The choice of a wedding bouquet depends on the styling of the gown. Bouquets vary from the loose, fresh picked from the garden look, to the highly stylized formal cluster. Think tone and balance. A nosegay of daisies might look out of place with a formal long gown, while a formalized floral arrangement would appear too sober against a simple peasant dress.

Find out if the florist hand ties and hand wires each bloom in the bouquet or inserts them into a plastic bouquet holder filled with an oasis which can be less stable and more bulky to carry.

The bouquet size should be in proportion to the bride. Too large a bouquet will simply overpower her and clutter her beautiful dress. And keep these shapes in mind:

Cascade - A large, rear shaped arrangement in which flowers gracefully spill downward.

Nosegay - Round in shape, a tightly bound cluster of small flowers when tiny, sometimes called a post.

Arm Bouquet - A graceful crescent shape designed to be cradled in one arm.