04Feb

Wedding Flowers | A to Z Guide (with Photos)

By, February 04, 2016

It’s amazing how much impact florals can have on the wedding day. There are flowers to match every personality and style, from the classic elegance of the calla lily, to the exotic flair of the king protea. With a talented floral designer on your wedding team, you will be amazed at what can be done with bouquets, boutonnieres and centerpieces.

For a dose of fresh inspiration, and tips for selecting the perfect floral ensemble, check out our extensive A-to-Z floral guide below. As you scroll through the images, make sure to pin your favorites :)

Classic bouquets using anemone flowers
Floral Credit: McCann Florist (image on right)

Anemone

One of the few flowers to bloom in black and white, Anemone has a classic look perfect for any traditional wedding. Unscented and cost-friendly, these flowers are in season from October to May, and pair well with ranunculuses or eucalyptus leaves.

Billy Button Boutonniere
Floral Credit: Tenfold Style

Billy Buttons

Available all year round, the billy button is a fun, ball-shaped flower that adds a punch of color to your details. Perfect for bouquets of all styles, the billy button is versatile and blends well with spring, summer and rustic themes.

Collage image of calla lily
Floral Credit: Wholesale Flowers and Supplies (on left), Isari Flower Studio (on right).

Calla Lilies

Known for its elegant beauty and distinct shape, the tropical calla lily is available year-round. Although pricy, it is one of the most popular flowers used in weddings. The calla lily is originally from Africa, and comes in a variety of colors such as ivory, yellow, orange, pink and red.

Colorful bouquet of dahlias
Floral Credit: The Flower Shop

Dahlias

Named as Mexico’s national flower in 1963, the Dahlia is a robust flower with a rich history throughout South America and Europe. Discovered in the Aztec gardens by traveling conquistadors, this flower became cherished for its bold colors and unique shape. The intricately patterned petals and fullness make dahlias ideal for centerpieces and bouquets. Diverse in color, they stand out on their own, or when paired with other flowers.

Ways to Use Eucalyptus at wedding
Floral Credit: Rae Florae (on left), Urban Garden & Floral Event Design (on right)

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus is a versatile plant used primarily for its leaves and seeds. Because the natural muted greens go well with flowers, it makes a great filler. With over a hundred varieties to choose from, it is popularly incorporated into garlands, wedding arches, bouquets, boutonnieres and centerpieces. Eucalyptus is great for adding fullness and texture to details, and it pairs well with blush, orange and reds.

Rustic bouquet using false goats beard
Floral Credit: Gaslamp Floral (on left), Jolie Fleur Del Mar (on right)

False Goat’s Beard (Astilbe)

A tough little flower, false goat’s beard (AKA astilbe) is a feathery plume native to the mountain ravines and woodlands of Asia and North America. Coarse in texture, this flower is beautiful in wildflower bouquets, and ranges in color from cream, pink, red and amethyst. This shade-loving flower has a pleasant aroma, and gives an overall romantic feel to the day.

Traditional Wedding Bouquet
Floral Credit: Kathy Wright & Co.

Garden Roses

Garden roses have risen in popularity over the last few years, especially as a reasonably priced alternative to the peony. These roses are lush and full, with a spiral center of tightly wound petals. When in bloom, these beauties open up for a full, ruffled look. Another rose commonly used in place of more traditional varieties is the Juliet Rose.

Hydrangea bouquet
Floral Credit: Root 75 (on left), Organic Elements (on right)

Hydrangeas

A scentless shrub flower originating in Eastern Asia, hydrangeas are clustered blooms that form one large flower. They make a bold statement on their own, and can also be used to complement other flowers. Hydrangeas are thirsty, so we suggest keeping them well-hydrated to last the whole night through.

Rustic inspired bouquet using wild flower
Floral Credit: Isari Flower Studio

Jasmine Vine

Associated with love and purity, Jasmine Vine is a chic garden floral, and adds great texture to a bouquet or centerpiece. Admired for its fragrant perfume, the vine is often used in trailing bouquets for a bohemian twist.

