Fresh flowers—which have been an integral part of weddings for centuries—put a timeless finishing touch on any party, from an intimate candlelit dinner for two to an elaborate black-tie affair. Outfit your wedding with inventive, creative arrangements, color schemes, blooms, and bouquets to create an aesthetic that’s uniquely yours.
Meet the Expert
- Shean Strong is an Atlanta-based floral designer.
- Rachel Wyffels is the founder of Life in Bloom, which is based in Chicago, Illinois.
- Zeke Westerman is the creative director of New York City floral studio Putnam Designs.
- Kristen Griffith-VanderYacht is the owner and lead floral designer of Seattle’s Wild Bloom.
While crafting a personal floral style should always be the goal, couples currently planning their nuptials might be interested in learning about the arrangement types, colors, and varieties that are particularly hot right now. To help, we asked several experts to weigh in on the floral trends they expect to see blooming everywhere in 2024. From a more-is-more atmosphere and towering statement pieces to personality-filled designs and high-contrast colors, incorporate these forward-thinking wedding flower trends into your big day.
Maximum Color and Impact
Couples will continue to pull together vivid, unexpected color palettes within their floral design. “Coming out of the pandemic, couples more than ever are looking for ways to energize their celebration,” says Griffith-VanderYacht. “While neutrals will always be chic, bold and thoughtful color palettes are looking more and more attractive to couples looking to take a risk and invigorate their nuptials with something brighter than beige.”
These bright pops of color can infuse your bouquets, arrangements, and installations with a unique personality and color story. “A color story is always crucial,” says Strong. “One requested trend is using contrasting ribbons with your flowers. For example, if there is a subtle skosh of blue, play with golden yellow.”
The right balance of hues, contrasts, and textures can give your event a maximalist aesthetic that’s both trendy and timeless. "The more colors and patterns, the better,” says Wyffels. “Feel free to take a risk, don't take yourself too seriously, and trust your designer to create something both interesting and also beautiful.”
Textural, Statement Blooms
For couples who prefer a neutral color scheme, floral designers will focus on the size and shape of each bloom to create a balanced—but striking—arrangement. “Monochromatic bouquets will always be timeless, but it's important to play with the texture and scale of the flowers to ensure they feel fresh and unique,” says Strong. “When opting for traditional whites and greens, be sure to incorporate small, delicate flowers like hellebores or garden roses, along with light grasses, to enhance the romanticism.” Flowers Strong describes as “luxurious,” including dahlias, sweet peas, garden roses, and ranunculus, add visual interest that keeps bouquets dynamic, not dull. “Opt for variegated colors to ensure the palette doesn't feel flat,” adds Strong.
One flower Wyffels expects to see more of this year is structural, heart-shaped anthurium. “I think this trend will come and it will go, but for now, anthurium is having its moment in the spotlight,” she says. “With its fun, rigid, architectural look, it's quite an eye-catching flower that comes in a variety of colors—it can even be dyed or painted for a super funky look.”
Westerman also expects to see couples focusing on arrangements of fewer, standout blooms instead of a strict color palette. “The mix of shades and tones will all be tied together,” he says. “[But] it’s more about finding really amazing botanical types of flowers—things guests haven’t seen time and time again.”
Non-Floral Accents
Placing organic, non-floral elements into centerpieces and tablescapes adds a welcome touch of natural beauty. “Florists are constantly looking for more unique materials to incorporate into designs to create something original for our clients,” says Wyffles. Her newest picks: fungi and moss. “Mushrooms are a fun new element that we've been seeing more and more of as they come in so many shapes and sizes,” she says. “While small and delicate, they are a gorgeous detail that can really complete a tablescape; throw in some moss and you have yourself a pretty, whimsical aesthetic.”
Strong complements florals with colorful fresh produce. “For centerpieces, we're incorporating fruit as an architectural element,” he says. “Playing with shape and verticality, low-hanging fruit provides a focal point, allowing your eyes to rest on the arrangement. This introduces a textured and unexpected element, sure to captivate your guests and leave them staring in the best way possible.”
Unexpected Centerpiece Vessels
Wyffels has seen centerpiece vessel trends shift from the ubiquitous mason jars of the early 2010s to the more traditional glass vases of the last few years. “Now, tablescapes are taking on a more stylized look via shapely modern vases, sometimes ceramic, other times colored, or even patterned,” she says. “Taller footed compotes are currently one of our favorites to design in.”
Westerman also anticipates an increase in mixed—not matched—centerpieces that share a common theme (like pottery). “Think of every flower arrangement being truly unique,” he says. “Similar flower types and colors used throughout, but different compositions—and absolutely different types of vessels. Each guest will have a unique point of view and the room will have that kinetic energy as opposed to a copy, paste, repeat we’re all used to seeing.”
Reaching New Heights
Say goodbye to low, understated florals and hello to eye-catching focal point arrangements. "More and more of our 2024 couples are embracing a few strategically-placed focal arrangements throughout their venue, surrounded by a banquette or focal bar,” says Wyffels. These oversized arrangements are balanced on pedestals and columns, making the venue’s ceilings feel even higher and giving each arrangement the feel of a museum-ready sculpture.
“Placing statement arrangements atop columns is perfect for the bride inspired by art in bloom,” says Strong. “Incorporating textures, tall statement blooms, and unique cascading elements creates a piece that is both engaging and photo-worthy.” Choosing to place your arrangements on elegant risers is also a simple (but effective) alternative to overhead installations. “At the right scale, a large focal arrangement on top of a pedestal can create a big impact without having to go through the trouble of suspending it from the ceiling,” says Wyffels. Not sure how high to go? “Bigger is better,” she says.
Using Flowers to Transform the Space
As couples opt for more out-of-the-banquet-hall locations, they turn to expansive, incredible florals to make the space their own. "More than ever, couples are opting for a stunning location with epic views or a twinkle-light-lit forest full of woodland charm that holds personal meaning to them," says Griffith-VanderYacht. “Couples are starting to realize that flowers are the greatest chance they have at transforming a space to match their personal taste and love story, so they are increasing their floral budget to accommodate a more impactful floral design plan: hanging installations, flower walls, floral table runners, and epic displays are taking center stage.”
Westerman has noticed an increase in these art-inspired transformations, too. “I'm seeing more large-scale, bulbous types of forms,” he says. “It sounds kind of vile to describe them as growths, but that’s what they are: Flowers that have almost rooted in the ground and multiplied into these really beautiful and abundant works of art.”