Daniel Pullen Photography
OBX Florists – Today’s flower trends are as diverse as a wildflower bouquet and are constantly evolving. You may be leaning toward the traditional and romantic, or a chic and trendy floral motif. Whatever your preference, the added ambiance of a few well-placed blooms or a stylish bouquet will add to the overall atmosphere of your big day.
Although you may have a favorite flower in mind, remember that flowers usually don’t look the same in real-life as they do in a magazine. Flower colors are never exact. Let a professional florist help you to understand the undertones of different varieties; for example, red ranunculus has orange undertones that stand out when paired with cool colors.
Your florist will guide your selections so that the flowers you choose will be in season when the big day arrives. He or she will be more than happy to work with you to convert your vision into a stunning and affordable reality. But be open-minded. If you have your heart set on white tulips for a July wedding, or red peonies in August, be flexible when your florist tells you the flowers you love simply are not in season. There are many flowers available year round, like roses, hydrangeas, carnations, callas, and orchids, just to name a few.
This year the trend toward using local and sustainable items also continues to resonate in the flower world, and couples are considering their ‘footprint’ as they make wedding day selections. As an extra bonus, you will find that local blooms at your wedding will naturally be more fragrant and hardy than the ones shipped halfway around the world.
Sarah D’Ambra Photography
Speaking of going green, another hot trend for wedding flowers involves the use of greenery. Greenery is a great way to add texture to your flower arrangements, and perfect for adding fullness to any flower centerpiece. Beautiful colors, interesting textures, and unique shapes – greenery, alone or accented with a few blooms, can create exquisite arrangements with major impact.
Sarah D’Ambra Photography
Lush leaves, for example, might serve as a rich base to play up the colorful petals in arrangements of ranunculus, anemones, chocolate cosmos, lotus pods, and viburnum berries. Ivy accents are fun and dramatic, too. Picture a vivid display of purple and fuchsia clematis with small puffs of scabiosa and tiny, delicate jasmine mixed with tendrils of grape ivy and clematis leaves. For hanging arrangements, cascading greenery and lush hydrangea imitate a romantic overflowing fountain, but with added whimsy.
And just how extensively are you planning to use flowers? Are you suiting out the entire bridal party with bouquets, corsages, or boutonnières? Are you decorating an entire chapel and reception hall? Is your ceremony going to be on the beach on uneven sand and dune lines? Will there be a chuppah, arbor, or canopy that needs to be constructed as well as decorated?
If you’re on a limited budget, consider going monochromatic for a bigger impact. A monochromatic color scheme looks incredibly organized and really gives your ceremony and reception a pop of color that is sure to wow even in the smallest amounts. Another way to save is by mixing live flowers with other natural elements. Perhaps your reception tables could have decorated vases filled with small seashells and driftwood alongside candle pillars.
When you interview potential florists, show them a photograph of your wedding attire and perhaps a swatch of fabric for the bridesmaids’ dresses, along with any pictures from magazines that have captured your imagination.
Matt Lusk
Tips:
You want your wedding flowers to be beautiful – and so does your florist. Here are a few tips for making that happen.
Sarah Keenan Creative
Know Your Budget
The very first thing to discuss with your florist is the budget. A good florist won’t try to upsell beyond what you can afford – they truly want to work with you to create your vision within the limits of your pocketbook. If you are on a tight budget, focus on your bouquet and make your attendants’ arrangements smaller and simpler – and therefore less expensive. Mismatched bridesmaid bouquets are an emerging trend, allowing for a little individuality with their bouquets. A fun idea is to have each bridesmaid carry a single flower that represents what is in the larger bridal bouquet.
Find Your Inspiration
Pick one thing you love to give you and your florist a starting point – a certain color, a special photo, a swatch of antique lace, or a cherished brooch that belonged to your great-grandmother.
Lori Douglas
Find a Florist You Really Love
When you have that initial meeting with a florist, enjoy yourself! You want your florist to be as excited as you are about finding the perfect flower arrangements for your wedding day.
Personalize Your Bouquet
Incorporate something special into your wedding bouquet (and do not restrict yourself to flowers). For instance, if you met on a train, you could tie a small train charm into your bouquet to symbolize where you met and fell in love.
Break Tradition
There’s no need to limit yourself to roses and calla lilies. Some brides are incorporating jewels and even paper arrangements – whatever speaks to your wedding and your vision. You don’t have to limit your containers to clear glass vases either. If it will hold water, it can hold your flowers. Are you both fishing aficionados? Fill tackle boxes with flowers to show off your personality and perhaps symbolize how you met.
Whether you are following new trends or staying true to tradition, use the months ahead to attend wedding shows, do some online research and interview florists. Most importantly, have fun planning the flowers that will set the tone for your personal, special day. ♥
List of Florists on the Outer Banks
Sarah Keenan Creative