Romancing the Rose: Top Floral Trends

Perhaps no other flower is as synonymous with weddings as the rose. The red rose symbolizes passionate love, the white rose purity and new beginnings, the yellow rose joy, friendship and caring, the pink rose admiration and gratitude, the orange rose passion, energy and excitement, and the lavender rose adoration and enchantment. So no matter what shade you choose, the meaning will always be wedding-perfect!

I especially love the lush, bountiful roses created by David Austin Roses. This British-based company is now introducing their premium-cut roses to the United States (lucky us!), and their experts have shared some of their top wedding flower trends exclusively with Bridal Guide. Here, the trends and gorgeous inspiration from the pros at David Austin Roses:

1. Naturally Chic
A rising trend is that of bridal bouquet arrangements with an unassuming, free-flowing look. This type of arrangement can include one standout flower as the focal point, such as the pale pink and cream Keira variety, combined with English ivy and other greenery. The result: an elegant yet relaxed centerpiece and a chic and timeless bouquet rife with texture and color.

2. Cascading Effect
This year, bridal bouquet designs are getting bigger and more elaborate with cascading arrangements. These flowing designs complement fuller or longer wedding dress trains, adding floral glamour without competing with the dress style. One way to accomplish this look is to incorporate a single rose variety, like the David Austin Roses’ raspberry red Darcey:

Or the rose pink Miranda, with flowing, long-leaf foliage.

(Ask your florist to leave some of the rose stems longer than others to create this cascading, waterfall-style effect.)

3. Consistently Classic
Another floral trend that’s becoming more prominent is the popular “harmonized look.” This means everything from the bride’s bouquet and floral hairpiece to the groom’s boutonnière, as well as the reception décor and cake design, features a synergistic theme for a distinct, classic wedding style.

The exquisite peach-colored Juliet rose with its deeply cupped shape, 90 petals and light scent exudes traditional elegance and charm — ideal for the classic wedding style.

4. Bold and Beautiful Pinks
Light and dark pinks are coming together like never before, and this year, brides will opt for a wedding theme that focuses on a single color in varying hues and shades. Combinations of blush pink, rose pink and dark pink create a very feminine effect. The Constance, shown here, is a cupped rosette flower (available in late April) that boasts a robust 140-petal count and multiple shades of pink for a rush of soft color in each stem.

Another option is to incorporate numerous garden rose varieties of complementary and contrasting pinks in a single bouquet for rich texture and depth.

5. White with a Twist
Ever since Queen Victoria chose to wear a white gown for her 1840 wedding to Prince Albert, this shade has become the quintessential wedding hue. Today, brides incorporate variations of white to add a sense of distinction. The Patience rose features 165 petals in varying hues, from pure white to buttery cream. Its romantic sophistication is not only perfect for modern weddings, but it also complements gowns from pure white to ivory.

As you can see, there’s an ideal rose for every type of bride and any style wedding. Whether you’re a natural bride:

A romantic bride:

Or classic bride:

So find your perfect petal and, as the proverb says, always “take time to smell the roses!”

For more information, visit David Austin Roses.

—Diane Forden

Photo Credit: David Austin Roses