How to Choose a Wedding Bouquet That Complements Your Dress

Written by: Katie Pierce 

Ladies, listen up. When it comes to creating your look for your big day, your wedding gown is only half the battle. There’s still one tiny detail you shouldn’t overlook as it could throw off your whole aesthetic: your bridal bouquet. 

Your dress might be the most stunning thing you’ve ever seen, but the right blooms can take your bridal look from beautiful to breathtaking. Your wedding flowers are more than just “add-ons” to your outfit—like your wedding jewelry choices, they tie your whole ensemble together and make you look like a true bride. 

Whether you consider yourself an expert on flowers or can’t tell a peony from a poppy, we’ve put together a few tips on choosing the perfect flower arrangement that goes beautifully with your gown. 
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Give your wedding dress its moment. Your wedding dress deserves all the attention! It likely took you a long time to say yes to the dress, so you’ll want to make sure nothing steals its spotlight. So, when it comes to choosing the right flowers, go for one that doesn’t upstage your dress. This isn’t to say it should do nothing for your outfit, but instead, it should bring out the best in it (it’s like your dress’ trusty sidekick). 

For example, if your wedding dress is adorned with sparkles, you might want to go for flowers that aren’t too glamorous, otherwise, they might overpower your gown. Or, if your heart is set on a sleek dress, steer clear of big bridal bouquets as they may distract from the simplicity of your dress. 
Craft an arrangement that goes with your gown’s silhouetteBridal bouquets come in a wide range of shapes, including globes, cascading waterfalls, crescents, nosegays, and much more. While they’re all beautiful in their own ways, not all of them go with all wedding dress designs. 

Picture yourself walking down the aisle in a big ballgown, only to be carrying a posy bouquet. Or worse, pairing a cute tea-length dress with a cascading waterfall bouquet that looks like it’s about to swallow you whole. Not a good look, right?

As a general rule, your wedding bouquet should go with the magnitude of your gown—but don’t go overboard. Think of it as the yin to your dress’ yang—it should balance out your bridal look while allowing your dress to be the main attraction. 

So, if you’re wearing a mermaid dress, you might want to go for a cascading flower arrangement. Not only is it dramatic, but because it trails down, it also draws attention to your dress’ show-stopping feature: the train. 
Consider your body typeWhen you chose your wedding dress, you were probably very particular about its cut. After all, you wouldn’t wear a dress that doesn’t flatter your figure, would you? The same goes for your wedding flowers—be sure to choose one that complements your body type! 

For instance, if you’re a petite, pear-shaped bride, opt for a presentation-style bouquet so you don’t add more volume to the lower part of your body. Similarly, if you have an hourglass figure with a narrow waist, go for arrangements that won’t completely cover that part of the body—if you’ve got the curves, why not flaunt them, right?   
Determine your dress’ actual colorWhen it comes to wedding gown colors, many brides-to-be think that white is white, however, there are actually many shades of white, from crisp “pure white” to creamier “champagne white”. With that in mind, it’s crucial to determine your dress’ exact color as it can affect the kind of flowers that you will carry. 

If you’re wearing a blush wedding gown, go for flower arrangements featuring pale pink flowers such as calla lilies, chrysanthemums, and roses. Or, if your dress is a bright white, opt for cool-toned blooms like periwinkle, thistle, and tweedia, with a bit of greenery thrown in. Want white flowers in your bouquet? As a general rule, avoid flowers in the same shade of white as your gown—otherwise, it’ll look like you’re not carrying anything at all. 

Along with the color, don’t forget to work off of the dress’ texture. You wouldn’t want to carry flowers that take away from your gown’s gorgeous detailing, especially if it features lace, crystals, etc. So, if your dress is embellished in beads, you’d look radiant carrying a bouquet with understated blooms like calla lilies and orchids. 
Think about your theme. It’s a given that your wedding gown goes with your theme. For example, if you’re throwing a grand, Victorian-era-inspired wedding, you’ve probably gone for a floor-length gown with balloon sleeves. To create a cohesive look, you’ll want to select blooms that are in sync with your gown (and consequently, with your wedding’s theme). 

If you’re going for a boho theme, why not carry a bouquet of dried flowers? Throwing a gothic wedding? A fall bridal bouquet, featuring a color palette of burgundy, purple, and red, is a fantastic choice. Planning a garden wedding in the spring? Go for seasonal flowers like peonies, sweet peas, and primrose, and throw in foliage to craft a fairytale-like cascading bouquet. 
Design your wedding bouquet with Homegrown BloomsAbove all, remember to have fun with it! Take the time and play around with textures, colors, etc. until you find one you’re happy with. We know that whatever you decide, you’ll be able to sweep your spouse-to-be off of their feet and make your guests go “wow” as they watch you walk down the aisle. 

Don’t forget to work with a professional florist to bring the bridal bouquet of your dreams to life. At Homegrown Blooms, we have one goal: to design a floral arrangement that’s as beautiful as you are! Get in touch with us to top off your wedding look with flowers that are fitting for a goddess like you.

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