Creating A Fragrant, Lavender Wedding Bouquet

If you're looking to add a touch of rustic charm to your wedding, consider incorporating lavender into your bouquet. With its delicate fragrance and purple hue, lavender is a unique alternative to traditional wedding flowers. Whether you opt for fresh or dried lavender, it can be paired with other soft, pastel blooms like peonies and roses for a whimsical arrangement. And if you're feeling creative, you can even use culinary-grade lavender to infuse your wedding cocktails or decorate your cake. So, if you're seeking inspiration for your bridal bouquet, read on as we explore the ins and outs of crafting the perfect lavender wedding bouquet.

Use dried or fresh lavender

Using dried or fresh lavender in your wedding bouquet is a great way to incorporate the flower's symbolism of joy, luck, and devotion into your special day. Here are some tips and ideas to help you create a beautiful and fragrant bouquet:

When choosing between dried or fresh lavender, consider the season of your wedding. Dried lavender bunches can be used any time of the year and come in a range of colours, from light to dark purple or even white. They are a great option if you're looking for an accent colour to make your bridal bouquet pop. Fresh lavender, on the other hand, is perfect for slightly rustic, garden-style arrangements and goes well with other soft, pastel summer flowers like peonies and roses. Mixing lavender with larger blooms will add interest and variety to your bouquet.

If you decide to use dried lavender, you can easily make your own bouquet by harvesting fresh lavender bunches and allowing them to dry. Simply hang the bouquets upside down until they are completely dried. This will help the flowers retain their colour, scent, and shape for months. You can also purchase dried lavender bunches if you don't have access to fresh lavender.

To create a cohesive look, consider using lavender throughout your wedding, not just in your bouquet. For example, you can use lavender in your bridesmaids' bouquets, boutonnieres, centrepieces, and even as wedding favours. Lavender is easy to work with and can add a wonderful fragrance to your ceremony and reception.

When working with fresh lavender, keep in mind that the stalks tend to be straight and inflexible. Therefore, it's best to use the flowers sparingly in larger arrangements to avoid a stiff and angular design. However, fresh lavender can be left out of water for a long time without wilting, making it a low-maintenance choice for your wedding bouquet.

Whether you choose dried or fresh lavender, this versatile flower will surely add a unique and memorable touch to your wedding bouquet.

Mix with other flowers like roses or peonies

When creating a wedding bouquet with lavender, you can mix it with other flowers like roses or peonies. This works particularly well if you want a slightly rustic, garden-style arrangement. The soft lilac hue of lavender complements other pastel summer flowers beautifully, adding a romantic and elegant touch to the bouquet.

When mixing lavender with roses or peonies, consider playing with scale by combining it with larger blooms. For example, you could pair lavender with white peonies, white roses, pink sweetheart roses, and ranunculus for a light and ethereal springtime arrangement. Alternatively, for a more colourful bouquet, you could include pink peonies and roses, as well as green branches, for a bright and cheerful effect.

If you want to include lavender in your wedding bouquet but aren't sure about pairing it with roses or peonies, you could opt for other flowers in similar shades of purple. A cascading bouquet of purple roses, lilac, and lilies makes for a stunning arrangement, while a combination of purple dahlias, lilac, and roses creates a vibrant and eye-catching display.

For a more subtle approach, you can use lavender sparingly, as its straight and inflexible stalks can make the bouquet appear angular and stiff if overused. A single-bloom lavender bouquet can be a simple yet elegant option, or you could mix a few sprigs of lavender with other rustic and garden-style plants for a delicate organic feel.

Buy a pre-made bouquet

If you're short on time or would rather leave it to the professionals, you can always buy a pre-made bouquet. This option is also great if you want to keep your bouquet as a memento, as artificial flowers will last much longer than fresh ones.

There are many online retailers that offer pre-made lavender wedding bouquets, such as Amazon, The Brides Bouquet, and Ling's Moment. When searching for a bouquet, you can filter your results by colour, including lilac, purple, and lavender. You can also choose between artificial and fresh flowers, depending on your preference.

