Fall Flowers - Bloomin' Blog

Autumn Wedding Flowers

September 26, 2007 by Jamie Jamison Adams Leave a Comment

Although autumn didn’t officially begin until Sunday September 23rd, last Saturday I attended an autumn wedding. I was told, the date was selected because the Farmer’s Almanac said it would be a nice fall day (meaning it would be cool). Evidently someone forgot to tell Mother Nature; because Saturday in Paragould Arkansas was hot and this autumn wedding was held outside under a tent. Luckily a light breeze began during the ceremony.

Despite the warm temperatures this wedding was the ultimate autumn experience. A beautiful sheer moss green ribbon hung between stakes lining the pathway to the tent. Each stake had moss green ribbon intertwined with gold ribbon forming a bow. This set the foundation for the look of autumn. But, it was the wedding flowers that brought home the feel of autumn. The bride didn’t carry the traditional autumn wedding bouquet; instead she held a hand-tied bouquet of orchids wrapped in ivory ribbon. Some of the dendrobium orchids were tinted a chocolate-green color. The bridal bouquet also had rusty red spider, green lady slipper, and golden orchids. The intensely beautiful orchid bridal bouquet was only the beginning of an exceptional display of autumn wedding flowers.

Most fall weddings include chrysanthemums and over the top arrangements. However, traditional flowers and style were absent; replaced by exotic flowers, unusual foliage and simplicity in design. Unique fall colors like chartreuse, moss green, deep rusty red and golden-orange were present during the ceremony and reception. Square glass vases filled with the rusty red spider orchids, golden-orange orchids, bear grass, Bells of Ireland and hanging green amaranthus created a simple, yet, elegant display on the wedding reception tables. The same unique fall flowers and foliage adorned the cake and food tables. The weather may have said summer; but the atmosphere was definitely announcing autumn.

The beauty of this autumn wedding makes me want to get married again, only this time in autumn instead of winter. I wonder if my husband would be willing to renew our vows? I’m sure, I could find everything I need for a fabulous autumn wedding. Although, he’s more likely to agree to a blowout anniversary party in January.

You can find great tips at Wedding and Party Network if you’re planning an outdoor wedding. Find autumn wedding flower ideas at Flower Shop Network. Their “Fall in Love with Fall Wedding Flowers” newsletter describes colors, flowers and foliages that work well for a fall wedding.

I would be interested in the opinions of those of you who had or are having an autumn wedding.

Fall In Love With Fall Wedding Flowers

September 15, 2006 by Flower Shop Network 1 Comment

Fall wedding flowers burst upon the scene in a kaleidoscope of colors. Paint an idyllic wedding picture on this fall’s canvas when using a rich palette of the season’s colors.

Whether the celebration takes place during the sun dappled day, or in the crisp autumn air of evening, the fall wedding introduces a season of excitement. September, October, and November bestow bright flowers and abundant foliage – just the right ingredients for a fabulous fall ceremony.

Deciding on the type of fall floral arrangements will often determine the style of wedding. Consulting a professional florist can be of invaluable help when considering the theme and cost of the wedding. Don’t hesitate to convey what you envision for your wedding along with a review of your budget.

When meeting with your florist, it’s wise to discuss the size and location of your wedding and reception. And, don’t forget to include the number of attendants and guests. It helps if you provide your favorite wedding photographs, color preferences, and fabric samples when talking about your ceremony. A professional florist can assist in creating a plan that helps you to make informed decisions, which can save time and reduce stress.

A CORNUCOPIA OF COLORS

The fall season lends its self to vibrant colors. When selecting fall wedding flowers consider the colors of: Yellow, Gold, Bronze, Orange, Red, Dark Pink, Burgundy, Rust, Brown, Purple, Egg Plant, Green and Tan. Although the types of wedding flowers are usually chosen by the bride, the color palette of the flowers are often determined by the color of the bridesmaids’ dresses.

A professional florist can explain your floral options. Discussions will include the difference between selecting flowers that are in season, as opposed to choosing flowers that are out of season. Out of season flowers increase prices significantly.

