Perfect Bridal Bouquets: Wedding Advice

Morning lovelies! I have a serious addiction. A full on obsession, and I’m sure you’re probably suffering from the same beautiful plight! Pinterest-initous. Sufferers are known to spend hours ‘pinning’ beautiful images to their virtual mood boards and can often be found pining {and re-pinning} highly sought after images. Yes, I’m talking about pinterest. God love it. It’s such a fantastic resource for planning your wedding and I love pinning everything from amazing bridal gowns to divine wedding cakes to beautiful floral bouquets. It can be a tad frustrating however when you ‘pin’ something gorgeous yet you’ve no idea how to recreate said beauty…

Never fear my loves, I’m on hand to share with you some of my favourite bridal bouquets from pinterest and I’ve commandeered the services of wonderful florist and floral designer, Gwenda Wilkes from The Vintage Floral Design Co. Gwenda takes us through each bouquet and explains it’s contents, origin, availability and throws in a bit of floral styling advice. Hurrah!

This substantial bouquet, predominantly consisting of pink ranunculus with silvery senecio and eucalyptus foliage, has the perfect muted, ‘dusty’ colour scheme. It’s a combination that would work all year round, with the exception of August and September when the ranunculus is out of season.

{image credit: pink ranunculus with silvery senecio and eucalyptus foliage bouquet}

{image 1} The popularity of large bouquets is increasing due to the interest in the bridal fashions of the 1920s. But if a petite style is more your thing, this mix of shapely peach tulips and frothy white astilbe has a lovely balance of form and texture. Ideal for the deco-inspired bride, this combination is time-sensitive – November and April are your only opportunities to achieve it!

{image 2} A cute posy of hypericum, spray rose, scabiosa, scabiosa stellata and hydrangea – not to forget the quirky touch of the curled fern leaves. Ideal for theindividualistic Spring/Summer bride who likes a traditionally gentle vintage palette.

{image credit: peach tulips and frothy white astilbe bouquet and cute posy of hypericum, spray rose, scabiosa, scabiosa stellata and hydrangea}

Soft and romantic, muted yet alive, this bouquet exudes a classic vintage style from every petal. This heady mix of dahlia, brunia, thlaspi, hellebore and snowberry is perfect for a late Autumn/early Winter wedding.

{image credit: classic vintage bouquet with snowberry and dahlia}

Succulents! This alternative bouquet trend has made its way over from the States and is increasingly popular for brides who love the unusual organic look. Trailing bouquets are seeing something of a revival, echoing those of the 1920s – expect to see more of these as the warmer months of Spring and Summer draw closer and UK availability peaks.

{image credits: trailing succulent and air plant bouquet}

This Winter/Spring bouquet is an unusual and eclectic mix of blooms, including the more familiar waxflower, peony, rose, tulips, hypericum and eucalyptus, as well as the more unusual Green Trick dianthus and the statement protea. The latter is of South African origin, but readily available in the UK all year round.

{image credits: statement protea bouquet}

{image 1} This petite posy of scabiosa stellata seed pods, fully-opened ranunculus and clematis is bud has a gentle glow of colour about it. It would complement the lace gown of a Spring bride beautifully.

{image 2} Succulents make another appearance in this bouquet, but the real statement is the shot of colour from this dramatic, multi-tonal dahlia. The addition of sprigs of rosemary and the finishing touch of the string handle, give this bouquet a rustic edge.

{image credits: petite posy of scabiosa stellata seed pods bouquet and succulent and dahlia bouquet}

{image 1} A heavenly and romantic blend of Springtime whites and the palest blush-pink. Anenome, rose, ranunculus, sweetpea, lilac, jasmine and a touch of silvery senecio foliage create this lush bouquet, the texture of which would provide the perfect foil to an elegant, unfussy bridal gown.

{image 2} Pure, simple and elegant – this posy of heather has heaps of depth, texture and character. Most commonly available in an array of pinks and purples from high Summer through to mid-Autumn, you don’t have to be Scottish to indulge in this bloom! The Scottish tradition of white heather being lucky was popularised in England by Queen Victoria and the Victorians love of Highland traditions.

{image credit: anemone bouquet and scottish heather bouquet}

Simple but effective – this bouquet of feathery blush-pink astilbe is perfectly complemented by its lace stem-wrap. The colour and texture are perfect for classic vintage look and have a long season, from April to November.

{image credit: blush pink astilbe and vintage lace trim bouquet}

A hand-tied domed posy of ranunculus, brunia, pieris, rose, dahlia, tulip, astilbe and peony – the sweetest combination of late spring candy-coloured blooms. This type of bouquet works well with all dress styles and the colours are a beautiful complement to this season’s key colour: mint.

{image credit: posy of ranunculus with mint green bouquet}

Big, bold and beautiful early Summer peonies in pink and white are combined here with romantic white ranunculus. The touches of bright yellow craspedia bring sunshine and balance of form to this striking hand tie.

{image credit: Big, bold and beautiful peonies with bright yellow craspedia}

*sigh* these bridal bouquets are so beautiful. I want them ALL! I’m particularly obsessed with the statement flower protea at the moment, but also love the romantic ranunculus and peony. What are your floral obsessions? Any here? I shall look forward to hearing from you.

Massive thanks to Gwenda from the The Vintage Floral Design Co. for sharing her knowledge and expertise. She really is a wonderful florist and I cannot recommend her enough!