Magnolias: A Wedding Flower Choice For The Bride?

Magnolias are a versatile flower that can be used in a variety of ways to bring a touch of grace and elegance to your wedding. Whether you're aiming for a southern-style wedding or something more exotic, magnolias can be incorporated into your wedding theme in a number of ways, from bridal bouquets to table centrepieces and wedding cake decorations. With their pure white colour and distinct fragrance, magnolias are a popular choice for weddings, evoking a sense of simplicity and elegance.

Magnolia wedding bouquets

Single Stem Magnolia Bouquet:

Go for a single stem magnolia bouquet, which is simple yet elegant and unusual. This option is perfect if you want a more understated look without sacrificing sophistication.

Magnolia and Other Blooms:

Pair magnolias with complementary flowers such as roses, anemones, ranunculus, or gardenias. You can also mix in some magnolia leaves with these blooms to add interest and texture to your bouquet.

Large Magnolia Bouquet:

If you want to make a statement, opt for a large magnolia bouquet. This option is perfect for a modern glam wedding and will definitely make your wedding look stand out.

Cascading Magnolia Bouquet:

For a creative and chic option, choose a cascading bouquet with magnolia blooms and greenery. This style adds movement and elegance to your bridal look.

Traditional Magnolia Bouquet:

For a timeless and classic look, go for a traditional round gathering of magnolias. This style highlights the natural beauty of the magnolia and is perfect for a southern bride.

Magnolia and Cotton Bouquet:

Combine magnolia blooms with cotton and burgundy blooms for a chic and unique bouquet. This combination adds texture and interest to your wedding look.

Remember, magnolias are quite delicate and can brown easily, so you may want to consider using premium silk flowers for your bouquet. They will look real and ensure your bouquet stays picture-perfect throughout your entire wedding day.

Magnolia wedding décor

Magnolias are a versatile flower that can be incorporated into your wedding décor in many ways. Here are some ideas to inspire your big day:

Bouquets

For a bridal or bridesmaid bouquet, opt for a smaller variety of magnolia, such as Magnolia virginiana, which resembles a gardenia or Merrill magnolia with its starburst of outward-facing petals. If you have your heart set on the Grandiflora variety, consider using a single bloom with at least three inches of the branch left intact, wrapped with florist tape and covered with thick satin ribbon. You can also pair magnolias with roses, anemones, ranunculus, and other blooms, or go for magnolia leaves with various blooms and pampas grass.

Hair Accessories

The magnolia blossom also makes a beautiful hair adornment for brides, especially for a tropical or exotic wedding theme. You can glue a real or silk magnolia flower onto a hair comb or another type of hair accessory.

Swag Decorations

Swag decorations made of magnolia blooms and greenery can be used to continue the magnolia theme throughout your wedding venue. Hang them on the front of the church altar, the wedding party head table, doorways, or mantels. These can be live plants or silk creations.

Altars, Arches, and Arbors

Festoon altars, arches, and arbors with both magnolia blooms and greenery to create a garden effect. Attach the blooms, still on their stems, to the arbor with florist wire, then add clusters of greenery to fill in any bare spaces.

Table Decorations

Magnolias are commonly used as centrepieces at wedding reception tables. Place a single magnolia blossom in a bowl with around three to four inches of water so that the bloom floats freely. For smaller blooms, you may be able to float a few in each bowl. Alternatively, place a few silk magnolia blossoms in a small glass candle holder with florists' glass beads, stones, or gems, and a cream-coloured votive candle.

Place Settings

Add a luxurious touch to your place settings by including magnolia blooms in the napkin ring or tucking them into origami napkin shapes. For a more casual wedding, simply place a snipped magnolia branch on top of each plate and napkin.

Wedding Cake

Decorate your wedding cake with real or sugar magnolia blossoms. Whether you prefer fresh flowers or sugarcraft, the magnolia blossom is a stunning way to adorn your cake.

Other Ideas

• Use magnolia leaves to make garlands and table runners.
• Decorate your wedding aisle or couple's chairs with magnolia leaves and blush ribbons.
• Create tall centrepieces with clear glass vases and lush magnolia leaves.
• Hang magnolia leaf chandeliers with candles over your wedding space.
• Use magnolia blooms as boutonnieres for the groom and groomsmen, which will contrast nicely with black tuxedos.
• Incorporate magnolia motifs into your wedding stationery, such as save-the-dates, invitations, and seating charts.
• Use faux magnolia blooms with beads to accent the bridal hairstyle.

Magnolia wedding cakes

Fresh or Silk Magnolia Flowers

When decorating a wedding cake with magnolias, you have the option of using fresh or silk flowers. Fresh magnolia flowers can be purchased from local florists or nurseries, or you can even source them from a magnolia tree in your yard or neighbourhood. However, it is important to note that fresh magnolia flowers need to be prepared properly to prevent browning. Soaking the flowers in water the night before can help keep them looking fresh and prevent unsightly brown spots.

On the other hand, silk magnolia flowers are a great alternative and can be purchased from craft stores or online. They offer the advantage of being more durable and long-lasting, ensuring your cake looks perfect all day long.

