5 Trends in Wedding Floral Design (by Rachelle Dragani) 

1. Individuality. As weddings become more personalized and original, it's a lot more common to break away from the traditional white, rigid bouquet. Many florists are using flowers with unconventional styles and patterns but that have a definitive form and character, such as calla lilies or orchids, and incorporating a few of those bold colors and shapes into the bouquets and arrangements. Breaking outside of the box with these colors and shapes also means that some of the structure from traditional arrangements is gone - not everything has to match exactly, and some brides even choose a different bouquet for each bridesmaid, or variations among the centerpieces at tables.

2. Think beyond flowers. Those blooming blossoms are a staple at any wedding, but adding something besides the flora to your arrangements can add charm and appeal even on a small budget. Some popular accessories to add to the floral designs are:

· Candles: Especially effective when the candles or flowers are placed at varying levels, where they will create dramatic shadows and enhance the already romantic atmosphere.

· Fruit: Florists often use small berries to add character to arrangements, but for a more whimsical feel, ask your florist to incorporate slices of citrus fruits like lemons or oranges to the base of an arrangement or fresh figs to a summery centerpiece.

· Containers: Flowers shouldn't be limited to a single type of case. Many brides have decorative urns filled with fresh flowers that can be moved between the ceremony and reception. Or, instead of a single vase of flowers for a centerpiece, you could gather a group of small containers like teacups or bowls of different sizes, all containing a single floating flower.

· Ribbon: Flower petals attached to a long ribbon make an inexpensive and unique way to decorate.

3. Back to Earth. Although some brides are turning towards bold colors and vivid arrangements, there is also a trend towards the more earthy tones and flowers such as gentle yellow greens and calming blues, often for more casual or outdoor weddings. These use flowers such as tulips and gladiolas and could even include mosses or vines. Flowers with interesting texture are essential, and often flowers are styled rather than arranged - floating in glass bowls or formed into orbs, for instance. This trend is for brides who want a more calm and natural approach to their floral design.

4. Hand-tied bouquets or cascading bouquets. These two alternates to the traditional bridal bouquet continue to grow in popularity. The hand-tied bouquet is meant to accentuate the stems of the flowers, which are sometimes french-braided or weaved together before a simple ribbon is wrapped tightly around the bunch. The cascading bouquet is especially popular with orchids and the flowers gush the main portion of the bouquet design to create a waterfall effect. Both these designs are especially elegant against a simple gown.

5. 'He loves me' bouquet. This interesting design uses daisy petals reminiscent of the 'he loves me, he loves me not' game that probably every bride played once in her day. The base of the bouquet is a very dense gathering of baby's breath, and daisy petals, usually two different colors, are sprinkled on top for a playful and romantic bouquet.