Read on for some wedding inspiration and to know all about the six kinds of wedding bouquets. How will you know what suits you best? Remember to take into consideration your dress, your body shape and size, and of course, your wedding theme. If you’re tall, don’t get a tiny bouquet that will get lost in your wedding dress; and if you’re short, don’t get a large bouquet that will overwhelm your size.

1 – Posy bouquet

This classic style is small and round, usually made with smaller flowers that are either tied or wired together. If you want a simple bouquet that will complement, not compete, with your wedding dress, then this is the bouquet for you.

2 – Teardrop bouquet

This is a posy bouquet that has a trail of flowers creating a teardrop shape, with the trail no more than 35cm.

3 – Cascade bouquet

A less structured teardrop bouquet, the cascade is a lot longer and has multiple trails cascading from the top. This is perfect for garden and beach weddings and is usually made with lilies or orchids.

4 – Princess bouquet

For the fairytale princess bride. It is a larger and wider cascade bouquet, with many trails of flowers.

5 – Trail Bouquet

Almost the same size as the princess bouquet, except the only trail is made up of foliage. Extra flowers can be placed throughout the trail, making it less expensive than the princess bouquet. This is fantastic for outdoor weddings.

6 – Arm spray

A casual bouquet style, it is made up of long-stemmed flowers. The length of the bouquet can be toned down with foliage. This is great for brides looking for something more remarkable than the posy.

{Posy bouquet via Silk Wedding Designs; teardrop and arm spray bouquets via Florabella Design; cascade bouquet via Ali Eli Florals; princess bouquet via Flowers for Royal Weddings; trail bouquet via Noosa Flowers}

They make the loveliest handmade paper flowers and source top-quality fresh flowers and mix these together to make seemingly simple yet the most elegant floral arrangements. And, yes, these would be stunning as wedding flowers!

The Green Vase is run by two fantastic ladies—Livia Cetti, a floral and still-life artist, crafter, and event-designer from Santa Barbara, California; and Joanne Donohoe, a veteran florist and businesswoman from Yorkshire, England. Together they took their love of flowers and the arts to operate The Green Vase, which was originally owned by Livia’s mother. They cater to any event but specialize in wedding flowers.

Their paper flowers are low-maintenance yet high in style. And they’re so lifelike you almost want to take a whiff!

They also have cake topper kits where you can affix their paper flowers on your wedding cake. These are some fine wedding ideas from The Green Vase, don’t you think?

The Green Vase is located in The Bronx, New York. Browse their online shop for some more wonderful wedding inspiration.

{Images via The Green Vase}

With today’s wedding budget guidelines estimating to spend between 5% and 10% of your total budget on floral decor, this means that if you are planning a $20,000 wedding, by standard you should allocate between $1,000 and $2,000 for your flowers. Not cheap.

On the flip side, silk flowers can be a lot more affordable. Plus a major advantage to choosing silk flowers is that unlike their real counterparts, silk arrangements can be made weeks in advance and they will still look just as good as the day you purchased them. Another important thought to consider is that fake flowers will not aggravate the potential allergies of your guests. Finally, real flowers are delicate and wilt very quickly. By opting for silk wedding flowers, you will ensure that your flowers can deal with any weather on your special day.

Here’s some of our favourite silk flower bridal bouquets.

{Main Photo, Middle Left, Middle Center, Middle Right, Bottom Left, Bottom Center, Bottom Right}

Here’s some of our favourite silk flower reception centerpieces.

{Main Photo, Middle Left, Middle Center, Middle Right, All bottom photos}

Don’t forget the Moms and the Men – here’s some of our favourite silk flower boutonnieres and silk flower corsages.

{Top Main Photo, Top Right, Top Center, Top Bottom, All bottom photos}

Couples everywhere are choosing silk for a wide variety of reasons – perhaps they are unable to find their favorite flower due to the season, they are looking for a way to trim their budget, or they want to keep their flowers as a memento of their special day. Whatever your reason for considering silk flowers, remember to choose quality over quantity.

In welcoming 2011 we also welcome some new and exciting trends in wedding flowers, floral styling and wedding décor.

Bold colours will be huge for 2011 – the days of the shy and retiring bouquet are long departed! Fuchsia, orange and cherry tones contrasted with splashes of lime green and yellow will dominate as brides follow trends emanating from Europe and the US. Over-the-top colours add glamour against dark bridesmaids gowns add oomph to wedding photos. Combined with the ongoing popularity of daring coloured wedding shoes, brides for the new year will embrace colour daringly and celebrate nature’s most vibrant blooms with gusto.

