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Flowers, colors abound for fall weddings

By Tracy Schmidt

The choices are endless for fall brides. From flowers and colors to décor, fall brides can create the wedding of their dreams simply by using their imagination.

While they may not have spring's tulips or summer's peonies, many flowers and colors are available for fall brides.

"Burnt orange was big last summer and I'm still seeing some of it this year," says Ryan Larson, owner and wedding coordinator of Savoir Flair Wedding Coordinating in Los Angeles. "But the big thing this year is chocolate brown. Chocolate brown and hot pink, hot green or hot blue -- [that's] very in."

Florists nationwide agree on chocolate brown's popularity and offer fall brides additional color choices. "For this fall we are planning to use a lot of earth tones [including] ivory and terra cotta," says Luis Collazo, owner of LOTUS, a floral design company in New York.

"Rust, deep burgundy, red plum and mahogany are also very popular this season," says Lauren Cornille, floral department manager at Morningfields Market in Park Ridge, Ill. "They're all very rustic, very earthy yet elegant colors that are in tune with the concept of a fall harvest."

Cascading bouquets have fallen out of favor in recent years. Tightly wrapped, more uniform bouquets consisting of only two or three types of flowers are now preferred.

Despite this new simplicity, many floral choices still exist even after summer's end. "Freesia, hydrangea, orchids, hypericum berries, winterberries and pepper berries' are all available in the fall and are popular choices," says Inna Lipovsky, president of City Blossoms in New York City.

Collazo suggests also using vanda orchids, chocolate cosmos, white cataelya orchids, and Sahara roses. Additionally, brides can reap the benefits of the season by incorporating fall foliage into their bouquets. 'Oak and maple leaves, wheat, grasses can all be used,' says Cornille. "Bittersweet is big and so are raspberry branches. Also popular is ivy, which traditionally symbolizes fidelity -- important for any marriage."

To personalize their bouquets, traditionally, many brides have wrapped their grandmothers' handkerchiefs around the handle. In order to add "something blue," Cornille always hides a tiny blue bow on the bouquet.

The most popular groom's boutonniere consists of a single flower such as a rose or freesia. Lipvosky suggests using the same flowers as found in the bride's bouquet, and Cornille added that an accompanying acorn or maple leaf lends some seasonal character. Flower girls can also toss these small acorns and brightly colored leaves instead of the typical rose petals.

To remain hands-free, "many mothers of the bride are asking for nosegays, which are very small bouquets," says Cornille. "Nosegays are very, very popular this season."

Simplicity continues to flow throughout the wedding ceremony and into the reception.

Like the bride's bouquets, table centerpieces are much more uniform in style. "I also see [centerpieces] with more of a modern slant," says James Rainbow, owner and principal designer of Rainbows, Flowers and Fantasies in New York City. "Many of them now have only one or two types of flowers with a modern or a 'funky' leaf."

More attention is also being paid to the centerpieces' containers. In recent months, florists have used everything from sand pails to large soup cans to antique vases. Stained wooden boxes are also very hip right now, reports Larson.

For the bride looking to cut corners, Cornille suggests that the bridesmaids' bouquets do double-duty. "Crystal vases make a nice gift for attendants," she says. "Place them on the tables and the bridesmaids can set their bouquets in them serve as centerpieces."

If the budget allows for it, candles may also be incorporated into the flower arrangements.

Depending on the venue, see if you can hang 'candeliers,' which are chandeliers made of candles. Rainbow has also placed flowering branches in tall vases and hung votive candles around them.

For table centerpieces, Rainbow suggests placing pillar candles inside glass cylinder vases filled with moss, marbles or shells. Similar vases holding flowers can also be placed alongside those with the candles. Closer to Christmas, bridesmaids may even carry candles instead of traditional bouquets.

Fruit can also be incorporated into a fall wedding. "Fall is exactly when the idea of produce and the harvest come to mind," says Rainbow. "Pears and apples are especially popular at this time and can fill glass vases for a unique look."

For brides looking for additional inspiration this fall, Cornille suggests the Internet. "I can't tell you how many couples come in with a picture of something they found online," she says. "And that's great. It helps me as a florist to create the wedding they've always wanted."

And that's what it should be -- the wedding of your dreams.

-- Tracy Schmidt is a Park Ridge, Ill.-based freelance writer.

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