Autumn is well known for its rustic charm, with its earthy tones transporting couples and guests alike on a journey through the natural world when it’s truly at its most beautiful. The colours of autumn are among the top reasons why hosting your wedding during this stunning season is such a great idea as Ambience Venue Styling explains:
“You can be really creative with your colours. Summer is all about pastels, hot pinks, sapphire blues and emeralds. Come the autumn and you can investigate the creative opportunities brought by the season. We’re talking rich earth tones, berry reds, the colours of golden leaves in bronzes, rust, ochre etc. Think about berries and autumn fruits and vegetables, blackberry purples, squash oranges and pumpkin yellows.”
Autumn’s natural beauty is inspiring in more ways than one, however. While a season known for its changing colours and falling foliage, there are several flowers that are at their best at this time of year. Whether you’re creating centrepieces or looking for blooms to finish one of these braided bridal looks to perfection, there’s a lot to love.
Steering clear of the most popular autumn flowering plants and opting for the following underrated flowers and foliage is certainly what we’d recommend, especially if you have designs on a truly show-stopping autumn bridal bouquet.
Eucalyptus
With their muted green tones, texture-rich feel and budget-friendliness, it’s very surprising indeed that in-season eucalyptus isn’t up there in rundowns of popular autumn wedding flowers. This dazzling greenery looks stunning when combined with bright pops of colour as well as the more pared-back, rustic tones autumn is known and loved for.
Eucalyptus is also accessible as more than one variety, with everything from dried spiral eucalyptus to fresh seeded and silver dollar plants providing a delightful scent, beautiful finish, and show-stopping structure exactly where it’s needed.
Nerines
The tall, slender and elegant flowering stalks of the nerine plant make it ideal for use in bridal bouquets, and during November, this cottage garden favourite is at its very best. Whether you intend for your nerines to play a starring role or act as a simple accompaniment to other late flowerers like the dahlia, they make a pretty pick for late autumn/early winter brides.
Ornamental grass
Rocking a dried bouquet is an incredible way to celebrate the season and enjoy a long-lasting keepsake that’s the perfect reminder of your special day. Add beauty and bulk to your dried arrangement by making underrated ornamental grasses a part of the mix. It’ll add structure and interest to your autumn bridal bouquet.
Hesperantha
For something a little more delicate and daintier, the stems and flowers of the hesperantha coccinea (also known as the crimson flag lily) are real winners. Offering vibrant, bowl-shaped red or pink flowers and grassy foliage, the hesperantha is adaptable, colourful and charismatic.
Pelargoniums
Affectionately referred to as ‘pellies’, pelargoniums are tender, scented seasonal flowers that excite all the senses.
They’re loved for their versatility as well as their gorgeous looks, with pelargoniums even able to be used to decorate cakes and make tea thanks to their edible status. While their limited lifespan after cutting has made them a little less popular, the extra care is well worth it for this fantastic filler flower.