The lust for vintage and rustic-chic will continue beyond 2011.  Fluffy, feminine flowers in muted tones of musky pinks, creams and silvers will also remain popular. Embellishment of bouquets with jewelled brooches, buttons and other quirky relics (be it from Nanna’s drawer, a family heirloom or a thrift shop) will grow with brides seeking to add details and personalisation to their big day.

The more classic vintage look will see bouquets and centerpieces with masses of single species blooms with an emphasis on shading and soft texture – peonies, hydrangea and ranunculus will feature heavily. Rustic-chic inspired brides will request looser and more free flowing designs with an emphasis on organic and unusual details such as twigs, nests, berries and mosses.

As an extension of the ongoing trend of mis-matched bridesmaids dress I believe more progressive brides will seek to have mis-matched flowers – varying bouquets from the same ‘colour story’.

To the brides of 2011 my closing words of wisdom are these; trends are fun to observe and always interesting but choose what you love. As Yves Saint Laurent famously said, ‘Fashion fades but style is eternal’ and this couldn’t be more true. Your day should reflect your personality and be a celebration of you (and your fiancée’s) personal style. Happy planning!

Author Sally Thompson.

{Bouquets 1-3 shown are the original work of Sally Thompson from Blushing Blooms Floral Studio; Images by Cathy Crawley of Beautiful Moments Photography} {Wedding flowers 4 via Martha Stewart Weddings}  {Wedding flowers 5 via Pretty Chicky Wedding Blog;mage by Carl Zoch Photography}

Unusual details are popular right now and feathers are one of these quirky, fun elements that are being added to wedding bouquets. Feathers add softness, drama, and a touch of vintage.

Feathers can achieve many varying aesthetics depending on their style and use. Don’t be afraid to explore the extraordinary materials that could add that point of difference to your wedding flowers.

Feathers add texture bringing depth to a bouquet and can also be used for a splash of colour. Feather details can be used in bouquets, centerpieces and if being built upon for a wedding day ‘motif’ can also be used in fascinators, boleros, jewellery, embellishment and decor.

If visions of feather-laden Showgirls from Nevada are making you cringe, read on and we dare you not to fall in love with the host of gorgeous feathered images we have to share with you today.

Here’s a round up of some of the best we’ve seen on the web. They’re stylish, showy, fabulous and fun.

This bouquet is from our own studio is bold in contrasting colours but has a whimsical, vintage feel.

{Above: Blushing Blooms – Flowers by Sally Thompson; Image: Beautiful Moments Photography}

This bouquet is soft, chic and romantic. Peaches and cream at its very best.

{Above: The Wedding Window}

With this bouquet, calla Lilies and peacock plumes combine to create a dark and sensuous mood.

{Above: Bliss Tree}

Almost over the top in its detail and size the neutral palate of this bouquet keeps it tasteful albeit quirky. Perfect for the bride making a statement with her wedding flowers.

{Above: Verandah Magazine}

Cream roses never go out of style but this Moulin Rouge style finishing takes the conservative to a more whimsical yet still pretty place.

{Above: The knot}

Pheasant Feathers are a hot trend overseas for fashion, interiors and wedding flowers. This stunning bouquet definietly has the Pheasant Feather wow factor.

{Above: Image via Brocade; Image by Dinofa Photography}

Feathers have been hugely popular overseas late 2010 and I believe we’ll see an increase use of them in Australia this year. And just as we promised, not a hint of Las Vegas in sight.

Author Sally Thompson.

Florist Sally Thompson of Blushing Blooms shares expert tips on flower selection by ‘the calendar’…

As a florist, one of the questions I am most frequently asked by brides is about flower availability.

In Australia we are quite spoiled, our mild climate is conducive to wide availability of many species and our proximity to Asia allows for easy importing of specialty exotics such as orchids and roses.

Despite this, some flowers are truly seasonal and only available in certain months.

I recommend that my brides select flowers that are truly ‘in season’. There are a number of reasons for this. Choosing a bloom that is naturally available in any period ensures vast supply, excellent quality and greater affordability.

Summer

Agapanthus, Belladonna Lilies, Buddleia, Calla Lilies, Christmas Bells, Dahlia, Delphinium, Frangipani, Freesia, Garden Roses, Gardenia, Ginger, Grevillea, Hydrangea, Larkspur, Lavender, Lisianthus, Peony, Pineapple Lilies, Queen Anne’s Lace, Stephanotis, Singapore Orchids, Tuberose, Vanda Orchids, Water Lilies.

This white rose and white lisianthus wedding bouquet from Martha Stewart Weddings makes for a gorgeous display embellished with a unique black and white textured bow.

