How to Choose a Flower Bouquet
Start with the occasion and the person, then choose a colour palette, a style (fresh, preserved or dried) and a size that fits your budget. When in doubt, a medium hand-tied bouquet in soft or bright mixed colours suits almost anyone.
1. Start with the occasion
The occasion narrows things down quickly. Celebrations such as birthdays and congratulations suit bright, mixed bouquets. Romantic moments call for roses and soft pinks — see anniversary flowers. For someone who is unwell, a low-scent basket is kinder than a large wrapped bouquet; our get well flowers page explains why.
2. Think about the person
- Do they love colour or calm? Bright yellows and oranges feel energetic; whites, greens and blush feel calm and elegant.
- Do they have time for flower care? If not, preserved flowers or dried flowers last for months without water.
- Any cultural considerations? In Chinese culture, all-white flowers and chrysanthemums in white or yellow are associated with funerals. Read our Chinese flower meanings guide.
- Allergies or a newborn at home? Choose low-pollen, low-scent flowers like roses and orchids.
3. Choose fresh, preserved or dried
| Fresh | Preserved | Dried | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lifespan | 5–7 days | 6–12 months | 6–12 months |
| Look | Vivid, natural, scented | Soft, vivid, little scent | Textural, muted |
| Care | Water every 2 days | None (keep dry) | None (keep dry) |
Fresh flowers give the biggest wow on arrival. Long-lasting options make sense for desks, travellers and keepsakes. See preserved vs dried flowers for detail.
4. Pick a style
- Hand bouquet: compact and spiral-tied, ideal to hand over in person. Browse hand bouquets.
- Statement bouquet: fuller, with hydrangeas or a dozen roses.
- Arrangement: arrives in a vase, box or basket and needs no setting up. See flower arrangements.
5. Set a budget
You do not need a big budget for a beautiful bouquet. Flowers with lots of volume per stem — sunflowers, baby’s breath, chrysanthemums — stretch further. Our flowers under $50 collection is designed for exactly this. Avoid peak days if price matters: Valentine’s Day prices rise across the industry.
6. Get the timing right
If the flowers are for today, check which designs offer same-day delivery. If the date is fixed, schedule delivery in advance so you get your preferred design and time slot.