Cake Design Ideas

There are several ways to incorporate magnolias into your wedding cake design:

• Magnolia Toppers: A single large magnolia bloom can make a stunning cake topper, adding a touch of elegance and sophistication.
• Floating Flowers: For a unique look, consider placing fresh magnolia blossoms in a thin layer of water on top of your cake. This works especially well with smaller blooms.
• Sugar Flowers: If you prefer, you can opt for handmade sugar magnolias to decorate your cake. These can be custom-made to match the size and colour of your cake.
• Combination with Other Flowers: Magnolia blooms can be combined with complementary floral varieties such as white camellias and gardenias for a chic and classic look.
• Colour Schemes: When choosing a cake colour, consider a white cake with gold ribbons or a striped design to complement the elegant magnolia flowers.
• Cake Table Decor: In addition to the cake itself, you can enhance the overall presentation by incorporating magnolia flowers and leaves into your cake table decor. This could include a magnolia garland, flower arrangements, or a flower and leaf table runner.

Other Magnolia-Themed Desserts

If you want to extend the magnolia theme beyond the wedding cake, consider offering magnolia-themed desserts such as cupcakes, cookies, or even banana pudding cups with magnolia-themed decorations or flavours.

Magnolia silk flowers

Silk magnolia flowers are a popular choice for weddings due to their simplicity and elegance. They can be used in a variety of ways to add a touch of southern charm to your special day.

Bridal and Bridesmaid Bouquets

For a bridal bouquet, you can choose a single magnolia flower with leaves for a gentle and elegant look. Alternatively, you can pair magnolias with other blooms such as roses, anemones, or ranunculus. If you prefer a smaller bouquet, the Magnolia virginiana variety is a good option. Its shape is similar to a gardenia or Merrill magnolia, with a starburst of outward-folding petals. You can also opt for premium silk magnolia flowers, which look and feel real, to avoid the issue of delicate fresh magnolias browning easily.

Hair Adornments

The magnolia blossom makes for an exotic hair accessory for brides. A real or silk magnolia flower can be glued to a hair comb or another type of hair accessory, perfect for a tropical or exotic wedding theme.

Swag Decorations

You can use magnolia swags, made from live plants or silk creations, to decorate the front of the church altar, wedding party head table, doorways, or mantels. This helps to continue the magnolia theme throughout your wedding venue.

Altars, Arches, and Arbors

Adorn altars, arches, and arbors with both magnolia blooms and greenery to create a beautiful garden effect. Use florist wire to attach the blooms to the arbor, and then add clusters of greenery to fill in any bare spaces.

Table Decorations and Centerpieces

Magnolia flowers can be used as elegant centerpieces at wedding reception tables. For a simple yet stunning display, place a floating magnolia blossom in a low glass bowl with a wide mouth. For smaller blooms, you may be able to float multiple flowers in each bowl. Another idea is to create a centerpiece using a small glass candle holder, florists' glass beads, silk magnolia blossoms, a lace doily, and a cream-colored votive candle. You can also use silk magnolia garlands, ranging from 32 to 60 inches, to decorate dessert and food tables.

Place Settings

For a luxurious touch, add magnolia blooms to the napkin ring or tuck them into origami napkin shapes. At a more casual wedding, simply place a snipped magnolia branch on top of each plate and napkin.

Wedding Cake Decorations

Silk magnolia flowers can be used to decorate wedding cakes, adding a charming detail to the tiered layers of icing. Trimming the stems allows for precise placement of the florals.

Wreaths

You can make your own magnolia wreath by gluing silk magnolia foliage around a foam ring holder, creating a personalized and trendy decoration for your wedding venue or home.

Magnolia place settings

Magnolias are a versatile flower that can be used in a variety of ways to create elegant and chic wedding place settings. Here are some ideas to incorporate magnolia into your wedding place settings:

Luxurious Napkin Rings

Add a touch of luxury to your wedding tablescape by incorporating magnolia blooms into the napkin rings. This idea is perfect for a luxurious wedding, as it adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to the table setting.

Origami Napkin Shapes

For a creative and unique approach, consider tucking magnolia blooms into origami napkin shapes. This idea can add a fun and unexpected element to your wedding tablescape, surprising your guests with your attention to detail.

Snipped Branches

If you're aiming for a more casual wedding vibe, simply place a snipped magnolia branch on top of each guest's plate and napkin. This idea brings a touch of nature and simplicity to your wedding place settings.

Table Centrepieces

Create stunning table centrepieces by using magnolia blooms and greenery. Place a low glass bowl with a wide mouth at the centre of each table and add approximately three to four inches of water. Then, gently place the magnolia blossom in the bowl so it floats elegantly on the water. This idea creates a romantic and fragrant atmosphere for your wedding reception.

Table Runners

For a bold and fresh look, consider using magnolia leaves as table runners. You can pair them with other greenery such as eucalyptus and pinecones, or even add some blooms for a pop of colour. This idea is perfect for long rectangular tables, adding a natural and elegant touch to your wedding décor.

Place Cards

Incorporate magnolia motifs into your place cards or seating chart to continue the theme. Delicate magnolia illustrations or even pressed magnolia flowers can add a subtle touch to your place settings, tying together the entire wedding décor.

Frequently asked questions