WEDDING trends change from year to year based on what is going on in the fashion and interior design worlds. Certain colours go in and out of vogue, bouquet styles change, even the shape of the reception tables read modern or dated. Sometimes the whole planning process can feel like a puzzle that is impossible to unravel.
Magazines are full of gorgeous gowns, venues and flowers but very little of it is real life. Most of what is shown takes a huge budget to pull off and the flowers alone are in the thousands of dollars. Flower selection can seem overwhelming on top of everything else but settling on a single "jumping off" point can make the process much easier.
Couples usually determine the style of the wedding flowers based on a favourite colour palette, the season when they want to be married or the location they want the wedding or reception to be performed. One of these factors needs to be more dominant than the others or planning will become very difficult.
For instance, a spring wedding should inform colour and location choices. The palest of pastels, lavender, pink, robin's egg blue, soft greens are the kinds of colour choices that will really support a spring wedding. Locations that are at their most lovely in the spring such as a venue set in a rhododendron garden completes the theme effortlessly. Even choosing the specific time of day for the ceremony and reception will impact the floral choices.
If location is the most important element of the wedding, the time of year and the colour choices can really enhance the total package.
I once did flowers for a late summer wedding that was set in an orchard in the Okanagan. The setting really was lovely but would it have be amazing if the couple had chosen to be married in the spring when the trees would have provided a canopy of ethereal white blossoms.
Instead, the couple chose hot colours which worked with the season but not necessarily with the location. (I was put off by the fermenting fruit on the ground and the threat of snakes.)
White never goes out of style and remains the choice of one in three brides. Many bridal flowers are available in whites and off whites: Peonies, roses, lily of the valley, orchids, hydrangea, lilac -- all very traditional choices. Other, more contemporary choices might include ranunculus, calla lilies, hyacinths, hellebores -- masses of single flowers gathered into a hand tied bouquet.
This year's new colour trends in bridal flowers include greys and browns -- a very, very urban approach. I think this scheme is seasonless and the location for this scheme could be a very modern restaurant or hotel.
Orange and peach, a fun and young scheme is the other new trend this year. To me, they are very much summer colours. Both of these schemes are punched up with white, which pops the neutrals and tones down the very strong oranges.
Style tips:
Regardless of colour preferences, time of year or location there are some "ins" and "outs" in wedding flowers this year:
Out:
Tulle -- if your location needs to be draped in tulle in order to be satisfactory, the location is the wrong one. Let the architecture of the space determine your decor.
Bear's grass -- so yesterday. There are hundreds of wonderful foliages to enhance your bridal work.
Baby's breath -- see bear's grass.
White twinkle lights -- see tulle.
Moms' pin-on corsages -- moms now carry a floral purse, a little nosegay or wear a wrist corsage designed like a piece of jewelry.
Out of season flowers -- no tulips in August, no gladioli in April.
In:
Rectangular reception tables -- banquet style rather than round. This will inform the floral choices.
Low table centres -- those sky-high table centres have been replaced.
Lighting -- large buffet or statement arrangements need to be lit in order to show them off properly.
Fruit and florals -- lots of different fruits used in fresh arrangements but not the old look of flower stems jammed into a vase full of apples or lemons.
Carnations -- movie stars and decorating divas alike are loving them.
Monochromatic bridal bouquets -- tints and shades of the same colour without including any other colours.
-- Postmedia News