Autumn

Brunii, Cymbidium Orchids, Delphinium, Garden Roses, Gardenia, Hydrangea, Lavender, Lisianthus, Privet Berries, Stephanotis, Stock, Tuberose, Tulips, Water Lilies.

San Fran florist’s Birch created this beautiful display photographed by Meg Smith using white hydrangea. Simple, elegant and chic.

Winter

Anemone, Camellia, Daffodil, Daphne, Earlicheer, Hyacinth, Jonquil, Kale, Poppy, Ranunculus, Rhododendron, Rosehip, Stock, Sweet Pea, Tulip, Violet, Wattle.

Maida Vale Invitations featured this lovely daffodil inspiration board on their blog. Golden, fresh and delicious it just makes me think of sunshine, perfect for a winter wedding.

Spring

Arum Lily, Azalea, Blossom, Camellia, Daffodil, Delphinium, Erica, Gardenia, Garden Roses, Hyacinth, Jasmine, Lilac, Lily of the Valley, Pansy, Peony, Poppies, Rhododendron, Stephanotis, Stock, Sweet Pea, Tulip.

This tulip bouquet is fresh and crisp in green and white tones. Designed by Glasgow florists Mood Flowers – it’s elegant simplicity celebrates the natural shape and movement of the flower.

All year round

Alstroemeria, Anthurium, Asiatic Lilies, Freesia, Gardenia, Gerbera, Gladioli, Glasshouse Roses, Iris, Lilium, Longiflorum Lilies, Oriental lilies, Phalaenopsis Orchid, Protea, Singapore Orchids, Succulents.

This icy cool succulent inspired board showcasing ‘all year round flowers’ is from Tulsa wedding florists, The French Bouquet. What makes it so elegant is the perfect blend of minimalism, quirk and whimsy.

Author Sally Thompson.

So 2011 is here and with a new year brings talk of what’s hot for the next 12 months. One of the trends that I’m anticipating for this year is a growth in popularity of Australian native and wild flowers.

Largely overlooked for the last few years, 2010 saw some more edgy (and patriotic!) brides choose natives and I believe this trend will continue to grow. The ongoing popularity of rustic, country chic as a theme means natives are sure to become blooms of choice with Australian brides as the earthy tones, unique textures and rich variety of hardy stems makes them a desirable choice.

The gorgeous bouquet (pictured below) from our own studio is a true celebration of Australian flora. With natural stems this original design showcases the best of our native blooms within a willow brand grid.

I love the warm tones and how it contrasts so beautifully against the golden light in this photo. How lucky are we as Australians to have such amazing and unique species available to us?

{Floral Design: Blushing Blooms – Flowers by Sally Thompson}

{Photo: Beautiful Moments Photography}

For brides who’d like to embrace natives but with a more girly, softer pink hue this stunning bouquet was featured in South African wedding e-magazine Splendid Affairs.

This amazing wedding was photographed by Louisa Bailey and it is chic, hip and truly Australian in their floral and decorating choices. Take note of the cute jam jar vases for table centres – not only rustic and cute but easy to achieve for any DIY bride!

And for something more bright, dramatic and bold this fabulous bouquet was the wedding bouquet of blogger bride ‘West Aussie Wedding’ who wanted her nuptial styling to be ‘fun and Australian’. Perfect huh?

{Photo by Filip Welna.}

Author Sally Thompson.

This gorgeous fuchsia and orange crush bouquet is full of wonderful details that make us smile.

The bouquet is handmade from dupioni silk with silver tone set rhinestone centers and is utterly perfect.

We also adore this Catala Bloon Bridal Bouquet.

These super pretty keepsakes can be purchased over at Emici Bridal.

This fabulous silk peonies bouquet was spotted over at StudioWed by Mirela and has stolen our hearts.

The bouquet has been elegantly arranged with large silk peonies in pinks and off whites and is the perfect mix between soft and striking.

{Images via StudioWed by Mirela}

We spied this charming bouquet over at Project wedding and boy-oh-boy are we smitten. Not only is this wedding idea super simple to execute, it’s also massively inexpensive.

Buy roses from your local florist or farmers market. Pick off the brown petals from the blossoms and remove the large leaves from the rose stems.

Start to gather the roses together, placing some blossoms higher than others. This will give your bouquet a more natural look.

Also be sure to add leaves in as you go, as this will frame the blossoms. Then tie with twine, cover in florist tape so to protect the ribbon and lastly tie up with a ribbon.

For the full tutorial head over to Project Wedding.

{Images via Project Wedding}