Exotic wedding bouquet
Floral Credit: Isari Flower Studio

King Protea

A dramatic focal piece in any ensemble, the oversized King Protea demands attention. Adorned with spiky pink petals and a white, fuzzy center, this durable flower is perfect for desert environments. The national flower of South Africa, the King Protea is one of the oldest known flower types, dating back nearly 300 million years.

Lavender bouquet and boutonniere
Floral Credit: Bloomers of La Jolla (on left), Painted Primrose (on right)

Lavender

Known for its aromatic fragrance, lavender is a rustic flower that can be used dried or in fresh bouquets. Its soft muted colors create a calm atmosphere, and a romantic, timeless look.

Colorful bouquet of nigella flower
Floral Credit: Sharrie Woods

Nigella

Vibrant and colorful, Nigella is a rich blue garden flower that blooms in early Summer. Its nickname, Love-in-a-Mist, comes from the fennel-like foliage that grows on top of the flower, creating a mist-like appearance.

Colorful orchid bouquetFloral Credit: Trendee Flowers (on left), Artistic Floral Design (on right)

Orchids

A sexy tropical flower, orchids are a popular choice for Summer brides due to their ability to withstand heat. They can be used alone as a creative boutonnière, or bunched together in a eye-catching cascade bouquet. Coming in over 20,000 various shapes and colors, the most commonly seen types are Cymbidium (usually green), Phalaenopsis (white and purple), Vanda (blue), and Dendrobium (used in Hawaiian leis and cascading bouquets).

Classic pink Peony bouquet
Floral Credit: Adornments Flowers

Peonies

The quintessential wedding flower, peonies are admired for their classic romantic look. With lush, ruffled petals and a sweet aroma, these flowers are ideal for Spring weddings but can be challenging to find during the off-season.

Rustic bouquet with ranunculus
Floral Credit: Isari Flower Studio

Ranunculus

Adorned with lush, dense ruffles and fluffy petals, Ranunculus have quickly become a modern wedding favorite. These beautiful flowers bloom in a variety of colors, ranging from white, orange, pink and burgundy. Popularly used as an alternative to the peony or rose, Ranunculus are extremely versatile, and can be paired with a wide assortment of flowers.

Colorful desert themed wedding succulents
Floral Credit: Sweet Marie Designs (on left), Penny Blooms Floral & Event Design (on right)

Succulents

Heat-resistant, and therefore perfect for Summer, succulents have become a modern addition to many rustic weddings. When combined with other flowers such as ranunculus or dahlias, succulents provide a beautiful, textured accent. They also make great focal points, and can be incorporated into bouquets, party favors, and creative wedding backdrops.

Colorful orange tulip bouquet

Tulips

Tall and elegant, with an egg-shaped blossom, tulips add a fun burst of color to the wedding day. You can find tulips in most hues, with shades ranging from white to rich dark purple. Although the traditional styles, such as Big Smile and Menton, are most popular at weddings, there are also many exotic varieties. Our favorites are the Parrot Tulip, with ruffled petals that mimic the feathers of a parrot, and the Double Bloom Tulip, which resembles a peony.

Colorful bouquet incorporating red uva ursi berries
Floral Credit: Adorations Botanical Artistry

Uva Ursi

Also known as Bearberries, Uva Ursi is an evergreen shrub that grows beautiful red berries in the Fall. A perfect accent in bouquets or on boutonnieres, the complementary green and red tones will add a pop of color to your details.

Colorful flower bouquets using veronica flowers
Floral Credit: Splendid Sentiments (on left), Cherry Blossom Floral Designs (on right)

Veronica

A tall spike of small, bushy petals, Veronica Flower is one of the truest blue flowers on the market. The flower can be found in a variety of colors beyond blue such as purple, pink or white. Available from Spring to Autumn, these flowers radiate a tea-like fragrance that often attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.

Classic bouquet incorporating yew plant
Floral Credit: Franco’s Flowers

Yew

With thin spiky leaves that can bear cones and berries, yew is a coniferous shrub that brings a touch of the forest to the wedding day. It adds texture and greenery for a pop of drama, and is perfect for couples planning winter or rustic weddings.

Bride Zoe holding calla lily bouquet

Zoe

We know these are lilies. But they are gorgeous lilies, and they are from our bride Zoe‘s beautiful wedding. So we get by on a technicality, right?

