Franklin Dean
Flowers are an important part of a wedding, adding colour, drama and life to the ceremony and reception. While they are not a necessity, they are a popular choice for couples. The type of flowers chosen for a wedding is a personal choice and can be influenced by factors such as budget, wedding venue, and the couple's personal preference. Flowers can be used in a variety of ways, from bouquets and boutonnieres to centrepieces and flower arches. The most popular wedding flowers include roses, orchids, peonies, anthurium, dahlias, lilacs, calla lilies, gardenias, and sunflowers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Personal flowers, ceremony flowers, and reception flowers |
| Who gets flowers | Couple, wedding party, close family members, mothers of the couple, grandparents, officiant, ushers, ring bearer |
| Types of arrangements | Bouquets, boutonnieres, corsages, nosegays, flower girl petals, centerpieces, flower arch, aisle decorations, post-nuptial petal toss |
| Flower types | Roses, orchids, peonies, anemones, anthurium, dahlias, lilacs, calla lilies, gardenias, snapdragons, stephanotis, stock flowers, sunflowers, protea, dendrobium orchids |
| Budget | 10-15% of the total wedding budget |
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What You'll Learn
Personal flowers for the wedding party
Ultimately, the types of flowers you choose for your wedding party are entirely up to you and your partner. That being said, there are some traditional floral arrangements that you may want to consider for the wedding party.
Bouquets
Bouquets are traditionally given to the bride and anyone in the wedding party who identifies as a woman. Bridesmaids' bouquets tend to be smaller versions of the main wedding bouquet, often incorporating the same types of flowers, colour palette and general design style.
Boutonnières
Grooms and male wedding party members, including groomsmen, ushers and close male family members, such as the couple's fathers, typically wear boutonnières. These are small flowers attached to the left lapel of a tuxedo or suit jacket. The groom can opt for flowers that match the bride's bouquet for a cohesive touch.
Corsages
Corsages are typically worn by mothers and grandmothers at weddings. They can be worn on the wrist or pinned to the clothing.
Petals
Petals are usually given to flower girls. However, some venues no longer allow petals to be tossed or thrown, so an alternative option for flower girls is to carry a hoop.
Nosegays
Nosegays are mini bouquets and can be given to important guests such as the bride or groom's parents and grandparents.
It's important to set a budget for flowers and to consider how crucial they are to you and your partner. If you're using flowers as your main source of décor, you may want to allocate a little more of your budget to them.
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Flowers for the ceremony
Flowers are a key part of any wedding and can be used to add colour, drama and life to the ceremony. There are no rules when it comes to choosing flowers for your wedding, and it's important to remember that neither the amount nor the cost of your flowers will make your marriage any more or less valid.
That being said, there are a few key areas where flowers can be used to enhance your ceremony. Firstly, there are personal flowers, which are any arrangements that the couple, members of their wedding party, or close family members and friends will carry or wear on the big day. This includes the bride's bouquet, the groom's boutonnière, petals for a flower girl, and corsages for the mothers of the bride and groom. The bride's bouquet is a very personal choice and can be made from a wide variety of flowers, including classic roses, peonies, lilacs, dahlias, calla lilies, gardenias, orchids, anthuriums, and sunflowers. The bridesmaid bouquets tend to be smaller versions of the main wedding bouquet, often incorporating the same types of flowers and colour palette. The groom's boutonnière can be used to tie his look to that of his partner, and is usually made from a few small flowers wrapped in a delicate ribbon. Corsages, which can be worn on the wrist or pinned to the clothing, are often given to the mothers and grandmothers of the couple, and can also be given to bridesmaids as an alternative to bouquets.
The second category of flowers to consider for your ceremony is the ceremony flowers. This includes any arrangements that will be used during this part of the celebration, such as decorations for the aisle or backdrop, and flowers for a post-nuptial petal toss. A flower arch is a popular choice for Christian and secular ceremonies, and can be made from wood or plastic and decorated with flowers, greenery and other botanical accents. It frames the front of the altar where the couple will exchange their vows and serves as a backdrop for photos. Flowers can also be placed on the chairs lining the aisle, or in large arrangements on either side of the aisle to create a beautiful and dramatic entrance for the bride.
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Flowers for the reception
Flowers can add colour, drama and life to your wedding reception. While they are not a necessity, they can be a beautiful addition to your special day.
Centrepieces
Centrepieces are a big part of the floral decor for your wedding reception. A standard centrepiece is a popular choice, but you could also opt for a floral table runner, which looks especially beautiful on long banquet tables. If you are having a sweetheart table, you could have a centrepiece that matches the other tables or something unique. A tall centrepiece may block the view of the reception space, so consider a floral runner draped across the front of the table instead.
