No matter your wedding theme or style, florals are always in; but when picking your arrangements, should you stick only to blooms that are in season?
We’ve spoken to floral artist, Zoe from Flowers By Zoe to get her advice on the dos and don’ts of choosing your bouquet.
WW: The big question is, should a bride choose seasonal flowers, or is it ok to opt for imported?
Zoe: Most people would say that seasonal flowers are the best choice when it comes to wedding flowers and I tend to agree, but like any rule, there are exceptions. Australia imports beautiful flowers from all around the world, so these days brides-to-be are in the fortunate position where nearly anything is possible.
WW: What’s the benefit of buying locally sourced flowers?
Just like buying local produce, buying your flowers from Australia means you’ll receive a fresher bunch that haven’t travelled thousands of kilometres to get to you. Not only will you be able to appreciate your flowers for longer, but when flowers are transported by air, they’re packaged in enough plastic tubing and protective wrap to fill an entire waste bin, so by buying local, you’ll also be helping to save the environment.
Another big reason to buy local flowers is that you’ll be supporting local farmers and ensuring that any workers in the flower industry are receiving a fair wage.
WW: What’s trending with florals at the moment?
Zoe: Hydrangea, Peonies, Dahlias, David Austin Roses and Dusty Miller Foliage have been strong choices over the last two years. They come in beautiful pastel and vibrant colours, so are a great option if you are looking to get away from the traditional white or ivory.
The most popular colours choices for weddings at the moment are pastel peach/apricots soft pinks and ivory whites.
WW: What’s the availability of these blooms like?
Zoe: The drawback is that local Peonies, Hydrangea and David Austin roses are seasonal. So if your wedding isn’t in November, December or January, you probably won’t be able to source these flowers locally.
WW: Are there any floral bouquet styles that are really popular at the moment?
Zoe: Combination bouquets are huge at the moment. Brides are moving away from the structured “rose only” look to a softer, rustic or vintage design. Combining a variety of flowers such as David Austin’s, local roses, peonies, lisianthus, carnations, dahlias, freesias and berries give your bouquet a fresh, natural look.
WW: Over the past decade, Baby’s Breath has had had a reputation for being the daggy uncle of the flower world, but now it’s popping up again on Instagram! Is this flower finally making a comeback?
Zoe: Baby’s breath is coming back! We are seeing entire bouquets being made of the flower and it makes for a stunning arrangement, be it brides, bridesmaids and flowergirls. Baby’s Breath in the buttonholes for the men is also very popular at the moment.
WW: What should we be looking at when it comes for centrepieces?
Zoe: Baby’s breath makes for a very eye-catching centrepiece, I personally love the burst of fluffy whiteness that comes when you arrange them in a tall, elegant glass vase. Grouping 3-5 vases of different heights can give you a centrepiece with a variety of colour and texture. You can also add a mirror base with tea lights or rose petals, which will give you that romantic sparkle. Mason jars with twine or lace can give a warm vintage look to your guest tables. The key is to play with sizes and shapes; don’t play it safe!
Flowers By Zoe is a Sydney-based floral stylist, offering customised floral designs to suit the personality and theme of every wedding.