For dozens (and dozens) of additional wedding flower photos, to use as inspiration, please click here.

24Apr

Elegant Touch Floral Designs Adds “Something Blue” To A Downtown San Diego Wedding

By, April 24, 2012

As co-owners of Elegant Touch Floral Designs, we put our extensive floral experience to work for our clients.  Our vision is to provide outstanding service and exceptional quality at an affordable price. We do not set any minimum on orders, and we will work with any budget, big or small.

For every wedding, we work closely with our clients to understand their needs and ideas, and to fulfill their visions. Whether you are looking for a garden effect, traditional, contemporary, or something completely unique, we love to make our bride and groom’s dreams come true!

For example, our clients, Kathleen and Rob, live in Washington DC and they decided to tie the knot on the gorgeous rooftop of the Manchester Grand Hyatt in downtown San Diego. Their wedding colors included shades of royal and navy blue, with grey accents to complement the beautiful view of endless sky.
Downtown Wedding in San Diego with flowers by Elegant Touch Floral Designs

Kathleen’s bouquet was made of orchids, white hydrangea, white roses, white calla lilies, and light blue delphinium with an ivory satin hand tied ribbon.
San Diego wedding flowers by Elegant Touch Floral Deisgn

We lined the ceremony aisle with bundles of white roses, white freesias, hydrangea, light blue delphinium, snapdragons and larkspur with a flowing charcoal satin ribbon.
Wedding Flowers by Elegant Touch Foral Designs in San DiegoSan Diego wedding flowers by Elegant Touch Floral DesignsSan Diego wedding flowers in the aisle by Elegant Touch Floral Designs

We created beautiful corsages with white orchids and satin charcoal ribbon to tie into the decor. This is a photo of the mother and brother of the bride just before the ceremony!San Diego wedding flowers by Elegant Touch Floral Designs

Rob’s boutonniere was made with a single white orchid with two blue delphiniums and a cream satin ribbon!
San Diego wedding flowers by Elegant Touch Floral Designs

The bridesmaids’ bouquets were made of beautiful white roses, white freesias, white calla lilies, dark blue hydrangea, light blue delphinium, seeded eucalyptus leaves & lemon leaf in a charcoal satin ribbon.
San Diego wedding flowers by Elegant Touch Floral Designs

We incorporated similar flowers into the simple centerpieces, which included white roses, white freesias, white calla lilies, white spider mums, dark blue hydrangea, light blue delphinium and greens in a clear square vase. We topped the beautiful sweet cream cake off similar flowers to add color and elegance!
San Diego wedding flowers ceterpieces and cake by Elegant Touch Floral Designs

What a fun wedding for our fabulous clients!
San Diego Wedding at the Manchester Grand Hyatt with Elegant Touch FloralsSan Diego wedding flowers by Elegant Touch Floral Deisgn

04Apr

Kathy Wright & Co: The Gold Standard in Floral and Event Design

By, April 04, 2012

Flowers add life, warmth and personality to a wedding. They are nature’s gifts to us;  they make us smile when we are sad, and they remind us of the most precious memories life has to offer.  I’ve worked at my trade for many years, crafting the perfect wedding design for each and every bride and groom who decide I’m ‘the one’ for them! Whether they are going for ‘uber contemporary’, vintage chic, or classic traditional style, I can interpret it through flowers, and all the different tools I have, to create an event extraordinaire!

Kathy Wright and Co Floral Design in San Diego Kathy Wright and Co Floral Design in San Diego Kathy Wright and Co Floral Design for Indian Wedding in San Diego

It’s very simple for a bride and groom to choose the type of flowers to match the style of their event. The process really starts with me getting to know them as people.  They come in, sit down, and we talk.  Sometimes we talk about everything under the sun!  Sometimes they tell me about their favorite movie,  their favorite rock band, their favorite colors, or their favorite place to go on vacation. These are all hints to better understand what they both enjoy, and what they want their party to reflect to their guests!

Kathy Wright and Co Floral Design in San Diego

We look at textures and colors, and ways to apply light to the tables and the ceiling of the room.  We look at styles of furniture to put around the dance floor, or ways to incorporate a chandelier, or what shape the floral arrangements should be, or how to create a backdrop for the band. Years from now, the bride and groom remember it all!

