Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Autumn Blues Inspiration

Blue is one of the most commonly requested colors in wedding flowers. Many people think of spring bulbs like iris and hyacinth when they think of blue. However, the period between late summer and early autumn is one of the best times to find wild and interesting blue blossoms. Delphinium, bachelor’s button, hydrangea, tweedia, thistle, and scabiosa are all wonderful fall flowers. But how do you work blue into an autumn themed wedding?

When brides say “blue” a common florists’ trick is to suggest the standard purple-blue-white color scheme. The purple flowers are used to disguise the purple undertones that prevail in many blue flowers. With a mixture of many shades of blue and purple the hope is that one of the colors in the bouquets will match the color of the bridesmaids’ dresses. This trick usually works, but the resulting bouquets don’t speak the language of autumn.

The lofty color blue becomes firmly grounded when it is used as an accent to autumn hues. Here soft blues are paired with brown, orange, olive and muted yellow. This particular scheme is meant to work with pale blue bridesmaids’ dresses, but may also be used with beige, chocolate and certain greens and yellows, too.

Row 1: Tokomaru Coca Cola mini cymbidium orchid, baby green artichokes, Sensation mini callas, pale yellow freesia, magnolia foliage

Row 2: yellow stock, tweedia, chocolate ranunculus, green wheat, Indian Summer spray roses

Row 3: feather celosia, Mt Everest rose, rain tree, eucalyptus pods, Lemoncello spray roses

Row 4: chocolate cosmos, scented geranium, Mood Cushion pomp, birch branches, Gold mokara orchids

Row 5: berzillia baubles, Sole Mio Asiatic lily, blue antique hydrangea, Aethiopica mini calla, cat tails

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Wedding Flower Ideas for Every Season

Take a cue from the seasons with our favorite wedding flowers ideas for every season…

Winter Wedding Flowers and Decor

Winter-theme weddings can be uber chic and ethereal. Use these ideas to create your wonderland…

  • Color palette: New-fallen snow – Use whites and creams accented with silver or gold; winter sparkle – ice blue or navy accented with silver; black tie – black is especially suited for a winter wedding when paired with white, silver, or gold.
  • Go glam – Deck your halls with crystal detailing for a sparkling winter effect, adorning linens and chair covers or sprinkled over table tops. The result is deliciously glam and oh so fab.
  • Liberal use of candle light – The glow will add warmth and elegance.
  • Holiday theme – Decorate with potted evergreens, pine branches, wreathes, poinsettias, ornaments, bells, or twinkling white lights.
  • Added interest and texture – Incorporate holiday greenery or tiny crystals into your arrangements.
  • Creative bouquets – Instead of flowers, carry tea lights, votive candles, or cascading bells.
  • Tossing alternative – Have your flower girl throw silver glitter or sprinkle fake snow.

Winter Flowers In Season

  • White stephanotis, poinsettia, holly, amaryllis, camellias, roses. View our complete list of seasonal winter wedding flowers.

Spring Wedding Flowers and Decor

The tulips are blooming, the temperatures are rising – what a perfect time for a wedding! Get inspired with these ideas for spring flowers…

  • Color palette: Green and white – an elegant accompaniment to a garden setting; yellow and green – another fresh, natural color pairing; preppy – combine hot pink with green or mango (think polka dots and gingham); chocolate brown – this trendy hue works well for spring, paired with pale blue or pink.
  • Go wild with patterns – Create a playful effect; think gingham, polka dots, eyelet lace, swiss dots, and stripes.
  • Add some greens – Grasses and greenery are a natural for outdoor garden settings. Drape over arbors and incorporate in arrangements.
  • Creative containers – Put your arrangements in simple, homespun containers like wicker baskets, watering cans, teapots, or urns.
  • Potted plants – Potted arrangements create a natural, organic look. Best of all, you can plant them for a timeless reminder of your wedding.

Spring Flowers in Season

  • Classics include tulips, daffodils, lilies (especially calla lilies and easter lilies), magnolias, gardenias, hydrangeas, gerbera daisies, apple or cherry blossoms. View our complete list of spring wedding flowers.

