Winter is nearly over, and wedding season is upon us! In 2021, Spring runs from Saturday, March 20th, through Sunday, June 20th. And did you know that Sunday, March 21st is National Flower Day? As the COVID vaccine becomes more readily available and infection rates decline, local municipalities are beginning to lift or loosen restrictions on social gatherings. Below we’ll cover New York’s new wedding rule, Spring holidays to avoid, and the top 21 Spring wedding inspirations to bring your 2021 wedding from end-of-winter drab to colorful-flowerful-fab!
On January 29th, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that wedding guest lists could be expanded to 150 people or 50% of a venue’s capacity beginning on March 15th. All attending guests are required to receive a negative COVID test result in advance of the wedding. More details about this program are to be announced in the coming days, but this is extremely exciting news for Spring weddings!
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Colors
1. Bright and Bold Colors
With the bright pops of color that Spring flowers bring, it’s hard to dispute that Winter is over. If you want your Spring event to dazzle, consider vibrant colors paired with colorful linens. The fun vibe is party ready!
2. Dreamy Pastels and Watercolors
Tapping into this year’s Pantone Color of the Year, we have Ultimate Gray (PANTONE 17-5104) and Illuminating (PANTONE 13-0647). Basically… gray (silver/pewter) and yellow. This color combination is reminiscent of a bumblebee collecting pollen and is lovely for Spring.
Décor
3. Colorful Glassware and Tablescapes
Some venues include generic and basic dinnerware, flatware, and glassware as part of the package, but not all venues have these items. If you have selected a venue where you need to rent these items anyway, then investigate fun color options. Don’t just select clear glassware because that’s what you’re used to. See if the rental company offers any rentals in your wedding colors. A colored glass can totally transform a table. And if you’re at a venue that provides these tablescape items, ask them if you rent elsewhere if they can reduce the price for you. It doesn’t hurt to ask. Maybe that cost savings will help to rent the products elsewhere and get exactly the look you want. Alternatively, you can price out rentals, and it may be cheaper to buy a full set that you get to keep after.
4. Garden Chairs
A cross back (or X-back) chair will have a more outdoorsy garden vibe over the ever-popular chiavari chair which exudes a more elegant and formal affair.
Extras
5. Floral Confetti
Many venues don’t allow confetti unless it’s environmentally friendly or a compostable product. I’ve seen Fall and Winter weddings use colorful leaves and heart-shaped hole punchers to create compostable confetti. In the Spring, it’s all about flower petals. Consider using fresh or dried petals. If dried, you can DIY the project far in advance of your wedding day. If fresh, consider requesting your florist deliver them with the rest of the florals fresh on wedding day. Pile them into paper cones. Hand them out before the ceremony begins. And viola! A photo-worthy ceremony exit.
6. Floral Pet Leash and Collar
As a pet parent myself, I couldn’t imagine our special day without our sweet rescue dog. We purchased some white spray roses, succulents, floral tape and wire, and we DIY’ed a floral collar that matched the bouquets perfectly. Sure, our florist could have made this for us, but we spent five minutes making it and saved a bundle.
7. Have Umbrellas on Hand
As the saying goes, “April showers bring May flowers.” Though this lush green and floral season is ideal for an outdoor event, it’s also rainy season in most regions of the US. If you’re planning an outdoor affair, then invest in some nice clear umbrellas in case a sun shower rolls through.
8. Seasonal Favor
I’ve heard recently that couples are ditching wedding favors as they are believed to be an old tradition, and I’m here today to debunk that myth. Wedding favors are absolutely NOT out! That being said, the day of tchotchke trinkets is over. However, guests will always love and appreciate something edible or something alive. For a Spring twist, consider a seasonal local product such as an edible honey or jam. Or “let love grow” with flower seeds or a small potted plant.
Flowers
9. Botanical Braid or Comb
Nothing screams romantic, whimsical, bohemian, and Spring as much as flowers intertwined between locks of hair. This look is beautiful! You could make this a Bride-only look, or the Bride could have a larger more special piece and the Bridesmaids could have just a couple of sprigs laced in.
10. Floral Arch
I’m sure everyone saw the absolutely breathtaking floral arch over the chapel entrance at Princess Beatrice’s wedding this past July. I mean, how truly marvelous and over-the-top was that? That’s not your average wedding floral statement piece. It can be quite expensive to have such a lush and grand display. Though a floral arch is pricey, consider a piece that can be used during the ceremony, then relocated to the reception and placed prominently behind the sweetheart table. Or relocate it to the reception and allow guests to utilize the arch as a photo opportunity. Don’t let the beauty (and money) go to waste.
11. Floral Wall
Flower and greenery walls are another great floral statement piece that will wow guests. You could allow the wall to serve a purpose by displaying place cards, then when all guests have removed their name and table assignment, the wall could serve as a photo backdrop for the remainder of the evening.
