Floral and interior designer Rebecca Cole is author of Flower Power, co-host of Discovery Channel’s Surprise by Design and a regular contributor to the Today show. She describes top trends in wedding flowers. “Wedding flowers follow fashion trends,” Cole said, “and today, individuality, rather than convention is in style. No longer do the bridesmaids’ bouquets need to match the bridal bouquet, the boutonnieres and centerpieces.” In some cases, each bridesmaid may have a different bouquet, according to Cole.

Colorful blooms, in contrast to traditional white, also are en vogue, with lavenders and plums beautifying bridal parties. Bold and powerful arrangements dominate over the traditionally romantic. “Modern, Zen and even monochromatic designs featuring only one flower or color will in many cases replace traditional delicate mixes of flowers headed down the aisle,” Cole said.

When it comes to dramatic and distinctive design, hand-tied French twist bouquets incorporating bold ribbons and pearls will make a striking statement. Cascading bouquets, a current popular selection for brides, will continue to add drama. And, table decor will become even more of a central focus.

“The containers that hold the flowers and what surrounds them, the candles, are attracting significant attention from brides,” Cole said. “Even for smaller, more intimate weddings, flowers can make a big design statement, on any budget.”

Think Outside the Bunch

Beyond the most established uses for wedding flowers – room and table d�cor and corsages – flowers of all varieties are being used to enhance the special day in many non-traditional ways. For example:

• Welcome gifts for out-of-town guests and members of the bridal parties
• Thank you gifts for those people who make the bride and groom’s day special
• Rehearsal dinner and wedding brunch decor
• Decorations for the wedding transportation
• Floating arrangements for ponds or pools
• Accessories for the bride’s hair, in some cases replacing the more traditional veil

The Society of American Florists, the trade association that represents thousands of U.S. florists and other members of the floral industry, wants every bride’s day to be perfect and offers helpful advice for brides-to-be.

Some key pieces of information brides should share with their florists include descriptions of the wedding dress, bridesmaids dress colors, church and reception rules and pictures of arrangements they like and don’t like.

“Seeing your personal style will help your florist translate your concepts into workable floral designs that will make your wedding day look like you’ve always imagined,” said Jennifer Sparks, vice president of marketing for the Society.
The organization also suggests some questions brides should ask during a floral consultation, such as:

Do you have any pictures of your work at my wedding/reception location?
Will the newest floral varieties be available in the colors I have chosen?

“Flowers are one of the most important elements of your wedding day,” Cole added. “They set the mood and tone for the event and will remembered for years to come.”

Your first instinct may be to gather flowers that are red, white and blue, and this is an excellent idea. For the tinge of read, why not select the country’s national flower – the red rose. The rose, including the iconic American Beauty variety, was selected as the official flower of the U.S. in 1986, making it perfect for your 4th of July decorations.

For white flowers, you can’t go wrong with lilies. If you want something a little more exciting, try Queen Anne’s Lace, which is a bit more subtle but still gorgeously white. Other options that would be appropriate for this holiday’s white hues include magnolias, white roses or daisies.

The blue color for your decoration may be hard to come by, but there are still options. Blue statice is a perfect choice, but you can also opt for blue orchids, irises, cornflowers or hydrangeas.

Think Textured Wedding Flowers

The hottest trend in fall wedding flowers is lush, richly hued arrangements with lots of interesting texture. Instead of using just two or three types of blooms in your centerpieces, try a wide mix of flowers coordinated with your color scheme. For example, you could start with a base of classic flowers and mix in feathery crocosmia and velvety coxcomb. Or you could add non-floral accents such as viburnum or hypericum berries, lotus pods, fiddlehead ferns, or wooly lamb’s ear leaves to make the arrangements more remarkable. For a distinctly fall touch, poppies with dark centers add visual depth and a dramatic element that announces that summer is over.

Classic Wedding Flowers in Rich Hues

Although texture is key, classic flowers still rule for fall weddings. Tailor them to the time of year by choosing more deep and dramatic shades than you would in the summer — opt for classic autumn hues or go with more unexpected colors like aubergine, copper, and forest green. Lush, elegant dahlias may be the quintessential fall blossom since they come in all the autumnal tones (red, burgundy, orange, and plum). Of course, roses will always be popular and are available in any hue you need for your fall color scheme. Also hot for fall weddings: antique hydrangeas in greens and purples, and deep crimson calla lilies.

Pick a Polished Wedding Bouquet

Loosely tied bouquets that look like they were just gathered from an English garden are a natural choice for many brides during the spring and summer, but for fall weddings, bouquets can be more structured. Think densely packed, dome-shaped bouquets in a color scheme such as red, brick, and plum. Instead of leaving stems exposed, trend-conscious florists wrap them in textured fabric, velvet sashes, or ribbons. The groomsmen boutonnieres can be similarly polished — instead of a bare stem, choose boutonnieres wrapped in satin or grosgrain ribbon for your wedding party.

Use Plants as Reception Centerpieces

Succulents are a hugely popular landscaping trend right now, and stylish brides are working them into their centerpieces too. They’re seasonless but come in deep, fall-appropriate hues like aubergine, cactus green, and pomegranate. Since their leaves look like petals, succulents mix easily with flowers, and they’re a natural choice for weddings in the Southwest.

Bypass Boring Glass Vases

For centerpieces, unique containers are de rigueur. Classic glass vases may feel right in summer, but for fall, style-conscious couples are using everything from eye-catching copper pots to silver trophy cups and gold-leaf vases, or going earthy with containers made of wood or covered in lichen. Mismatched antique urns or pots from the flea market are also popular. Use a collection of pots in different sizes — as many as five per table — that your guests can take home at the end of the evening. If you decide on glass vases, you can add a distinctly fall feel by using wheat berries or millet as a base for the flowers.

Go Green

Eco-conscious couples and their florists are focusing on using locally grown organic flowers. One eco friendly wedding tip for your flowers: Stick to flowers grown near the wedding site, which lessens your environmental impact, rather than flying flowers in from another continent. Organically grown blooms spare the earth (and your guests) from exposure to potentially harmful chemicals. It’s also a great way to support nearby nurseries and celebrate the local region.