Spring is the season for flowers and the options are truly endless. Get inspired by these seasonal arrangements designed by the experts.
For this eclectic tabelscape, Adam and Alicia Rico, the designers behind Bows and Arrows in Texas, packed a riot of bright peonies, ranunculus, and poppies into handmade concrete vessels. The look can work for an indoor or outdoor wedding‚ in loft spaces or gardens. And for a cheeky twist, clear rock-candy favors topped each plate.
Vietri Lastra plates; Crate & Barrel flute and wineglass.
While monochromatic bouquets are, without question, gorgeous, there's something about this tangle of technicolor beauties that's so celebratory. Alicia's favorite, poppies, are front and center in two varieties: Icelandic and the more unusual peony poppy, both locally sourced from a Texas farm. Sunshiny ranunculus, fluffy peonies, showy protea, and delicately ruffled sweet peas were also tucked in. If you really have your heart set on using just one shade, the latter make exquisite single-bloom posies, says Alicia.
M&J Trimming 7mm velvet ribbon in marigold; Mokuba New York 38mm velvet ribbon (212-869-8900).
Barrel and prickly-pear cacti planted in Adam's small concrete pots serve as both escort cards and tokens of thanks. Place them around an oasis of bright blossoms near your entryway to provide a cheery welcome. Bonus: The table will remain enchanting even after the gifts have been snatched up.
Bows and Arrows vases (prices upon request, 214-828-2697).
For this cheery tablescape, Livia Cetti, florist and founder of The Green Vase and partner Joanne Donohoe zeroed in on oversize blossoms in an array of sun-kissed colors: yellow tree peonies and tulips, fuchsia peonies, coral ranunculus, and dark-red cosmos." To add texture, we mixed in geranium foliage and rabbit's foot fern," says Cetti. Neutral, organic details -- including wicker baskets, antique flatware, and linen napkins -- keep the focus on the flowers and tie in the farm-fresh theme.
"I love the trailing, vinelike feel of a long, narrow bouquet like this one. It's so romantic," says Cetti. "And since the silhouette is stretched out, there's room for all the flowers to hold their natural shape instead of being mashed together."
Here, she used tree peonies, cosmos, tulips, and delicate wire vine to create a cascade that's meant to be draped over one arm.
Bulbs are the ultimate thank-you gift for spring weddings -- not only do they bring beauty to your loved ones' gardens, they're also easy to buy in bulk online (we suggest vanengelen.com). The yellow tulip variety shown can be planted in fall and will bloom in the spring (as will daffodils and crocus).
Or consider doling out tuberous begonias or gladiolus, which will sprout in the summer if planted in spring. At your reception, draw guests' attention to your favors with this arresting display of tree peonies, camellia branches, 'Green Goddess' calla lilies, white lilac, chocolate vine, and forsythia and viburnum branches. Then place a sign that beckons them to fill small, flower-stenciled burlap sacks with bulbs to take home.
Create an enchanting entrance to your reception with budding vines, like the clematis and grape- and passion vines shown here. Other ideas? “Mark your ceremony with an oversize wreath of boughs, or wrap a tangle of foliage around a trellis if your wedding’s outside,” says Sarah Ryhanen, co-owner of Saipua, a flower and soap shop in Brooklyn, New York. Ryhanen is known for whimsical displays that mimic how blooms grow. “Arranging classic flowers in a way that’s a bit messy and unruly -- that’s my version of modern,” she says.
The ideal bride for this vivid bouquet? “One who’s not afraid of color!” says Ryhanen. “I love soft, romantic shades, but I’m also a sucker for drama. So I often add dark accents to keep things from looking too girlie or precious.” In this loose collection of peonies, sweet peas, lilacs, clematis, and black lace elderberry, inky purples and rich greens mingle with vibrant pops of lavender and coral. A long, sheer pink bow ties the look together for an overall effect that’s unique but still utterly feminine.
Alberta Ferretti silk chiffon gown (net-a-porter.com).
Take it from a pro: Pulling off a sophisticated tablescape with a kaleidoscope of colors is not as hard as it looks. Ryhanen's trick? Make sure every hue appears at least twice. Here, rose wine plays off the peachy peonies, leaves tied around favors of jam echo the elderberry foliage, and table linens recall the pastel shades of the petals. As for the arrangements themselves, each vessel is filled with a different combination of blossoms. “The key is for the smaller vases to contain an element of the large one,” says Ryhanen. Think complementary, not matchy-matchy. This sprawling composition of peonies, lilacs, clematis, and bearded irises, for example, is flanked by peonies and sweet peas on the left, and clematis and lily of the valley at right.
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These wedding flowers are great! For wedding accessories, I also recommend wedding veils and bridal gloves.
What about the bling?
Every bride loves sparkle and shine! I added rhinestone brooches on a green stem to my bouquet. They added lots of beautiful sparkle easily without being expensive. I got them from The Buckle Boutique.
One unique fun Idea is to give out TickleMe Plant Party favors to all the kids at your Wedding. What child wouldn't want to grow a pet like plant that moves and closes its leaves when Tickled. Adults love to interact with TickleMe Plants as well.