Bouquet

"A bound collection of cut flowers arranged in the hand or on a flat surface, typically tied with twine, ribbon, or floral wire and given as a gift or carried in a wedding ceremony."

Why it matters

Bouquet is a generic term used for everything from a $15 grocery-store wrap to a $500 bridal bouquet. The professional categories are: hand-tied (loose, garden-style, asymmetric), round (formal, even, symmetric), cascade (downward-flowing, traditional bridal), and posy (small, simple, single-flower-type). Pricing scales with stem count, flower season, and design labor.

For weddings, the bridal bouquet is the most photographed floral element of the entire day, which is why budget-conscious couples often spend more here than on any other single floral element.

Best practices

When ordering a bridal bouquet, bring a photo reference and a list of color limits (or 'no white,' 'must include peonies'), not a flower-by-flower spec list. Trust the florist's design judgment within your stated constraints. Confirm the delivery time and ceremony location 48 hours in advance.

Frequently asked

How long can a bridal bouquet sit out before the ceremony?

Up to 4 hours in a cool indoor space, less if the venue is warm. The florist will deliver the bouquet in a vase or hydration tube; keep it in water until the bride needs it for first-look photos or the processional, then dry the stems and hand it off.