Creating A Beautiful Fall Wedding Bouquet

Planning a wedding can be stressful, but creating your own fall wedding bouquet doesn't have to be. There are plenty of flowers and foliage to choose from, and you can even add in some foraged branches for a bohemian and unexpected twist.

If you're looking for a more traditional bouquet, roses, dahlias, sunflowers, and chrysanthemums are all popular choices for fall weddings, with their vibrant yellow, orange, red, and purple hues. For something more unique, try a flower-filled lantern or a bridal wreath instead of a handheld bouquet.

To create a wild-looking bouquet on a budget, try using a mix of affordable flowers and fillers like satin ribbon, tree fern, wax flowers, and alstroemeria. You can also modify the bouquet to include other types of flowers and fillers to suit your personal style.

So whether you're going for a rustic, bohemian, or elegant fall wedding, there are endless possibilities for creating a stunning and unique bouquet that captures the beauty of the season.

Choosing seasonal flowers and foliage

Go for Seasonal Flowers:

• Dahlias: Cafe au lait dahlias are a popular choice for weddings, with their oversized blush pink blooms. But there are also hundreds of other dahlia varieties to choose from, such as ball (or pompon), cactus, and waterlily dahlias.
• Sunflowers: Cheerful and iconic, sunflowers are perfect for rustic weddings and outdoor venues.
• Chrysanthemums: With their dense, elongated petals, chrysanthemums come in a range of colours, including light pink, purple, yellow, orange, and dark red.
• Calla lilies: Elegant and timeless, calla lilies are a great choice for formal or traditional weddings. They come in white, dark purple, and orange.
• Ranunculus: Whimsical and colourful, ranunculus are a staple in fall wedding bouquets. They come in a variety of colours, including yellow, fuchsia, red, orange, purple, white, and peach.
• Roses: Classic and romantic, roses are in season year-round and offer a wide range of colours, from crimson to blush and mauve. With over a thousand varieties, you can easily find one that fits your budget and style.

Consider the Colour Palette:

• Jewel Tones: Think beyond pumpkin-inspired hues and explore richer colours like burgundy, navy blue, emerald, dark purple, and amber yellow. Combine two or three jewel tones with metallic accents like copper, gold, or silver for a luxurious look.
• Pastels with Contrasting Shades: Pair lighter pastel colours with their darker counterparts for a moody, romantic combination. For example, blush pink with dark mauve, or sage green with dark teal.
• Neutrals: For a modern and minimalistic look, stick to neutral colours like gray, beige, black, and cream. Add greenery and unexpected details like feathers for a touch of personality.

Incorporate Foliage and Textures:

• Flowing Ribbons: Enhance the look of your bouquet by adding flowing ribbons in complementary colours. You can also use ribbons to tie the bouquet together and create a unique design element.
• Flowing ribbons: Adding flowing ribbons in complementary colours can enhance the look of your bouquet.
• Foliage and Greenery: Eucalyptus is a popular choice for fall bouquets as it pairs well with many flower colours and varieties. Other options include tree fern, Italian eucalyptus, silver bell eucalyptus, and silver dollar eucalyptus.
• Dried Elements: Pampas grass, bunny tails, and sea oats can add texture and a whimsical touch to your bouquet, especially if you're going for a boho-chic or rustic theme.

Create a Unique Design:

• Hand-tied Bouquet: For a natural, just-picked-from-the-garden look, try a hand-tied bouquet with an asymmetrical shape. Add velvet and silk ribbons for a touch of opulence.
• Hoop Bouquet: If you're feeling adventurous, skip the traditional handheld bouquet and opt for a bridal wreath instead. It makes a bold statement and can be easily looped over your arm when you need a break.
• Oversized Bouquet: Oversized bouquets have been trending for a while, and they never fail to make an impression. They are usually asymmetrical and a bit untamed, giving them a unique personality.

By combining seasonal flowers, experimenting with colours and textures, and adding your personal touches, you can create a fall wedding bouquet that reflects your style and complements your special day.

Selecting a colour palette

If you're going for a rustic look, you can fill your bouquet with plenty of greenery and freshly picked wildflowers. You can also incorporate seasonal elements like maple leaves, seasonal berries, wheat, and greenery. If you're going for a boho-chic look, pampas grass is a staple for boho wedding bouquets. You can pair it with white roses and bleached Italian ruscus for a monochromatic look.

If you want to incorporate the colours of the season, consider using flowers in shades of red, yellow, orange, and purple. Sunflowers, roses, dahlias, and mums are popular choices for fall wedding bouquets. You can also use flowers that are in season, such as chrysanthemums, anemones, asters, and calla lilies.

For a romantic autumn wedding, consider using flowers like lisianthus, lily, ranunculus, and rose. If you're looking for something more unique, you can try using edible chocolate cosmos or adding feathers to your bouquet.

If you want to create a moody and dramatic look, consider using colours like mauve or burgundy. You can also use dark and moody colours like blush dahlias and white carnations with rust-coloured amaranthus, blue viburnum berries, and purple agonis.

For a modern and minimalistic look, you can stick to neutral colours such as grey, beige, black, and cream. Succulents, dried proteas, and eucalyptus can add texture and dimension to a neutral-coloured bouquet.

