COLOUR is often considered the most important element of bridal flowers, but take time to think about the scent as well.

Why not go for a bouquet which is fragrant as well as colour-co-ordinated?

Follow your nose and go for a scent you like rather than one which is fashionable at the moment – you’re the one who will be holding the flowers after all.

As a general rule, white and pale flowers tend to have stronger scents than brightly-coloured ones, so go for Oriental lilies, tuberose and narcissi if this fits in with your theme.

Freesias are the exception, with darker red and pink varieties having a wonderfully strong scent.

The most obvious choice is the rose, which has such a variety of colours it can be used in pretty much any bouquet.

While most commercially grown flowers are in season throughout the year, there are exceptions to this, such as peonies, sweet peas and lily of the valley, so it’s a good idea to think about this when setting your date if you have a vision of your perfect blooms.

Flowers in the winter months, for example, generally cost more, sometimes as much as double. So sometimes just “going with nature” is the best bet, and certainly looks more natural and will tie in with your wedding’s overall look.

If you’re struggling with the enormous amount of choice on offer, your best bet is to get some advice from a florist and flick through some bridal magazines to get some ideas.

There are even a huge range of options when it comes to the shape of the bouquet – would you rather carry a solitary bloom, have a posy style bouquet or a larger drooped shape?

You can opt for silk flowers which generally cost more, but will be a lasting memory of your big day.

What your choice of flower means

  • Daisy – sharing, innocence
  • Ivy – fidelity
  • Lily-of-the-valley – return of happiness
  • White rose – love and beauty
  • Red rose – passion
  • Sweet pea – pleasure
  • Tulip – love
  • Orange blossom – purity
  • Forget-me-not – true love
  • Morning glory – affection
  • Pansy – loving thoughts
  • Bluebell – everlasting love
  • Hollyhock – fertility
  • Iris – health
  • Lavender – devotion
  • Violet – faithfulness
  • Alstroemeria – wealth and prosperity

Flowers you might want to avoid

  • Anemone – a dying hope for love
  • Carnation (yellow) – disappointment and rejection
  • Chrysanthemum (yellow) – jilted love
  • Cyclamen – farewell
  • Foxglove – insincerity
  • Hydrangea – vanity
  • Larkspur – fickleness
  • Marigold – grief and jealousy
  • Peony – shame
  • Tulip (yellow) – hopeless love