Petal Perfect

They're great in bouquets, but there's much more you can do with your wedding flowers.

Sure, flowers are pretty, but unless you've thrown a bash that required, oh, 200 dozen blossoms, how do you know what looks to go for at your wedding? We've got the scoop on what to do with those blooming buds in your big day—and beyond.

What's Hot

Fresh flowers or sugar flowers on your wedding cake.

Petal aisle runners. "This is expensive, but if you are looking for something special, this is it," says Lisa Watts, bridal consultant for floral retailer Gerald Stevens.

Flowers pinned on your wedding dress, such as on the bustle.

A floral chandelier, if you're having a tent wedding.

Garden-influenced decorations. For example, flowers or plants in terra-cotta pots, grapevine wreaths, topiaries and wrought iron instead of brass.

Centerpieces for the bride and groom's table. According to Watts, more and more couples are having their own table at the reception as opposed to sitting with their wedding party or families.

Decorating the outside of your church or synagogue, such as a lamppost or banister. Be sure to ask your officiant if there are any restrictions when it comes to decorating your ceremony site.

Quality ribbon on the bouquets such as velvet or a heavy satin.

Bouquets that have movement. "A very popular bouquet for spring is one made of French tulips, seeded eucalyptus and tuberose," she says. "For fall, a bouquet of hydrangea, dahlias and hypericum berries is very nice." Roses also remain popular, especially when mixed with freesia, which is very fragrant.

Decorating the grill of your car. Watts suggests your initials in flowers.

Incorporating personal items into the bouquet. According to Watts, one bride brought in a swatch of fabric from her grandmother's wedding dress, made a rosette out of it and tucked it into her bouquet.

Presenting your bouquet to someone special, such as your mother or grandmother, after the wedding. "My grandmother took a piece of the ivy from my bouquet, rooted it and now it is growing in her yard," says Watts.

Flowers that match your personality. "Don't be something you are not," she warns. "If you are a casual person, I wouldn't recommend a formal bouquet. Go for a looser formation with brightly colored flowers."

Many herbs have meanings perfect for love and marriage. Watts suggests wrapping napkins with raffia and herbs or incorporating herbs in the bouquets or arrangements.

Traditional vs. Contemporary

According to Watts, flowers for a traditional wedding are all white or different tones of white. Blooms often used for traditional bouquets include roses, lilies of the valley, orange blossoms, stephanotis, gardenias and orchids. Attendants carry uniform bouquets and table arrangements at the reception site are very symmetrical and also uniform. Watts suggests that if you would like to add a bit of splash to a traditional bouquet, add something personal.

"We are seeing a lot of contemporary bouquets now, especially in brides over the age of 25," says Watts. This type of bouquet may consist of vividly colored flowers and anything that has a personal stamp on it. For instance, one bride with Native American heritage incorporated feathers into her bouquet, or if you are having a beach wedding, consider adding seashells. Think about having your bridesmaids carry bouquets with the same color theme but different flowers. "Colorful orchids have been very popular."

Great ideas for post-wedding blooms

Dry your flowers and use as potpourri.

If you are having a brunch the next morning, use the arrangements as decorations.

Some flowers, such as ivy, can be replanted.

Have the arrangements delivered to your parents or to the hotel rooms of out-of-town guests. (There is usually a separate delivery fee for this.)

Tell your guests to take the centerpieces as they are leaving the wedding.

Write down on a note card the flowers used in your bouquet and stick the card in your husband's wallet. He can order the same bouquet for your one-year anniversary.