No doubt one of the most personal and beautiful items at your wedding will be your wedding bouquet. It is a reflection of who you are, the colors you adore, and the flowers which bring you joy. It is no wonder that most brides find choosing their perfect wedding bouquet a difficult and daunting task. But don't worry, we'll walk you through it!

Of course, one of the first items to consider is what types of flowers you would like in your bouquet. The obvious choices are simply the bride's favorite flowers. But don't forget to rely on your florist to expand on your vision with unique accoutrements. The "white bouquet" (above) with classic hand-tied ribbon, designed by St. Louis Wedding-Club.com member Sandra Meyer, designer and owner of Petals Galore, has mini spray roses, Queen Anne's lace, and peonies, and is a classic example of creativity and beauty. The clutch bouquet with plum miniature calla lilies (above), designed by Chesterfield Florist, is also a stunning and unique approach to a modern bride's wedding bouquet.

The size of your bridal bouquet is as important as the flowers you choose. The size should be reflective of the dress, body type, and budget of the bride. Sandra Meyer suggests that taller brides do well with a flowing cascade design, while full-figured brides may find lush round bouquets more fitting. Petite brides look best with a small round bouquet. Chesterfield Florist's Classic Biedemeier-style bouquet with burgundy hydrangeas and clutch bouquet with bicolor roses, tropicana spray roses, and red bouvardia, (both above) are two great examples of bouquets reflective of universal elegance and can work with virtually any body type.

Of course, tackling the colors of your bouquet is always a bit challenging. Where do you begin? First and foremost, embrace color... but remember the cardinal rule -- your bouquet colors should never compete with your dress or your bridesmaid dresses. Although your bouquet should be striking, it should never overpower. Consider choosing colors which reflect the rest of your wedding design, the ceremony facility, even the season when your wedding takes place. Vibrant colors are always stunning when paired with other design elements that enhance their "statement". Mary Tuttle's hand-tied yellow silk bouquet with gerbera daisies is an wonderful example of bold colors with incredible style! Petals Galore's Salmon gerbera daisy with mini carnation bouquet is a fabulous cornucopia with colors that blend together beautifully to form a striking floral masterpiece.

Handle treatments and floral finishes can be as unique as the personality of the bride. Silk, satin, tulle, velvet, and almost any type of material or ribbon can enhance you wedding bouquet. One thought to consider: depending on the length of your wedding, your florist may want to implement ways to prolong the life of your wedding bouquet. Doing so may or may not limit your handle treatments. The life of your bouquet should be a major consideration during design. Mary Tuttle's gold satin-tied bouquet with roses and assorted flowers and Petals Galore's purple bouquet with agapanthus and anemone are both great examples of creative and unforgettable handle treatments.