Wedding Inspiration: Out of the Box Bouquets
Well ladies and gentlemen, it is finally Wedding Season and here at Little Cherry we are looking forward to seeing all the wonderful ways people make their big white weddings green this year!
We’re pleased to report that in the last year the UK has seen a rise in the number of happy couples making a conscious effort to be green on their big day, for example many more people are choosing to use cotton wedding bunting and biodegradable balloons in place of the usual plastic decorations. This good news has been made even better by the increased interest people have had in using our fabulous palm leaf tableware as an alternative to expensive rented place settings and mass-produced plastic buffet plates. Lots of people have actually been making the most of our superb sample packs which give couples a chance to see how well the palm leaf products work with their theme (and trust us, they work with just about any theme!).
With all this planet-friendly party planning going on in the wedding world, we thought it would be nice to look at some of the other ways you can add a unique personal touch to your wedding. On that note, we thought we would share some of our favourite out of the box bouquet ideas for those of you looking to put a twist on the wonderful wedding tradition of bridal bouquets and pretty posies. The bouquet is one of the most important things for a bride, stemming back to ancient times when herbs and spices were worn and carried by the bride to ward off evil spirits; by the Victorian era the herbs had been replaced by flowers which were though to symbolise fertility, beauty and the floral language of love (source). Modern weddings are less constrained by tradition when it comes to things like dresses and flowers. This freedom means you can combine the conventional with the eccentric and choose to wear white, go green and mix it up with the bouquet.
So, read on to see what options you have when it comes to carrying something a little quirky down the aisle.
Au Natural Bouquets
Natural non-floral bouquets like these lavender and wheat ones are simple but stunning. Separately, depending on whether you want the soft hue and scent of lavender or the rustic charm of a wheat bouquet, they are both delightful. Alternatively, if you want a real country feel with a simple rustic elegance, you could combine the lavender and the wheat in one bunch as a pretty nod to the bouquet’s origins.
Fabric Flower Bouquets
Flowers are still a firm favourite when it comes to delicate wedding decorations and bridal accessories. If you want to steer clear of the natural variety though, fabric flowers can make for a stunning bridal (or bridesmaid) bouquet which can be kept as a keepsake long after the big day. Soft neutral or pastel palettes and silk, tulle or lace materials can add a fun feel to a bouquet but still keep things feminine. To add an understated elegance to a pretty fabric flower bouquet, dress up the centres of the larger flowers with statement brooches. For ideas see this fabric bouquet and this brooch-studded one.
Feather Bouquets
Feathers are a stunning addition to any kind of accessory because they have an air of opulence about them. Available in all sorts of sizes and colours, feathers are a flexible embellishment that can either be subtle or make quite the statement. That is why they are equally effective as a bouquet in themselves as they are as a decorative feature for traditional floral bouquets. White (or single coloured) feathers can make a simple, clean-cut bouquet like this Etsy one, whilst something eye-catching like peacock feathers (see here) can dress up even the simplest of dresses to make a statement going down the aisle. To go all out with a 1930s inspired feather bouquet you can choose to embellish it with brooches and use multi-toned feathers which will create a glamorous vintage-style treasure that will make a highly decorative keepsake.
Brooch Bouquets
Vintage is a popular theme for weddings, either as the entire theme or as certain elements. That is why vintage jewellery like brooches has made a serious comeback in recent years, and now even bouquets are getting in on the action. Of course, there is a selection of favourite vintage flowers people like to use, such as peonies and hydrangeas, but if you want to take a luxurious step further you could use antique (or fashion) brooches to create a breath taking, glistening bouquet. For instructions on how to make a simple posy of brooches (like this one) see The Knot’s demonstration. Bear in mind that you can be adventurous with brooch bouquets, adding necklaces and strings of beads to create a draping effect (example here). What’s best is that a brooch bouquet can be kept as a splendid reminder of the big day, for years to come.
Lollipop Bouquets
If you want a fun and tasty twist on the traditional bouquet then a lollipop bouquet is a serious contender. It may sound a little too far out of the box for a wedding but lollipop bouquets are a big trend at the moment. They aren’t made from your standard Chupa Chups lollies though; these bouquets are made from giant lollies, perfectly placed in a bouquet tied with lots of ribbon and made to look like a traditional bridal posy. There are luxurious lollipop bouquets like this Tiffany Blue one with bejewelled sticks, as well as more subtle and chic combinations like this sophisticated black and white one. However grand you want your lollipop bouquet to be, it will add fun to the event, be an interesting twist and last long enough for the newlyweds to enjoy for months as decoration or desert.
So there you have out top five pick of out of the box bouquets. What’s great about these is that they are a greener alternative to floral wedding bouquets which tend to waste flowers and only last a few days. With keepsake bouquets like those made from brooches, feathers and fabric flowers, not only do you make your wedding that bit greener, you also have a memento of the day that you can cherish forever. What other creative and out of the box ideas do you have for putting a fun, green twist on wedding traditions?