Heading to the florist to discuss your wedding flowers?
Check out out floral terms below to make sure you know a nosegay from a cascading bouquet!
Bouquet Types
Hand-tied bouquet
Created by placing the stems of the flowers, foliage and accessories in the florists hand and wrapping them around the center of the design until they are securely fastened. These arrangements are designed to show the natural growth of the stems, which are often wrapped in ribbon or French braided together.
Cascade
Features flowers that descend below the main portion of the bouquet design. Cascade bouquets are most often used in formal and traditional weddings.
Contemporary Bouquets
Are inspired by unconventional ideas, styles and patterns and are designed with no specific geometric form. They are usually created with flowers that have definite form and add character to a bouquet.
Nosegays
Small, round bouquets, approximately 16-18 inches in diameter, composed of densely packed round flowers, greenery, and occasionally herbs. Nosegays are wired or tied together. More Moms’ are asking for nosegays. Also called a tussie mussie.
Arm or Presentation
Also known as the pageant bouquet, is a bunch of long-stemmed flowers cradled in the bride’s arms.
Tussie Mussie
From the Victorian era, a tussie mussie is a posy carried in a small, metallic, hand-held vase. Today, the term is often used in reference to the holder itself.
Composite
A handmade creation in which different petals or buds are wired together on a single stem to create the illusion of a giant flower.
Biedermeier
A tightly arranged nosegay consisting of concentric circles of various differently colored flowers. The blooms are wired into a holder, with one flower variety per ring.
Pomander
A bloom-covered ball suspended from a ribbon. Ideal for child attendants.
Posies
Smaller than nosegays but similar in design, posies often include extras like ribbons or silk flowers. Perfect for little hands.
Tossing
This copy of the bridal bouquet is used solely for the bouquet toss ritual.
Other Floral Terms
Taped and Wired
Arranging technique for bouquets, boutonnieres, headpieces, and wreaths. The head of a flower is cut from the stem and attached to a wire, which is then wrapped with floral tape. Taped and wired flowers are more easily maneuvered into shapes and styles.
Oasis
Special foam used in flower arrangements. Oasis fits in a bouquet holder and retains water like a sponge, hydrating flowers for extended time periods.
Boutonniere
A single bloom or bud (or several small buds) attached to the left lapel of the jacket. Boutonnieres can be worn by grooms, attendants, ushers, and the bride and groom’s fathers.
Candelabra
A floral centerpiece created at the base, neck, or top of a multi-armed candelabra. Such a centerpiece is usually touched with flowing greens or ribbons, depending on the wedding’s style.
Corsage
A single bloom (or small cluster of blooms) arranged against a lace or tulle doily and/or accented with ribbon. Corsages come in pin-on, wrist, and hand-held styles and are typically worn by mothers and grandmothers. Orchids and gardenias are popular choices.
Dais
The centerpiece at the head table (where bride and groom are seated), which drapes to the front of the table for visual effect.
Fish Bowl
Low centerpiece style that consists of flowers clustered in a glass bowl.
Garland
Elaborately woven rope or strand arrangement, typically used to adorn pews and doorways. A garland can also be paraded down the aisle by two or three little ones.
Huppah
A wedding canopy decorated with flowers that is an integral part of the traditional Jewish ceremony.
Topiary
Flowers or foliage trimmed into geometric shapes, often resembling miniature trees or animals.
Trellis
A woven wooden frame used as a screen or support for climbing plants and flowers.
Wreath
A ring of flowers or other decorative materials that can function as centerpiece, headpiece, or door hanger.