When selecting your colour palette, it's important to keep in mind the overall theme and aesthetic of your wedding. You can also mix and match different colours and flowers to create a unique and personalised bouquet.

Adding extras like berries, grasses and leaves

Adding extras like berries, grasses, and leaves to your fall wedding bouquet will create a unique and beautiful arrangement. Here are some ideas to inspire you:

Berries

Berries are a wonderful way to add a touch of whimsy and colour to your fall wedding bouquet. Consider using snowberries, hypericum berries, or viburnum berries for a playful and seasonal touch. You can also incorporate edible chocolate cosmos berries for a fun and unexpected element.

Grasses

Grasses can add texture and movement to your bouquet. Pampas grass is a popular choice for fall weddings, especially for those aiming for a boho or rustic aesthetic. Other options include bunny tails, sea oats, and fountain grass, which can be used to create a simple yet elegant arrangement.

Leaves

Incorporating leaves into your fall wedding bouquet is a great way to embrace the season. Maple leaves, magnolia leaves, and fern leaves are all excellent choices. You can also use dried leaves in your bouquet, adding a rustic and whimsical touch to your arrangement.

When adding extras to your fall wedding bouquet, feel free to get creative and experiment with different combinations of berries, grasses, and leaves. These elements will enhance the beauty of your floral arrangement and make it truly unique to your special day.

Using a mood board for inspiration

Creating a mood board is an excellent way to gather inspiration and ideas for your fall wedding bouquet. Here's a guide to help you get started:

Discover Your Colour Palette

While you may have a favourite colour combination in mind, it's important to consider how well it will work with the season, your venue, and your overall wedding aesthetic. For a fall wedding, colours like burnt orange, yellow, deep red, and purple are especially festive and can be a great starting point for your mood board.

Look Beyond Pinterest

While Pinterest is a great source of inspiration, don't limit yourself to online platforms. Browse through design and style books, flip through magazines (not just wedding-related ones), and explore stylish local spots like boutiques, museums, and cocktail bars. Collect items that inspire you, such as a restaurant's matchbook or silk ribbon from gift wrapping. These tactile elements can spark ideas that you may not find onscreen.

Collect Images That Capture Your Vision

Your mood board should visually represent the look and feel of your dream fall wedding bouquet. Include images that define your ideal colour palette, floral design style, and overall vibe. For example, if you're going for a rustic fall bouquet, look for images that incorporate elements like wildflowers, greenery, and seasonal berries. If you want something more elegant and romantic, search for images with richer, darker hues and elegant flower varieties.

Keep an Open Mind

While it's great to have a vision, remember that your mood board is a source of inspiration rather than a rigid plan. Be open to new ideas and interpretations as you work with your wedding vendors. For instance, you might be inspired by a particular bouquet, but instead of copying it exactly, trust your florist to deliver a unique version that fits your style, budget, and event.

Include Textures and Details

In addition to colours and flower types, consider the textures and small details that will make your fall wedding bouquet unique. For example, you could add images of ribbons, dried flowers, or interesting foliage to your mood board. These elements will help bring your bouquet to life and make it truly yours.

Involve Your Vendors

Your mood board isn't just for you; it's also a valuable tool for communicating your vision to your wedding vendors. Share your mood board with your florist and other vendors to ensure everyone is on the same page. This will help them understand your overall aesthetic and make decisions that align with your unique fall wedding bouquet vision.

Working with a florist to bring your vision to life

Before meeting with a florist, it's a good idea to prepare a mood board and do some research on bouquet styles, popular fall flowers, and possible color palettes. The more specific you are about your preferences, the better your florist will be able to understand and emulate your vision.

When choosing flowers for a fall wedding bouquet, consider the season's characteristic colors, such as reds, yellows, oranges, and purples. Flowers that are in season during the fall include chrysanthemums, anemones, asters, and astilbe. You can also incorporate seasonal elements like leaves, berries, grasses, and branches into your bouquet.

If you're going for a rustic-chic look, you can include accents like maple leaves, seasonal berries, wheat, and greenery. Sunflowers are also a popular choice for fall weddings, especially if you're aiming for a rustic theme or having an outdoor venue.

Dahlias, calla lilies, and ranunculus are other popular choices for fall wedding bouquets, offering a range of colors that can be combined to create stunning arrangements. Roses, with their timeless appeal and year-round availability, are always a safe bet for adding a classic, romantic touch to your bouquet.

When selecting a color palette, you don't have to limit yourself to traditional fall hues. While jewel tones like burgundy, navy, emerald, and amber yellow are a popular choice, you can also experiment with pastels, neutrals, or even unconventional colors like blue and orange.

Discuss your preferences with your florist, and let them work their magic. They are the experts and will be able to suggest the best flowers and arrangements to match your vision and budget.

Don't forget to consider the shape of your bouquet as well. A hand-tied, asymmetrical bouquet gives a relaxed and natural feel, while an oversized bouquet makes a bold statement. You can also opt for alternative bouquet styles, such as a bridal wreath or a flower-filled lantern.

By combining your vision with the expertise of a skilled florist, you can create a fall wedding bouquet that is uniquely yours and perfectly captures the essence of the season.

Frequently asked questions