When buying a pre-made bouquet, consider the size and style of your wedding. For example, if you're having a rustic or garden-style wedding, you may want to opt for a bouquet with more lavender, as the flower is perfect for this theme. If you're having a more formal wedding, you might choose a bouquet with a mix of lavender and other flowers, such as roses or peonies.

Another benefit of buying a pre-made bouquet is that you can often find matching decorations, such as boutonnieres for the groom and groomsmen, centrepieces, and flowers for the wedding cake. This is a great way to ensure that your wedding has a cohesive look and feel.

Make your own bouquet

Creating your own lavender wedding bouquet is a fun and rewarding task. You can use fresh or dried lavender, and supplement the bouquet with other flowers and foliage. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

Step 1: Source Your Lavender

You can purchase fresh or dried lavender from local florists or online suppliers. If you have access to a lavender farm, you may even be able to pick your own! When selecting lavender, look for vibrant, fragrant blooms with healthy-looking stalks.

Step 2: Prepare Your Lavender

If you're using fresh lavender, cut the stems at an angle and place them in water to hydrate for a few hours before arranging. This will help extend their lifespan. If you're using dried lavender, you can skip this step.

Step 3: Choose Your Filler Flowers

Lavender goes well with other soft, pastel summer flowers like peonies, roses, baby's breath, and eucalyptus. Choose a variety of shapes and textures to add interest to your bouquet.

Step 4: Gather Your Materials

In addition to your lavender and filler flowers, you'll need floral shears or scissors, floral tape, ribbon, and a bouquet holder or vase. You may also want to include some greenery, such as ivy or ruscus, for added texture and colour.

Step 5: Start Arranging

Begin by crossing two or three lavender stalks at the base to form a foundation for your bouquet. Then, add your filler flowers and greenery, one stem at a time, turning the bouquet as you go to ensure an even distribution. Use floral tape to secure the stems as you work.

Step 6: Finish and Secure

Once you're happy with the size and shape of your bouquet, bind the stems together with floral tape, wrapping it tightly from the base of the stems upwards. Then, cover the tape with a pretty ribbon, leaving some length at the end for a trailing effect.

Step 7: Care and Storage

If you've used fresh flowers, keep your bouquet hydrated by placing it in water whenever possible. Store it in a cool, dark place, and mist the flowers with water to prolong their freshness. If you've used dried flowers, your bouquet will last much longer, and you won't need to worry about hydration. However, keep it away from direct sunlight to prevent the colours from fading.

Use lavender elsewhere in your wedding

There are many ways to incorporate lavender into your wedding beyond the bouquet. Here are some ideas to inspire you:

Invitations and Stationery

Include a sprig or two of dried lavender in your invitation suite to subtly scent the paper and your guests' homes. This is a unique way to incorporate lavender that will leave a lasting impression.

Centrepieces and Table Settings

Create rustic centrepieces by tucking lavender sprigs into mason jars or small vases. You can also welcome your guests to the reception by placing a single bloom of lavender on each menu or place setting. This elegant touch will enhance the tablescape and delight your guests.

Cocktails and Food

Infuse your signature cocktails with lavender for a light and sweet floral twist. It pairs beautifully with springtime nuptials, especially if you're hosting an outdoor garden reception. You can also use culinary-grade lavender to garnish cocktails or decorate cakes and baked goods. For a thoughtful favour, infuse jars of honey or sugar with lavender – your guests will appreciate this light, floral treat.

Venue Decor

Decorate your ceremony arch or aisle with fresh lavender stems mixed in with greenery. The fragrant florals will create a romantic and enchanting atmosphere for your nuptials. You can also use dried lavender buds instead of confetti or rose petals for an eco-friendly ceremony exit toss.

Favours

For a memorable wedding favour, provide guests with envelopes of lavender seeds. Every time they catch a whiff of the blooming flowers, they'll be reminded of the wonderful time they had at your wedding. Alternatively, you can gift them with dried lavender bundles or sachets to fragrance their homes.

Frequently asked questions