The bridal bouquet

What it is

There are four common shapes. The posy is small and round, easy to hold in one hand. The hand-tied bouquet is looser, with visible stems wrapped in ribbon. The cascade, also called a shower bouquet, spills downward in a point and is usually wired onto a holder. The pomander is a ball of flowers hung from a ribbon loop, often carried by young bridesmaids. A matching flower for the groom's lapel and smaller bouquets for the attendants usually complete the set.

Where it comes from

Brides in ancient Greece and Rome wore or carried herbs and garlands. The modern white bouquet owes much to Queen Victoria, who married in 1840 wearing orange blossom, a flower long linked to brides in southern Europe. Myrtle, an old emblem of love, is another royal habit. Since the wedding of Victoria's eldest daughter in 1858, British royal bouquets have included a sprig of it. In the early twentieth century shower bouquets grew very large, and they returned to fashion in the 1980s.

How it is made

Flowers are conditioned in water for a day so they are fully open and firm. For a tied bouquet the florist builds a spiral in the hand, binds it, and covers the binding with ribbon pinned in place. For a cascade, each flower may be wired and taped so it can be bent into position, which also makes the bouquet lighter. Delicate flowers such as lily of the valley and stephanotis are favourites because they are small, white and scented, but they wilt fast and need careful handling.

Customs

In English speaking countries the bride often throws her bouquet over her shoulder to the unmarried guests. Whoever catches it is said to be next to marry. Some brides instead lay the bouquet on a family grave or a memorial. British royal brides have often sent theirs to the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey. Many people dry or press a few flowers from the bouquet to keep.

Good manners

• Hold the bouquet low, at about hip height, so it does not hide the dress or your face.
• Keep it in water and out of the sun until the last moment.

The flowers

BouquetA creative arrangement of flowers, given or displayed for many occasionsOrange blossomThe fragrant white flower of the sweet orange tree, used in perfume and foodLily-of-the-valleyA woodland plant with sweet-scented white bell flowers in late springRoseWoody perennial plants with showy, often fragrant flowers in many coloursPeonyLarge spring flowers in pink, red, white, yellow and purple, grown in gardens worldwideStephanotis floribundaA tropical vine with clusters of fragrant white, waxy flowers from Madagascar

Also part of it, and being written: Myrtus communis.

Sources and further reading

• Flower bouquet on Wikipedia