The weather is getting warmer and it’s no surprise that this is the perfect season for a wedding. Planning is underway for fall weddings in 2021, and brides and grooms are in the beginning stages of wedding planning for May of next year. With so many options, venues, caterers, and attire options to choose from, the decision stage can be a bit overwhelming to say the least! Have no fear though! We’re here to help make at least one decision a little easier.
Choosing your wedding flowers is a deeply personal and intimate decision between the bride and groom, and while it may not seem as important as the bride’s dress, it is definitely something that you’ll remember for the rest of your life. We’ve narrowed down some of our favorite wedding flower options for you as well as researched some helpful do’s and don’ts to make your planning stages just a little easier. Whether you choose Roses or Peonies, we know you’ll love them on your special day!
The History of Using Flowers at Weddings
Flowers are an intricate part of any wedding. You can find them decorating the walkway the bride and her party will walk down. People throw petals after the announcement, and the bride carries a stunning bouquet in front of her. But where did this tradition come from?
The first recorded use of floral arrangements at weddings is found in ancient Greek texts. It is described that Greek bridesmaids would adorn their bride with wreaths of local flowers and plants prior to the start of the ceremony. The flowers were considered the bride’s wedding gift from Mother Nature.
Flowers were also used in that time to mask the scent of poor hygiene. In many cultures, bathing was typically done no more than twice a year, and the fragrant flowers chosen were used to help cover unpleasant odors. Today of course our hygiene has changed, but it doesn’t stop the simple fact that fragrant flowers enhance a special occasion.
Other traditions came from that time period including bridal bouquets. Oftentimes a wedding celebration marked the transition from daughter to wife and according to different cultures, this left the young lady susceptible to supernatural dangers. Bouquets would often include pungent herbs and spices to help ward off evil or jealous attendees (yikes!)
Color Scheme is Everything
While this may seem obvious, especially to those who have an eye for fashion or decor, color scheme really is everything. You wouldn’t want a red flower with green dresses (unless it’s a Christmas theme of course). Your flowers want to match your attire and decor without blending into the background, and without being an eyesore.
Here are a few color palettes that will make your wedding stand out in elegance and beauty.
Traditional Flowers used for Bouquets and Décor
Ranunculus: Like most flowers, the ranunculus popularity, price, and availability depends on the time of year. The great thing about the ranunculus is how devastatingly gorgeous they are paired with other romantic hue shades of flowers such as dahlias, garden roses, and seeded eucalyptus.
Calla Lily: Calla Lily’s are one of the most popular flowers used by brides currently. They are eye-catching, and symbolize innocence and purity. They are most commonly used during spring and summer weddings.
Peony: The great thing about peonies are their variety and bloom. Peonies come in a variety of colors in shades of white, cream, yellow and shades of pink. Peonies bloom between early spring and the end of June making it the perfect flower for your early summer wedding.
Hydrangeas: There will never be a time when hydrangeas don’t make the perfect wedding flower. They are both gorgeous and quite lush and work for romantic and formal weddings, along with whimsical or modern decors. With that being said, Hydrangeas do tend to be on the pricey side, so check your flower budget before falling in love with these beauties.
Roses: Now I know adding roses to the list may sound silly. Who doesn’t love and appreciate a beautiful long stem red rose? But what you might not know is that there are two main styles of roses; Standard Roses and Garden Roses. The main difference between the two are standard rose petals tend to be pointier, while garden roses are softer and rounder, making it the more preferred option for a wedding bouquet.
The do’s and don’ts to picking out Flowers for your Bridal Bouquet.
As we stated before, selecting your wedding flowers is a personal choice. You have to take into account your color scheme, your budget, and the purpose of your arrangements. Will you be using them strictly for decor? Do you want your flowers to be your focal point? Or do you prefer they accent your space but don’t draw too much attention? Here are a few do’s and don’t to help you pick the right flowers!
- DO try and pick out your dress first. (We see you nodding in agreement, brides!) You do not want the design of your bouquet to clash or overpower your dress.
- DO NOT hide your waist. Make sure your bouquet is narrower than your waist so you’re not hidden.
- DO check for what flowers are available during the season of your wedding. Although you may be able to get a flower any time of the year, you’re going to pay a LOT for it. Make sure you select something that blooms during your wedding season.
- DO ask your dressmaker if you can have any spare material from your alteration to wrap around your bouquet. You’ll get a perfect color match.
- DO NOT pick an arrangement that is too bulky or large. Remember, you’re going to be holding these all day. You don’t want to get tired.
- DO your research. Know the difference between a floral designer and a florist. If you’re looking for someone to just make a few arrangements and your boutonnieres, a florist is a good choice, but if you’re looking for someone to match your overall aesthetic and bring your space to life, hire a floral designer.
You’ve learned a ton about Wedding Flowers. Now what?
- order online flowers in Egypt
- Send the perfect wedding flowers to the Bride-To-Be
- Learn even more about bridal bouquets in our blog White Flowers in Wedding Bouquets.
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Shannon Youngblood is a thirty-something blog writer who has an affinity for falling and an extreme love for dachshunds, Dr. Who, and musicals. She loves to write, regardless of the subject matter, and she wishes everyday could be Halloween! Although she was born and raised in the United States, her lifelong goal is to retire somewhere in Europe with her husband, her books, and a cup of hot coffee.