It was an early June afternoon, and I was in the garden harvesting the first herbs of the season, gathering stems of ‘Segurelha’ {‘Winter Savory’}. When I finished and looked at my hand, one by one these herbal stems organically took the shape of a beautiful bouquet. An idea was sparked in my mind. I wondered, could wedding bouquets made only of herbs, not a few accented stems, a bouquet where herbs are the focus — actually work? And of course I simply had to try it out…
Few herbs can stay fresh and retain its shape without a water supply, one certainly couldn’t design with Basil or Lemon Balm without a hydrating source. But sturdier greens like Savory and Parsley, both with full leaves or having begun to seed, hold their shape and firmness well out of water for some time. Yes, long enough for bridesmaids to attend the ceremony and take photographs.
I wanted the herbs’ natural shape and lines to feel less overly-thought and designed, more “just picked from the garden.” Wrapped in silk ribbon, these bouquets became cascading bundles of summer abundance. There are other herbs that hold up well too, like Thyme, Sage, and Rosemary, but because of their shorter stems might not be ideal for handheld bouquets. Although, it’s not to say they couldn’t work and look uniquely beautifully transformed into Floral Basket and Purse Bouquet. When it comes to Bridal bouquets, these days it’s all about showcasing each person’s quirky and intimate styles, in ways that reinvent what it means to be classic, vintage, whimsical and everything in between.
Whether it’s a destination wedding or one close to home, I think this can be a lovely way to use what’s abundantly growing in season, especially Spring and Summer. One can connect and work with local farms or even home growers to see what’s ready to be harvested and can be shared. You don’t need a surplus of stems to create a lovely bouquet, in fact smaller and petite sizes become more elegant and naturally suited to every person. And afterwards, every bouquet can be hung to dry and preserved to enjoy once more. Making it a truly regenerative and sustainable wedding detail!
While this style may not be for every wedding design or bride, it’s wildly imperfect like nature itself — and that’s the beauty for those who do connect with this style. And I hope it perhaps inspires you to see how one can always approach bridal bouquets, wedding florals and details with a different perspective…
Leave a Reply