If you're planning your wedding flowers for your 2018 or 2019 celebration, then you'll want to know about the latest floral trends. We caught up with award-winning Oxfordshire florist Penny Blossoms to find out more about the world of wedding flowers.
All image credits: Incandescent Photography
What are you predicting will be popular for 2018/2019 wedding flowers?
The Pantone Colour of the Year 2018 is Ultra Violet (which means shades of purple to you and me!). Purple is a perennial colour with brides - it doesn’t go out of fashion or trend when it comes to flowers, and will continue into 2019. However, 2018 brides are opting for the lighter shades and softer hues of purple like lilac, lavender and hyacinth rather than the rich tones of Cadbury purple.
Pastels will continue to be popular with blushing brides into 2019. I like to add a 'colour pop' like cerise, peach or orange into pastel bouquets, which instantly lifts it, brings it to life and reflects the bride’s personality perfectly. I always encourage brides to be daring and individual.
Big blooms like peonies, hydrangeas and garden roses will be popular into 2019. Not that peonies have been out of fashion, but Meghan Markle’s choice for these to feature heavily in her wedding will continue the trend well into 2019. A note to brides planning their 2019 wedding - in the commercial flower world, peonies come into season in mid-May and last until early September.
Is the recent greenery trend still popular?
Whilst greenery was Pantone Colour of the Year 2017, it is still very much in demand with brides wanting the natural, rustic and more natural look. There is a growing trend for foliage-only bouquets, foliage arches, foliage tablescapes with an emphasis on texture and the various shades of green. As outdoor wedding ceremonies become more popular and more brides want the ‘one with nature’ look, foliage and greenery are definitely here to stay.
What tips do you give to couples who have a small flower budget but still want to make an impact?
It is best to tell the florist your flower budget from the outset so that you don't waste each other's time if you're not a good fit. Explain your vision, and an experienced florist will be able to manage your expectations and offer invaluable advice as to what you can have for that budget. Remember to be realistic (Pinterest does not tell you the actual cost of floral designs that you like!) and be prepared to compromise and work with your florist to choose alternative designs and flowers.
There are lots of ways to keep costs down when it comes to wedding flowers. Here are some of my favourites:
- If you want flowers in the church and at the reception, it is advisable to omit the church flowers. Put the church flower budget towards the reception as this is where your guests are spending most of their time.
- Instead of 3 filled jam jars on a log slice, choose one container and opt for interesting foliage and seasonal flowers.
- Choose one luxury bloom such as big headed roses or peonies as the focal flower. Then select cheaper filler flowers.
- Place potted herbs or seasonal flowering plant on the tables rather than fresh flowers. These can be a planted by your guests and act as a permanent reminder of your very special day. Alternatively, place a sprig of rosemary, lavender or eucalyptus on each napkin. Write your guests name on the eucalyptus.
- Use them as flower wedding favours. For example, place flowers in shot glasses and label the glasses for the ladies.
Are you finding that more brides are choosing to DIY or arrange their own wedding flowers with the help of workshops?
There will always be brides who want to arrange their own wedding flowers for a variety of reasons. If flowers are not high on their priority list, then DIY flowers are a cost-saving option. Perhaps it is a memorable thing to do with their best friends or family members, or the bride knows someone who has done flower arranging and thinks it would be a fun thing to be involved in.
I run flower courses at my Blossoms Studio and have been asked to teach flower crowns, buttonholes and corsages. Although they are fun courses, brides have certainly said they would not want to be re-creating those floral accessories on the eve of their wedding day.
I am always honest with my opinions and advice when brides approach me to run a DIY class. They need to be aware that it takes discipline and organisational skills to do DIY wedding flowers. Where will they buy the flowers and foliage? Who is responsible for choosing and buying all the flowers and foliage in the right colours and sufficient quantities? Who will deliver the completed designs to the venue without any breakages or incidents? Who is tasked with decorating the venue with the completed designs on the day of the wedding? Will it be the bride and her bridesmaids in between hair and makeup appointments or will it be delegated to a family member? Who is responsible for dismantling after the event and returning hired items?
Once they have answered all the questions truthfully and they are not put off by the added pressure on the most important day of their lives, I will run a bespoke class just for them. In reality, most brides will realise they would rather leave the task to the professional florist.
How important is it to pick seasonal wedding flowers?
Whilst there are some variety of flowers that are available all year round (eg: roses, freesias, chrysanthemum, carnations), it makes more economic sense to use seasonal flowers for a wedding. They are in their prime blooming stage, abundantly available and relatively cheaper than choosing flowers that are out of season. Spring and summer are the best times to pick seasonal flowers and foliages. Your florist should be able to advise and recommend which flowers are in season.
Flowers are grown all over the world and sold at flower auctions in Holland. There has been an increase in the number of brides wanting to know where their flowers come from and they particularly want to minimise their carbon footprint. The answer is to support British growers and buy British when the flowers and foliages are in season. British Flowers Week is from 18th to 24th June 2018 but varieties grown in tunnels are available up to September.
What would you recommend to a bride looking for unique wedding flowers?
My recommendation to the bride is to find a florist who will take the time to understand and listen to her requirement or brief. The unique item could be a specific flower name, a colour reference, remembrance of a loved one (alive or departed), a cultural connotation or a specific design style. Once the brief is defined and understood, your florist should be able to suggest unique flowers appropriately.
Thank you to Penny for her expertise! See more from Penny Blossoms here.