Purple and its various hues have long been a wedding color favorite for women who want their wedding festivities to subtly exude class and flare. In times past, purple garments were reserved for royalty. The reason for this is simple – and surprising. According to Wikipedia, purple dye originated from a certain species of sea snail. It is estimated that 60,000 snails were needed to produce one pound of dye. Although the dyes have become less difficult to obtain, purple has retained much of its allure as a rich, elegant, vivacious and beautiful color. Through the beauty of nature and hybridization, it has become a welcome addition to wedding arrangements today.
So, what are some great purple flowers to consider for your wedding? As hybrids have become more common, beautiful purple roses have become available in all shades. This classic flower has long been a favorite for weddings, representing love itself. Roses can be found in many shades of purple – from an airy lilac to a deep plum. Roses make beautiful bouquets in themselves, with a touch of baby’s breath, or as part of a more elaborate bouquet. Another fabulous purple wedding flower is the iris. Adding an exotic touch to any arrangement, it is great for the woman who wants a less conventional ceremony. Another well-known purple flower is the long-stemmed hyacinth, also a more exotic pick. My primary wedding flower – and thus, my favorite overall – is the unique and regal miniature calla lily. These come in countless colors, including lavender and deep purple. Hydrangeas – a flower featuring many small buds on a larger bunch – come in a lovely lavender. And tulips, which one might not initially consider as a purple wedding flower – are also available in a light purple shade, offering a unique spring-like touch to your arrangements.
But which flowers will be in season at the time of your wedding? This is an important consideration when deciding upon which flowers to use. While most flowers are grown in greenhouses throughout the country, using an out-of-season flower will increase cost and decrease availability. As most women who have planned a wedding know, these are headaches you don’t want or need. For a Spring wedding, purple wedding flowers (and most flowers) are widely available. Season-specific purple flowers for Spring include the hyacinth, lilac, sweet pea and tulip. A summer wedding offers such purple wedding flowers as the hydrangea, iris, larkspur and two varieties of asters. Purple flowers for fall include the chrysanthemum, dahlia and statice. And winter can yield such purple-hued selections as the cosmos and forget-me-nots. Many flowers are widely available year-round, which makes them good selections regardless of when your wedding will be held. A few of these flowers are roses, calla lilies, delphinium and scabiosa. This information and more on purple wedding flowers in season can be found at www.about.com under “Weddings”. Your florist is also a valuable resource, as they can give you the most up-to-date pricing and availability on the flowers you are considering. Regardless of the season, there are plenty of beautiful purple wedding flowers to choose from for your wedding.
Once you have chosen the purple wedding flowers which will highlight your arrangements, it’s time to think about the arrangements themselves. Wedding bouquets and arrangements are extremely personal and should reflect the personality of the bride (and groom, ideally) as well as the ambiance of the ceremony and reception. While many brides still prefer the classic beauty of traditional rose bouquets, an increasing number are choosing more exotic flowers for their weddings. Experiment with different combinations and different shades, and be sure to choose the combination that best suits you. And most of all, have fun!
