Inspiration & Information for Modern Brides & Grooms
There’s nothing I love more than a bouquet featuring succulents. Eco Friendly, aesthetically pleasing, and deliciously rustic. Check out this stunner from Brook and Raf’s Wedding in sunny San Luis Obispo, California. I love the added touch of the burlap binding and twine.
Credits: Arrangement by April Flowers (California) photographed by Ken Kienow (California).
If you are planning a winter wedding, you will need to know what flowers are in season to better adjust your budget. Of course you can have Peonies in December, but it will cost you. Here are some unique and fun alternatives that are in season for your modern wedding floral needs. You can click on each flower name for some picture references.
Winter season flowers:
Source: Australia Entertains.
Credits: Preview Photo (Chrysanthemums)
Continuing with our floral theme this week, we move on to shades of Purple. Purple is more diverse than what people might initially think. It does blend with a cool palette very easily, but you can pair it with all warm tones, such as pinks and reds, and it even goes well with green. Here are some unique floral ideas for inspiration, along with a few palette ideas to help you match purple with your own palette.
Today’s Theme: Purple
Feature Flowers: Lavender, Orchids, Lilies, Lisianthus.
Many flowers come in purple, from roses to carnations, almost any flower is now available in almost any color you want. But that shouldn’t mean you shouldn’t stick to the basics! If you’re on a budget, go with flowers that are in season for your wedding date, that are naturally purple.
These bouquets feature some amazing elements mixed in among the flowers, such as dark berries, and even peacock feathers! Nothing brings out the color, and compliments floral, like non floral details. Bouquets should be diverse, and more than just flowers, add in other natural elements such as twigs, fern leaves, moss etc. I also am in love with the idea of a lavender bouquet (as in the herb!) it is such a natural feel to it, perfect for a wedding in the country side! A very unique take on “bouquet”.
This bouquet is probably one of my favorites. It’s so bold and the colors are stunningly complimentary! I love the idea of adding the peacock feather, which incorporates all of the elements used in the bouquet. Dark leaves and pale green flowers work wonderfully next to maroon and purple flowers, tied together with a powder blue satin ribbon.
Credits: Mixed Purple Bouquet, Purple Rose Bouquet, Peacock Bouquet: Photography / Design by Tracy Park, Lavender Bouquet, Lisianthus and Orchid Bouquet, Purple Bouquet (Preview).
This week we will focus primarily on floral! From receptions to bridal bouquets to boutonnieres, it is Floral Week here on Modern Wedding .org. Each day there will be a post featuring one specific color, to better help brides in search of flowers to match their palette, or get some inspiration from hues. We also like to think outside the box, here at ModWed, so we will steer clear of peonies and roses! It’s time for a new take on Wedding floral.
Today’s Theme: Yellow
Feature Flowers: Daffodils, Sunflowers, Chamomile.
Yellow is a color that can go many different ways in your palette. It can be the focal point, or it can be a complimentary color. It can be apart of a bold, cool palette, or blend into a warm subtle palette. Here are some color combination ideas for yellow.
Bouquets are the most iconic floral element in a wedding, both the Bridal bouquet and the Bridesmaids’ bouquets. There are plenty of yellow flowers that are much more original and unique than the traditional peonies. They are also much cheaper and budget friendly. I think they make much more of a statement, after all, Sunflowers and Daffodils are just related with the world happiness!
And for the reception, how about a unique take on some classic flowers. Lemons along with yellow lilies and roses work wonderfully together, as seen by these beautiful centerpieces by Yvonne Design! With the branches and the birds, it’s so unique.
Pomanders are a popular trend at the moment, whether they are held by the flower girl, or hung on a post as a decoration lining a path, or on the edge of the chairs at the ceremony. They are often made of a variety of fresh flowers, but you can also make them from tissue paper for longer lasting decor.
DIY Detail: Create your own tissue paper pomanders! Much more practical, and totally budget friendly. Check out this amazing post over on the Ruffled Blog.
Credits: Centerpieces, Sunflowers, Chamomile Bouquet, Daffodil Bouquet (with white & green), Daffodil Boutonniere, Daffodil Bouquet (with pink, green & white), Yellow Pomanders, Bouquet (preview).
From simple beauty to luxurious elegance, these centerpieces are just gorgeous. They have something to fit any style or mood, and I just love them. They make me love elaborate details, like those Victorian themed chandeliers, even though I prefer more muted details myself. Check out these beautiful centerpieces from Stoneblossom Florals.
I think you have so much freedom with centerpieces. They can be subtle and only complimenting your color choices and decor, or they can make a statement. Flowers can always be matched to fit your palette, or you can make bold statements with contrasting colors. The one simple orchid in the moss laced wire pot is so perfect, simple and elegant. At the same time, the elaborate chandlers really scream riches. They can own the table or they can blend.
Centerpieces can be strictly traditional floral, or they can even be something clever like stacked books with some simple flowers. I absolutely love this idea from this wedding on Green Wedding Shoes. They can be floating candles in vases or hurricanes with sand and other details. Your options are really limitless.
It’s also great when you get creative with the table numbers, using fun ways to incorporate them, such as framed cross stitch work for a little DIY.
Most of us would like to incorporate eco-friendly details in our wedding, or do our best to have a “Green” reception… The only thing stopping us, is that we’re not sure exactly what to do. Over the next three days, I will feature posts including some ideas and details on how to have a ceremony with a conscience. From bouquets to the dress, to the ring, to the cake, everything can be green and guilt free, without losing any of the style you crave on your big day.
Today we’ll cover location and decor!
Cactus centerpieces and Succulent bouquets: Not only is this a great alternative to the traditional, overpriced, fresh cut flowers, they also add a great, rustic touch to your wedding. Imagine how well they fit a Texas, Arizona or Nevada wedding? Ceremony in Mexico? Rustic country theme? (Look how well it works into this real wedding) They also last so long you won’t know what to do with them. You can re-pot them as a special way to remember your big day. Cactus also have some of the most vibrant flowers and colors, which can make amazing centerpieces. Be sure to buy locally, as that is what makes this so “green”. No travel means less of a carbon footprint. Buying online and having it shipped to you is also a little redundant.
Why are floral bouquets not “Green”? Most fresh cut flowers come all the way from South America. They are grown year around with harmful pesticides and other chemicals. Then they have to travel all the way to you, all the while keeping fresh. This leaves a serious carbon footprint. I guess the exception to this would be if you or your friend grew the flowers in your backyard organically.
Act Locally: Destinations are glamorous and tempting for those who have the money to fly themselves and their family to the other side of the world, but if you want a truly green wedding, you should stay put. I won’t lie, an exotic ceremony in the Caribbean sounds great, but what’s more meaningful, a random (but beautiful) local across the world, or the park where you met your fiance in the town where your family and friends live?
Plane tickets, limos, even SUVs are all culprits in large carbon footprints. Instead have the ceremony in your friend’s garden, or in a local park. Have guests carpool, or, with all the money you save on planet tickets, really go all out and rent a hybrid or “Green” car for the transportation.
Next time… the ring, and the dress!
Useful links:
RecycledBride.com – Offers a place to find “gently used” wedding dresses, rings, decor and more.
GreenUnion.co.uk – Stylish and sustainable wedding items.
WeddingChaos.co.uk – How to recycle your wedding items after the big day.
Credits: Outdoor Wedding, Yellow Bouquet, Red Bouquet, Orange Bouquet, Pastel Bouquet, Centerpieces, Album.
