Top Spring and Summer Wedding Flowers For 2022
The days are, at last, getting longer, trees are reawakening from their winter slumber and bursting into a riot of greenery and blossom, and we are once more hopeful for sunshine and warmth. Yes, spring is fully underway, and after two years of false starts thanks to the virus that shall not be named, thoughts of event planning with confidence are returning.
We have heard several stories of couples who are finally organising their big day after having to postpone, and of others who did quick low-key, no-frills weddings and now want to do it full-on. So, with flowers being a huge part of the planning for many, how do you choose, and if you like to follow fashion, what is expected to be on trend this year?
Many people will choose wedding flowers based on seasonal availability, colour themes, and naturally, personal choice. The beauty of dried and preserved blooms is that you can take a usually short-season flower and put it to work at any time of the year so that only leaves colour and kind to decide upon!
We've taken a look at current and emerging trends (and a few old favourites), to inspire and guide you; the list below is the pick of the crop!
- Peony
- Ranunculus
- Gypsophila [baby's breath]
- Eucalyptus
- Tulip
- Sweet Pea
- Scabiosa
- Rose
- Hydrangea
- Anemone
As you know, Atlas specialises in dried, preserved, and faux flowers and foliage. On our webshop, many of the items listed above are only available as faux options as they don't dry or preserve particularly well. Don't let that put you off though! We only sell the highest quality faux products, many of which are real-touch. The customers who buy these products come back again and again for our faux range and speak highly of their quality. Below, we will explore these products in more detail, and share some links to our current offering.
Peony
A firm wedding favourite, the peony has many symbolic meanings [depending on where you search!], including good fortune, romance and happy marriage, so it's no wonder that they are a popular choice for weddings!
The fresh blooms are a seemingly endless collection of layered petals, that once dried, condense into a rose-like form, with the colour deepening into richer, deeper tones. Atlas offers both dried and faux varieties which look very different, but are equally lovely!
Peony, Dried, Natural Purple [dried]
Peony Spring Dream, Lilac [faux]
When these wonderful flowers are in season, we do our best to secure dried blooms in a variety of colours. The season is short and demand is high, so if you need them, ask us early about stock availability and potentially pre-ordering your requirement.
Looking for ideas? Pinterest is a great place to start. We have created a series of wedding inspiration boards for you, each with a different flower theme.
Ranunculus
This group of blooms is part of the buttercup family. They are another flower that is jam-packed with petals, this time in a tighter, more uniform arrangement, with an open centre. They look amazing on their own or built into bouquets and arrangements accompanying blooms such as roses, and scented greenery like eucalyptus.
We occasionally get dried varieties in, but we stock mostly faux stems. These are available in a range of pinks, red and white. Take a look at our pin collection to see some great ideas for using Ranunculus.
Faux Ranunculus
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Gypsophila [baby's breath]
This is a firm favourite for florists for a variety of applications, and it is definitely much loved for wedding florals! Gypsophila's delicate, little flowers cover the stems throughout, creating a dense, and full effect. White is a traditional choice for weddings but for those wishing to strengthen and embolden their designs with accent colours or create a vibrant mixed colour palette, there are many options available with this versatile product.
We offer both dried and preserved gypsophila, each displaying different qualities:
Preserved Gypsophila
- More like a fresh stem to look at and touch
- Flexible and easy to handle without damaging or shedding flowers/breaking stems
- Rich, more realistic, tonal colour due to application as part of the preserving process
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Dried Gypsophila
- Looks dry, or 'baked' as some florists term it
- Less flexible, and can be brittle, so care is required when using the product
- When painted, colours are often flat and even, with a matte finish
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With the choices above, you can easily see the creative potential of gypsophila!
Eucalyptus
Where do we start with preserved eucalyptus! It comes in so many forms and colours, it really is the most wonderful foliage - and it smells divine!
Perfect for adding green (or red, orange, yellow, and more) foliage elements, this product has a number of options to choose from and therefore it's' likely there will be one to fit your brief. We created an article to compare the different varieties we usually stock. so it's worth taking a look if you are unsure of what's available.
Varieties
We stock core varieties throughout the year, as the season allows. Here are a few worth considering:
- Populus
- Exotica
- Baby Blue
- Nicoli
- Parvifolia
- Espiral
- Cinerea
- Stuartiana
Below are typical examples of each variety - they often come in different colours, so search eucalyptus on our website to see the full range of options.
For more ideas, take a look at our Eucalyptus Pinterest board.
Tulip
The season is early for fresh tulips, typically finishing by end of May, making them an ideal flower for Spring and early Summer weddings.
A quick look at Pinterest shows a plethora of beautiful white tulips use in a variety of ways. There is some use of coloured varieties, such as pink and peach, with the occasional red, or brighter mix.
We don't offer dried or preserved, but we do stock some beautiful faux options. Parrot tulips have subtly curled petals that give this bloom a dreamy look. We are often able to source different types of faux blooms, in alternative colours, so if you don't see what you are looking for, don't hesitate to contact us.
Faux Tulips
Sweet Pea
Originally from Sicily and the Aegean islands, the sweet pea was cross-bred and developed into the beautiful, scented climbing plant we know today by 19th Century nurseryman, Henty Eckford. By 1901, Henry had created 115 of the 265 cultivars in existence, for which he received the Royal Horticultural Society's Victoria Medal of Honour.
