7 Wedding Flower Trends Experts Expect to See in 2023

After you've selected your wedding venue and hired your key vendors, it's important to decide what you want the day's floral décor to look like. From bouquets and boutonnières to ceremony aisle arrangements and reception centerpieces, the flowers used throughout your wedding help drive home your overarching aesthetic and enhance the overall experience for you and your guests. If you're ready to start choosing the flowers for your own 2023 wedding, the latest trends are the perfect place to draw inspiration from.

According to the experts, there's a lot to look forward to when it comes to wedding flowers this year. Bright, bold color palettes, unique centerpiece vessels, and statement-making hanging installations are all on order. Unexpected flowers, single varieties used en masse, and architectural arrangements will also be big this year. You'll also see lots of seasonal, locally-grown flowers at weddings in 2023, but that's largely out of practicality and preference, not a new trend: "As always, the focus should be on blooms that are seasonally appropriate so they’re at their peak and are more sustainable," says Maxine Owens, owner of Max Owen Designs. "In season is best!"

What should you do if your chosen wedding floral décor isn't represented here? Whatever you do, don't feel pressured to make any dramatic changes to your plans. At the end of the day, your wedding should be a reflection of you and your partner, and if these trends don't speak to your personal style, they don't deserve a place in your wedding day.

Unique Color Palettes, Less Greenery

If there's one thing to expect from weddings in 2023, it's color. And that's especially true when it comes to flowers, our experts say. Whitney McClure, owner and designer of Whit Hazen, says "fashion-driven color palettes" will reign supreme this year. "Bright and bold pinks had a major moment last year—think Valentino F/W 2022 collection. That will continue this year, especially with Viva Magenta being the Pantone Color of the Year," she says. "Desaturated jewel tones, especially blues, olive green, and rust, will also have their moments, too."

Lauren Anderson and Rachel Bridgwood of Sweet Root Village say purple and yellow-green hues will have their moments in 2023. "Shades of purple have been popping up right and left along with a particular love of chartreuse," they explain. But if you love warmer colors, don't fret: The experts say those are still very much so in for the new year. "We’ve also been seeing a big emphasis on saturated warm tones—shades and tints of reds, oranges, pinks, and every varied combination of the three," Anderson and Bridgwood add. "We are feeling inspired by [this year's] color palettes. [We're] loving a lavender and yellow palette but throwing in a few unexpected tones like red/orange or deep blue."

And because more couples will be relying on bolder color palettes, the use of greenery will drop significantly, the pros say. Owens expects to see far less greenery used in 2023, especially in terms of centerpieces. "[There will be] little to no greenery in floral arrangements. If filler of foliage is used, it will have a color that complements the wedding palette," she explains. "I love peachy yarrow, golden ferns, blooming jasmine or clematis, white spirea, or dark foliage like begonia or huechera for this effect."

Full, Dynamic Ceremony Aisles and Backdrops

Think of it this way: Your ceremony is the opening act for your day, and treating your guests to a major "wow" moment as soon as they arrive sets the tone for a spectacular evening to come. For that reason, our experts say statement ceremony décor will continue to be a major trend for 2023. "Front-page-worthy ceremony flowers are everything for us right now!" says Sophie Felts of Sophie Felts Floral Design.

The key details? Aisles and backdrops. According to Owens, couples plan to go all-out in these categories. "We will continue to see lots of dreamy aisles, arches, and backdrops." For McClure, the emphasis on the aisle itself—not just the backdrop—is exciting. She's looking forward to many "major aisle moments rather than just arches and chuppahs."

Architectural styles will be favored, too. Anderson and Bridgwood say, "More dynamic full floral aisles, always. We are also seeing an interest in unique backdrop shapes and multi layered arches. Anything that embraces architecture or creates new architectural elements in a ceremony [will be popular]."

Single Flower Varieties Used En Masse

Variety may be the spice of life, but it's certainly not the be all, end all when it comes to wedding décor. Our experts are excited to work with fewer types of flowers in 2023. Felts says, "We are loving the trend of using fewer flower varieties in arrangements, and clustering one floral type en masse for greater impact in large installations."

As for what types of flowers you can expect to see most often, our experts have seen one type shoot to the top of their clients' lists: baby's breath. "Baby’s breath has seen a huge revival, especially en masse. Honestly almost anything en masse, whether it be bulk color or bulk stems, seems to be generating a lot buzz," Anderson and Bridgwood explain. Other types of flowers our editors have seen couples use en masse as of late include hydrangeas, roses, and anemones, but anything goes depending on your personal preferences.

Non-Traditional and Statement Centerpiece Vessels

Move over, mercury glass and compote vases: The pros say these once-beloved vessels are on their way out, and new, cool options are taking center stage. McClure says, "I think black vessels will make an appearance more onto tables for a chic look." Anderson and Bridgwood see this, too, and they note that "unique vessels and tinted candlelight" are major centerpiece trends for 2023.

The overall shape of arrangements will change, too. "Some of our clients are breaking away from the traditional round centerpiece and bringing a lot of variety to their tables—from retro table lamps to six-foot-tall trees to whimsical cloche gardens," says Felts. Anderson and Bridgwood add, "We are enjoying the multi-faceted and layered look versus a standard single vessel filled with a designed arrangement."

Smaller, More Impactful Bouquets

Massive, overflowing wedding bouquets were trending for years, but the experts confirm this style is on its way out. And that's good news for wedding budgets and the people carrying bouquets—large, cascading arrangements can be extremely heavy and difficult to tote around for the most of the day. Owens says, "Wedding bouquets are going to continue to move smaller in scale. The goal is to overpower or take away from the design of a gown, but tastefully accent it."

Felts is seeing this trend, too, adding, "Our brides are all about loose and airy bouquets and many are opting for a more petite size." Anderson and Bridgwood say, "While bouquets are still well loved, we’ve seen a lot of preference towards a smaller posey."

Living Arrangements

Cut flowers are lovely, but the experts say 2023 couples plan lessen their collective carbon footprints by bringing in lots of living floral and greenery options. "For aisle treatment, we love dense mono-floral arrangements, potted plants, grass clusters, or other setting-inspired flora lining the aisle," says Felts. Owens adds that using potted plants and live trees throughout the wedding means that the couple can enjoy them for years to come. "They could then be planted in their homes, which is good for the earth and great for lasting memories," she explains.

Dramatic Installations

Simple, understated bouquets might be in, but that doesn't mean couples will choose to be delicate with all of their florals. The experts say big, dramatic installations are in for 2023. "We have some large ceremony and reception installations in the works that I’m really looking forward to! They will show a lot of color and movement in the designs, which are two design elements I love," Owens says.

As for where you'll see these installations? The pros say to look up! Hazen says she has several dance floor installations on her docket, which will define and emphasize the party space. Felts adds that "garlands with unusual blooms such as lilies and orchids that can add whimsy to an arbor or ceiling install" have been popular asks.