With nature’s brilliant colors, here are just a few of the fall wedding flowers that are in season:

ROSES (Rosa) – Many people tend to think of roses as either traditional red or delicate pink. However, the colors of roses range from gold to chocolate. Brides may want to consider the radiant rose colors that include golden apricot, tomato-red, deep yellow, red-orange, tangerine, dark burgundy, coral-orange, burnt- orange, or chocolate brown. These striking shades make beautiful wedding bouquets, floral decorations, and arrangements.

DAISIES (Gerbera) – There are a number of varieties from a single petal to a double petal. The bright colors and varying sizes of this flower make for beautiful bouquets and eye-catching arrangements.

SLIPPER ORCHIDS (Paphiopedilum spp.) – This fall flower’s colors of brownish red, green and yellow can set the seasonal tone.

CALLA LILY (Zantedeschia) – The “green goddess” has deep green leaves and generous blooms. This is a sophisticated flower that often stands on its own. Not only do calla lilies come in the traditional white, but they also come in the rich and beautiful shades of cream, yellow, burgundy, and bronze.

GLORIOSA LILIES (Gloriosa rothschildeana) – A glorious bloom that makes a bold statement. The strikingly curved petals in lustrous red will certainly turn heads.

ORIENTAL LILIES (Lilium Oriental) – Versatility is the key. Colors include white, cream, yellow and burgundy. One of the most famous hybrids is Stargazer, which has a white background with reddish/pink markings and dotted throat.

HYDRANGEAS (Hydrangea quercifolia) – The late blooming Oak Leaf Hydrangea gets its name from the shape of its large leaves. These beautiful leaves often turn colors of brilliant yellow, orange, red, and burgundy.

SUNFLOWERS (Helianthus annuus) – When you think of autumn, picture the Sunrise Sunflower. The medium short deep double yellow petals and dark center make an excellent choice for use as cut flowers that have a long vase and arrangement life.

CHRYSANTHEMUMS (Chrysanthemum indicum, Chrysanthemum x morifolium) – The word chrysanthemum is taken from the Greek, chysos (gold) and anthos (flower). This fall flower is generally found in the following forms: button, daisy, decorative and spider (or quill). The size, color, height and time of bloom make it one of the most popular fall flowers for bouquets and arrangements.

BABY’S BREATH ( Gypsophila paniculata) – This is the delicate name for the “work horse” of arrangements. Colors range from white to pink to blushed purple. Baby’s breath can be coupled with flowers and greenery to create fullness and depth or stand-alone in an interesting container, or elegant vase.

THE ORNAMENTS OF AUTUMN

Fall wedding decorations can be more than colorful cut flowers. A medley of textures such as beautiful berries, fall foliage, and autumn accessories create the look of a bountiful harvest.
Consider the use of berries when decorating tables, window ledges, archways or columns.

Autumn Berries

Rusty Rose Hips
Red Nandina
Red or Black Aronia Berries
Flaming Pyracantha
Orange Pepper Berry
Orange Cotoneaster
Rustic Bittersweet Vine

Burnt Sienna Hypericum Berry
Pink Pepper Berry
Blue Privet Berry
Fall Blueberries
Green or Red Viburnum Berry
Cranberries

Cuttings from fall foliage make stunning centerpieces and arrangements.

Autumn Foliages

Red Oak Leaf Hydrangeas
Red Dogwood Branches
Red Huckleberry
“Redbore” Kale
Liquid Amber Branches
Yellow Maple
Vine Maple Branches
Eggplant Smoke Bush

Green Cherry Laurel
“Illumination” Periwinkle
“Bright Lights” Swiss Chard
“Ogon” Japanese Sweet Flag
“Yellow Ripple” English Ivy
Black-Eyed Susan Vines
Grapevines

Don’t forget autumn accessories add interest.

