With wedding bells in the air during this season of tying the knot, in addition to the bride herself, flowers are taking center stage. Like all fashion, wedding floral trends change over time. This wedding season is no different.
“Styles go in cycles,” says Mark Held, florist on BloomNation and co-owner of Mark’s Garden in Sherman Oaks, California. His company creates floral designs for all types of weddings, including that of celebrities, such as Pink, Fergie and Josh Duhamel, Gwen Stefani and Jessica Simpson. “We’ve been through a long period of over-the-top weddings, but for this summer and fall the look is now cleaner and more elegant.”
(BloomNation)
Among brides—celebrity and otherwise—refined design is now more important than an abundance of flowers. “Today’s brides seek quality of flowers and design over sheer volume,” says Held. “We are doing a lot of green hedges and arbors, floral pathways and formal stylized gardens—indoors and out. There is more attention to the overall event design so that all elements are integrated and flow from ceremony to cocktails to reception.”
Popular flower colors are white, ivory and blush, and flowers you’re likely to see at weddings this summer and fall include dahlias, such as the variety ‘Café au Lait,’ peonies, hydrangeas and pale tone roses like ‘Sahara’ and ‘Quicksand.’
When it comes to celebrity weddings, Held finds that many Hollywood stars are busy, so they have event planners and florists gain insight about what they want and then make those desires a reality.
“Many celebrities are conscious of their images, and it is important to present them properly, because they know their photos will become public,” he says. “They also want their privacy. We sometimes do weddings for celebrities without our crew even knowing the identity of the bride or groom. We keep in mind that we’re often designing for unique photo opportunities, such as a cover for People Magazine. The dress, bouquet and backdrop for the ceremony take careful thought and planning.”
Considering that flowers are the heart of the big day, it pays for every bride-to-be to pay careful attention to her floral choices. Held offers advice for filling your day with beautiful blooms:
Incorporate your personality into your wedding décor. “Do it your own way and don’t copy everyone else,” advises Held. “Gain ideas from Instagram and Pinterest, but do what you want. You know what you like, so trust your instincts and go with them.”
Carefully select your florist. A good florist will listen to you and understand your likes and dislikes, helping you develop your own signature look, says Held. Look for the best people to perform the look and feel that you wish to create.
Don’t be afraid to be different. If you truly like something in the area of floral design and flower choices, then go for it, says Held. “Today the sky truly is the limit. You can do a red theme wedding or have the reception in a movie theatre. It’s all up to you.”
Consider wedding/reception location. Keep in mind that outdoor weddings are weather sensitive. “Do your research and consider heat and rain patterns. Choose flowers that will withstand those conditions for several hours,” says Held. “I like to use roses outdoors for an opulent look, and they also hold up in direct sunlight and heat. Indoor weddings are climate controlled, so you have greater leeway on the flowers you choose.”
(Bloom Nation)
Julie Bawden-Davis is a garden writer and master gardener, who since 1985 has written for publications such as Organic Gardening, Wildflower, Better Homes and Gardens and The Los Angeles Times. She is the author of seven books, including Reader’s Digest Flower Gardening, Fairy Gardening, The Strawberry Story, and Indoor Gardening the Organic Way, and is the founder of HealthyHouseplants.com.
