Tips for Holding Your Bridal Bouquet
During the hustle and bustle of a wedding day it can be quite overwhelming to remember everything being thrown at your senses while in the moment. From directions from the photographer, to greeting your guests, to trying to soak in the day, it can be a lot to take in. We want to share one simple tip with you that will hopefully be a seamless action to incorporate into your day and will make a lasting impact.
We want to discuss the best ways to hold your bridal bouquet. This is often a step that is glossed over, or entirely missed by brides as they prepare for their day but is a crucial point that can alter the way your wedding photos and video look.
So often brides and bridesmaids hold their bouquets incorrectly. This is mostly due to nerves and due to the fact that people are not used to holding such beautiful, full and elegant arrangements. At times bouquets can feel awkward to hold when you've never held one before. The default for brides and bridesmaids alike is to hold the bouquet quite high, perhaps unconsciously to hide themselves a little from the spotlight! However, when they do this they end up covering the details in the top of their gowns and they can also look overwhelmed by the bouquet.
A simple solution is to hold the bouquet lower, which sounds obvious when we state it so plainly, but it makes a huge difference in your photos and makes you look more confident overall.
In Front
When holding your bouquet in front of you it is important to place your hands slightly below your navel. This will allow for a natural looking stance and will ensure that the bouquet is not being held too high. Hold your hands naturally in front of you so that they feel comfortable and relaxed, like the images above display. Make sure your elbows are slightly bent so you don't look stiff. Once your bouquet is in place tilt it slightly forward so more flowers are showing.
So often brides and bridesmaids hold the stems of the bouquet at their navel, and this results in the flowers being placed too high. You don’t want the flowers to come as high as your chest. In turn, this position looks forced, awkward and can feel like the flowers are engulfing your dress. Holding the bouquet higher than your navel is not as comfortable to hold for extended periods of time and will be harder to hold the longer you keep them strained. Instead make sure that the stems of your bouquet are below your navel.
Cascading bouquets need to be held slightly different from other shapes and styles of bouquets. With cascading bouquets make sure that you hold the stems almost parallel with the floor so that you show off more of the flowers. Tilt the bouquet downward so that the stems are directed more towards your body. Since we don't use floral foam bouquet holders and our cascading bouquet are all hand tied, this is an important tip to remember so that you're not showing off the stems in your photos.
Hold the bouquet lower than you think and you'll find that it feels natural and is easier on your arms and makes for much more stunning photos.
If you are having your parents walk you down the aisle, ensure that they hold onto your arms rather than you linking your arms through theirs. This will allow you to hold your bouquet at the proper level while still being able to walk with your parents gracefully.
Another common mistake that brides make on their wedding day is holding their bridal bouquet in the wrong direction, mistaking the front and back of the bouquet. At Flowers by Janie we always place a pearl pin at the back of the bouquet so that our brides know exactly which side of the bouquet they need to display. Brides can place their thumb on top of the pearl and be assured that they are holding their lovely arrangement the correct way. Make sure to ask your florist which side is the front of the bouquet in case they don't use a pin like we do. If your bouquet has trailing ribbons, this is easy, make sure the ribbons are hanging down the front of the bouquet.
To the Side
Holding your bridal bouquet to the side might not be something you ever considered doing but it is an effortlessly beautiful way to hold your bouquet. Whether you hold it at your side as you walk down the aisle or for wedding portraits, this option is a great way to ensure that your bouquet and your dress are both being shown off properly.
Holding your bouquet to the side allows you to create a beautiful focal point that draws eyes along your gown. This allows you to show off your stunning wedding dress while also highlighting the beautiful floral arrangement that you spent so much time considering. Hold your bouquet so that the stems are almost parallel with the floor. Just like with a cascading bouquet, when holding your arrangement at your side you want to make sure that as few stems are being shown as possible and that your gorgeous flowers are being displayed instead. It may feel unnatural but tilting your wrist upward will help to show off more of the flowers in the bouquet rather than the stems.
Holding your bouquet at your side makes for an effortless appearance and is a much more relaxed option and looks beautiful in photos and video.
Either way that you choose to hold your bridal bouquet will result in a stunning wedding day. Whether you have your bouquet elegantly placed in front of you or gracefully held beside you, both options are beautiful statement ways to show off your gown and stunning wedding florals. Your wedding photographer and videographer will also guide you to hold your bouquet in many other ways. Just keep in mind that it looks best when more flowers are showing than stems.
We hope that this blog post has helped you feel more confident about holding your bridal bouquet on your wedding day. If you are curious about the different styles and shapes of wedding bouquets, check out our previous blog post for some great visuals and inspiration for your big day!
If you are interested in having our team provide exceptional flowers for your Calgary or Rocky Mountain wedding please get in touch to check our availability!
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