If you are in the process of deciding on your wedding flowers and are struggling to decide which ones would be best, check out this list of the most popular real and silk wedding flowers. These are the most commonly chosen and used wedding flowers by brides to be. I have also including popular colors for each flower type and their flower meaning.

Baby’s Breath/Gypsophila - These beautiful and dainty flowers represent happiness and everlasting love. Available in white, ivory, and pink.

Calla Lily - Calla lilies are a classic wedding flower that means magnificent beauty and purity. They are available in reds, whites, yellows, and pinks.

Daisy/Gerbera Daisy - These adorable and fun flowers symbolize gentleness, innocence, loyal love, cheer, and happiness. Daisies are available in white and yellow, and gerbera daisies come in various shades of red, yellow, orange, white, violet, and pink.

Gardenia - Gardenias are a beautiful wedding flower that can mean a secret love, as well as purity, peace, and joy. They can either be white or pale yellow in color.

Hydrangea - These full clusters of flowers represent rememberence and “thank you for understanding.” Hydrangeas are available in shades of white, blue, red, pink, and purple.

Lily - Lilies are wonderfully fragrant wedding flowers that represents purity. You can get lilies in many different colors and varieties.

Lily of the Valley - Lily of the valleys are dainty little bell-shaped flowers. They represent purity, sweetness, and the return to sweetness. The lily of the valley in available in white and soft pink.

Orchids - There are many, many different types of orchids to chose from with a wide range of colors. One of the most popular orchid for wedding flowers is the phalaenopsis orchid. Orchids symbolize love, rare beauty, and long life.

Peony - The peony is a beautiful, full bloom that represent healing, life, and a happy marriage. They are available in shades of red, pink, white, and yellow.

Roses - Roses are the number one wedding flower and are the ultimate symbol of love, passion, and perfection. They can have a wonderfully sweet scent and are available in almost every color, shape, and size.

Stephanotis - These gorgeous little flowers mean happiness in marriage and the desire to travel. Stephanotis are only available in white.

Tulips - A beautiful spring time flower, tulips mean dreaminess and are a symbol of the perfect lover. They are available in every color except for blue, and also come in multi-colored blends.

When choosing your wedding flowers there are several important aspects to take into consideration. Below is a list of things to research and keep in mind.

Budget
One of the first things you should decide on is your budget. What price range are you looking at, and what are you willing to spend. Having limits, or having none will be a big factor in the overall design and amount of your arrangements.

Silk or Real
After establishing your budget, decide if you would like to go with silk or real flowers. Silk flowers are lower maintenance, lower in price, and you can buy them well before the big day. Real flowers, of course, look more natural and are beautifully scented. Take time to review the ups and downs, availability, and cost of both.

Season
When your wedding is taking place is also very important to consider. Certain flowers are more readily available at certain times/seasons. When buying flowers out of season, availability and expense will be a consideration. Example: If you adore tulips and are getting married in November, you will run into availability and product quality issues. Also, the cost will be significantly more than normal because of supplies being scarce. Temperature is also a factor if you are using real flowers. Keep in mind the overall look you are trying to create as well. You may have a fall wedding and want the flowers to clearly give that feel.

Type
When picking the type of flower you would like to use, start by making a list of several of your favorite stems. Again, it’s important to keep in mind the time of year of your wedding as some flowers are more readily available in certain seasons. If you don’t have a specific favorite — try to decide what look you are trying to achieve. Then, speak with a local florist. Most florists will know what flowers create a certain style or are complementary of ones you have already picked.

Color
The color of flowers you choose is very important. Some flowers are only available in certain colors and shades, where others have a wide selection. Same as with the flower type, when choosing your colors, first decide what overall you look you want your wedding to have. Soft creamy shades such as whites, ivories, creams, and pinks with give your bouquet that traditional, elegant feel, where bright, vibrant colors will make a bold and beautiful statement.

Where to Put Flowers
Deciding where you would like your flowers is a big decision. Ask yourself how many arrangements you would like at the ceremony, reception, and where you want to put them; bridal table, cake table, guest tables. Do you want a couple of large displays, or several smaller ones? Also, decide who in the wedding wears what. You will most likely need a bridal and bridesmaids’ bouquets, something for the flower girl, and boutonnieres for the groom, groomsmen, and ring bearer. Don’t forget corsages for the mothers, and boutonnieres for the fathers! Also, decide if you want anyone else to wear flowers, such as the musician, ushers, hosts, or other family members.