12. Flower Chandelier Installation
My favorite floral statement piece is a flower chandelier installation which looks like flowers are growing right out of the ceiling! Not every venue has the ability to hang elements from the ceiling, so you will need to speak to your venue if you love this look. If you can’t hang anything off the ceiling, then there are ways to bring in structures and hang florals off of that. I cannot stress enough that this is NOT A DIY PROJECT! These installations require hours of time to build on event day, and most florists are not capable. You’ll likely need to hire a flower designer for this type of job. A flower designer is an artist that uses plant materials and flowers as their canvas to create true one-of-a-kind floral pieces.
13. Fresh Produce in Florals
In-season fruits and vegetables are a clever way to bring design on a dime to flower arrangements. Many exotic flowers come from overseas, making them costly to ship (raising the price per stem), but fresh local produce is crazy cheap! I am in love with citrus floral arrangements, but you could truly use any fruit or vegetable. Consider what your wedding colors are and then what produce would fit in with the palette.
14. Wildflowers
For a super enchanted rustic boho vibe, wildflowers are where it’s at. I think there is a misconception that wildflowers will be cheap. Especially if you chose a florist that doesn’t usually source wildflowers, they may find it challenging to find you a deal on the non-popular varieties. However, if you happen to have a wildflower garden, you could save a bundle by using your own. Also, grocery stores like The Fresh Market and Trader Joe’s sell beautiful flower bundles that you can add in to supplement what you have.
Food
15. Edible Flowers
Edible flowers are a fun way to bring a little bit of Spring into every aspect of your wedding. Ask your caterer or baker if they know if any edible flowers that could be added to appetizers, signature drinks, deserts, or even the cake.
16. Elderflower Signature Drink
A few years ago, I attended a wine and food event and tasted elderflower liquor and really enjoyed it. The flavor isn’t a strong floral taste, but it has a light sweet floral taste that compliments many drinks. There are plenty of recipes that can be served as a signature drink at a wedding.
17. Floral Wedding Cake
Fresh flowers on wedding cakes are a cost-effective way to save on the intricate buttercream and fondant work. You can opt for a more basic buttercream, and then on wedding day have your florist add in fresh flowers that match your bouquet.
Pattern Design
18. Floral Pattern Bridesmaid Dresses
Though solid color bridesmaid dresses are the norm, floral pattern dresses are very in right now. And nothing says garden more than a floral dress. Several prominent bridesmaid dress companies have begun offering patterned dresses, and it’s such a great look. Not to mention, a patterned dress is more likely to be reworn by a bridesmaid at a later occasion.
19. Floral Pattern Invitations
The invite sets the stage for what your wedding vibe will be. If you’re having a black-tie affair or a backyard bash, the invite should tell guests that without even using words. Consider options for paper choice, pattern, colors, and font. In just one example of the wide variety of invitation options, Minted.com offers 515 botanical specific wedding invitations. Good luck narrowing it down to just one!
Space
20. Orangery, Conservatory, Glasshouse
The most perfect Spring garden wedding venue is an orangery, conservatory, or glasshouse. You’ll most likely find a venue like this at a botanic garden, large park, or private estate. The bright glass environment will allow you to feel at one with nature while fully protected from the elements. An added bonus is that some of these structures may serve as active greenhouses so you can likely save on your flower budget as you’ll have built in greenery and florals.
21. Tented Outdoor Garden Reception
Though being outside in the garden may be your dream wedding, I would urge you to have a backup plan in place. Yes, it’s an added fee to rent a large tent, but the peace of mind that you’ll have as you coast through wedding week will be worth it. Inclement weather is something you can’t control, but renting a tent is. If the weather is gorgeous that day, leave the sides open and use the tent as a shaded canopy. Guests can float in and out of the tent, and it won’t impede upon the garden view. And if it just so happens to be raining cats and dogs, then attach the sides of the tent to protect your guests from the elements. You can still dance the night away barefoot in the grass if you want! You’ll be dry and thanking your lucky stars you rented that tent!
Bonus Ideas
- Garden furniture set up as a lounge area
- Floral pattern groomsman ties
- Floral pattern bridesmaid getting ready robes
- Floral pattern on accent plates or chargers
- Ceremony chairs and aisle draped in flowers
- Floral and lattice décor
- Wicker accents
- Colorful blooms
Spring Holidays
Below I’ve outlined Spring holidays to keep in mind when scheduling your nuptials. These weekends could cause some potential hiccups. For example, on a Memorial Day weekend wedding, you and your guests might encounter upcharges for wedding fees, flights, and accommodations. Also consider the school Spring break schedule in both the area where your wedding will take place and where your guests may be traveling from (if that’s a different city). If your wedding is the same weekend as Spring break, then flights may also be higher in price.
- Palm Sunday – Typically in March or April (Sunday, March 28, 2021)
- Easter – Typically in March or April (Sunday, April 4, 2021)
- Passover – Typically in March or April (Saturday, March 27 – Sunday, April 4, 2021)
- Ramadan – Varies (Monday, April 12 – Wednesday, May 12, 2021)
- Mother’s Day – Always the second Sunday in May (Sunday, May 9, 2021)
- Memorial Day – Always the last Monday in May (Monday, May 31, 2021)
- Father’s Day – Always the third Sunday in June (Sunday, June 20, 2021)
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Whether your special day is this Spring or next, I hope that the 21 tips above inspired you to plan your perfect Spring wedding!
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