Floral Trends

Editor’s Note: We asked Alexa, owner of Fiore Blossoms and writer of Fiore Fresco, to share a little bit of her expertise. We hope you enjoy her post on floral trends. Enjoy! A.

I was so flattered that the girls asked me to do a little guest post about trends in flowers right now. I’m so honored to be a part of Elizabeth Anne Designs today! This is fun. And so…on with the flowers!

Following the local food movement, many brides are looking to support local growers and use sustainable, seasonal crops. This is my very favorite trend (though I hope it really isn’t a trend and is here to stay!) of the moment. It also means that flowers are going regional. Here in the northwest, it means more local hydrangea, garden roses (which are really so much more gorgeous and fragrant anyway), dahlias, and lilies. Check out your local farmer’s market to see what local crops are grown near you, and then let your florist know that you’d like to at least incorporate some of these flowers.

Photo by David Perry, flowers by Floret.

As for style, it’s feathers, feathers, and more feathers! And then, the hottest feather of all…peacock feathers!

Photo from Brides

COLOR! A few years ago, chocolate and ivory was the hottest thing around. Now, anything goes as long as it’s vibrant and full of punchy contrast. Blue and orange, orange and pink…for that matter, orange with anything else is HOT!

Photo from The Knot

Black and white tabletops with graphic patterns and outrageously bright flowers that pop!

Photo by Janet Klinger Photography.

Gray—the chocolate brown of last season. Flowers get a lot of influence from fashion, and once gray was the star of the runway, it was bound to show up as a major design element for weddings.

Photo from Housemartin

More texture and natural floral elements other than traditional flower blossoms. Think seed pods, grass plumes, berries, fern curls, branches…think Ariella Chezar and Livia Cetti from The Green Vase.

Photo from Ariella Chezar

All white, while totally classic, will always be in style, especially for bridal bouquets. Regardless of the other colors used in the wedding, many brides (I’d guess at least 40%) love to have that traditional elegant (and chic!) look of an all white bouquet with the white dress.

Photo from Mind Castle Studios, Flowers from Fiore Blossoms.

However…I love infusing other design elements into these all white bouquets whenever possible. Fragrance can be a really exciting element of the all white bouquet; the most fragrant flowers are white. Lily of the valley is only available in the spring, but is an absolute must have if you are getting married March through May. Year around, tropical stephanotis and creamy, luscious gardenias smell heavenly. They just really add another layer to the monochromatic bouquet.

Photo from Brides

Another element that can dress up the all-white bouquet are tiny crystals, gems, and pearls, and metallic elements with a tiny hint of color. They remain a huge trend! One favorite of many brides is the stephanotis with tiny pearl or crystal centers. It’s a beautiful way to complement beading on a dress.

Photo from The Knot

And finally, nothing says GORGEOUS like an orchid, and many of them have delicate freckles and splashes of color that add just a little hint of whimsy to an all white bouquet. Cymbidiums can come with pale to dark pink freckles, phaleonopsis have fuchsia and yellow throats, and cattelayas can have a gorgeous range of colors just touching their ruffled edges.

Photo by Azzura Photography, Flowers from Fiore Blossoms.

I’m keeping one more hot trend up my sleeve! Head on over to Fiore fresco to check it out!

Alexa