There is an absolutely fab choice of flowers in the summer months; and if you are a summer couple you really will be spoilt for choice! Although, sometimes couples can get overwhelmed with the choice available; not only with the quantity and variety of flowers but with the choice of colours also. Colour has such a huge impact on the overall feel of a wedding. Colour is emotional and has such strong connotations, so it is really important to begin with understanding the feel and atmosphere that you as a couple are looking to create and then build a colour palette with this in mind; and of course your florist can help you with deciding on the flower colours.
Colour inspiration is everywhere. From nature to interiors to catwalk fashion which often feeds through into the wedding world. As a general rule the colours chosen for a wedding are generally dictated by the choice of bridesmaids’ dresses – and what is available to buy online or in the shops. The colour palette should complement the venue; it should also add to the beauty of the space rather than fight for attention. If your wedding reception is being held in a marquee or a warehouse, this is an ideal backdrop for a bolder colour palette; the good thing about blush pinks is that a pastel colour can suit almost any style venue from modern to vintage.
Dreamy Blush Weddings
A BLUSH pink wedding theme is one of the most popular colour schemes in 2017; brides and grooms adore it, because blush is romantic, feminine and can match with any themed wedding; bohemian, modern or even rustic. Blush pink wedding gowns are also big news in recent months, particularly dresses with flower embroidery! This style of wedding dress is completely romantic and is a perfect choice for a feminine bride who wants to embrace the pink colour palette.
Image Credits 1. White Stag Wedding Photography via Beautiful & Rustic Fairy Lights Barn Wedding 2. Katherine Ashdown via Romantic Summer Country Blush Wedding 3. Crofts & Kowalczyk Photography via Opulent & Romantic Metallics City Library Wedding 4. James Powell Photography via Home Made Blush Country Festival Wedding
Peonies & Roses
Sweet Pink Avalanche, Hydrangea and Astilbe| Image by Craig and Eva Sanders Photography via Romantic Metallic & Blush Wedding
So the flowers! Where does one begin in choosing all the amazing pretty pink flowers there are? Well, the first step is to visit your wedding florist who can show you examples of their wedding work with hopefully examples of pink floral designs with mixes of complementary colours to enhance; and talk through the different colour palettes that can be used for a pink wedding. Pink peonies ‘Sarah Bernhardt’ or ‘Sweet Avalanche’ roses are a must-have when it comes to the wedding flowers, depending of course when you’re getting married, peonies are seasonal and are available around March/April up to early-mid July.
Image by Helen Russell Photography via Romantic Pink Summer Glamping Wedding
Astilbe
Image by Crofts & Kowalczyk Photography via Opulent & Romantic Metallics City Library Wedding
Other flowers worth considering are the upright, soft, feathery and romantic astilbe (also known as False Goats Beard) – available between June and November – of which there are a couple of good varieties of pinks available ‘Erika’ and the more blush pink ‘Europa’.
David Austin Roses
Juliet Rose | Image by Stephanie Swann Weddings via Pretty Home Made Pastel Floral Wedding
Another very popular choice with brides are the fabulous David Austin roses; the popular blush/light pink varieties include ‘Kiera’ and ‘Rosalind’. The really great thing about these roses is they look very similar to peonies with their frilly petals, so for brides getting married outside the peony season they are the perfect choice! The incredible scent is worth the price of these more expensive than usual roses, as commercial roses tend not to be fragrant. Sometimes, if budget does not allow for these throughout the entire wedding, I suggest using them just in the bridal bouquet and a groom buttonhole to match, then using less expensive blush roses within the rest of the arrangements to match in.
Hydrangeas
Image Lucy G Photography via Fine Art Boho Luxe Garden Wedding Ideas
Great for large scale arrangements such as pedestals, as pew ends or even just for a cluster to be held by the bridesmaids are; hydrangeas – there are some great classic pinks available, most popular are ‘Verena’, ‘Lolly Pop’ and ‘Vendetta’ classical. There is another variety if you prefer a mix of pink and green, which is called; ‘Magical Revolution’ which is more green than pink however. The downside to these flowers is they need a lot of water; spraying liberally with water onto the petals helps to keep them hydrated as they drink through their petals. Also cutting the bottom of the stems into a ‘V’ will enable them to drink more water whilst conditioning them. If you want these to be made into bouquets, ask your florist to supply vases or big jam jars filled with water so once the photos are completed they can be popped into water – and displayed near the cake or card table as an additional decoration.
Unusual Flowers
Other really lovely pink tone flowers include ‘Mentha’ (very muted pink – almost grey tones), ‘Pink Piano’ and ‘Bombastic’ spray roses, ‘Rose Pink’ lisianthus or ‘Hot Lips’ which is a mix of white and pink and ‘Magic Peach’ which is a pastel peach with pinky tones however, germini (a smaller version of the gerbera) appropriately named ‘Bridal Kimsey’ and the sweetly scented pale pink sweet peas of which the commercially grown last longer than garden specimens (because of the way they’re treated), other pink summer flowers include Phlox ‘Bright Eyes’ and ‘Rose’ wax flowers. Year round calla lilies have a dusty rose shade called ‘Aurora’ ideal for the classic bride.
Rose Pink Lisianthus
Image by Jen Marino via Beautiful & Relaxed Summer Blush Lavender & Hessian Wedding
Spray Roses
Image by Cat Lane Photography via Classic Country Summer Pastel Wedding
Germini
Image by We Are The Clarkes via Relaxed Seaside St Ives Wedding
Sweet Peas
Image by Tied Photo & Films via Casual Country Farm Wedding in Ontario
White Phlox
Image by Ally M Photography via Floral Rustic Country Barn Wedding
Wax Flower
Image by Sarah Morris Photography via Rustic & Quintessentially English Countryside Wedding
Calla Lilies
Image by Eclection Photography via English Village Hall Fete Pink Floral Wedding
Blush & Burgundy
Pink can be made more sophisticated with adding burgundy or deep red flowers and foliage.
Image by Cotton Candy Photography via Antler & Feather Stunning Countryside Wedding
Blush & Green
Or it can be made more vibrant and classic with lime green flowers such as Viburnham Opulus ‘Guelder Rose’ or the fluffy green and white ‘Dill’.
Image by White Stag Weddings Photography via Fresh Country Pink & Green Wedding with Tweed Bow Ties
Pink in general is such a diverse colour and there are so many things you can do to create a pretty pink wedding theme, I could talk about this colour scheme and the flowers available forever .. above is just a small selection of ideas!
*This is the second in the flower feature series from Whimsical Wonderland Weddings expert contributor and florist extraordinare Flowers by Suzanne Randell*
