The posy is round and small and can easily be held in one hand. There are two styles of posy bouquets, one can be loose, hand tied and unstructured, the other formal and wired, the stems of the flowers are removed and replaced with florists wire, constructed into a much lighter posy with and easy to hold handle.
These two styles are widely used where the natural stems are wrapped in a beautiful satin, velvet or organza ribbon and some embellished with pearl pins and beading trims.
Traditionally the nosegay was a small round shaped bunch of flowers and herbs, often containing more greenery than other bouquets and mounted in a tussie-mussie (a small, Victorian style, metal or glass, cone-shaped holder). It came back in fashion in the 1980's as a tight posy of small flowers with a stiff tulle backing. It was very popular with flowergirls and bridesmaids. In modern times it has been revived and reinvented with additions of lovely satin and organza ribbons and larger floral arrangements.
The biedermeier bouquet is European-influenced. The blooms are tightly-structured and carefully-arranged in defined circular patterns of different coloured flowers, each ring containing one type of flower.
Originating in Switzerland in the late 1800's, often orange and lemon peels were added for extra frangrance. A bouquet similar to the nosegay and named for a German style of interior design. The biedermeier has a very pleasing geometry and is recently showing signs of popularity again due to its dramatic beauty and contrast.
The Arm Sheaf or Presentation Bridal Bouquet
The arm sheaf bouquet first became popular in the early 1900's under the name of Bernhardt bouquets; inspired by the presentation bouquets given to the actress of the day, Sarah Bernhardt. They are long stemmed flowers and foliages that the bride carries cradled in her arm, also known as a presentation bouquet. It is a stunning alternative to more traditional styles of bouquets, it is very chic, and best suited to modern style weddings. Tastefully designed to be cradled in the bride's arm and can be as simple or as elaborate as she likes.
They can be single-ended, with stems showing at one end, or double-ended with no stems showing. A gorgeous ribbon provides the finishing touch. Popular floral choices for arm bouquets are calla lilies, gladiolus, orchids, long-stemmed roses, delphiniums, and larkspur.
The composite-flower bouquet dates from the early 20th century, mostly used for brides with an unlimited budget. This bouquet is a variation of the round bouquet.
A flower constructed of hundreds of real petals wired together to look like one enormous flower. This style is simplistic in design, but graceful and elegant. It works well in more intimate, sophisticated weddings.
Although featured recently in high fashion magazines, this specialised and time-consuming technique is yet to regain its former popularity. However, a single large daisy stands alone with its striking colour, adding the finishing touches of satin or organza ribbons to bring out it natural beauty. Perfect for the bride who loves simplicity.
The crescent bouquet appears in the shape of a quarter moon, a soft arch, using distinguished flowers with definite shapes, often orchids, wired together to form a slender handle that you can hold in one hand. These bouquets are true floral art and an individualist representation of the bride's personality. This style is perfect for sophisticated and contemporary weddings.
Flowers are usually tapered and extended at each end while the center is more compact. It can be symmetrical or not, the left and right side of the bouquet is seen flowing down and has only one trailing stem. This style of bouquet is best carried below the waist to show off its unique beauty.
The cascading bouquets were originally referred to as shower bouquets. Also known as a teardrop bouquet or trail bouquet. These replaced the fashion of posies around the time of 1910. This style became exaggerated by 1920, with much larger bouquets, so large they almost concealed the bride. They reached their peak from 1920 - 1930's until WWII.
The Cascading bouquet, which is the most formal and most traditional of bouquets, is designed to spill gracefully over the bride's hands as it flows downward for a sophisticated and stylized look, almost any flower can be used in this style.
The bouquet is roundish at the top but pointy at the bottom. The traditional shower bouquet is known as the large multi-trail bouquet, subsequently renamed the princess in honour of the late Princess Diana and her impressive bridal bouquet. The modern smaller version is called the teardrop bouquet or trail bouquet.
The pomander bouquet is also known as a kissing ball. A pomander is a ball of flowers suspended from a loop of decorative ribbon.
Adult attendants can carry pomanders, but young attendants such as flower girls and junior bridesmaids most often carry them
