Wedding Gazette

Trends and Tips for a Fabulous Spring Wedding

By Jennifer Baumann

If it is true that, "Sweet springtime is love time..." then it must also be the perfect time to say "I do." See what floral design expert and colorist Carole Langrall suggests for a fabulous spring wedding.

As the owner of A Garden of Earthly Delights Floral Design Studio in Baltimore, Carole Langrall has taken a moment out of her busy schedule to speak to us at Wedding Gazette about the latest trends in spring weddings, everything from bouquets to bridal gowns.

Wedding Gazette (WG):

Tell us a little bit about yourself, Carole, and what you do.

Carole Langrall (CL):

I have been in the floral design business for thirteen years. I spent some time working for Latin American growers from whom I gained a vast knowledge of all kinds of flowers and foliages, including the more unique and exotic ones. What we do at my design studio is different than what more traditional florists will do.

WG:

That sounds perfect, especially for brides looking to make the traditional wedding hall look different.

CL:

Yes, but we tend to work with brides who are interested in skirting the large wedding mills and looking for a more unique, even intimate venue. In spring especially, we are seeing more and more outdoor weddings at home where people have nice grounds and gardens that they want to show off.

WG:

That sounds lovely. Give us an example of what it is you do when it comes to decorating such a space.

CL:

When decorating for an outdoor ceremony and/or reception, we'll make use of formal props like candelabras and urns and drape containers and tables with vintage linens and lace. The trend right now is to mix and match, contemporary with vintage, very much the Shabby Chic look. We'll also make use of arbors, which we'll decorate with more simplistic garden materials as opposed to highly adorning them with greens and garlands, a look that is less popular now. I call ours a more stylized and elegant approach.

WG:

Probably more so than any other time of the year, when you think of a spring wedding, you think flowers. What are the latest trends for flowers?

CL:

A lot has changed in this area. Centerpieces, for example, are looking very clean with a single floral theme, maybe pots filled with tulips or urns holding only anemones for spring. And color is very big. I'm seeing brides going for cool greens mixed with vibrant contrasting colors like deep red, hot pink, and gold. Years ago, from the dress to the flowers, weddings were white on white, no matter what the season.

WG:

How about trends for the bridal bouquet and what works best for spring?

CL:

Color again is key. A lot of my brides are requesting bouquets filled with color. There are so many seasonal flowers to choose from for a spring wedding bouquet. Brides can have a bouquet made up of tulips or anemones, both of which are beautiful. Anemones are a Dutch flower with dark black centers and vibrant petals that come in red, purple, and fuchsia to name a few. Other choices are lilacs or nosegays comprised of sweet peas, miniature grape hyacinths, and ranunculus, another colorful spring flower that looks like a rose only smaller and with a droopy head.

WG:

These sound very different from bouquets ten years ago.

CL:

Absolutely! Roses are still traditional and in demand but as brides become more educated about their choices, they are opting for something different. The trend now is simplistic but daring.

WG:

I know you don't design dresses, but as a floral design expert, you spend a lot of time talking flowers to compliment the clothing. What trends are you seeing in this department?

CL:

I'm seeing two big shifts. The first is color. Brides are bringing in more color to their own gowns and wearing dresses with a tan or beige or pink hue. I did my first pink wedding last year where everything was rendered in subtle, soft shades of pink. It was just beautiful. The second trend shift is nostalgia. A lot of brides are buying gowns that recall a decade while others are opting to wear the gown their mother or grandmother wore. I really love this trend, especially the look from the '40s. It was very simplistic, elegant, and sophisticated.

WG:

What else do you see as a trend for weddings?

CL:

We do a lot of spring weddings. It's such a popular time of the year to be married. It smells good, it looks good, feels good, and people have more energy. Often the weddings I help to design are outdoors, but still the brides want candlelight, and I think it's a wonderful trend. Candles lend such a soft look to everything. Many brides for this reason are choosing to be married a bit later in the day in order to be able to utilize candlelight.

WG:

And, finally, give us a few expert tips for a fabulous spring wedding.

CL:

When it comes to spring weddings, I tell my brides three things: If you can have it at home and out-of -doors do so, but always have a plan B since Mother Nature has her own agenda; if you choose to have it indoors, incorporate as much of the outdoors as possible; and go lighter in every way. Let the feel of the season shine through.