Minimalism is over! Go for it.

 

Any bride thinking of getting married this autumn or winter will want to have the most glorious bouquet and the hot new looks are all about richness, in colour, in fragrance, in texture and structure.

 

There will be two ways to achieve this look – flamboyant, fill your venue with an assault of colour and scent, crushed velvet tablecloths in rich dark shades accented with jewelled goblets and waves of lace. 

 

Alternatively think elegance; majestic colours are back in vogue with bouquets made from rich colours, deep reds, purples, chocolate browns, burnt oranges and golds. The look is Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly, sophistication with a touch of royalty!

 

There will be a revival of old fashioned garden flowers with big blooms. Old style roses, dahlias in all their lively colours, and marigolds for their vibrant warm orange tones.  

 

It’s also about adding structure to create new and interesting shapes. Look out for bouquets shaped like opened umbrellas viewed from above. Bouquets interwoven with grasses and twigs and cascading plaits studded with flowers will be big this season as will fan shapes and more unusual table decorations. Above all colours plays a vital part, the more exciting the better. 

 

This coming season the key themes will be about bringing the outside in. Just because its cold outside does not mean you cannot have your themed wonderland. Emphasis will be on secret enchanted gardens, midsummer nights dream, and remembering summer.

 

Floral decoration at venues will be dramatic and structural, the bigger the better. Think 20 ft trees entwined with flowers and you get the idea. If this is not for you, go for something smaller but with real impact – quintessentially British – tea and scones (and gin) on the lawn. Planers on tables, table centre groupings of teacups, milk jugs and cake stands overflowing with flowers.

 

Flowers to look out for include Gloriosa, Amaryllis and Singapore Orchids, dark red roses such as Black Baccara or Black Magic, Anthurium Choco, showy Hydrangeas, Vanda Orchids in hot cerise or regal purple, flowering plants with dramatic foliage, and lots of textures like contorted willow or hazel.