For the bride who is looking for something a little different for her wedding celebration I wanted to share some alternative wedding flower arrangement ideas through the use of exotic wedding flowers.
With the exception of orchids and calla lilies, exotic flowers are not commonly used in most traditional weddings, but for the bride to be who wants a very different look for her special day, exotic wedding flowers may be an excellent choice.
Since exotic flowers are not used as frequently as other flowers, most people do not know much about them. Names, colors, care, or how to design with them is more of a challenge. Exotic flowers work best when used in a tropical or beach themed wedding.
The colors are bright ranging from white to deep reds and oranges. The textures range from velvety to a thick waxy look. The overall shapes are large ovals to long stems with petals separating at odd angles along the stem resembling lobster claws.
Most of the foliage will have deep splits along the leaves or tall spikes and can be used as a focal leaf instead of the actual flower.
1) Anthurium- Anthurium is one of the more popular tropical flowers with brightly colored waxy heart shape blooms. It is also smaller and a lighter weight compared to the heavy stems of ginger or bird of paradise. It is often used as boutonnieres, corsages, and hair flowers. Bridal bouquets designed with anthurium flowers make a lovely display whether used alone or with other exotic flowers.
Anthurium flowers are available in deep purple, orange, peach, pink with green edges, cream, bright white, pistachio, lavender, burgundy, and white with green edges and many other similar combinations. These flowers will last an average of six weeks after being cut so they make excellent wedding flowers.
2) Birds of Paradise- Bird of Paradise is one of the most brightly colored flowers available. It resembles a bird in flight with leaves that resemble small banana leaves. A series of green, red and purplish canoe like structures called bracts form each flower with three orange sepals and three vivid blue petals. Two petals are joined together resembling an arrowhead with a third petal forming a nectary (nectar forming organ) at the base of the flower.
The flowers have a long, slender, and very sturdy stem and look best in tall vases. The flowers are so showy even a small grouping of three flowers will make an impressive display.
3) Calla Lily- Calla lilies are often used for weddings. They have magnificent long stems with flowers ranging from pure white to orange, purple, yellow, and pink. The stems are 1 to 3 feet long with flowers resembling an arrowhead.
The most popular design for calla lily bouquets is a pageant or arm bouquet. It is graceful and can be made from a single stem or by grouping 5 - 7 stems. A wide satin ribbon may be wrapped around the stems and secured with a row of pearl corsage pins. Smaller calla lilies make beautiful boutonnieres and corsages.
Tall cylinder vases of calla lilies make awesome centerpieces. The green variations of the thick stems are beautiful in clear vases with a few pebbles in the base.
4) Ginger- Ginger is a widely used tropical flower that ranges in colors from lavender and bright red to white with pink tips. The stems are long, sturdy and thick and also look best in tall heavy vases as centerpieces. The flowers can be separated and used in Hawaiian leis.
Ginger root is available in grocery stores and is used as a spice, in making tea for medicinal use and in oriental cuisine. It is also used in perfume, soothing balms, candles, soaps, and lotions or candied for a sweet treat.
5) Heliconia- This is a very showy large flower with thick heavy stems. The flowers resemble lobster claws and the flowers are produced on long, erect or drooping panicles. The color range is bright orange, fushia, and deep red. Again, they look best in large heavy vases or in huge arrangements with other tropical flowers.
6) Orchids- Three of the most commonly used orchids for floral design are Phalaenopsis, Cymbidium, and Oncidium. They range in color from pale green, white, pin, yellow, lavender, red, and multi colors.
The long stems with multiple flowers are often used in bridal bouquets and elegant arrangements. Individual flowers can be cut from the stem and used in the hair, boutonniere and corsages. Although this is a tropical flower, it is often used in more traditional arrangements as well. It has an elegant look and if often used with roses and other traditional flowers.
Expand your thinking to include a touch of the exotic for your wedding. Even the non-traditional can be romantic, sophisticated, and tasteful. Exotic wedding flowers are a wonderful choice for that delightfully different wedding.
Janet Weirich has written numerous articles on all aspects of wedding flower design. For more wedding flower arrangement ideas click here and you can also visit the author's website here.
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