Spring Wedding Flowers
Spring bridal bouquet
I’m sat here writing this with snow falling outside, so while it still feels like Winter, perhaps it’s the perfect time to think about more sunny days ahead and some of the Spring delights that we have to look forward to. This time of year, there are so many gorgeous blooms popping through so here’s a rundown of some of my absolute favourite Spring wedding flowers.
Ranunculus
Because they’re just so pretty – they come in so many beautiful shades and varieties and some of them, particularly the Cloni varieties are just huge – as the petals open out they become more and more ethereal and they last really well in a vase or out of water so are perfect for a bridal bouquet. If you’re trying to use all British flowers for your event, they make a fabulous alternative to garden roses at this time of year.
Ranunculus buttonhole
Icelandic poppies
Who wouldn’t love their gorgeous blousy petals and those perfect pastel shades? And for those who prefer something a bit bolder, you can go for Oriental poppies in bright reds and yellows. In a large bouquet they just make such an impact. They are picked in bud so it’s important to get them into the studio enough days in advance to allow them to unfurl completely before taking centre stage in a bridal bouquet. They won’t last long out of water though but hopefully just long enough to look perfect for the photos!
Icelandic poppy
Peonies
We are just about to get into peony season, although British peonies will be a bit longer coming! In this country peonies are generally in flower during May and June so they are a late Spring/early Summer flower but from April peonies from slightly warmer climates in Europe – Italy and the South of France mainly, will start to become available. Peonies are one of those flowers made all the more special for their short season – as a florist they are one that you never want to promise to a bride as you never quite know whether they’ll be available at the right moment but when they are, they are beautiful!
Peony
Lilac
British lilac is usually available in April/May time although you can get commercially imported lilac from mid-March. In wedding work it can be really useful as it can be used in large arrangements due to its size and can then fill a whole space with its wonderful scent. If conditioned correctly, it can last well in a vase and it is available in shades of white and pink as well as the traditional lilac purple colour.
Lilac
Sweet peas
The quintessential cottage garden flower. Sweet peas often evoke feelings of childhood as many people remember their mums and grannies growing them in their gardens. They can be very short lived as a cut flower, but with their amazing array of colours and beautiful scents in lots of varieties, they are fabulous for using in bridal bouquets or small table designs. British sweet peas are usually available from mid-April right through the Summer and as they don’t travel well, locally grown ones are always the best!
Sweet peas
As we get into April and May there is so much more choice of British grown flowers available as the season really gets started. And one of the best things about going local with your flowers is that as well as being able to source some more unusual varieties, you get such beautiful scents. This afternoon I’m off to pick up my first locally grown bucket of the season from one of my local growers in Surrey (if this snow will go away that is!) and I can’t wait to see what delights there will be!
If you’re interested in learning more about how you can use seasonal flowers to the best advantage for your wedding or event then please get in touch – I’d love to hear from you.