At first. After months of planning, and 14 pairs of shoes returned to various online shopping sites, I was ready to let someone else decide. (For once, I am not exaggerating about the shoes.)
Choosing your bouquet can be mind boggling. One of the first questions I ask brides is, "What don't you want?" The answer to this question usually tells The Bouquet Lady a substantial amount about what she needs to know. I can then try, and I emphasize try, to make the bouquet planning process painless.
The choices are vast and you only get one. It's the second biggest decision to your gown, methinks. Some brides know exactly what they want, but this is rare. To assist you in your bouquet design process, I ask would ask you these questions:
1) Fresh, silk, or alternative? Advantages to all three exist, but I have a penchant toward alternative, so, Reader, we will proceed that way.
2) What don't you want? Pearls? Lots of bling? Feathers? Lace? Crystals? When planning an alternative bouquet, the possibilities are endless. You don't have to worry about what flowers are in season; ribbon is always available fresh from the manufacturer (pun intended). Feathers make you sneeze? Pearls represent tears of sadness? Hate bling? Okay, that's a good start.
3) Try one on for size. I hate to say this, dear Reader, but what size you are matters. If you are 5'10" tall, a tiny nosegay bouquet will be dwarfed. On the contrary, if you wear a size double 0, you are probably not going to want an extra-large bouquet. For this reason, I always have display bouquets and a full-length mirror available during design consultations. Pick one up. Hold it. Try it on for size. And heft. Is it too heavy? Brooch bouquets can weigh several pounds. If your designer doesn't have samples, ask for one. It's not too much to ask.
4) Did you bring color samples with you to the consultation? (If not, go home and get them.) Blue is not blue and pink is certainly never just pink. I have over 80 different color samples. Ask your designer to put together a color palate sample for you. Again, it's not too much to ask.
5) While you are grabbing color samples, grab a picture of your dress. Your dress should be an integral part of your decision making process. Big huge dresses don't need big huge bouquets. You want your guests to see you. Bring along your jewelry, your shoes, whatever you have that can give your designer ideas about who you are.
6) Who are you? Are you an animal lover? A rocker? The daughter of a breast cancer survivor? A Marine?
One bride I am working with loves turtles. She asked if I could put turtles into her bouquet. Absolutely!
Another wanted to honor her deceased mother with breast cancer brooches, three pink pearls for her daughters, and three pink crystals for tears.
A groom is wearing a photo of is deceased parents in his bout. Another wedding party of groomsmen are wearing spoons for boutonnieres. (Yup.)
One word of advice: If you don't see anything you see in the design studio, leave. You have to trust your designer. We all have different styles. If s/he tells you no about something, leave. Find someone who says, "Yes."
Remember you get one choice. Don't let the designer tell you want you want. Listen to his/her ideas, but you, Bride, are kind of a big deal. It's your party.
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