Planning & Inspiration
Wedding Flowers: How To Incorporate Color Boldly in an Elegant and Timeless Way
Rebecca and Robert Wedding – Tablescape Grouped Arrangments – Bryant Park Grill – Ein Photography
Color has the power to transform a wedding, infusing florals with personality, emotion, and unforgettable style. Yet, incorporating bold hues doesn’t mean sacrificing elegance or timelessness. With the right balance of palette, placement, and texture, wedding flowers can make a striking statement while still feeling refined and classic. In this guide, we’ll explore thoughtful ways – brought to life in our Real BB Weddings – that embrace color fearlessly, creating floral designs that are both bold and beautifully enduring.
Use a Monochromatic Palette
If a combination of bold shades doesn’t fit your wedding vision, consider choosing one color family and explore its gradient – blush to magenta, pale peach to deep coral, or soft lavender to plum. The result feels cohesive, sophisticated, and romantic.
Rebecca and Kevin Wedding – Tablescape Grouped Arrangements – Tavern on the Green – Lizzie Burger Photography
Rebecca and Robert Wedding – Tablescape Grouped Arrangements – Bryant Park Grill – Ein Photography
Start with a Classic Base, Add Color as an Accent
Use a foundation of neutral blooms such as ivory or cream roses and white hydrangeas and layer in subtle pops of color through secondary flowers, smaller blooms, or textural accents. This creates a richness and depth without overwhelming the palette.
Colby and Felix Wedding – Floral Archway – New York Botanical Garden – Daniel Silbert Photography
Colby and Felix Wedding – Floral Arch Detail – New York Botanical Garden – Daniel Silbert Photography
Introduce Color with Greenery
Rich greenery and unexpected foliage such as monstera leaves, succulents, ferns, or magnolia leaves add both color and dimension while remaining natural and timeless. Lush, emerald tones beautifully enhance all-white florals, transforming the traditional wedding palette with striking contrast and depth.
Julie and Nicholas Wedding – Ceremony Atmosphere Floral Arch Aisle Arrangements – The Foundry – Unique Lapin
Julie and Nicholas Wedding – End Table Floor Arrangement – The Foundry – Unique Lapin
Focus on Soft Pastels
Delicate pastels such as buttery yellow, soft blue, or pale peach work beautifully when paired with ivory or champagne tones. The gentle hues add color in a classically romantic way without veering into trend-driven territory.
Rosie and Jim Wedding – First Kiss – Brooklyn Botanic Garden – Par La Mer Photography
Rosie and Jim Wedding – Grouped Arrangement Detail – Brooklyn Botanic Garden – Par La Mer Photography
Pair Florals with Candlelight
Accentuating colored blossoms with flickering candlelight – jewel-tone flowers glowing under taper candles or candelabras – creates an everlasting, painterly effect that illuminates color in a subtle and romantic way.
Deborah and Josh Wedding – Low Centerpiece – Knockdown Center – Lev Kuperman Photography
Dara and Michael Wedding – Reception Atmosphere Tablescape – Gotham Hall – Natural Expressions NY
Let Art Be Your Inspiration
Draw Inspiration from master Dutch floral still lifes or Impressionist paintings where sumptuous jewel tones or atmospheric watercolors are balanced with neutrals and texture. This creates a design that feels artistic, luxurious, and sophisticated.
Masha and Phoebe Wedding – Ceremony Arrangement Detail – Angel Orensanz Foundation – Aesthetic Sabatoge
Masha and Phoebe Wedding – Low Centerpiece – Angel Orensanz Foundaiton _ Aesthetic Sabatoge
Lean Into the ‘Flower Garden’ Theme
Is there anything more enchanting that a flower garden blooming with vivid color and natural beauty? What makes this theme so special is the way it embraces bold palettes and rich textures without making it feel trendy and overdone.
Kelsey and Alex Wedding – High Centerpiece – Brooklyn Botanic Garden – Cappy Hotchkiss Photography
Kelsey and Alex Wedding – Low Centerpiece – Brooklyn Botanic Garden – Cappy Hotchkiss Photography
Andrea and Mohit Wedding – Low Centerpiece Reception Atmosphere – Brooklyn Botanic Garden – Deirdre Photography
Guided By the Seasons
Seasonal palettes are a wonderful source of inspiration for wedding flowers, bringing a beauty and richness that feel both unique and timeless. Picture the warmth of spiced marigold, pumpkin, and deep wine in autumn; elegant tones of white, ruby, sapphire, emerald, and gold in winter; soft hues of lilac, blue, peach, and buttery yellow in spring; and the vibrant energy of pink, orange, and fuchsia in summer.
Taryn and Sahill Wedding – Brides Bouquet – Storm King – Mary Claire Photography
Tablscape Floor Arrangement – Wall Street Hotel – Zani and Duwayne
Nhung and George Wedding – Bride and Groom Ceremony Freestanding Arrangements – The Foundry – Justin Jun Lee
Alexandra and Alexander Wedding – Chuppah – New York Botanical Garden – Khaki Bedford Photography
Artist Wassily Kandinsky said it best: “The chief function of color should be to serve expression.” Nowhere is this truer than on your wedding day, when emotions are at their height. We hope these ideas inspire you to embrace color in bold, meaningful ways that reflect your love and capture the joy of this once-in-a-lifetime celebration.
