Pretty petals to impress the guests
Winter may signal the end of most flowering blooms, but brides marrying in the colder months need not fret about any lack of choice for beautiful bouquets. “Brides often think that they will be struggling for their flower choice in the winter months, whereas the reality is there is a huge selection. Amaryllis is a fantastic choice for table decor and ceremony flowers – from pure white to beautiful scarlet, they can make a stunning centrepiece. (main image left to right: Bouquet of Juliet David Austin roses, orchids and hypericum berries. Blush bouquet of pink roses surrounded in lace, Jamie Aston. Waxflower, berried eucalyptus, roses, hydrangea, rosemary and lisianthus with a hint of yellow anigozanthos for an informal do, Little Botanica)
Leave the stems long, and have three to five stems tied together, the heads all open, creating a topiary tree effect. Use a glass cube vase as a container with an oasis in the bottom to secure the stems. Some carefully places stones will cover this,” explains Fiona Macgregor of The Tartan Rose. To add warmth and bring a festive touch to your wedding, consider using trans-seasonal flowers such as roses, skimmia and hypericum berries or full plants of poinsettia to add colour to the venue. Purple flowers are also great for flashes of colour, and luckily include blooms such as orchids and calla liles, which are widely available at any time of the year. Or why not try cute little anemones, narcissi or hyacinths?
To evoke a real wintry feel, use evergreen and foilage, of which there are many varieties. “Try putting evergreen together with berried and bare branches to create warm woodland-inspired table decor, or why not use chunks of pure cut wood to bring an earthy feel to your day?” suggests Kimberley Scott of Little Botanica.
Winter weddings are wonderful and – fingers crossed –may include a sprinkling of crisp snow that will give you a blank canvas for your wedding, against which even the most subtle colour will stand out. “Adding delicate sparkle to your bouquet will emulate the glistening of a new frost,” says Kimberley.
“Roses are, of course, always popular, but delicate flowers such as ranunculus and anemones also have their place. Both are available in winter in a wide range of colours and can visually lighten any bouquet or table arrangement. Similarly, if you want your flowers to have a definite winter theme think about adding a few berries and even willow to your bouquets and arrangements,” says Karen Pepin of Meadow Lane Flowers. (image: orange and red roses, calla lillies, berries and mixed foliage with beargrass and diamante detailing around edge, Poppy Floral Design)
For glamorous venue decoration, let your imagination run wild: “Topiary trees made up with a ball of chrysanthemums with the addition of fairy lights can give a lovely warm glow. Or use twisted willow to give height to arrangements without the bulk of flowers,” suggests Fiona at The Tartan Rose.
(image left to right: A bouquet of calla lilies, roses, berries and complementary foliage, Poppy Floral Design. A sweet and small display of red anemones with collar, Flowers & Plants Association. A wild decoration of chrysanths, carnations, thistles, berries, alstromeria and wintery foliage, Little Botanica. Make a real vintage statement with this bright and beautiful birdcage creation, Poppy Floral Design.
