Flowers are synonymous with wedding celebrations. You can’t think about any event, be it the mehndi ceremony, sangeet party, wedding ceremony or reception décor, without thinking about flowers. No matter the season, destination or occasion, fresh blooms will not only change the look and feel of your festivities but truly elevate it. Between seasonal and evergreen options, there is a plethora of florals to choose from too. And when it comes to floral decorations, I love the ‘more is more’ approach for every element of your setup, from lush mandaps and extravagant centrepeices, to grand tablescapes and ornate installations.
Wondering how to “rose” to the occasion or looking for ideas that are simply Iris-tible? Let your floral fantasy come to life with the most show-stopping décor ideas and inspiration that caught my fancy in 2024, with expert inputs on executing it.
Flaunt the purple palette
“For me, purple has signified historic themes. It has been used for Mughal décor, semi-traditional sangeet and in many other unique ways. It does signify royalty, but not in the traditional Rajasthani palatial way. This versatility of the shade purple and its many shades also helps us transcend cultures when you are doing a multi-day wedding with different themes,” shares Vikram Mehta of Mpire, a renowned Mumbai-based event production company.
I have bias towards lavender, orchids, calla lilies and roses for décor. Purple is also one of the rare colours that go well on floral and drapes. A deep violet can look opulent for an evening event or winter wedding, while a dreamy lilac works well for that fairy-tale ceremony. For a contemporary take, consider purple ombré. Lavender + pink, amethyst + plum and mauve + emerald are some great purple colour combinations.
“The purple palette works well for the entry arch, backdrops, centrepieces and props like chandeliers and candles. I have also done a few weddings with purple mandaps and it’s always a hot-seller. Purples and violets also look great for a Sufi night since it has tradition and history related to it. You can backtrack it too—one of our recent Mpire brides wore a purple Sabyasachi lehenga and we did a contrasting white and green mandap,” adds Vikram.
Drench the setting in all-white
The pristine palette has cemented its place when it comes to holy matrimony. The colour is associated with purity and virtue in most cultures. While we often associate white wedding dresses to the West, it’s tradition for brides in certain communities in South Asia to sport a white outfit. For instance, Gujarati brides who choose a white Panetar sari for the ceremony.
A winter wonderland, an autumn affair or a summer ceremony, a wedding with an all-white floral work is sure to be stunning in any season and suit any theme. It’s not limited to daytime ceremonies, you can easily make it for evening celebrations like a glamorous cocktail night or sangeet soirée.
From sleek and minimalist to lavish and ultra-luxurious, you’re sure to find seasonal and seasonless blooms that pique your interest. We love a classically effortless tablescape with vases full of ranunculus, cherry blossoms, roses, and baby’s breath. A stage decked up with towers of hydrangeas. The aisle lined with perennials like petunias or vincas. Roses and bougainvillea for a cascading installation or photo-op. A garland of greenery and white flowers along with white bouquets at the bar.
Steal the show with sunset shades
What could be more surreal than a sunset? From deep pinks, oranges and purple, to pale yellow, blush and coral, this palette screams romance. Former Khush cover girl Rakul Singh, too, couldn’t resist it for her mehndi. “Her theme was ‘The Magical Forest’, featuring pinks and yellows. The entrance was decorated with shola-flower hangings. A mandap with bright flowers was the focal point,” shares Anuja Lunkad Joshi, founder Interflora India.
“Tablescape to drapes, we creating a stunning sunset-inspired arrangement for Rakul and Jackky Bhagnani’s wedding reception. The soft yellow lights from the chandelier and the rustic, chic wooden elements added an effortless vibe of happiness to the evening. Approximately 70 types of flowers were used, including orchids, sunflowers, hydrangeas, baby breath, roses, mogras and many more. This number excludes different colours of the same variety,” adds Anuja.
“For a wedding with a sunset theme, I would recommend incorporating flowers that capture warm, vibrant hues. Some excellent choices include sunset roses, which feature soft oranges, pinks, and yellows; marigolds with their rich oranges and golds; and peonies in blush pinks and coral tones for a romantic touch. Gerbera daisies and cymbidium orchids are also great, as are calla lilies and tulips,” says Anuja.
Play with pastels
Whether you are hosting a backyard wedding, a lavish ceremony in a ballroom, a destination affair or traditional nuptials in a temple, a pastel palette can lend itself to any size, scale or setting. How could anyone resist the soft, saccharine shades of blush, lavender, lemon or pistachio? And florals will be the stars of the show. With the right team, you can create a dream set-up.
From your invitation suite to wedding cake, pastels can be tied together in every aspect of your wedding. The best part is you don’t need to be matchy-matchy—go tonal, pick assorted shades or use contrasting colours. You can tread the elegant path or edgy. A pastel backdrop means your bridal outfit will also stand out, regardless of its colour.
When it comes to choosing your florals, seasonality plays a role. Roses are a no-brainer. But what you may not know is that there several types of roses. Peonies and hydrangeas are highly coveted, while Dahlias have a grand presence. Ranunculus, one of my favourites, is probably in 75% of the arrangements you might have pinned on your Pinterest board.
