From Classic to Contemporary: Tips for Finding Your Wedding Flower Style

Planning your wedding is an exciting journey, and for many couples, the flowers are a significant part of bringing their vision to life. But with endless options, how do you even begin to describe what you're looking for? "Beautiful" is a given, but your flowers can evoke so much more!

At Diana Dreger Designs, I believe your wedding flowers should be a true reflection of your personality, your love story, and the overall feel you want for your big day. To help you navigate the wonderful world of floral design, let's explore some popular styles and aesthetics, and how to pinpoint what resonates with you.

Start with Your Overall Wedding Vibe

Before you even think about roses vs. peonies, consider the broader picture of your wedding.

• Venue: Is it a grand ballroom, a rustic barn, a chic city loft, a serene garden, or a beachfront? Your venue often dictates the natural backdrop and can inspire your floral choices.
• Attire: What kind of dress are you wearing? What's the groom's suit style? Your personal fashion choices often hint at your overall aesthetic.
• Color Palette: Do you have any colors in mind already? This is a strong starting point for floral selection.
• Season: While I can often source flowers year-round, celebrating seasonal blooms can enhance your theme and sometimes your budget.

Once you have a general sense of your wedding's personality, let's dive into some distinct floral styles:

Unpacking the Popular Wedding Flower Styles:

1. The Classic & Elegant

• Vibe: Timeless, sophisticated, refined, traditional. Think black tie, formal settings, and understated luxury.
• Flowers: Often features abundant, pristine blooms like roses (especially garden roses), hydrangeas, peonies, lilies, and orchids.
• Arrangements: Structured, symmetrical, often rounded or cascading bouquets. White, ivory, and soft pastels are dominant. Greenery is present but often subtle.
• Perfect for: Grand ballrooms, historic estates, churches, and couples who want a look that will never go out of style.

2. The Romantic & Whimsical

• Vibe: Dreamy, soft, ethereal, enchanting, often with a touch of vintage charm.
• Flowers: Full, delicate blooms like garden roses, ranunculus, sweet peas, dahlias, and astilbe.
• Arrangements: Looser, more organic shapes with a "just-picked-from-the-garden" feel. Often incorporates flowing greenery like eucalyptus or ruscus, and a mix of textures. Soft pinks, creams, peaches, and lavender are common.
• Perfect for: Garden weddings, tented receptions, vintage-inspired themes, and couples who adore a soft, dreamy aesthetic.

3. The Modern & Minimalist

• Vibe: Clean, sleek, sophisticated, architectural, understated impact. Less is more.
• Flowers: Often features a few striking blooms with unique shapes or textures, like calla lilies, orchids, anthurium, or sculptural greens. Sometimes a single, dramatic flower.
• Arrangements: Intentional, often monochromatic or with limited color palettes. Focus on negative space and strong lines. Clean vases and geometric shapes are popular.
• Perfect for: Art galleries, urban loft spaces, industrial venues, and couples who appreciate contemporary design and bold simplicity.

4. The Rustic & Bohemian (Boho)

• Vibe: Earthy, natural, relaxed, free-spirited, often incorporating outdoor elements.
• Flowers: Wildflowers, textural elements, protea, thistle, succulents, cosmos, daisies, and lots of lush, varied greenery. Often features dried elements like pampas grass.
• Arrangements: Abundant, asymmetrical, sprawling designs. Often utilizes natural materials like wood, woven baskets, or mismatched ceramics for containers. Rich, warm tones or muted, earthy palettes.
• Perfect for: Barn weddings, outdoor ceremonies, forest settings, and couples who love a laid-back, organic, and authentic feel.

How to Discover Your Style:

1. Browse & Save: Start a Pinterest board or a collection on Instagram. Don't overthink it at first; just save everything that catches your eye. Look for patterns in the images you've saved. Are they mostly wild and free, or structured and elegant?
2. Focus on Feelings: How do you want your wedding day to feel? Romantic? Fun? Grand? Intimate? Your flowers play a huge role in setting this mood.
3. Identify Likes & Dislikes: It's just as important to know what you don't like as what you do! "I hate roses" or "I really dislike bright colors" is super helpful information.
4. Consider Your Dress & Venue: These two elements are often the strongest indicators of your inherent style. Your florist can help ensure your flowers complement them perfectly.
5. Talk to Your Florist: This is key! Bring your inspiration photos and your ideas (even if they feel scattered). A good floral designer can help you articulate your vision, refine your style, and bring it to life in a cohesive, stunning way.

Finding your wedding flower style is an exciting part of personalizing your special day. Don't feel overwhelmed – embrace the exploration! With a little inspiration and the right guidance, you'll discover the perfect blooms to tell your unique love story.

Ready to chat about your dream wedding flowers? Contact us today for a consultation!