Wedding Cake
Fresh flowers can be used to dress up your wedding cake. Share a sketch of the cake design with your florist so they can bring the necessary flowers on your wedding day. The flowers should tie into the types of blooms used in your bouquet or other centrepieces.
Entryway
Welcome your guests with a floral entryway. Display the arrangements using vessels inspired by the location, such as wine barrels for a vineyard, or wheelbarrows for a barn or farm. If your reception is in a tent, pair fresh blooms with a welcome sign to create a "main entrance".
Other Ideas
- Decorate the backs of chairs with flowers, especially for the newlyweds and/or the wedding party.
- Hang flowers from the ceiling for a "wow factor".
- Floral chandeliers are a beautiful style for hanging arrangements.
- Use flowers to decorate a seating chart or escort table.
- Small flower arrangements or bud vases can adorn a cake or dessert table.
- Create a floral backdrop for photos.
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Flowers for the bride and bridesmaids
The bride's bouquet is the most important floral arrangement at a wedding. It is often the most photographed floral piece and is used during the bouquet toss. The bouquet should complement the bride's dress and personal style. For instance, if the bride's dress is a romantic, flowing gown, a loose, cascading bouquet with soft flowers like roses, peonies, or hydrangeas would be a good choice. If the dress is sleek and modern, a more structured bouquet with contemporary flowers like calla lilies or orchids would be more suitable. The colour of the bouquet can also be chosen based on the colour of the bride's dress. For a white or ivory gown, any colour palette will work, while off-white or champagne dresses are better paired with warm shades like peach, blush, or soft pastels.
Bridesmaids usually carry bouquets as well, and these can be smaller versions of the bridal bouquet or completely unique designs. They should complement the bridesmaids' dresses, either by matching or using similar colours and styles. For example, if the bridesmaids' dresses are in warm tones, soft pastels or rich earthy tones would be a good choice for the bouquets. Alternatively, a single flower type that is prominent in the bride's bouquet can be incorporated into the bridesmaids' bouquets. The bridesmaids may also wear floral accessories in their hair, such as flower crowns or hairpins.
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Flowers for the groom and groomsmen
Flowers are a crucial part of any wedding, and the groom's choice of boutonnière is an important consideration. This small arrangement is usually pinned to the lapel of the groom's jacket, but can also be placed inside the breast pocket or on the entire lapel. The groom's boutonnière often matches the bridal bouquet in style or colour, but modern grooms are increasingly opting for more creative and personal choices. For example, a rustic or bohemian wedding might feature a boutonnière made from succulents or greenery, while a vintage or romantic wedding could include lamb's ear and scabiosa pods. For a modern and masculine look, billy ball boutonnieres are a popular choice. Grooms can also choose to match their boutonnière to the flowers used by the rest of the wedding party for a cohesive touch.
When selecting the flowers for the groom's boutonnière, it is important to consider the durability of the blooms, especially if they will be worn for an extended period. Calla lilies, for instance, are a popular and durable choice. The cost of the boutonnière will depend on the type and intricacy of the arrangement, with more upscale blossoms or intricate styles costing more. To keep costs down, grooms can opt for in-season blooms, which can also help to establish a sense of place. For example, roses and goldenrod are perfect for fall weddings, while burgundy and gold tones reflect the natural hues of the season.
In addition to the groom, the groomsmen, ushers, and close family members such as fathers and grandfathers, typically wear boutonnieres. These can be in the same style as the groom or completely different—it is entirely up to the wedding party. To save on costs, the groomsmen's boutonnieres can be smaller or feature fewer flowers than the groom's.
While flowers are a popular choice for weddings, they are not a necessity. Couples can choose to use alternative décor elements such as lanterns, fruit, branches, or terrariums to create a unique and personalised celebration.
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Frequently asked questions
Bouquets are traditionally carried by the bride and bridesmaids, and are the ultimate accessory for a wedding. They can be chosen based on personal taste, wedding style, or to symbolise something, such as fertility, love, or a new beginning.
Boutonnieres are traditionally worn by the groom, groomsmen, and male wedding party members. They usually match the bridal bouquet in style or colour. They can be classic flowers, such as a rose or calla lily, or more creative, such as succulents or greenery.
Corsages are usually worn by the mothers and grandmothers of the couple, and can be worn on the wrist or pinned to clothing. They are also becoming a trendy alternative to bridesmaid bouquets.
Flower crowns are traditional in some cultures, such as Greek weddings, where the couple wears them to symbolise unity. They are also becoming popular in secular ceremonies, and can be worn by the bride or flower girls.
