to the nosegay, this European-influenced bouquet of tightly arranged blossoms. The blossoms are arranged in concentric circles of various differently colored flowers. The blooms are wired into a holder, with one flower variety per ring.

Book Bouquet: A small prayer book or bible used as the platform upon which a small bouquet is placed. The design may be composed of a small cluster of flowers or may be featured as a small cascade. Generally flowers are attached with ribbon or a small armature to prevent damage to the book.

Cascade and Teardrop Bouquets: Sometimes called a teardrop, fountain, or waterfall bouquet, this sophisticated and elongated style features fullness and an abundance of blossoms at the top of the bouquet then tapers downwards with flowing foliage, floral streamers, or ribbons at the bottom. This bouquet can be designed very dense with flowers and foliage or can be more loosely arranged for an "airy" or "wispy" look.

Composite Bouquet: A handmade creation in which different petals or buds are wired together on a single stem to create the illusion of a giant flower. The focal area is a large flower that has been created by assembling together detached petals from numerous flowers.

Crescent Bouquet: A dramatic bouquet of arching flowers and foliage that extend from the center of the bouquet and can be designed to project a traditional or contemporary look. Flowers can arch from either left to right or right to left depending on preference. There are two types of crescent bouquets, symmetrical and asymmetrical. A symmetrical crescent features a balanced look with arched blossoms and foliage of the same length on both sides. An asymmetrical crescent features arched blossoms and foliage of different lengths so that one side of the bouquet is longer than the other.

Fan Bouquet: A small bouquet or cluster of flowers attached to an elaborate fan.

Freeform / Contemporary Bouquet: As the name implies, this style bouquet often has flowers or greenery coming out at various angles with no specific, recognizable shape. Freeform and contemporary bouquets are most often designed with tropical flowers and foliage that have unique shapes.

Hand Tied Bouquet: Generally round in shape, hand tied styles are also referred to as clutch bouquets, Martha bouquets, and French bouquets. This type of bouquet consists of a simple gathering of flowers, which is bound and tied with ribbon with stems left exposed.

Heart Bouquet: A romantic, alternative shape bouquet featuring two full arched shapes at the top while tapering down to a point at the bottom of the bouquet. Typically the traditional shape, often seen at Valentine's Day, symbolizing love and romance.

Nosegay Bouquet: A small, round-shaped, cluster of flowers that is typically less dense than traditional round bouquets. Nosegays often include more greenery, ribbon streamers, and are wired or tied together, or are placed in a holder.

Oval Bouquet: This bouquet is a combination of both a cascade and a round. It is elongated in shape, but features rounded shapes on both the top and bottom. Generally the bottom is narrower than the top, but the overall shape resembles an oval.

Pomander Bouquet: A flower or foliage covered ball or cone suspended from a loop of ribbon.

Round Bouquet: Simple, elegant, traditional bouquet that is suitable for both formal and informal weddings. Sometimes called a "colonial bouquet," this type of bouquet does not have to be perfectly round in shape and can be designed as a tight cluster for a denser look, or loosely arranged for a more "airy" feel.

Single Stem Bouquet: Single stem designs generally feature a unique design element, such as an intricately wrapped stem (for a long-stemmed flower), elaborate bow, streamers, or a decorative lace bloom collar (for a shorter stemmed flower) to give the design more interest and appeal.

Basket Bouquet: Flowers arranged and carried in a shallow basket and often used in a garden or garden-like wedding setting. Most often carried by young attendants (flower girls and junior bridesmaids).

Wreath or Hoop Bouquet: This "bouquet" is a large ring decorated or intertwined with foliage and flowers. Generally thought of as a symbol of eternity with no beginning or end.

Wrist Bouquet: Technically more of a corsage than a bouquet, this style is comprised of a small floral arrangement worn on the wrist. Flowers and foliage are mounted on a small base that is attached to a strong elastic bracelet that fits around the wrist.