Autumn Wedding Decorations

Apples, Pears, Persimmons, Pomegranates and Artichokes
Grains, Nuts, Melons, and Gourds
Dried Garland or Flowers
Spanish Moss

Ribbons that reinforce the color scheme
Raffia
Woven Baskets
Colorful Pottery

FALL WEDDING DECORATING TIPS

Continue an autumn atmosphere your guests will remember by considering the following areas for decoration. These locations may be enhanced by the use of flowers, berries, foliage and accessories.

THE WEDDING CEREMONY: The altar, columns, candelabra, backdrop for the ceremony, archways, podium, for Jewish weddings the chuppah, the aisle, end of pews, communion rails, vestibule, guest book table, doors leading to the sanctuary, and stair rails outside the entrance.

THE RECEPTION: The entry area, place card table, buffet table centerpieces, table arrangements, head table design, free standing decorations, candles, stage decor, wedding cake and cake table and restrooms.

The wide variety of fall wedding flowers and large array of berries, foliage and accessories make autumn a wonderful time of year for your special celebration. Whether your theme is large and elegant, or intimate and casual – let a professional florist customize an unforgettable fall wedding for you!

Photo by C & C Sensations, a local florist in Waynesboro VA.

Find a local florist to help create your fall wedding flowers.
Planning a wedding? Check out Wedding and Party Network for all of your wedding needs.

Filed Under: Floral Design, Trends, Wedding Flowers Tagged With: Autumn Flowers, Autumn Weddings, Fall, Fall Color, Fall Flowers, Fall Inspiration, Fall Trends, Fall Weddings, Flower Trends, Wedding, Wedding Bouquets, Wedding Ceremony Flowers, Wedding Decorations, Wedding Flowers, Wedding Reception Flowers, Wedding Tips

Autumn Wedding Bouquet Flowers To Consider

October 15, 2002 by Kelly Curtis Leave a Comment

October has become an increasingly popular month for weddings, and that’s no surprise, given that the weather in most parts of the country is usually dry and cool. Brides-to-be can be relatively certain that their guests and members of the wedding party won’t be dodging raindrops, or worrying about becoming hot and sticky in their formal clothing. Autumn is also a great time for selecting wedding bouquet flowers, with an abundant harvest of floral products, berries, and foliages readily available to your local retail florist.

Montbretia

Consider the versatile montbretia (or, botanically, Crocosmia). This is a delicate flower which consists of a series of small individual, tubular florets arranged as a comb along the upper portion of a long, slim stem (similar to a freesia). Montbretia flowers run the range of colors from yellow-orange to brick red — prefect for the season — and lend an airy and colorful wispiness to a wedding bouquet. They can also be had in their more mature stage, after the blossoms have gone to seed and have formed small rounded pods along the comb – a textural delight.

Hypericum Berry

Another popular berry which is appearing in autumn bouquets is the hypericum (the botanical name for St. John’s Wort). The small, waxy, egg-shaped fruits occur in clusters at the ends of their slender stems and provide a lovely accent of texture and tone. Hypericum’s usual color is a raisin brown, but newer hybrid varieties include shades of yellow, green, red, orange, and salmon pink.

Fall Roses

Roses will always be a popular choice for wedding bouquet flowers, and some of the best picks for the fall season include:

Leonidas (a bi-color chocolate brown)

Terra Cotta (burnt orange)

Star 2000 (a strong coral-orange)

Black Magic (the darkest, velvet burgundy)

Hocus Pocus (a small variety with dark burgundy petals flecked with cute yellow spots)

Mambo (an tangerine-orange spray variety)

Konfetti (deep yellow with a red-orange blaze on the edge)

Red Berlin (tomato- red)

Sari (golden apricot-orange)

Gloriosa lily

Growing in popularity and availability is the exotic-looking Gloriosa lily. Imported from Holland, this delicate flower has reflexed, dark red petals edged in a thin, wavy yellow margin. Popping out of a wedding bouquet, the Gloriosa is a flower with a touch of mystery and drama with it’s sophisticated form and unusual character. Try combining them with mango-colored callas or rusty-red freesias.