Fresh sweetpeas are easily grown in the garden, but you may find it easier to secure your blooms from a good florist to achieve quality and consistency, as they can be prone to pests and diseases, which can affect the look of the flowers.
If you are looking for a country cottage, or a rustic look for your wedding florals, sweetpeas could definitely work for you. They look great in jars or quaint vases for a simple, pretty effect, and posies, buttonholes and bouquets made from these flowers are just wonderful!
Check out our sweetpea Pinterest board for ideas.
We don't offer dried or preserved sweetpeas, unfortunately, but there is a faux option available. We find many of our bakery customers like these, as they look simply divine trailed around the cake!
Sweet Pea or Lathyrus, in Violet
Scabiosa [Scabious]
Depending on whether you use the flower or the dried seed head, Scabiosa or Scabious is a great alternative to more standard wedding blooms. Sometimes known as pincushion flowers, the Scabious flower is a summer-flowering plant, which can be annual, biennial or perennial. It's a favourite of bees and butterflies as it produces a lot of nectar.
The flowers are native to Russia, Hungary and the Mediterranean, where it thrives in chalky soil, chalk pits and pastures where sheep have grazed. Cultivation of this plant has occurred since the early 19th century. It belongs to the same family as teasels.
Below is a typical selection of the Scabious we offer. You will note that the first three examples are the dried globe that was once home to the flowers. Once dried, these become paper-thin and are incredibly beautiful. By comparison, the flowers have long, flowy petals that fall outward to show off the broad centre.
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We have put together a collection of pins to show the potential of these gorgeous Scabiosa.
Rose
A flower that is synonymous with love and romance, roses are the perfect bloom for weddings. Whilst fresh roses may seem like the only option, if it isn't the bride or groom's intention to throw the bouquet into the crowd, the desire to keep a wedding bouquet or pass it on to a loved one may lead them to try to preserve it. By opting for dried, preserved, or faux flowers for the bouquet, the hard work is already done, and if cared for, the look of the piece won't alter either.
Our range of dried roses is perfect for wedding bouquets, buttonholes, headdresses, hair clips and more. We offer a good colour range, and they work well with so many other dried and preserved products, you or your client will be spoiled for choice!
Dried Roses
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What about faux? Although faux flowers may not be the first choice for a wedding bouquet, a beautiful result can be achieved. For decorating a church, tables or reception venue, faux can be a great option. If the weather is a concern, they will most certainly be good for outside decoration. They also make a nice token to offer guests after the event.
Faux Roses
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We have gathered some ideas and put them together on a Pinterest board for you to look at, and hopefully get some inspiration!
Hydrangea
Years ago, you may remember hydrangeas in your granny's garden, perhaps grown in giant tubs or half barrels. These were often bright pinks and strange-looking blues that looked out of place against the rest of the flowers on display. That look may not be to everyone's taste, but there has been a resurgence in popularity with these blooms for weddings and celebrations. When preserved, they take colour very well, making them a great option to fit into a wedding colour theme.
There are many varieties of hydrangeas around, and these have different flower shapes and structures. One of the most popular colours and varieties currently popular in wedding decor is the spherical headed baby blue macrophylla. White is also seen, often paired with the blue option.
Throughout the year, we try and keep a good variety of colours on offer within the preserved range. If you don't see a colour you like, we can always look at sourcing it, just drop us a line to enquire.
Preserved Hydrangeas
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Hydrangea, Preserved, Natural |
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If you are looking for something a little different, we also do a Hydrangea noritsuga:
Our faux range comes in a selection of colours and styles to suit your needs, and again, should you need something different, we may be able to source it, so please ask!
Faux Hydrangeas
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Anemone
Last on our list is the anemone. These lovely flowers are also members of the buttercup family. There are three main groups that flower at different times and at of the year and in different conditions:
- Spring Flowering - Woodland and Alpine Meadows - tuberous or rhizomatous [ e.g. Anemonoides nemorosa and Anemonoides blanda ]
- Spring/Summer Flowering - hot dry areas - tuberous roots [ e.g. Anemone coronaria ]
- Summer/Autumn Flowering - moist dappled shade - fibrous roots [ e.g. Eriocapitella hupehensis ]
The blooms come in a variety of colours, although white is very popular, and can create a great effect for wedding decor, or bouquets.
This is a product we sell in faux options. They come in a selection of colours, and can be mixed with other flower and foliage types to create a wonderful look. Check out our pins for more ideas!
Faux Anemones
But What About Pampas?
So that's the top 10, but we couldn't leave it without mentioning pampas grass.
Pampas has become very popular over the past few years, and although the initial scramble has died down, it is still one of the most popular products on our webshop. We pride ourselves in stocking only the finest quality pampas, with the fluffiest plumes that have hardly any shedding!
For some, a summer wedding wouldn't be complete without pampas. Instagram and Pinterest are full of wonderful pampas wedding-themed creations, and that trend doesn't seem to be going away yet. It's versatile and great for summery looks. We are now offering bulk box options for pampas on the website with an even better buying price, so for bigger projects, you can get even better value!
Pampas Options
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Need pampas inspiration? Take a look at our pins to see what's hot at the moment!
We hope you have enjoyed looking at these wonderful blooms, and have been inspired to try something new in your design process - yes, faux can be beautiful too!
If you have any questions or would like some advice about the products we have listed (or anything of our products), please do get in touch, as we would be happy to help!
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