What do you envision for floral design on your wedding day? We’ve seen so many different floral arrangements and bouquets in the last decade. We’ve also made so numerous bouquets for our brides throughout the years that all have their one unique flair. Trends have come and gone through the years and we’ve seen it all. From cascading lilies to dainty wildflower bouquets – there are so many unique options that your bouquet can truly be just right for you. One of the most unique times for bridal bouquets is winter. Color palettes are truly one of a kind for winter, in the fact that you can use all colors and explore varying shades of vibrance. Winter bouquets can feature seasonal greens or even dried flowers! Let’s break down some of our favorite winter bouquets from our winter wedding season last year.
All the Greens
We’re starting off with a bang, with winter bouquets is one of our favorites. This bouquet features greenery and lots of it! There are TONS of different greenery choices to feature in your bouquets. Some of our favorite choices are: lemon leaf, ruckus, lambs ear, dusty miller, seeded eucalyptus, boxwood, bay leaf, willow eucalyptus, and silver dollar eucalyptus. There are a few benefits to adding fresh greens to your bridal bouquet. First, greenery can often spare you a few bucks in your budget. Greenery can go a long way, because they are often purchased by the bunch, rather than the stem. Also, greenery is a great option for brides that want their bouquet to have more of an organic look. It is perfect for our boho or rustic brides. Yes, in winter, you don't need to worry about the heat – but a major perk is that they last. You don’t have to worry about your bouquet wilting throughout the day - your bouquet will stay fresh and last well after your wedding day!
It’s all about Balance, Baby
You can still be a big fan of the greenery, but tie in subtle touches of your wedding theme and color palette. In the past, bouquets were often filled with flowers – and we mean flowers on flowers – the more the better right? Well, times have evolved to offer brides many different unique looks with a healthy blend of florals and greenery. We’re seen less of a touch of greenery, and more greenery all around. But, we love seeing a balance between greenery and florals. It creates a modern and romantic touch and photograph beautifully. Combining the two creates a beautiful blend to any bouquet. As you choose the flowers, stay true to what your wedding colors are. This is a great time to tie in what guests will see at the reception, or what attire your wedding party will be wearing. After you choose your flowers, work with your florist and pick greenery that will complement and add dimension to your bouquet. We love that this bouquet features the bride and groom’s wedding color scheme and creates a romantic look.
Contrasting Florals
Winter provides the perfect background for color. Often, when people think of a winter wedding they automatically jump to the traditional view of winter – Christmas. To be honest, yes, we have the occasional Christmas theme wedding, primarily the color choices, but most of our winter weddings feature bold color choices that really pop. Winter is the perfect time to be a little daring and choose vibrant color choices like burgundy, pink, hot pink, magenta, red, black, and orange. Adding flowers such as white anemones is the perfect nod to winter. Pairing a delicate flower with vibrant roses or ranunculus really creates a unique wintery look. Don’t be afraid to ask your florist, or create your own bouquet with colors from opposite ends of the color wheel. We promise you, your photos will turn out stellar and your guests will be in awe of your bridal bouquet.
Traditional with a Twist
There is nothing wrong with sticking with a traditional bouquet. And by traditional, we mean filled with florals. Now, there are ways to add a modern twist, such as showing the flower stems, and choosing modern flowers. This bouquet was featured at one of our winter weddings last season. We love this bouquet because it is more towards the traditional wedding bouquet, but it is traditional with a twist. First, let’s talk about the flower choices. Her bouquet was filled with garden roses, orchids, white anemones, and more. The bride and florist ventured out and chose flowers that provided contrast, dimension, and truly created a visual masterpiece. We love how this bouquet also featured a small ombre look, which really draws the eye in.
Put a Ring on it
We’ve circled back, literally, to one of our favorite design looks, bouquets but build on a hoop or ring. We featured this look back at one of the Seattle Wedding Show Expos and we even DIY’d it ourselves. We love this bouquet because it is out of the box, but elegant. It creates an eye-catching moment as your wedding party walks down the aisle. Plus, these bouquets can be repurposed in the reception! They can create a backdrop for a sweetheart table, surround candles on tables, or more. And who doesn’t love saving on the wedding budget and using items from the ceremony?!
At the end of the day, whatever style of bouquet you choose, stay true to what your vision is and create a timeless look. Bouquets are one of the focal points at the ceremony, so take some time to find inspiration before consulting with your florist or choosing to DIY your bouquets. As always, research any decisions you make and find flowers that stay true to the season. Don’t be afraid to create a lush bouquet of greens, or be a little daring in your traditional bouquet. Find a good balance when building your dream bouquet and remember - it’s okay to think outside of the box and have a little fun with it.
Lori Losee is the owner of Elegant Affairs, a Tacoma Wedding Planner with over 18 years of experience. We create awe-inspiring experiences—Events filled with meaning and refined elegance. Behind the scenes, our experienced team collaborates on each stage of the process, executing your vision and a wedding, celebration, or corporate event that is unique to you.