Making your own flowers for an outdoor wedding can be a beautiful and cost-effective choice. When planning flowers for an outdoor wedding, it is important to choose varieties that can withstand heat, sun exposure, and other outdoor conditions. Here are some of the best flower options for outdoor weddings.
Photograph by Sara Monson
Craspedia (Billy Balls): These globe-shaped flowers are durable and add a whimsical touch to outdoor arrangements.
Eucalyptus: Eucalyptus is a great choice for outdoor weddings. Its robust, woody stems provide a lovely green accent.
Spray roses: Sprays are ideal for small floral arrangements, where larger roses may be too overwhelming. They add a touch of romance to an outdoor wedding and complement many types of flowers. Perfect for boutonnieres and corsages.
Chrysanthemums: Their strong petal structure makes them ideal for outdoor settings.
Calla lilies: Their waxy texture and lack of actual petals are durable and can handle high temperatures well.
Sunflowers: These cheerful blooms are easy to care for and add a bright, summery touch to bouquets or centerpieces.
Alstroemeria: This flower is known for its hardiness and array of bright colors, making it an excellent choice for outdoor celebrations.
Tropical: Varieties of tropical flowers like anthurium and birds of paradise are naturally tolerant to extreme heat, making them suitable for outdoor weddings.
Hydrangeas: Classic hydrangeas are at their peak in summer and can provide beautiful, full blooms for outdoor events but will need lots of water.
However, proper placement and care of these flowers are still important so they stay fresh throughout the event. The best way to keep them fresh in outdoor heat is to keep them in water sources, such as vases, water-saturated floral foam or water tubes.
Planning, Purchasing, Preparing Flowers:
Photograph by Ashley Durham
Quantity: Determine how many bouquets, centerpieces, boutonnieres, and other arrangements you’ll need. Buy extras in case of mistakes or unexpected issues.
Tools and Supplies: Gather all necessary tools, such as floral shears, floral tape, ribbons, vases, and floral foam (if needed).
Prepare Flowers: To ensure your flowers last longer, trim the stems at an angle and place them in water. You can also add floral food to keep them hydrated for at least a few hours before arranging. Here is the link to Bloom’s ‘Flower Care Prep’ instructions. Always remember to remove or strip leaves that will be below the waterline in vases to prevent bacterial growth.
Design Arrangements:
Photography by Lauren Westra
Bouquets: Start with a focal flower and arrange around it, adding different textures and colors. Secure with floral tape and finish with ribbon.
Centerpieces: Use vases or containers suited to your outdoor theme. Arrange flowers to complement the surroundings.
Boutonnieres and Corsages: Keep these simple with a few small flowers and greenery stems, secured with floral tape and pins.
Balance and proportion are primary elements of all kinds of art and design—the two work hand-in-hand to create a feel that looks “right” to the eye. Balance and proportion should be considered in flower selection and color and placement in flower design.
Assemble and Store:
To keep the flowers fresh, assemble the floral arrangements the day before or the morning of the wedding. Keep them in water to stay hydrated, and store them in a cool, shaded area until they are set up.
Tips for Success:
Practice: If possible, practice assembling arrangements beforehand to get comfortable with the process.
Ask for Help: Enlist friends or family members to assist with arranging and setup.
Keep it Simple: Stick to a few types of flowers and a cohesive color scheme for a unified look.
Following these steps, you can create personalized and beautiful floral arrangements to enhance your outdoor wedding setting while staying within your budget.
Our team of experienced professionals can help you create a timeless and memorable wedding style. Contact Blooms By The Box today to get started, and check out our DIY videos.
Tina Merola
As a professional designer with over twenty years of industry experience, Tina's lifelong creative passion has enabled her to pursue her artistry and vision in various professional environments. Drawing on her knowledge from floral techniques and tips from the industry’s leading professionals allows her the opportunity to channel her love of the unique beauty of nature’s many wondrous blooms into stunning floral designs.
