Emma Lappin is a Hampshire based floral designer specialising in elegant and stylish flower arrangements for weddings and special events. Call us on 01256 473839 for more information.

Bouquet Tips and Tricks

• When you come for a consultation, remember to bring a picture of your dress. The design of your bouquet is completely dependent on the style, shape and detail of your dress.

• If you are having your dress made or altered, ask the dressmaker if you can have any spare material that your florist can use to wrap around the stems of your bouquet, you then have the perfect match.

• If you have a family heirloom such as an antique brooch, a lace hanky or something else to work into your something old, new, borrowed and blue, ask your florist to add it into the top of the stems. Brooches in particular look fantastic and are a lovely way to finish off the handle.

• When you are nervous before your wedding and hold your bouquet for the first time, most brides tend to hold their bouquet with two hands and carry it quite high which immediately lifts the shoulders up. This tends not to make a great picture, particularly if you are wearing a strapless dress. If you can remember, (get your bridesmaid to remind you) hold your bouquet in one hand and below your hip. This will relax and open your shoulders, improving your posture and creating the best pose for your photographer!

• If you can bear to put your bouquet down, putting it to the side of your wedding cake makes a beautiful picture.

• After care of your bouquet: If you have a hand tied bouquet, you are likely to be able to refresh it at the end of the day by cutting an inch of the stems and popping it into water. Perhaps a job for your mum or friend. If you would like more information about preserving your bouquet, please e-mail me for more information.