Rustic Dried Grasses & Other Fall Floral Accessories

For autumn texture, add dried grasses such as wheat or rye to the bouquet. Or choose from a variety of fall-toned foliages, such as copper beech, croton leaves, or vine maple. The velvety brown backsides of the southern magnolia can add a sumptuous element of class. Consider including bark-textured materials such as lotus pods or cinnamon sticks for interesting contrast.

Fall is a time of rich, warm hues and bounteous textures, and the choices are virtually endless. The autumnal pallette of analagous colors – from burgundy to red to orange to golden yellow – is well represented in the blossoms of the season, which play beautifully against the fabrics of today’s popular bridesmaids’ dresses. Combined with textural materials such as grasses, small fruits, and seed pods, a skilled floral designer will have no trouble creating memorable wedding bouquets with flowers which are plentiful now. Call your professional florist to schedule a personal consultation and reap the harvest of the season.

Filed Under: Floral Design, Flower Suggestions, Newsletters, Seasonal Flowers, Wedding Flowers Tagged With: Fall Flowers, Fall Trends, Gloriosa, Hypericum, Montbretia, Rose, Wedding Flowers

Autumn In The Pumpkin Patch

October 12, 2001 by Kelly Curtis Leave a Comment

The autumn season brings with it the freshness of crisp, cool air, the glow of rich, warm colors, and an abundant harvest of floral materials. As the leaves begin to display their brilliant hues, we find ourselves irresistibly drawn to the natural symbols of fall pumpkins and gourds, dried wheat and cattails, berries and pods, and of course, vibrant fresh flowers and your local florist has just what you need to complement your seasonal decorating theme.

Celebrate the Bounty of Autumn

We can celebrate the bounty of autumn and simultaneously welcome our guests with a seasonal wreath of dried and permanent materials placed on the front door. A circular frame of grapevine or twigs can be embellished with any combination of fall leaves, preserved eucalyptus, artificial blossoms or fruits, and grasses or pheasant feathers, all coordinated with a patterned ribbon.

We’ve all seen pumpkins carved into jack-o-lanterns, but a fresh pumpkin can also become the container for a novel autumn centerpiece, such as the one shown here.

Flowers of Autumn

Fresh flowers for the autumn season include soft-textured red or green amaranthus, velvety celosia, tall purple liatris, a variety of asters in a wide range of colors and sizes, bristly orange safflower, cheery golden sunflowers, delicate montbretia, and crunchy yellow or purple statice. Of course, roses, alstroemeria, carnations and gerberas are available year round in a palette of autumnal hues such as orange, red, burgundy, and gold. For an interesting contrast in form and texture, consider using the waxy, mahogany-toned hypericum berries (better known as St. John’s Wort), or bright red-orange bittersweet on it’s tendrilled stems.

The Quintessential Flower of Autumn

Perhaps the quintessential flower of autumn is the chrysanthemum, which is available in a tremendous selection of colors, sizes and shapes. “Spray” chrysanthemums feature several individual flowers on one stem, whereas “disbuds” have their lateral shoots removed as they grow, resulting in one, large flower at the top of the stem. Football mums, spider and fuji mums and “Red Rovers” (with a large, reddish- rust colored, daisy-type flower at the end of the stem) are all examples of disbuds. Spray chrysanthemums are available as “cushion” or “daisy” types, as well as small, round “button” varieties, and anemone-flowered, or “duet” styles, which feature semi-double, ruffled centers.

Spray chrysanthemums are one of the best flower values around. They are inexpensive, they have many blossoms per stem, they offer a huge choice of colors and styles, and they are long lasting, often enduring for up to two weeks or longer in a vase. It’s no wonder they have been so popular for so many years.

Bring the blaze of autumn colors into your home or send some to someone you know. Call or visit your local professional florist to see what’s been harvested for you!

Fall arrangement inside a pumpkin by Old Dominion Florist, Tazewell VA

Filed Under: Newsletters, Seasonal Flowers, Seasonal Ideas Tagged With: Fall Color, Fall Flowers, Fall Trends, Fruit and Flower Arrangements, Pumpkins