Wedding Trend Alert: Dried Flowers

With Etsy reporting a 225% rise in 2021 searches for dried flowers (compared to the same time last year), it appears that the comeback trend is going from strength to strength. Not only an interior staple, dried flowers are also big business in the wedding arena with their versatility, longevity and contemporary edge continuing to prove popular among brides-to-be.  

An age-old post-wedding activity, drying and pressing flowers allows brides to preserve their fresh wedding flowers as a keepsake of their big day. Today, the current trend for dried flower bouquets, buttonholes, bridal crowns, corsages and centrepieces allows them to be displayed straight after the wedding day, and – when cared for correctly – for years to come.   

Dried flowers can lend themselves to all types of floral arrangements and décor, including floral arches, hoops, wreaths and garlands. Depending on the look and feel of your wedding, there is a diverse range of flowers to choose from, each with their own individual qualities; from abundant hydrangea, trailing eucalyptus and feathery pampas, to delicate lavender, simplistic wheat and cute bunny tails. 

                                                                                     Image: gettyimages.co.uk

Bouquets are typically asymmetrical in their design, with complementing textures such as feathers, berries and twigs adding interest to any dried flower arrangement.  

Weddings and events florist, Louise Roots, advises: “Pair mixed bleached and preserved foliage with statement flowers, such as anthurium, moth orchids, proteas and reflexed roses. My tip would be to mix fresh flowers with preserved material. For example, statement gold foliage and palms add glamour and impact to fresh white flower designs.” 

                                                                                       Image: louiseroots.com

Guided by your florist, it is best to look at your colour scheme as a starting point and choose your dried flowers accordingly. Muted shades of rustic red, burnt orange and earthy green define the palette that is naturally achieved in the process of drying flowers, while beige, nude and neutral tones are currently leading the trends. However, pops of colour and bright and bold combinations can still be created with dyed variations.  

Louise continues: “Dried foliage is a great way of adding a colour theme to a design that might not be available as a natural flower choice. Plumes of grasses and foliage can add vibrant colours to a display, such as turquoise and teal, for that wow factor.”