What should a couple consider first when choosing flowers for their wedding?
Hannah Burnett Floristry: Generally, couples come to us with an idea of what they would like. Roses, gypsophila and peonies often feature heavily as these are 'traditional' wedding flowers. I think as a florist, it's my job to open couples' eyes as to what else is available within their budget and colour scheme. Consider perhaps going with more seasonal varieties to keep costs down a little, and think about using only British flowers. It's amazing what you can create using flowers and foliage sourced around the UK.
Simon Nickell Design: I advise couples to focus their floral budget on the areas where they and their guests will be spending the majority of their time: the reception. Think about key focal points at the venue where flowers will make a real impact, be seen throughout the day and make perfect settings for photographs. The most important thing to consider is a budget that you're happy to spend, and to be realistic with it. I recommend setting aside 10 per cent of the overall wedding budget for flowers, but that's not set in stone, it's a guide. Every couple's priorities are different.
What are some of the upcoming trends you've noticed in wedding flowers?
SND: Wild statement pieces for wedding ceremonies are very on-trend at the moment. Arches, backdrops, moon gates and garlands are really popular with couples who are looking for something unstructured and informal.
TVD: We've seen an increase in being bold and using bright colours. Bright is often mixed with pastels. Foliage is still very much on-trend and will continue to be for quite a while. Hanging installations and arches are still trending but we're seeing an increase in moon gates.
What are some common mistakes people make when choosing flowers?
HBF: Trying to colour-match, in my opinion, is one of the biggest mistakes. Often couples come to us wanting to match the colour of their flowers to the bridesmaids' dresses, invitations, chair sashes... and it can all be a little too much to be honest! If you can work with your colour scheme and choose complementing flowers and their natural colours, it will look so much better on the day when everything comes together.
SND: Asking for peonies in December, and getting carried away on Pinterest! Please remember not to bombard your florist with 47 Pinterest boards of wedding bouquets, because they'll forget what you wanted in the first place!
TVD: Expecting too much for their budget - florists are artists providing a professional service that takes time and detail. Also, choosing flowers that really aren't in season: couples can be adamant they want daffodils in autumn or peonies in winter!
Can you share some ideas for styling venues?
HBF: Don't be afraid to be bold and go for it! If your venue has a feature stairway, arch or room for a hanging installation, then chat to your florist about what they could do for you. With the foliage trend continuing into 2019, why not have plants on the tables as centrepieces? These could even be reused in your garden as a permanent reminder of your wedding day.
What advice do you have when it comes to bouquets?
SND: My advice is to choose something that feels right for you, and not to go for something just because it's in fashion. Very wild and large bouquets are popular right now, but they're not for everyone. Many brides say to me that they don't want to feel overwhelmed by their flowers, and ask me to create a neater version of the wild style.
TVD: Consider the weight of the bouquet. For example, an all-rose dome is beautiful but very heavy. Also, consider the size of your hands. Brides with smaller hands don't normally want to use both hands to carry a large bouquet. After all, how would you hold your husband's arm or hand when you're walking back down the aisle?
Should a couple match flowers to their decor? How do they do that?
SND: I'm not a big fan of themes, as they can sometimes look contrived. Complementing the setting however, is something that's very important. All white flowers in a white room can get lost, so think about injecting colour. Similarly, if the venue has very strong decoration, don't think that you have to tone it down. Have fun and go for it!
What's the best piece of advice you could give a couple when it comes to wedding flowers?
HBF: Trust your florist! You have probably chosen your florist because you love their style, and have heard great things about them. So to get the best results for your wedding flowers, let them do what they do best. Take along your ideas when you meet, and chat about what you really want to include and the style you like, and then allow your florist to put together some unique ideas for you.
TVD: Wedding flowers are created to enhance the day, not take over.
PERSONALISE YOUR PETALS
So you'd like your flowers to do more than look pretty? Take inspiration from these newly-weds, who injected some personal meaning into their big day blooms...
- Be inspired by the Royal Wedding. Just as Prince Harry picked some of the flowers for Meghan Markle's bouquet, ask your fiance or someone dear to you to choose some blooms that mean something to them.
- "My mum really wanted to help out, so enrolled herself in a flower-arranging course a few months before the wedding," says Emma. "She knew the colour scheme, and kept the bouquets a surprise until the day. They were phenomenal and meant so much because I knew all the months of preparation that had gone into creating them."
- "I had roses because my granddad always grew them and he picked them for my nan every day," says Charlotte. "I also had peonies as they are both our mums' favourite flowers, and Scottish thistles for my Scottish husband."
- Vicky caught the bouquet at her cousin's wedding 11 years ago, so when her own wedding came around, she wanted to incorporate that somehow. "I added the diamante pin from that bouquet to my own," she says.
Simon Nickell Design simonnickelldesign.com
Hannah Burnett Floristry hannahburnettflorist.co.uk
Wedding Flowers In Cornwall weddingflowersincornwall.co.uk
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