Wildflower bouquets for Sussex weddings
What is a wildflower anyway?
So technically speaking a wildflower is any flower that is growing in the wild, without intentional seeding or planting i.e. thriving without our help and has even adapted to flourish in its environment, be it woods, meadows or wetlands. But for the purpose of wedding flowers, I define wildflowers and wildflower bouquets as flowers arranged in a loose natural floral style to represent and capture this native flower look. Flowers that create a style that is relaxed, carefree, spontaneous – as if you’ve just wafted through a meadow on a warm summers day and picked them yourself – that kind of vibe. And somehow appearing effortless, although it has often been carefully planned!
“Almost every person, from childhood, has been touched by the untamed beauty of wildflowers.”
What wildflowers grow in the UK?
There are so many, wildflowers grow all over and even grow in the smallest of cracks in the pavement or a wall– see here a comprehensive list from the Wildlife Trust for any true wildflower enthusiasts out there! And here in Sussex, each season brings in its own delights - from the first snowdrops marking the beginning of the end of winter, the carpets of bluebells and primroses heralding the arrival of spring to the swarms of ox-eye daisies and cow parsley that waft in meadows and verges in mid-summer.
Sadly though many of the wildflowers we see growing around us aren’t suitable to use in your wedding bouquet. Some wilt as soon as they are picked like poppies, dropping their buds like cow parsley or are protected by law like bluebells. Did you know it’s actually illegal to pick a bluebell? For this and more wildlflower trivia including more about the quintessential bluebell, the National Trust can guide you see link here for starters. You’ve been warned! Plus it’s always better not to pick and to leave the wild flowers for everyone to enjoy…
So how do you have a wildflower wedding?
At Bryony Mae Flowers, I choose flowers designed only replicate a wildflower look: these are native flowers yes, but blooms that are grown specially by a flower farm or grower (or occasionally even me!) I am lucky to be spoilt for choice in Sussex for different buying options. See the Flowers from the Farm website to find a local grower near you who may be able to provide flowers for a DIY wedding or recommend a florist to arrange. And to find out about my wildflower wedding package click here.
What are the best wildflowers for wedding bouquets?
My favourite wildflowers to use are numerous and include sunflowers, cosmos, zinnias, rudbeckia, daisies, golden-rod, crocosmia, cornflowers, larkspur, corncockle, phlox, dill that’s gone to seed …. argh there’s so many, it’s hard to narrow down! I also love to mix in herbs, grasses and dried foraged bits like bracken or teasels. I find wildflower bouquets are the most interesting and really can tell a tale of the season and the place of a wedding.
“Do you suppose she’s a wildflower?”
Why choose wildflowers for your wedding?
There’s just something magical about a handful of freshly picked wildflowers: full of nostalgia, memories of long aimless walks and endless summer days. Tantalisingly, you never know exactly what flowers you’ll get with a wildflower bouquet, which means that each bouquet is unique, a one-of-a-kind creation made just for you. Natural and whimsical, wildflowers are ideal for a boho, festival or barn wedding but even the inclusion of a few wildflowers can add a little extra spark to any style of wedding. The quote above ‘Do you suppose she’s a wildflower?’ is one of my favourites from Alice in Wonderland and is a reminder to be yourself, uniquely you even, choose wildflowers whatever you are surrounded by.
Here are a few of my favourite wildflower wedding bouquets, created with Sussex grown flowers for Sussex weddings.
Wildflowers: an eco-friendly sustainable choice for your wedding flowers
And then there is the sustainable, eco-friendly aspect to wildflowers. Often found locally via growers or flower farms - no air miles to transport these flowers! They are also generally grown without pesticides, chemicals or artificial heat sources and because they aren’t produced on a commercial scale – with an emphasis on size, longevity and perfection - they retain their fragrance and quirky natural style, with bendy stems full of natural movement. In Sussex, I am lucky to be surrounded by growers and flower farms to source my wildflower wedding flowers from and I’m frequently in awe of the beautiful blooms they grow.
Ready to book your Sussex wildflower wedding? Find out more here about my wildflower wedding flower package for wedding in Sussex and surrounding areas.