Florist
One of the most important steps in choosing your flowers is hiring a florist. Make sure to find someone who is easy to talk to and that you’ll enjoy working with. This way, you’ll feel comfortable telling them what direction you want to go and throwing around design ideas. Make sure to discuss topics like cost, who will be arranging the flowers, and how many other events they have that weekend. Most importantly, make sure they can work with your budget and create flowers you will be happy with!

When looking to buy or create the perfect bouquet, there are several things that can make it unique and special. Here is a list of important things to consider when deciding on your arrangement.

Flower Type - When picking the type of flower you would like to use, start by making a list of several of your favorite stems. It’s important to keep in mind the time of year of your wedding, as some flowers are more readily available in certain seasons. If you don’t have a specific favorite — try to decide what look you are trying to achieve. Then, speak with a local florist. Most florists will know what flowers compliment a certain style or are complimentary of ones you have already picked.

Color - The color of flowers you choose is very important. Some flowers are only available in certain colors or shades, where others have a wide selection. Same as with the flower type, when choosing your colors, first decide what overall look you want your wedding to have. Soft, creamy shades such as whites, ivories, creams, and pinks will give your bouquet that traditional, elegant feel, where bright vibrant colors will make a bold and beautiful statement.

Greenery - Do you want a lot of green accents in your bouquet, or just enough? Using certain leaves and greenery as fillers in your bouquet can create a look all on its own! Try experimenting with ivy, ferns, and onion grass. Go simple and use the same greens as the flowers you’re using, or make your bouquet a little more exotic by using onion grass. Having a florist create your arrangement? Ask what greens they recommend to complete your bouquet style.

Accents - Flowers and greenery just quite enough? Why not get a little creative and add other elements to your bouquet. Try using accent pieces like lights, jewels, feathers, or ribbon. Want to add even more personality to a bouquet? Add something unique to your design such as sea shells or buttons. Feeling creative? Add your own personal twist to your bouquet.

When you are making flower bouquets, there are several different design shapes to consider. The shape of your bouquet can add to your overall appearance of your wedding. Jazz up your look with a contemporary design, or keep the bouquet round for that traditional elegant feel. Below are a list of several different options for bouquet styles, including classic and unique styles.

Round/Colonial - Traditional, simple and formal circular shaped bouquet. Does not have to be perfectly round, and maybe designed in a close bunch or loose for a more spacious feel.

Nosegay - Similar to a Round bouquet, but smaller in size and is generally decorated with more greenery and ribbon.

Biedermier - This European influenced bouquet features many different types of flowers and colors, and is regularly designed in a circular pattern.

Hand-Tied - This bouquet is most often round in shape with the floral stems wrapped tightly with beautiful ribbon.

Cascade/Teardrop - This gorgeous style features a “fountain” appearance, with hanging flowers and/or greenery that descends below the main base.

Crescent - Has a dramatic arch of flowers and greens. There are 2 styles of the crescent bouquet; symmetrical and asymmetrical.The symmetrical is visually balanced with the arched flowers the same length of both sides, where the asymmetrical has one side longer than the other.

Heart - Designed with semicircle shapes at the top of the bouquet,and lessens to a point at the bottom.

Arm(presentation/pageant) - Usually made up of long stemmed flowers that allow the bouquet to rest across the carrier’s arm.

Free Form/Comtemporary - This bouquet has no real shape to it making it unconventional and striking in appearance.

Oval - Combination of cascade and round designs, but has a more elongated shape.

Single Stem - Beautiful yet simple single stem, generally wrapped with ribbon.

Composite - This bouquet features a focal point that is a large flower created by putting together various petals from different blooms.

Pomander - Often used for a bridesmaid or flower girl, this bouquet is simply a floral covered sphere or cone. A ribbon is attached at the top to create the handle.
Some brides even decide on a simple wrist corsage to give the bouquet feel, but allow them to keep their hands free.

These are just a few ideas for choosing a bouquet that best fits you and your wedding. The right design will add to the decor and essence of your ceremony as well as helping pick out what flowers will work best for your special day.