Kathy Wright and Co Floral Design in San Diego Kathy Wright and Co Floral Design in San Diego Kathy Wright and Co Floral Design in San Diego

Without a doubt, the current trend is the vintage chic feel.  A lot of people feel comfortable with the cutesy, almost whimsical feeling.  It’s an easy look to replicate, and a tried and true favorite.  Brides and grooms are also wanting to keep the focus on their closest friends and family, with a look that creates a very ‘feel good’ vibe.

Kathy Wright and Co. wedding florals in Southern California

The magazines say 10% of a wedding budget is put towards florals, but what the magazines don’t tell you is that this percentage is not realistic if you want something extra special and over the top.  If you want flowers for the wedding party, a few florals in the front of the ceremony, and simple centerpieces, 10%  is usually a reasonable percentage.  But if you want those gorgeous patterns of rose petals down the aisle, or the elaborate floral centerpieces towering over the table tops at the reception like you see in the magazines, it will most likely be above 10%. Many brides and grooms are now dedicating closer to 40% or 50% of their budget to the décor, in order to achieve the look and feel that you see in many of the gorgeous weddings in magazines and online. For example, a special table cloth, unique chairs, and furniture seating areas in key locations can enhance the overall look of the event.  When you hire a wedding visionary, or ‘event designer’ such as myself, we can help realize these ideas, and bring them to life. The right details created by a trained eye make a huge difference.

San Diego wedding floral design by Kathy Wright and Co Kathy Wright and Co Wedding at the Grand Del Mar

My favorite flower for bridal bouquets is a fresh gardenia, hands down!  They are sexy,  sultry, and so fragrant!  They have gotten a bad rap as the flower that ‘browns’ if you touch them, but look at so many of the photographs of my work and you will not see a brown gardenia!  Just don’t toss that bouquet like a football and you’ll be fine!

Kathy Wright and Co. Modern Gardenia Wedding Bouquet

In addition to flowers, we love to incorporate different elements into our arrangements  Feathers, crystals, succulents, fruit, vegetables, shells…all forms of nature work with all forms of nature!  The added elements are nice to echo in a ‘theme’ or to make a statement that enhances the feeling of the event!

Wedding bouquet by Kathy Wright and Co. with jewelsKathy Wright and Co wedding floral design

I will always remember Megan and Sergio’s wedding, and Megan’s mom Katie!  They are a great family and I loved working with them!  This very traditional wedding ceremony took place in the Capella at The Grand Del Mar.  They wanted the classic space to have style, and they allowed me to create gorgeous yellow bouquets to brighten the space!  It was my favorite color to use in the Capella, other than white, which will ALWAYS be my first choice for ceremony flowers in a traditional venue such as a chapel, church or synagogue.

San Diego Wedding Flowers by Kathy Wright and Co. San Diego Wedding Flowers by Kathy Wright and Co.

Megan and Sergio met on a soccer field, so they wanted to incorporate their love of soccer into the wedding decor. We thought it would be a fun element to bring to the cocktail hour, where all the guests could enjoy the fun and whimsy. We covered round benches to resemble the look of a soccer ball in black and white, and we created floral soccer balls to enhance the turf covered seating card table. Later, ‘someone’ encouraged the bride and groom to dribble the floral soccer balls around the Grand Del Mar. The ‘game’ was caught by Aaron of True Photography, and the photos are priceless.

San Diego Wedding Floral Designer Kathy Wright and Co creates flower soccer balls for wedding They are a great family and I miss working with them!

The reception room came to life with over sized ‘trees’ of flowers in the centers of the tables,  and the chocolate brown dance floor gleamed in the ballroom!

Chocolate-Dance-Floor-and-Tall-Flowers-by-Kathy-Wright-&-Co at the Grand Del MarWedding at the Grand Del Mar with Kathy Wright Design and Floral

We created a large U shape table to host all the wedding party and their families, and of course the bride and groom. We literally built the table inside the ballroom on the morning of the wedding!  What a wonderful wedding to be part of!

Kathy Wright and Co. wedding florals in Southern California

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