A key element of any traditional wedding, your bridal bouquet styles should not only be one that you love, but should also effortlessly match your colour palette, your decor style and your dress.
1. Nosegay – A compact cluster of flowers wrapped tight and cut to one uniform length
2. Pompander – A flower-covered ball shape, tied with a ribbon (a great option for flower girls)
3. Posy – One of the more popular options, it’s a small, round bouquet tied with ribbon
4. Hand-tied – A classic choice, it’s simply a dense bunch of flowers loosely tied together
5. Composite – Made up of different petals or buds wired together on a single stem
6. Pageant – Similar to the cascade, but more compact and pulled together
7. Cascade – A waterfall-like spill of blooms, either anchored in a holder or hand-tied
8. Round – The more buttoned-up version of a hand-tied bouquet, tied with ribbon
Everyone loves a rose, a hydrangea, stargazer lilies or orchids in their wedding bouquets. These exquisite flowers are staples in many a flower arrangement but dare we say, they’re outdated?
If you’re looking to bring some flair to your flowers, make your bouquet out of these gorgeous indigenous flowers:
The King Protea
Yes, yes this is not a revelation and has been popular in many a bouquet. It’s easy to see why, though. The National Flower of South Africa is a seriously beautiful plant that deserves a spot in your flower arrangements.
St Joseph’s and stargazers are spectacular, we can’t deny it. The pollen, while fragrant, will leave a whole mess on your white dress. Switch it out for some beautiful impala lilies, which will bring the best of the white and pink to your bunch.
If you really want to make a statement, pop a few yellow arrum lilies into your bouquet. These beautiful plants look otherworldly and the colour is captivating.
If you want to splash some pink into the mix, the elegant and dainty watsonia is your plant. These flowers are subtle yet sophisticated and will tie your flower arrangement together.
These robust beauties come in many different colours, so the choice is yours. In the South African context though, this specific flower is bright red, giving your bouquet an edge.
While not only found in South Africa, the lily of the Nile is common in many gardens across the country. These flowers bloom in purple and white, so if you want to tone your bouquet up or down, this is your flower.
Cute and quirky, sunflowers are a marvellous plant. Again they are not endemic to South Africa (we know) but they beloved by us. A bouquet of sunflowers could be a simple yet bold move.
Dried bouquets are a massive wedding trend. If you’re looking to keep things neutral and want to add a hint of colour to your flowers, opt for some dried English lavender. It still retains some of the deep purple but without being over the top.
This versatile, South American plant can be used in so many ways throughout your wedding. They can be shaped, twisted and dyed to suit your wedding colour theme. They will also add an effortless elegance and feathery femininity to your bouquet.
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Tip: Consult with your florist as to when these flowers are in season and what their availability is. Some may not bloom en masse, making it tricky to hero it for the entire flower ensemble.
If you’ve had waking nightmares about sneezing our way down the aisle, then don’t worry! While flowers smell and look beautiful, for some, pollen allergies will force you to look at nature’s beauty with an evil eye.
Whether you’re thinking about your allergy-prone guests or you’re a pollen-sensitive bride or groom, there’s good news! There is a range of mesmerising wedding florals that are the perfect addition to any wedding, enabling you to breathe.
Here are five hypoallergenic wedding florals to add to your bridal bouquet or wedding ceremony:
Peonies
The queen of all the wedding flowers. You’ll be happy to know that peonies are not only the perfect addition to your ‘big day’ but it’s also hypoallergenic. Add them to your centrepieces or make them the star of the show when it comes to your bouquet, no matter what, you won’t be stuffed up while booging the night away.
Succulents are having a bit of a moment right now. Not only are they allergy-friendly, but they’re affordable and quite easy to look after. Sage green, dusty blue and pale pink are all beautiful neutral colours for bridal couples searching for an understated look to add to their already fabulous wedding!
Photo: thebridesofoklahoma.com
Hydrangeas
Did you know that hydrangeas are a pollen-sensitive individual’s best friend? Their sticky pollen ensures that it’s not released into the air, and is a perfect addition to an allergy sensitive’s wedding. Gorgeous and understated, hydrangeas can offer an elegant and flowy look, filling up quite a bit of space in the process.
Photo: Pinterest
Roses
Ah, the rose. This famous flower has often been associated with love, so you’ll be happy to know that roses are the perfect choice for those with pollen allergies. Along with adding an enchanting smell to your wedding, roses offer a look that’s classic, a wonderful addition to your wedding florals and bouquet.
There’s something mesmerising about orchids. Along with being an incredibly elegant and beautiful flower, it’s also allergy-friendly, available in a plethora of colours and sizes, and is great for those tropical-themed weddings.
There’s something magical about summer weddings! The good weather and bounty of fresh flowers may have something to do with it.
Summertime offers plenty of delectable fresh blooms to choose from, no matter your ideal bouquet – classic or over-the-top – the season offers a variety of colours and textures that are perfect for your wedding ceremony.
Here are 7 of our favourite summer wedding bouquets.
