So the venue is booked, your dress is bought and the invitations have been sent; it’s time to sort those special added touches. You don’t have to do the hen party bags as your night out is a surprise so that’s one less thing to worry about, but there are still bridesmaids dresses, entertainment and of course the flowers for you to organise.

The type of flowers you carry down the aisle can really dictate the style of your wedding. Classic red roses are often used in winter wonderland themed weddings whereas sunflowers are often used in bright colour schemes for summer weddings. The colour of your flowers should match the bridesmaids’ dresses, the table decorations and chair covers.

If you don’t have a favourite flower and want something unique you don’t necessarily have to carry a flower bouquet down the aisle. There are many alternatives:

Paper Flowers
Create beautiful flowers and recycle at the same time by using origami techniques to create a paper bouquet. This DIY method will save you money too! Mix and match colours, shapes and textures to craft a beautifully unique floral display that has the personal touch. You could even create one giant paper flower for a minimalistic look.

Artificial Flowers
Okay, so artificial flowers aren’t that unusual but they are a handy budget alternative to the stereotypical fresh flower. Quality artificial flowers look and feel almost real and can be kept forever in order to remember your special day. This is a handy alternative for people who have hay fever.

Dried Flowers 
If you want real flowers but you’re worried how to keep them fresh then why not opt for dried flowers? The burnt colours of dried and pressed flowers look wonderful against an autumnal backdrop.

Themed Bouquets
Themed weddings call for something unusual; let your imagination run wild and make or buy a novel bouquet.
If you’re having a seaside wedding then you could get a seashell bouquet. Entirely made of shells, this creamy bouquet has depth and texture and will look great against a plain dress. For a rich, Moulin Rouge style wedding add feathers to a bouquet for some added drama or for winter wonderland weddings add pine cones or berries. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory lovers would die for an edible bouquet entirely made of sweets!

Vintage style weddings are becoming increasingly popular. The classic cars and pastel colours can be complemented by a bouquet made of repurposed gold or silver retro broaches. This is a handy way of recycling old jewellery and can have a magpie effect- drawing attention through its sparkle in the light. Add pearls and crystal beads for a little extra something.

Kissing Ball Bouquet
If paper, old broaches and feathers sound a little extreme then you could always use real flowers and mould them in to dramatic shapes. A kissing ball bouquet or pomander is a ball of your chosen flowers which is suspended by a ribbon. This looks particularly sweet if you have young bridesmaids. You could also get your flower bouquet made into a heart shape if you are a true romantic.

This blog post was written by the ladies at henstuff, an online store selling all kinds of great hen party goods.