Summer Wedding Flowers and Decor

Set the stage for a sunny summer wedding with vibrant colors and inspirations from the great outdoors…

  • Color palette: Bright and bold – hot pink and deep red or mango and fuschia; nautical – navy and white is a clean summer classic, accent with touches of yellow, red or gold; seaside – combine aqua with beige, peach or white.
  • Go casual – Summer weddings lend themselves to a casual décor scheme, fitting of a backyard barbecue. Think checked table clothes, benches, and picnic tables.
  • Go natural – Incorporate natural décor elements like fruits, vegetables, even insects (like ladybugs or dragonflies, not necessarily roaches!).
  • Get lit – Light up an outdoor evening reception with lanterns or torches.
  • Fruits – Fruits like lemons and limes look whimsical and chic when filled in tall clear vases.
  • For a beach look – Incorporate shells, sand, and sea glass in your arrangements.

Summer Flowers In Season

  • Abundant flowers are always in style at a summer wedding. Use bright and cheerful blooms like sunflowers, peonies, hydrangea, mums, daisies, dahlias, zinnias, and roses. Or create a breezy, airy look with white on white – using roses, stephanotis, calla lilies, snowball mums and daisies – and incorporate a touch of blue – like blue hydrangea. Consult our complete list of summer wedding flowers.

Fall Wedding Flowers and Decor

Get autumn-spiration with these flowers and decor ideas with a fall twist…

  • Color palette: Colors of the season – adhere to mother nature’s fall color palette with reds, oranges, browns, rusts, and yellows; jewel tones – make a rich, interesting twist to the traditional autumn color scheme; mix with metallics – gold, copper, bronze for added pizzazz.
  • Back to nature – Use simple décor to subtly enhance the season’s natural bounty. Use the autumn harvest for inspiration; think gourds, pumpkins, squash, gold-dipped fall leaves, bales of hay, jugs of cider…you get the idea.
  • Go fall glam – You’re not confined to rustic and casual in the fall. Create a posh autumn ambiance, and drape lush velvet (a traditional fall/winter fabric) in a rich chocolate brown or gold throughout your reception space. Accent the scene with antique broaches, crystal candelabras, and stemware.
  • Autumn harvest – Add pears, apples, and/or cranberries to your arrangements.
  • Natural texture – Incorporate leaves, acorns, and/or sprays of wheat.
  • Creative containers – Hollow out pumpkins or realistic fake ones, or use stained wooden boxes, terra cotta pots, or rustic lanterns.
  • Tossing alternative – Have your flower girl toss leaves or acorns instead of flower petals.


Fall Flowers in Season

  • Popular fall flowers include montbretia, hypericum, mums, sunflowers, roses, and daisies. Consult our complete list of fall wedding flowers.

Flowers by Season

When it comes to wedding flowers - go with the season! Choose wedding flowers that bloom locally and naturally during the time of your wedding.

Although you can find most floral varieties all year, seasonal blooms are readily available, less expensive and often more durable. So choose your wedding flowers by seasons! Select your wedding season below, and find out which flowers typically bloom during that time.

Spring Wedding Flowers In Season

Apple or cherry blossoms
Daffodils
Dogwoods
Forsythia branches
Hyacinth
Iris
Larkspur
Lilies
Lilacs
Lily of the Valley
Pansies
Peonies
Sweet Peas
Tulips

Summer Wedding Flowers In Season

Asters
Calla Lilies
Dahlias
Daisies
Delphinium
Geraniums
Hydrangeas
Iris
Jacobs Ladder
Larkspur
Queen Anne’s Lace
Roses
Shasta daises
Stock
Sunflower
Zinnias

Fall Wedding Flowers In Season

Asters
Chrysanthemums
Zinnias
Gerbera daisies
Marigolds
Roses
Sunflowers

Winter Wedding Flowers In Season

Amaryllis
Camellias
Forget-me-nots
Jasmine
Orchids
Poinsettias
Holly

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