Dorset Brides: Wedding flowers

When it comes to choosing which flowers you want for your wedding, the chances are your main priority will be how they look.

Image: Nick Rutter photography

Most brides like to have the colour of their bridesmaid dresses reflected in the bouquet, or tend to go for a classic ivory style.

However, why not talk to your florist about the scent of the blooms as well?

Some flowers do have a longer shelf-life than others and you will obviously want your bouquet to look as perfect as possible.

But for that added extra, wouldn’t it be great if the venue was filled with the most beautiful romantic aroma as well?

Interestingly, floral scents such as rose, jasmine and lily are the most popular smells used by the perfume industry, which spends a lot of time and money trying to recreate the aroma of fresh flowers.

So using real flowers to scent your wedding day will only serve to make it even more memorable.

Certain fragrances can even have an effect on your emotions and well-being, so if you think you’re going to be nervous or over-stressed on the day, why not try adding a hint of orange blossom or lavender to your bouquet.

Brides-to-be worried about being exhausted from all that manic pre-planning could benefit from a citrus smell, known for its great “pick-me-up” qualities.

But if you’re really after a powerful scent to accompany your dramatic setting, the rule of thumb is the paler the flower, the headier the scent.

So choose whites, creams and pale pastels for a particularly strong fragrance.

Couples on a budget would be advised to choose a seasonal flower, as they are generally less expensive and longer lasting.

If you fall for something particularly exotic, the chances are it will be pricey, so try to find a similar alternative, or keep the expensive flowers to a minimum in your bouquet.

A good tip is to buy a few of the flowers you like and have them around your home for a week or so, to make sure you really do like both the look and the scent of the blooms.

Try to steer clear of any flowers that are short-lived, particularly for bouquets or buttonholes. If you really have to have a particular bloom as part of your big day, why not use it as a table centrepiece where it can be kept in water.

Make sure your partner likes what you choose – he may not know much about flowers, but you don’t want to end up with something which he hates, or makes him sneeze!

Best blooms

Current wedding favourites include:

Arum lilies – these large, glossy lilies traditionally come in white, but are now available in vibrant colours too. Carry a bouquet or even a single lily.

Roses – everyone’s favourite and a regular feature in wedding flowers. Classic and traditional, yet can also be more contemporary, according to the arrangement.

Lily of the valley – the ultimate in romance with a fabulous scent. This can be very expensive, so choose it only in season and stick to a small posy.

Peonies – another extremely popular flower. But bear in mind you can only get them on May, June and November.

Freesias – bright colours and a wonderful scent make these a favourite for bouquets.

Ivy and jasmine – these trailing plants are often chosen for the flowing “waterfall” bouquets.