Pick the
Best Flowers for Your Wedding Flower
Arrangements
Understanding
the diversity of flower shapes can help brides communicate with their florists
about the best flower choices for their bouquets and wedding arrangements.
Learn to categorize flowers into these eight basic shapes, discover the best
way to incorporate certain shapes into arrangements, and review examples of
each flower shape.
1. Circular
Flower Shapes
These
symmetrical flowers are adaptable for all types of wedding flower arrangements.
You can add daisies to a mixed flower centerpiece for a fresh, simple look, or
you can create a monochromatic bridal bouquet out of hot pink gerbera daisies
that looks very contemporary.
- Anemone
- Daisy
- Gerbera
- Sunflower
2. Dome
Flower Shapes
Dome shaped
flowers can be large or small, but they serve well as focal points in a wedding
flower arrangement because of their dense flower heads. Dome shaped flowers
with many small florets, like hydrangeas, can be a feature flower in a small
bridesmaid’s bouquet with the addition of only a few roses or some greenery.
- Celosia
- Hydrangea
- Chrysanthemum
3. Flat
Topped Flower Shapes
These
umbrella shaped flowers consist of many tiny flowers atop short stalks that
form large clusters. Flat-topped flowers have a lacy appearance that makes them
ideal for weddings with a romantic, vintage look. Brides who want hand-tied
bouquet may consider adding some flat-topped flowers to aid in development of
the round, domed shape characteristic of this bouquet.
- Queen
Anne’s Lace
- Trachellium
- Yarrow
4. Globe
Flower Shapes
Large globe
shaped flowers, like allium, don’t combine well with other flower shapes and
work best in minimalist ceremony or reception arrangements. Brides can have fun
tucking the unusual craspedia flower into their bouquets for a playful element,
or creating a tropical theme with proteas.
- Allium
- Craspedia
- Protea
- Thistle
5. Rosette
Flower Shapes
Rosette
shaped flowers include the most popular and traditional wedding flowers, loved
by all brides for their lush look and versatility. You can use rosette flowers
throughout your wedding arrangements and bouquets, as they combine well with
other flowers, come in a wide range of hues, and can feature in traditional or
contemporary designs.
- Carnation
- Dahlia
- Peony
- Ranunculus
- Rose
6. Spear Flower Shapes
Spear shaped
flowers sport clusters of many individual medium to large flowers growing on
short stems at the end of a long stalk. The structural drama spear shaped
flowers provide make them a must for large wedding ceremony or reception
arrangements. These flowers also provide the foundation for most arm sheaf, or
presentation bridal bouquets, which the bride carries cradled in her arm.
- Delphinium
- Gladiolus
- Liatris
- Lupine
- Orchid
7. Spire
Flower Shapes
Spire
shaped flowers differ from spears in that many flowers grow at the end of a
stalk, but the flowers are without stems, which gives them a spiky appearance.
These flowers are welcome additions in posy wedding bouquets, breaking up the
tidy dome shape of the bouquet and giving it interest.
- Hyacinth
- Lavender
- Lily-of-the-Valley
- Scented
Stock
- Veronica
8. Spray
Flower Shapes
Spray
shaped flowers offer the bride branching stems with many flowers, making them
suitable as filler flowers in bouquets and table arrangements. Wedding flowers
with many spray shaped flowers tend to have an informal look.
- Freesia
- Lily
- Lisianthus
- Spray
Rose
- Wedding
Flower Arrangements
By Jamie
McIntosh,
http://flowers.about.com/od/Special-Occasion-Flowers/tp/Wedding-Flower-Shapes.htm