The USA is arguably  “the land of the wedding planner” and I often say to my students and interns, “in the US couples get in engaged and the first thing they book is their wedding planner, however, in the UK, when couples get in engaged the first thing the bride does is buy her dress! :))”. For this reason, wedding planners often look to the USA for wedding inspiration. We were delighted to be contacted by Heather Floral, based in New York City, to write an article on our blog on what’s hot in wedding flowers in the US.

So, what are the latest wedding flowers trends in the USA for 2016? Over to the team at Heather Floral…

Although plenty of people believe that true style is timeless, that doesn’t excuse wedding flowers from the endless rise and fall of trends. Certain choices become overwhelmingly popular in their time and these shifts in demand can alter prices and availability dramatically. Whether you want to follow the crowd or stand apart from it, here is a look at some of the biggest news in wedding flowers for 2016.

The Surge in Local Flowers
So far, all the evidence is pointing towards 2016 being a great year for tradition when it comes to wedding flowers. Planners and florists are getting a lot of requests for flowers that are locally-sourced and fresh-cut or at least look like they are. Seasonal blooms are in in a big way this year with the choice of date playing a larger role than ever before in floral selections.

Seasonal wedding flowers all taken from Stylish Events weddings: Clockwise from L: Summer from Lavender Green; Autumn from Pinstripes and Peonies; Winter from Joan Holdsworth; Spring from Chantal Flores; Images courtesy of photographers (Kate Nielen, Adrian Neal, Ann Kathrin Koch

Some flowers that have long been relegated to the realm of hopeless cliche, such as chrysanthemums and carnations are being welcomed back into weddings thanks to the proliferation of heirloom varieties that combine traditional forms with exotic shapes and colours. In terms of colour selections, the latest craze is for subtle variations on a theme with different breeds and sizes being pulled together to create a rich, textured colour profile.

Chrysanthemums and Carnations are making a comeback – images found on Pinterest

Naturalistic Arrangements
Besides concentrating on regional and seasonal flowers, wedding selections are also trending towards a more rustic style when it comes to arrangements. Greenery is gaining stature when compared to blossoms and “messy” arrangements that present a wild look are growing extremely popular. Foliage is winning all around, with non-flowering plants like vines, trees, and shrubs becoming especially popular for room decorations.

Image courtesy of Heather Floral

Of course, the spontaneous look that brides are craving this year is actually the product of careful planning and considerable experience. The sheer variety of species required to realize some of these more ambitious “wild” designs means that the wedding florist’s job has grown far more complex. Good florists stay on top of their selections, ensuring that even the most diverse choices are assembled into a harmonious whole.

Edibles
One trend from 2015 that is still going strong this year is the continued interest in melding edible plants with decorative ones when it comes to floral selections. This practice is developing some real variety as it matures with planners picking up on cues from many different sources when they are selecting edibles. Some are chosen strictly for their visual appeal, like the berries that are appearing in more and more centerpieces. Others are added to give arrangements more intriguing odors, like vanilla and coffee beans. In many cases, edible selections even make direct reference to the veggies on the menu; at some food-oriented weddings, it gets difficult to tell the difference between the centerpieces and the side dishes.

Watermelon and fruit carving, image courtesy of Heather Floral

Colour and Palette Trends
The colour experts at Pantone took a bold step by naming two separate colours as 2016’s “colour of the year”- rose quartz and serenity.  These interesting choices definitely play well together and though they are a trifle rich to be seen as true pastels, they are helping to prolong the popularity of the delicate pastel-themed palette in many US weddings. They also work very well with the above-mentioned trend towards wilder floral choices that are heavy on greenery. This is particularly attractive with serenity blue.

Image courtesy of Heather Floral

Metallic palettes and highlights are also proving to have real staying power. Metallic tones like copper and gold work well with rose quartz and savvy florists are pairing this mixture up with the brightest, most eye-catching blooms to give their selections some real focus. Flowers with more intense but still complementary colours, such as deep reds and bright yellows, work well with these palette choices.

Stylish Events wedding May 2016. Flowers from Passion for Flowers; Chargers, glasses and gold cutlery from Duchess & Butler; Tablecloths and napkins from Essex Occasions; Stationery from Intricate Creations; Venue Down Hall; Images courtesy of Craig Mitchell

In contrast to some years gone by, 2016 offers brides and planners a wide-open field when it comes to picking out trendy flowers. The overall tastes of the year favour diversity and eclecticism, and that means you can easily incorporate your own favourites into a beautiful and highly stylish decorative ensemble.

Written by D. More, a successful businessman who helps to operate the website, Heather Floral, who are committed to providing only the freshest and finest flowers. To see their one-of-a-kind arrangements which use some of the most exotic flowers available, visit today.