You want to surprise someone with flowers, but you're not sure: should you send a colourful mixed bouquet, or does something quieter suit the situation better? The occasion largely determines which choice will make the most impact. A bridal bouquet is fundamentally different from a sympathy bouquet, and a birthday calls for something different from a congratulations gift for a new home. This guide tells you exactly what you need to know for each occasion.
Flowers communicate without words. Colour, flower type and style all carry a message, whether you intend them to or not. A bright red bouquet at a condolence visit feels uncomfortable; a restrained white bouquet at a birthday can come across as cold. That has nothing to do with taste — it is about cultural meaning and emotional expectation.
Taking the occasion as your starting point makes choosing faster and easier. You don't need to be a florist to make a good decision — you just need a few basic rules.
Before you pick a bouquet, three things will help you:
With those three answers, you can already make 80% of the decision. The rest is instinct.
A birthday is the most common reason to send flowers. Colourful bouquets work well here: think a cheerful mixed bouquet or a striking yellow or orange arrangement. Want something more romantic? Then order a red bouquet — a classic choice that rarely misses. If you're not sure what the birthday person likes, a mixed seasonal bouquet is always a safe and fresh option.
White and cream are traditionally dominant at weddings, but modern brides increasingly opt for pink, lilac or even green. Ordering a bridal bouquet means making a style choice that fits the rest of the wedding. For a wedding anniversary — especially a golden or silver one — a larger, more luxurious arrangement is a good match. Think about ordering luxury bouquets with roses and exclusive accent flowers.
Light pink for a girl and light blue for a boy: the clichés exist for a reason, but you can also order a white bouquet with soft green accents, which is timeless and fresh. One thing to bear in mind: avoid flowers with heavy pollen around newborns. Lilies are less suitable for this reason.
When someone has suffered a loss or is ill, choose calm and restraint. White and soft lilac tones are appropriate. Ordering a funeral bouquet calls for a different approach than a celebratory one: less exuberant, with more structure and symbolism. If you want to give something that lasts longer, consider a plant instead of cut flowers.
Here you can go big. Large, colourful bouquets suit a festive milestone well. Orange is popular at Dutch graduation celebrations, but a mixed bouquet in cheerful colours works just as well. You could also combine it with a gift voucher or chocolates for a more complete gift.
No special reason needed. A meadow-style bouquet or a loose, wild arrangement is perfect for a spontaneous gesture. It feels less "planned" — and that is precisely what makes it more personal. Sending flowers for any occasion is easier than you might think, even when there is no particular reason at all.
A well-chosen bouquet only truly succeeds when it arrives fresh and stays beautiful for as long as possible. A few practical tips:
The season has more influence on your choice than you might expect. In spring, tulips, daffodils and hyacinths are at their best — fresh, colourful and affordable. In summer, sunflowers, dahlias and lavender are widely available. Autumn brings warm tones: orange, bordeaux and deep yellow. In winter, amaryllis, roses and holly are popular.
Outside their natural season, certain flowers are still available, but they are often imported and don't last as long. A seasonal bouquet is therefore not only more beautiful, but also a smarter choice for the recipient.
Keep an eye on public holidays too: around Mother's Day (the second Sunday in May), Valentine's Day (14 February) and Christmas, demand for flowers is high. Order in good time to avoid disappointment.
White is the most common choice for grief and loss. It represents calm, purity and respect. Soft lilac and cream are also appropriate. Avoid bright colours such as red, orange or vivid yellow — they are too exuberant for this occasion.
Absolutely. Sending flowers "just because" is one of the most beautiful gestures precisely because it is unexpected. A loose meadow bouquet or an informal mixed arrangement suits this perfectly. It doesn't need to be large or expensive — the surprise is the gift.
At Regiobloemist you have both options. Does the product photo show the "via local florist" label? Then an affiliated florist near the recipient will bind the bouquet and deliver it in person. If that label is not shown, the flowers come directly from our own bindery — fresh from the grower, packaged and delivered by a flower courier. Both routes deliver fresh flowers, but the experience differs: the local florist brings neighbourhood expertise, while the grower route offers maximum freshness and track-and-trace.
You get at least 7 days freshness guarantee on all flowers ordered and delivered through Regiobloemist.
At Regiobloemist.nl you always pay through our secure pages so your personal data is safe.
