These 12 flowers are commonly used in bridal bouquets at weddings

Lilies

Late-summer Oriental lilies have a stronger fragrance and larger blooms than early-summer Asiatic lilies. A wedding bouquet made entirely of lilies looks both modern and dramatic.

Daisies

The cheerfulness and innocence of daisies pair with yellow flowers, and you can enjoy the golden tones of the chrysanthemum-like centers, such as yellow roses or Asiatic lilies. The round shape of daisies is stunning and can make your toes curl.

Lavender

Brides should become familiar with the scent before choosing a lavender bouquet. These flowers are a good choice for giving off fragrance from flower baskets, and after the ceremony, they make excellent dried flowers for commemorative favor bags.

Agapanthus

The awkward-sounding name of this bloom comes from Greek, meaning "love flower." Most commonly in blue or sometimes white tones, these delicate clusters add volume without density to table centerpieces.

Delphinium

Brides can incorporate delphinium flowers into ceremony or reception arrangements, as well as arm-sheaf bouquets.

Hydrangea

Hydrangea is a short-lived wedding flower, lasting five to seven days, but it is still popular with brides. White, blue and pink clusters can be as large as softballs, providing mass and volume from just a few stems. The scent of hydrangea is very faint, making it suitable for cake toppers.

Gladiolus

Brides looking for vertical drama in every hue except blue should consider gladiolus. A single flower spike can carry more than twenty blooms, usually with fancy ruffles. Gladiolus flowers are very thirsty, and the vase should be filled with plenty of water, but make sure the water is not treated with fluoride, as this causes the flowers and leaves to discolor.

Liatris

Liatris is a North American native flower that blooms late in summer. Brides choosing pink or white wedding flowers can add the feathery liatris as a vertical accent. These flowers open from the top downward, so florists can gather the unopened florets deeper down to maintain a tidy appearance.

Lisianthus

Also known as Texas bluebell, it is the answer for brides who want a rose-like intense purple tone. A single lisianthus may have several blooms, so a few stems will add volume and density to a wedding bouquet.

Pincushion flower

You can ask your florist for this flower's botanical name, scabiosa, to avoid confusion with pincushion flower. Pincushion flower colors are usually blue, pink and white, but deep wine-red tones look outstanding with white or green flowers.

Snapdragons

These flower clusters appear in a rainbow of red, orange, pink, purple and white. Fresh flowers are an inexpensive way to add mass to bouquets and table arrangements. Snapdragons always want to stand upright, and if you place your bouquet on a chair during the reception, they will bend their tips toward the ceiling.

Yarrow

When yarrow blooms in early summer, it has yellow tones, as well as white, pink and red. The fern-like foliage is an attractive as well as fragrant addition to wedding arrangements. Brides should keep some of their yarrow-containing floral arrangements at home, because cut flowers can last three weeks. If you hang them upside down in a dry place for two weeks, the flowers will dry well.