Romantic Winter Whites
White weddings have always ruled in winter, but an all-white color palette doesn’t have to mean modern, stark white floral arrangements. Stylish brides and grooms are going for a soft, “antique” white effect, made up of flowers in creams, ivories, and even very pale blush hues. As for the blooms themselves, consider a mix of classics like white amaryllis, calla lilies, orchids, tulips, and anemones. This combo can create an effect of gently modulated color and texture that will look both elegantly monotone and lavishly romantic.
Rich, Festive Reds
Decadent reds have become especially popular flower arrangements for weddings in December and February. The best red winter blossoms: roses, anemones, amaryllis, gloriosa lilies, calla lilies, and cymbidium orchids, just to name a few. Floral designers are using “monofloral” arrangements in which one flower type is bunched tightly into high-impact, sculptural displays and spread throughout the room. Another idea is to go for more variegated centerpieces; a broad palette of shades including ruby, deep orange, wine, and plum are combined for a visually rich, intriguing effect.
Tactile Accents
Florists can add dimension to your centerpieces by mixing in touches of sage green lamb’s ear and silvery Dusty Miller leaves. You’ll get a frosty effect that reflects the season while breaking up an all-white or red palette. You can do the same with your bouquet. Carry a single-flower cluster down the aisle (think a mass of anemones, tulips, or roses), and keep it interesting by incorporating these small bursts of color and texture.
Beyond Floral Bouquets
Think outside the flowerbed and bring in a few nonfloral elements, such as white snowberries or viburnum, hypericum, or pepper berries, which add dimension and serious seasonal appeal. Some brides are even adding dramatic feathers to their flowers, and most are asking for the boutonnieres to echo their multitextured bouquets. A few boutonniere ideas for the guys’ lapels: Use a single white feather and cluster of snowberries, or a eucalyptus berry against a silver-green Dusty Miller leaf.
Sources: NYC floral and event designer DeJuan Stroud; Debi Lilly of Chicago’s A Perfect Event; Andrea Correale, president of Elegant Affairs, Inc. in Long Island, New York.
