Taking a cue from the season is usually a great place to start. Luckily, the rich colors of autumn lend themselves perfectly to beautiful bouquets, from classically romantic to strikingly contemporary.

Calla lilies in different colors, especially burgundy, are always popular with fall brides, according to Pati Giunta, owner of Brookside Florist in Vernon (973-764-8855). Dahlias are another great choice. With their deep, vibrant colors dahlias really say autumn, and they are much more available in the fall than the spring. But seasonality isn't as much of an issue as it used to be. “Everything is so global these days, you can get almost any flower any time of year,” says Giunta.

A relatively new option called Cape mixes are a great choice if you're looking for something a little different, says Giunta. The unusual mixture of berries and exotics from South Africa comes in colors ranging from chartreuse to deep red, and can be a perfect fit for an autumn wedding.

One final tip from Giunta: “Remember that you don't have to go for broke when it comes to flowers. Sometimes the simplest thing really is the best.”