Whether you’re getting married indoors or out, summer or winter, flowers are a wonderful way to add a touch of natural elegance to your wedding.  If you’re a traditionalist, roses arranged in crescent, cascade, or freeform bouquets that dramatically drape down the front of your bridal gown are choices that will never go out of style.  And even though trends may vary, by far the most conventional colour for bridal bouquets made of roses is red. 

However, this year’s trends in wedding flowers can be summed in one word:  simple.  Gone are the days of overly ornate arrangements and bouquets dedicated primarily to one type of flower in a single colour.  Now matrimonial flowers are more about variety and encouraging a bride to use her imagination to enhance her wedding.  Daring shades such as purple and orange are hot flower colours for 2009 (however, there isn’t really a bright colour that’s off limits).  As expected wedding floral colour trends are in line with the colour trends we’re seeing in this year’s bridal wear, such St. Pucchi’s purple wedding gown, Style No. 9182, or Carolina Herrera’s orange wedding dress sash appropriately named Citrus Style.

But even though bold colour is in style, the floral accessories themselves remain uncomplicated.  Hand-tied bridal bouquets of brightly coloured fresh wild flowers are popular, along with elegant yet unfussy boutonnières made from single flowers.  Today’s brides want a more natural and clean look, so many are turning to the great outdoors for inspiration.  Grasses, evergreens, berries, willows, and tree branches are showing up not only on tables, but in bouquets, as well. Even herbs, veggies, and fruits are being used creatively in table centrepieces and wedding ceremony decor. 

To support this trend in alternative floral designs, brides are choosing flowers like orchids and calla lilies for not only their bridal bouquets, but also for the men’s boutonnieres.  Deep red and purple orchids are particularly popular for groom and groomsmen, in addition to lilacs dressed up with berries, blossoms, and lace for the bridal bouquet and centrepieces.  Sunflowers are also making a dramatic entrance this year, especially for summer weddings with outdoor receptions.  And unlike years past, brides are choosing to have two to four different centrepiece styles at the reception, so that every table doesn’t necessarily have the same flowers or arrangement.

Another floral option brides are considering in 2009 is having silk flower bouquets and arrangements custom made instead of using real flowers. Even though you may have thought of silk flowers as gaudy and naff in the past, think again!  Silk flowers (and artificial flowers in general) have evolved into real works of art in the last 20 years.  “[They] are so realistic that like most artificial flowers they look better than the real thing,” says Millie Browning of Wedding Bunches and Blooms of Walkerville, SA.  They’re much healthier for brides who are allergic to real flowers (nothing ruins a professional make-up job or your wedding pictures faster than red, bloodshot puffy eyes and constant sneezing).  Plus, silk flower bouquets last forever (no need to dry the flowers), so they can be saved as keepsakes or handed down as heirlooms to daughters or daughter-in-laws as “something old” for them to use at their weddings. 

But by far, the hottest bridal floral design trend for 2009 is to include specialty items in the flower arrangements that are meaningful to the bride and groom. (A nice touch, for example, might be attaching your grandmother’s 50-year-old brooch or favourite pearls to the stem of your wedding bouquet.) Anything from personal possessions to objects related to the bridal couple’s work, home, hobbies, shared interests, or even favourite themes are wonderful accents that bring out the personality of the bride and groom, making the wedding an even more tailored event.  Plus, it adds a subtle hint of character to the ceremony’s floral designs that can be carried through to the reception.

So regardless if you’re in to conventional wedding flowers or up for something new and contemporary, tradition versus trends is completely up to you.  Fortunately, you’re getting married at a time when it’s totally appropriate for the bride to pick flowers that make a statement about who she is, and make her feel good about herself.  That alone should give you confidence that your marriage is off to a great start.