Your Guide to Partying Pretty: Buds and Blooms
Hey y’all! Our groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, may have predicted six more weeks of winter this year, but we all know spring is right around the corner. In honor of the approaching Springtime and pending wedding season, we decided to do a series on "Partying Pretty," starting with our favorite-- florals, of course!
When I think about Spring, all I can think of are the flowers. Luckily, a trend we can expect in the next chapter of wedding design is extra-lush and luxe florals. Flowers are so diverse in color, texture, and size. They can add just the right amount of color to any celebration, and can even add enough personality to earn their own spot on the guest list! If you’re not sure where to start, that's okay. We are here to illuminate the 9 most popular wedding flowers (plus one of our favorites and one you have probably seen a lot popping up in editorials) used for weddings and parties to give you a quick education. Then, you can take it from there...
1. Roses
Let’s start off with a classic: the rose. There are over 3,000 varieties of roses grown and available for you to choose from for your event. From romantic deep reds to pure whites, roses are timeless. They come in many sizes, miniature to oversized, and in different potencies of fragrance. They look great paired with a pinch of holiday spirit for a winter wedding, and can also bring a touch of sunshine to your event in shocking yellow! You can't go wrong using roses as the focus or complementary flower for your design.
2. Peonies
I love peonies in pink, which in this shot bring a luxurious pop of color to this bride’s ensemble -swoon-! Grown in single- and double-flower styles, you have choices for how lush you want your arrangements to be. This flower is more expensive than others due to its fragile nature, its seasonal availability (late spring to early summer), and popularity.
3. Calla Lilies
If you’re looking for something a little different, try out these beautiful Calla Lilies! They are just enough elegance with minimalist style. A traditional white works to highlight the bride’s gown, while orange calla lilies provide a touch of bright color.
4. Tulips
Did you know there are three varieties of tulips? These buds come in French, Dutch, and Parrot varieties! All have different qualities and colors, and can range from very affordable and widely available to expensive and rare. A flower with stamina, tulips are great when used in bouquets, boutenniers, and as centerpieces.
5. Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas are not just for your front yard. A fluffy and beautiful yet unscented choice for your wedding day bouquets, you can mix hydrangeas in as a base with other flowers to make your bouquet bigger and bolder. This flower comes in shades of blues, purples, and pinks, as well as whites and greens, depending on the soil in which they are grown. Hydrangeas, as indicated by their name, requires lots of water to stay perky and beautiful, so keep that in mind, especially if you plan on getting married in the hot and dry season.
6. Ranunculus
Ranunculus is one of my favorites. They come in all sorts of colors, punchy and muted, depending on the look you are going for, and bring such a romantic look to bouquets. They are a wonderful substitute for peonies-- less expensive, and longer lasting. If you want to read more about this adaptive beauty, check out this spotlight by GreenWeddingShoes here.
7. Stephanotis
Next on our list is the ultra-dainty Stephanotis, historically the most popular wedding flower of them all. These star-shaped flowers are small enough to add to your gorgeous up-do, but also act as the perfect accent to a bigger-flowered bouquet. Since the blooms grow from a vine, your florist or little DIY-heart will have to pluck each one individually, run wire through it, and only then arrange them into the desired shape. Challenge accepted!
8. Lily of the Valley
If you want to go even daintier, try out Lily of the Valley. Little but fierce, the Lily of the Valley is soft and sweet with its cascading bells. You’ll love them for their fresh look rich texture, especially when styling and pairing with other blooms. Generally very expensive, this bloom is in season during Spring.
9. Gardenias
Gardenias have one of the most recognizable and strong fragrances of all the flowers on this list. Their ruffled petals are very delicate, and a little more on the pricey end. Gardenias are stunning when used to decorate the bride's tresses, and in more focused arrangements.
10. Anemones
