Seasonal Wedding Flowers for Autumn Brides
There is something wonderfully romantic about an Autumn wedding. The light becomes softer; the landscape starts to change and suddenly we have a whole new floral palette to play with.
Is Autumn the best season for Wedding Flowers?
For florists, Autumn is one of those seasons that lets us be a little more adventurous. We can introduce richer colours, beautiful textures, berries, seed heads, grasses and seasonal foliage’s to create wedding flowers that feel completely different from the lighter, airier designs of Spring and Summer, and the exciting thing is that Autumn doesn't have to be dark, traditional or rustic.
What are the Best Colours for an Autumn Wedding?
It can be elegant, contemporary, luxurious, romantic, relaxed, or a mixture of all of these. These gorgeous rusty, copper, terracotta, plum and burgundy tones are fabulous, but there is another side to Autumn. I adore ivory, champagne, blush, nude, peach, caramel and soft greens and by adding just a touch of darker foliage or seasonal texture we suddenly have a very sophisticated Autumn palette.
For brides who want colour, don't be afraid to explore combinations such as deep plum with blush, terracotta with peach, burgundy with nude or rust with warm ivory. I think the secret is not necessarily to use lots of colours, but to use colour thoughtfully and cleverly.
What Flowers are Best for Autumn Weddings?
One flower that can make an Autumn wedding feel instantly seasonal, must be the dahlia. Available in an amazing range of colours, shapes and sizes, Dahlias are brilliant for bouquets, buttonholes, table designs and larger installations. They also work beautifully alongside roses, spray roses, chrysanthemums, lisianthus and hydrangeas. But Autumn really comes alive when we introduce texture with stems such as berries, rosehips, seed heads, grasses and interesting foliage.
Designing to Complement the Venue
Autumn weddings often take place in beautiful venues with plenty of character: barns, country houses, converted buildings, hotels and restaurants. I always try to work with the character of the venue so if there are exposed beams, stone walls, wooden tables or fireplaces, these become an important part of the floral designs.
For example, a dramatic fireplace could be dressed in Autumnal foliage, roses, dahlias and seasonal branches. Whereas, dependent on budget, a staircase might provide an opportunity for a loose foliage installation with accents of berry branches.
One beautiful installation in the right place can have far more impact than lots of small arrangements scattered throughout a venue. It's very easy to get carried away with the season, especially when there are so many gorgeous stems available!
Wedding Consultation Tips
When in consultation with the wedding couple, some early questions I generally ask is:
When is the wedding?
How many guests will be attending approximately?
Where is the venue?
Is the wedding a civil ceremony?
Is there a look or theme, and if so, is it romantic and feminine, loose and natural, elegant and structured, modern or perhaps slightly wild?
Is there a particular colour palette?
What is the wedding dress/suit like?
Are there any bridesmaids and if so, what are they wearing?
These details help me design personal and bespoke wedding flowers.
Designing Around the Wedding's Colour Palette
Autumn bridesmaid dresses can provide a wonderful starting point for the floral colour palette.
Sage, olive and soft green dresses work beautifully with cream, blush and peach.
Rust and terracotta dresses can be complemented with ivory, nude and dusky pink.
Burgundy and wine shades can look stunning with softer flowers in cream, champagne and blush.
And if the bride has chosen a neutral colour palette, this is where we can introduce more interest through foliage and texture.
Using Seasonal Stems
One of the great advantages of an Autumn wedding is the opportunity to use stems that simply aren't as readily available at other times of the year, such as berries, hips, grasses, seed heads, pods, branches and autumnal foliage. They can all add something special, and don't forget British-grown flowers and foliage. For couples who are interested in sustainability and seasonal sourcing, this can be a valuable part of your wedding conversation.
Considerations for Autumn Wedding Flowers
Wedding flowers involve far more than the flowers themselves. There is the consultation, design, sourcing, ordering, conditioning, preparation, mechanics, transport, installation and often several hours of setting up and dismantling. If the budget is tight, I look at where the flowers can work hardest, this is where our expertise as florists becomes incredibly valuable.
My top tips:
Don't automatically reach for orange; explore softer Autumn palettes too.
Use texture to make designs feel seasonal.
Use the venue to influence your designs.
Consider British-grown and seasonal ingredients where appropriate.
With over 35 years’ experience, Karen Barnes is one of the UK’s leading consultants to the floral industry and an expert in product development, future trends & colours, and floral photography design & planning. She’s an interior floral designer, high profile wedding and event floral planner, and prominent international competition judge.
From teaching on a one-to-one basis to coaching small, intimate classes and larger teams, Karen can encourage, motivate and mentor your next step in the florist industry. Sharing her vast experience, Karen can help you expand your knowledge and creativity.
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