A modern wedding bouquet featuring textural elements and muted tones
Wedding florals are constantly evolving, with each year bringing new trends, styles, and innovations. As wedding floristry specialists at SprinLavat, we've had the privilege of creating countless bespoke arrangements for couples across the UK. In this article, we're sharing the most exciting wedding flower trends we're seeing in 2023.
Sustainability Takes Center Stage
The most significant shift we've observed in 2023 is the move toward sustainability in wedding flowers. Modern couples are increasingly conscious of the environmental impact of their big day, and this is reflected in their floral choices.
Locally Grown Blooms
UK-grown flowers are having a major moment. Couples are opting for seasonal blooms grown within the British Isles rather than imported varieties. This not only reduces the carbon footprint but also supports local growers and often results in fresher, longer-lasting arrangements.
Look for British-grown varieties like sweet peas, dahlias, cosmos, delphiniums, and garden roses in summer weddings, while winter celebrations might feature anemones, hellebores, and narcissi supplemented with abundant foliage.
Foam-Free Designs
Traditional floral foam is falling out of favor due to its non-biodegradable nature. Instead, sustainable mechanics like chicken wire, reusable frogs, and carefully structured stems are being used to create stunning installations. These techniques not only better for the environment but often create more natural, organic-looking designs.
Dried and Preserved Elements
Dried flowers, grasses, and preserved foliage are being incorporated into fresh arrangements to create textural interest and reduce waste. These elements can be kept as keepsakes long after the wedding day has passed, giving arrangements a second life.
Color Trends: Sophisticated Palettes
Wedding color schemes in 2023 are moving away from traditional pastels toward more complex, sophisticated palettes.
Earthy Neutrals with Pops of Color
We're seeing a lot of arrangements based in warm neutrals like taupe, caramel, and butter cream, accented with muted terracotta, rust, or clay tones. These earthy palettes often feature unexpected pops of color – perhaps a touch of mustard yellow or burnt orange – for visual interest.
Monochromatic with Depth
Monochromatic arrangements are trending, but with sophisticated depth. Rather than arrangements in a single flat color, couples are choosing designs that explore the full spectrum of a single hue – from the palest tint to the deepest shade. This creates a rich, layered look that's both modern and timeless.
Moody Romanticism
Dark, moody florals continue to captivate, particularly for autumn and winter weddings. Deep burgundies, inky blues, rich purples, and chocolatey browns create a dramatic backdrop for lighter elements to shine against. This palette works beautifully with candlelight for an intimate, romantic atmosphere.
Structural Shifts: From Formal to Free-Form
The structure and shape of wedding arrangements are evolving, with greater emphasis on natural, garden-inspired designs.
Asymmetrical and Organic
Perfectly symmetrical, tight domes of flowers are giving way to looser, more natural arrangements. Asymmetrical bouquets and centerpieces that appear as if they've been freshly gathered from a cottage garden are particularly popular. These designs feature varying stem lengths, unexpected angles, and a relaxed, effortless feel.
Statement Installations
While overall wedding budgets might be more carefully considered in the current economic climate, many couples are opting to focus their floral budget on one or two dramatic installations rather than numerous smaller arrangements. Floral chandeliers, meadow-like aisle designs, and architectural backdrop structures create unforgettable focal points and stunning photo opportunities.
Elevated Tablescapes
Table décor is becoming more integrated and cohesive. Rather than isolated centerpieces, we're creating immersive tablescapes that incorporate varied heights of arrangements, individual bud vases, candles, and botanical elements that might spill onto plateware or be tucked into napkins.
Textural Exploration
Texture is perhaps the most exciting frontier in 2023's wedding flower trends, with arrangements that invite not just admiration but a tactile response.
Unexpected Elements
We're incorporating unique materials like pampas grass, bunny tails, bracken fern, and even fruits like kumquats or blackberries for textural interest. These unexpected elements add personality and a sense of place to arrangements.
Layered Foliage
Greenery is no longer just a backdrop. Various types of foliage – from glossy magnolia leaves to delicate ferns, silvery eucalyptus to velvety lamb's ear – are being layered together to create rich, interesting bases for floral designs.
The Return of Delicate Blooms
While recent years have seen emphasis on substantial flowers like peonies and dahlias, we're now seeing a renewed appreciation for more delicate blooms. Lily of the valley, sweet peas, jasmine, and paperwhite narcissi are being used to create arrangements with movement and grace.
Personalization and Meaning
Perhaps the most heartwarming trend is the move toward deeply personal floral designs that tell a couple's unique story.
Heritage and Cultural References
Many couples are incorporating flowers that honor their cultural heritage or family traditions. This might mean including Scotland's thistle for a Scottish family, incorporating lotus flowers for Asian heritage, or using proteas to reference South African roots.
Memory Flowers
Flowers that honor absent loved ones are being thoughtfully included in bouquets and arrangements. Sometimes these are varieties that were beloved by grandparents or parents who can't be present, or flowers that grew in significant childhood gardens.
Relationship Story
We're also seeing couples choose flowers that tell their relationship story – perhaps including daisies from a first-date picnic spot, or citrus elements to reference a proposal in Spain.
Creating Your Wedding Flower Vision
While trends provide inspiration, your wedding flowers should ultimately reflect your personal style and the atmosphere you wish to create. Here are our top tips for developing your floral vision:
- Consider your venue: Your flower choices should complement your setting, not fight against it.
- Think seasonally: In-season flowers won't just be more sustainable but often more affordable too.
- Balance trendy with timeless: Incorporate some on-trend elements while keeping the overall look timeless enough that your photos will still feel relevant in decades to come.
- Trust your florist: Share your inspiration and ideas, but also trust the expertise of your chosen floral designer to guide you toward the best blooms for your vision.
At SprinLavat, we're passionate about creating bespoke wedding flowers that perfectly capture the personality, style, and love story of each couple we work with. Whether you're drawn to 2023's sustainable practices, sophisticated color palettes, or free-form structures, we'd love to help bring your floral vision to life.
