Modern Wedding Flowers: 3 Floral Styles That Make an Impact

As a Philadelphia wedding photographer, I see all kinds of wedding flowers. The florals that make a statement bring an element of the unexpected. Some wedding florists are figuring out how to elevate minimalist floral arrangements and bouquets into a fine art. Minimalist doesn’t mean boring either! Their designs push against convention while honoring craftsmanship and reinventing traditions to make them fresh.

3 Modern Ideas for Wedding Flowers

Whether you’re thinking about an elevated bouquet or looking for a tablescape to transport your guests, these three modern floral styles will make your wedding flowers unforgettable.

1. Ikebana

Ikebana is a Japanese art of arranging flowers. The practice is hundreds of years old, and Ikebana flower arrangement definitely has an airy, timeless quality to it. The minimalist asymmetrical designs play with spatial dimensions and color in surprising ways.

Minimalism might not be the first thing you think of when you think about wedding flowers, but Ikebana is perfect for creating an elegant and emotional experience on your wedding day. One of the key principles of Ikebana is wabi-sabi, a person’s emotional response to nature’s beauty. What better guiding principle for wedding flowers?

I love the way Bird Seed Florals embraced the minimalism and emotion of Ikebana in these wedding flowers and tablescapes. The layers of texture with bright dashes of yellow and orange are so joyful. You can’t help being aware that you’re sitting at the table with small works of art. Like a wedding day, they’re ephemeral and all the more special for it. 

The Bird Seed Florals Ikebana arrangements along with tall tapers create an elegant but inviting space. If you want your wedding reception to be sophisticated but welcoming, Ikebana is a great direction for your wedding flowers.

2. Dried Wedding Flowers

Preserved and dried wedding flowers have grown in popularity in the last few years. Like Ikebana, there’s a unique element of craftsmanship required. Far from old-fashioned dusty decor, contemporary dried flowers bring vintage charm to any decorating scheme.

The subdued hues of dried wedding flowers make them perfect for modern weddings. Beachy browns, oranges, and pinks bring subtle vibrance to bouquets, boutineers, and tablescapes. For a couple embracing a minimalist aesthetic, dried florals are a great choice.

If you’re having a fall wedding, dried wedding flowers are a beautiful way to embrace the season. They’re a warm and elegant alternative to over-saturated wedding flowers common in autumn.

This bouquet by Bird Seed Florals features dried wedding flowers of contrasting shapes and sizes to create interesting movement. The textures create a sense of depth and interest without being over-the-top. It’s a perfect complement to a minimalist wedding dress. 

As a Philadelphia wedding photographer, I appreciate having unexpected elements to add to detail shots. Dried wedding flowers make for a more artistic composition and stand out from conventional detail photos.

3. Unconventional Vases

Unconventional vases elevate even the most common wedding flowers by adding an element of craftsmanship to your tablescape. Dips and turns in a vase create movement and allow florals to sit in unexpected ways. In this vase, the dark nicotiana flowers sit lower than the rest of the arrangement, drawing the eye.  

Vases provide an opportunity to bring even more nature – and a touch of whimsy – to your table. Bird Seed Florals created this Ikebana arrangement in a log. The log brings height to the arrangement. Centerpieces with these log vases are sure to be conversation pieces too. The minimalist Ikebana wedding flowers balance out the log vase and keep it modern.

Wedding flowers are a great way to set the aesthetic for your wedding day. Ikebana arrangements, dried flowers, and unconventional vases play on minimalist, modern elegance while adding an unconventional artistic element to a bouquet or tablescape.

Are you interested in having me photograph your wedding? Reach out today, and let’s get the conversation started!

Thank you to the vendors who made these photoshoots possible:

Spring Shoot:

Florals: Bird Seed Florals 

Rentals: Party Rental Ltd.

Fall Shoot:

Designed by: Jason Moody Photo and Bird Seed Florals 

Florals: Bird Seed Florals 

Model: Lauren Ashley 

Hair: LaQwin Chapman 

Makeup: Diana Kramer Beauty 

Dress: Lovely Bride Philly 

Jewelry: Emily Chelsea Jewelry 

Invites/Menus: Line and Letter Designs