Church Wedding Flowers: Choosing The Perfect Blooms

what flowers do I need for a church wedding

Flowers are a staple at weddings, and there are many options to choose from when it comes to selecting the right ones for your church ceremony. From bouquets to centrepieces, arches to boutonnieres, flowers can add a beautiful touch to your special day. However, they are not a necessity, and you can opt for alternative decorations such as candles, tulle, or bows. If you do choose to incorporate flowers, it's important to consider your budget, the seasonality of the flowers, and any restrictions the church may have on decorations.

shunbridal

Flowers at the church entrance

Flowers are a key part of many couples' wedding days, and a florist's perspective will help you make the most of your wedding flowers. The church entrance is your blank canvas, and you can dress it up with statement pieces like big flower arches, foliage semi-arches, and milk churns. You can fill milk churns with taller statement flowers that complement the bridal bouquet. If you're on a budget, you can reuse these arrangements at your wedding reception.

You can also incorporate bundles of gypsophila (baby's breath) into a deconstructed arch design for a contemporary church door decoration. For a simple way to tie your church door decor with the rest of your wedding flowers, you can work your chosen blooms into small wreaths to hang on the doors outside the church. These can also be easily removed and used to decorate your reception.

If you're having a summer wedding, you can consider a church doorway design featuring pretty potted hydrangeas, floral and foliage-wrapped handrails, and a half floral arch in tones of purple and blue. For autumn nuptials, you can opt for a fall floral installation outside the ceremony, with an aisle meadow including foxtail lilies, soft pink and peach tea roses, chrysanthemums, and queen Anne's lace.

Remember, there are no set rules on what flowers to use for your wedding. You can follow the season for the best flowers in terms of look and price. Classic wedding flowers include roses and lilies, but you can also explore unstructured flowers like seed pod heads, dahlias, and grasses, which can contrast beautifully with a formal church setting.

shunbridal

Flowers on the altar

When choosing flowers for the altar, it is important to consider the size and structure of the altar, as well as the overall wedding budget. Couples should also be mindful of any restrictions the church may have on floral arrangements. To make the most of the flowers, choose large, colourful blooms that will be distinctive and noticeable from the rear of the church. Flowers with long stems, such as gladiolus, hydrangeas, chrysanthemums, carnations, liatris, asiatic lilies, snapdragons, stock, and agapanthus, are ideal for altar arrangements as they are affordable and easy to work with.

There are several options for altar flower arrangements:

  • Pedestal arrangements: Flowers on pedestals stand out at the altar and are more visible to guests. They can be combined with tulle and bows to add colour to the front of the church.
  • Table vases: A simple vase filled with blooms is a classic and easy-to-adjust altar decoration.
  • Floor urns: Floor urns are larger and more dramatic, making them suitable for bigger churches with more visible space.
  • Unity candle arrangements: If including a unity candle ceremony as part of the wedding vows, floral arrangements with candle holders can be a lovely and practical way to decorate the altar.
  • Table garlands: A table garland is a less voluminous option that can easily decorate any size altar.

For couples who are not as invested in flowers, there are alternative options to consider. Some churches may already have flowers as part of their regular decorations, and these can be coordinated with the wedding colour scheme by speaking to the vicar. Other alternatives include ribbon bows, candles, and organza.

Jessa Duggar's Wedding: Date and Details

You may want to see also

shunbridal

Flowers on the aisle chairs

When choosing flowers for your aisle chairs, consider the season to get the best flowers in terms of look and price. Classic wedding flowers include roses, lilies, sweet peas, lily of the valley, and soft greenery. If you're looking for something more unstructured, you can play with textures and unusual shapes by incorporating seed pod heads, dahlias, grasses, pampas, eucalyptus, and more.

If you're looking for a more cost-effective option, you can opt for ribbon or tulle instead of flowers. Ribbon bows at the end of pews can be more effective than flowers, especially if the church is already decorative. Another option is to use the flowers provided by the church, which are typically left in the church all week, or request that the church ladies do flowers in neutral colours so they don't clash with your colour scheme.

Ultimately, the flowers you choose for your aisle chairs depend on your personal preference and budget. Consult with your wedding florist to determine what will work best for you, and don't be afraid to dress up the outside of the church as well!

shunbridal

Flowers on the table

If you're looking for a simple and cost-effective option, consider using table vases. These are one of the most common wedding flowers and can be used almost anywhere in the church, including near the altar, in the lobby, and at entrances and exits. They're also easy to transport to your reception venue. Another option is to use floral arrangements in floor urns, which can create a stunning display.

If you're not a fan of flowers, there are plenty of other ways to decorate your tables. You could use candles, which can look romantic and elegant, or even create your own centrepieces using ribbon, tulle, or greenery. If you're feeling creative, you could even make your own bouquet using silk flowers or other materials.

Remember, there are no set rules when it comes to your wedding flowers. You can choose to follow the season for the best flowers in terms of look and price, or opt for classic wedding flowers like roses, lilies, or sweet peas. Ultimately, it's your special day, so make sure your wedding reflects your unique style and personality!

shunbridal

Bouquets and boutonnieres

The bridal bouquet is the most important, and it should be a reflection of your personality and the style of your wedding. Classic choices include roses, lilies, and sweet peas, but unstructured, boho brides might prefer something like dahlias, grasses, and pampas. You could even make your own bouquet with silk flowers, or for something truly unique, a bouquet full of diamonds. For a church wedding, you could consider a bouquet that complements the existing decor, or add a floral touch to a simple church with a statement bouquet.

For the bridesmaids, you might want to consider smaller bouquets, or for something different, a hairpiece or wrist corsage. The groom and groomsmen will need boutonnieres, and it's a lovely touch to offer these to the fathers and grandfathers of the bride and groom, too. These can be made of flowers or, for something more personal, a themed pin, like a bike pin.

After the ceremony, your bouquet can be used as a decoration at the reception venue, or even as a centerpiece.

Frequently asked questions

Flowers are not a requirement for a church wedding. You can opt for other decorations like candles, tulle, bows, or greenery. However, if you want flowers, there are many ways to incorporate them, from bridal bouquets to altar arrangements.

Classic wedding flowers include roses, lilies, and sweet peas. You can also opt for unstructured flowers like seed pod heads, dahlias, and grasses, or follow a seasonal theme.

Popular spots for flowers in a church wedding include the entrance, aisles, pews, and altar. You can also use table vases near the altar or entrances and exits for easy transportation to the reception.

Written by
Reviewed by

Explore related products

Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment