Question 1

We're thinking of preserving our wedding flowers; what are the benefits?

Accepted Answer

Preserved flowers retain their natural beauty and freshness for an extended period. Unlike fresh flowers that wilt and fade within a few days, preserved flowers can be re-homed on the mantelpiece post-ceremony. This means you can order them well in advance, reducing last-minute stress and ensuring your floral arrangements are picture-perfect throughout the entire wedding celebration. Preserved flowers offer flexibility in wedding planning. Since they're not subject to seasonal availability, you can choose your favourite flowers regardless of the time of year. Whether you desire delicate spring blossoms in the middle of winter or vibrant summer blooms in autumn, the blooms allow you to achieve your desired aesthetic without limitations. Fresh flowers can trigger allergies in some individuals, causing discomfort or potential disruptions during the wedding. Using preserved flowers eliminates the risk of allergic reactions and ensures everyone can enjoy the celebration. The blooms offer endless possibilities for wedding styling in bouquets, centrepieces, corsages, boutonnieres and other floral arrangements. Whatever your wedding theme, it pieces can be easily incorporated to complement and enhance the overall aesthetic. Using preserved flowers for your wedding is an eco-friendly choice. The florals undergo a preservation process that involves replacing the natural sap with a preserving solution, allowing them to maintain their appearance for an extended period without needing water or sunlight. It also reduces waste associated with fresh flower arrangements, making your wedding more environmentally conscious.

Question 2

We're looking for the perfect florals for our wedding; what are the latest flower trends?

Accepted Answer

Summer is in full swing, and we couldn't be more excited! The latest flower trends look towards colour and decadence with fragrant peonies, ranunculus and sweet peas. Taller stems of delphinium and lilac are fast becoming a firm favourite in the flower world, not to mention the year's colour, Viva Magenta, a shade rooted in nature that exuberantly promotes joy and optimism to brighten any bouquet this summer. Flowers like alstroemeria, amaryllis, anemone, cymbidium and gerbera embody this stunning colour tone and pair flawlessly with neutral-tone flowers – think hydrangea, white roses and cream delphiniums. Whether you're refreshing your home to fit the season, exploring ideas for a wedding or looking for seasonal trending flowers for an upcoming occasion, Bloomsbury Flowers are here to satisfy all your floral needs.

Question 3

I'm set to tie the knot next summer, and I'd love to include some of the season's most beautiful flowers in my bouquet and venue décor. Do you have any suggestions for what I should look for?

Accepted Answer

Summer brides usually have their pick of lovely weather and a wide option of simply stunning blooms. Roses are a bridal staple available year-round in various shades and sizes to embellish bouquets, buttonholes and wedding venues. Choose high-grade flowers for your bouquets, and either colour-block them with filler florals or go for a graduated effect using one to three shades. Pick your favourite colours as there's no written rule that it has to be white or ivory for brides. Large head dahlias, lilies and peonies are in season only until early June, while hydrangeas, larkspur, lisianthus and astilbe are your other go-to large statement flowers and fillers. For greenery, choose to go with one shade of green with a variety of leaves or use about three to five different types with varying shades to add texture and colour to your displays. Greenery is available year-round, so source plenty to fill up the venue displays and use your large and filler flowers as focal pieces to keep costs down. Have a budget for your flowers, as florals are expensive. Careful planning with your florist will help keep within your budget. Here at Becca Blooms, we tell all our brides to start speaking to us as soon as they have a date and venue booked. That way, we can source and create the most appropriate, cost-effective and impactful floral displays.

Question 4

Spring's all about the flowers. What blooms and foliage would you suggest for a gorgeous seasonal bouquet?

Accepted Answer

Large and trailing bouquets are on their way out in 2023, according to the opinion of industry leaders. This is good news for your budget, and what's more, you'll be more comfortable carrying a smaller bouquet. The goal is not to overpower or detract from the design of the gown but to tastefully accent it with delicate florals. Spring is a wonderful time to get married because you have such a variety of pastel and vibrant blooms to choose from. The pictured pastel-themed bouquet is teaming with a selection of blush, pink and ivory scented Roses with a liberal sprinkling of coral Astilbe, light blue Delphiniums, delicate lemon Green Bells and the ever-versatile true-blue Eucalyptus framing the bottom. Always choose seasonal blooms to keep costs down – you have a wide selection to choose from between January and May. Anemones, Peonies, Hyacinths, Tulips, Ranunculi, Lilacs, Sweet Peas, Narcissi, Roses, and the super elegant Lily of the Valley are the flowers of choice for spring bouquets as some come in a variety of colours and are fresh and vibrant in appearance. Add a sense of drama by being lavish with your ribbons and stem bindings and use accent pearl, diamante, feathers and dried flower accessories for the finishing touch. If it's a traditional ivory and green palette you're looking for, try to use seasonal blooms such as Roses, Gypsophila, Lisianthus and some allyear- available species such as Astilbe, Antirrhinums and Stocks.

Question 5

I'm trying to decide what flowers to choose for my bouquet and would love something seasonal. What would you suggest for a gorgeous spring look?

Accepted Answer

Spring brides are the luckiest, as it's such a glorious season. There are so many gorgeous flowers at this time of the year that you can't go wrong – you're spoilt for choice. As spring gets underway, there are tulips, daffodils, narcissus, iris and lily of the valley. Then country roses, snapdragon, lilac, delphinium, freesia, gardenia, cornflower and wild poppies appear before peonies, hydrangeas, sweet peas, dahlias and ranunculi take centrestage. It's good to start with deciding on a colour for your bouquet. Most brides will go for an all-white bouquet or romantic pastel shades, but it's an opportunity to bring in fresh pops of colour too. Tulips come in many lovely shades and there are lots of varieties, each with a different style and feel. Daffodils and narcissus are not often used in bridal bouquets but if you want a pop of white or yellow they're perfect. Irises are not only purple. A white iris will add a different texture to the bouquet. The little white buds of the lily of the valley are very sweet in an April bouquet. Country roses, tight and delicate or blowsy, are gorgeous. Snap dragons, lilac and delphiniums give a lovely English country garden feel. Freesias have a lovely scent and silhouette. Gardenia is perfect for an all-white arrangement and the scent is heavenly. Cornflowers aren't often found but they're beautiful in a wildflower bouquet as are wild poppies, which come in many shades. In late spring and early summer, hydrangea, peonies, sweet peas, dahlias and ranunculi embody the bountifulness of nature. And it's always nice to incorporate delicate daisies, camomile, astilbe, astrantia and oxypetalum at any time of the year.

Question 6

I don't want my flowers and dress to clash. Should I find my dress first and then choose my bouquet?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Not all bouquet shapes suit all outfits. If you're not sure where to start, your florist will be able to advise but here are some tips… - Classic A-line – The bouquet's job here is to balance the top and bottom half of the dress. For V-necks, a V-shaped bouquet works to highlight the ornate detailing at the top of the dress without detracting from the flowing A-line below. Medium bouquet shapes and styles are usually perfect and you can play around with pops of colour and textures that tie in with your venue to add interest. Hand-tied bouquets work brilliantly for that freshly-picked feel! - Column dresses – Whether your dress is figure-hugging or drops straight to the floor, opt for a smaller round design to contrast the rectangular lines. Bouquets of the same flowers and colour palette offer a timeless and classic look. - Ballgowns – Make sure your bouquet doesn't get lost behind the dress. Big blooms mixed with smaller blooms matching the colours and textures of your day will keep the middle ground between size and statement. Classic flowers such as roses are popular to pair with this classic dress style. - Mermaid – We'd recommend a cascading bouquet that draws the eye down to the unusual shape of the dress. Though, if your dress is incredibly detailed, keep your bouquet simple. - Short – Dainty posies are the perfect choice. For the unconventional bride, we love a single stem to make a statement. If you want to add a little extra elegance, attach a long trailing ribbon! - Modern suits – Your bouquet should be bold, individualist, modern, and undeniably powerful. A modern shape is a must whether that's a crescent bouquet or a design that has unexpected elements or flowers. We recommend hairpieces or statement floral jewellery to match so that anyone who sees you on your special day knows that this isn't just any gorgeous suit - it's your wedding suit.

Question 7

How to inject seasonal brights into every element of your wedding…

Accepted Answer

Choosing the colours for your flowers and foliage can take time. Your bouquet should ideally complement your dress and your floral décor should express your personal preferences as a couple. I work with my brides to design the whole floral package and recommend using vibrant seasonal blooms to add a splash of colour while keeping your costs down. You don't have to follow a trend if you don't feel like it. Be bold and don't play safe. Some colours are natural enhancers for each season. Here are some of my favourite combos: - Blush, frost, and boysenberry are calm and romantically rich autumnal shades for boho weddings. - Pineapple, charcoal grey and cardinal red are a sophisticated combo for an industrial-chic theme. - Hunter green, orange, and brown with peaches and burgundies are luxurious and energetic for a country style. - For a nautical or beach settings, I love hot maroon, cameo pink, and Aegean blue. - Silver, beige, and dove grey are a whimsical combo for autumnal nuptials.

Question 8

What are the key wedding trends for 2022 and how are couples planning their weddings differently this year?

Accepted Answer

I'm seeing people more excited about use of colour. Instead of keeping it classic, they want it to be quite a show after so many have had to wait for their big day to finally arrive. At this time of the year, we're coming up to daffodil season so there's lots of spring colours and blossom. I'd recommend using ranunculus, scented narcissus, mixed daffodils and camelia, which is a dark waxy foliage with Tudor rose that blooms from it in incredible colours. Foliage becomes a central point and you can make amazing displays with camelia, blossom and forsythia – a twig-like foliage with yellow flowers. This is grown locally and often overlooked but when placed in a vase it screams spring and looks amazing. Some couples are choosing to have more intimate nuptials and then planning a big bash when things settle down. It's more about each other now. The traditional larger weddings are pushed aside, and people are just so in love that they want to tie the knot no matter what. My couples are becoming more aware of where their flowers are coming from. I work with seasonal flowers and use locally grown as much as possible to create that community feel and to support local businesses.

FAQs and expert advice about flowers & bouquets