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Choosing wedding flowers? See these bridal bouquet arrangements

bridal bouquet
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cascade© Photo: Getty Images

The Cascade Bouquet

Also known as the "waterfall" bouquet, the cascade bouquet is considered the most traditional and formal of wedding bouquets. They are created using an abundance of flowers.

Advantages:A spectacular look and statement accessory guaranteed to put you in the spotlight; works well with exotic flowers such as orchids.

For who?For brides who are wearing long-length, formal dresses such as ball gowns; they often feature in outdoor or rustic-styled weddings.

Who carried it?Diana, Princess of Wales' bouquet weighed almost three kilos and consisted of ivy, lily of the valley, freesia, stephanotis and gardenias.

Popular flowers used:Clematis, freesia and orchids.

shield bouquet© Photo: Getty Images

The Shield-Shaped Bouquet

A structured and crafted bouquet that pays homage to the more dramatic cascade bouquet.

Advantages:More lightweight and mobile than cascade bouquets and can be carried with one hand; works well with veils; looks beautiful from all angles.

For who?For the trendy and elegant bride who wants most of the focus on the dress.

Who carried it?When Kate married Prince William in 2011 she carried this style, using flowers that had symbolic significance such as the sweet William, a tribute to her groom.

Popular flowers used:Blue bell, snowdrop, stephanotis.

grace kelly© Photo: Rex

The Book Bouquet

Traditionally prayer books were used but many brides may choose to carry a flower-accented book of spiritual or personal significance, if literature holds a special place in their hearts. The book is used as a platform to rest a small bouquet, which can be attached with ribbons.

Advantages:Can be kept as a memento or handed down through generations; couples can choose to work readings of the book into their ceremony.

For who?For brides wanting a traditional religious ceremony or a truly personal wedding; for couples looking for something different.

Who carried it?Grace Kelly carried a Catholic wedding missal at her wedding to Prince Rainier of Monaco in 1956.

Popular flowers used:Lilac, Lily of the Valley, baby's breath.

biedemeer© Photo: Rex

The Biedermeier Bouquet

Named after a German interior style, this bouquet consists of a dense cluster of blooms tightly structured and carefully arranged in a circular pattern of different flowers.

Advantages:Unlikely to lose shape; looks great from any angle.

For who?A good choice for formal ceremonies, or for brides looking for something different to the more common posy. po

Who carried it?Paula Abdul chose a Biedermeier bouquet consisting of white and orange roses for her wedding to Brad Beckerman in 1996.

Popular flowers used:Gerbera, red rose and pink rose.

posy bouquet

The Posy Bouquet

Posy bouquets consist of a bunch of flowers arranged in a circular fashion so that the bouquet has a slightly domed shape. They can consist of one type of flower or a variety with large flower heads.

Advantages:They are less fragile than other styles; they're versatile and can be scaled down in size to create complementary bridesmaid's bouquets – and they won't compete with your dress!

For who?They are simple bouquets so pair well with extravagant dresses; they're ideal for petite brides or flower girls who have little hands.

Who carried it?Queen Victoria carried a posy made mostly of snowdrops when she married Prince Albert in 1840.

Popular flowers used:Dahlia, peony and tulip.

arm sheath

The Arm Sheath Bouquet

As expected, this style is designed to rest on the bride's forearm and includes long-stemmed flowers such as sunflowers, orchids or giant irises.

Advantages:Budget-friendly as they don't require a lot of flowers; they're versatile and can be carried to the side rather than cradled in the arm.

For who?Suits tall brides; works well with streamlined or simple A-line gowns.

Who carried it?Farah Fawcett at her wedding to Lee Majors in 1973.

Popular flowers used:Calla lily, iris and sunflower.

composite

The Composite Bouquet

Simplistic in design but graceful and elegant, the composite bouquet works well at intimate and sophisticated weddings. It's constructed of hundreds of real petals wired together to look like one enormous flower.

Advantages:Dramatic and distinctive; works well with silk petals, therefore a good alternative for couples suffering from hay fever.

For who?Looks best with an elegant and simple dress; suits brides with a vintage style.

Who carried it?Katherine Heigl carried a composite bouquet of white roses for her wedding to Josh Kelley in 2007.

Popular flowers:Camellia, lily, rose.

For more information and the full infographic visit fairmont.com/infographics/wedding-bouquet-styles.