Wildflowers for Irish Themed Wedding Bouquets
Flowers Found in Ireland for Stunning Celtic Arrangements
Jun 8, 2009
Wildflower bouquets are extremely popular for all types of weddings, and for an Irish or Celtic theme wedding, choosing flowers and plants that are found in Ireland is a wonderful way to reinforce the theme. The traditional shape for Irish or Celtic wildflower bouquets is that of the posey or nosegay for the bride and her attendants and pomanders or baskets for junior attendants and flower girls; however, cascade bouquets may be substituted for formal Celtic weddings or arm sheath bouquets for more modern Irish ceremonies.
No matter what shape of bouquet is selected, couples have a vast array of wildflowers to select from. The following list, sorted by color, is a beginner's guide to selecting Irish wildflowers that can be used for discussion with the wedding florist.
White Wildflowers for an Irish Themed Wedding
- Sweet Allysum, sometimes referred to as Sweet Alisons, are tiny white wildflowers that grow in round clusters of several dozen four-petaled flowers. They are very delicate and can be used in tightly wired round bouquets.
- The common daisy is native to Ireland and is a popular wedding flower for round and cascade arrangements.
- Myrle has been used in Irish wedding bouquets for centuries and is known for its lush green leaves and delicate white flowers. After being used in a round or cascade bouquet, the myrtle is traditionally planted in the ground by the bride at her new home.
Red Wildflowers for an Irish Themed Wedding
- Red bistorts are wildflowers that grow along large, dense red spikes and are especially eye-catching in cascade and arm sheath bouquets.
- Red clover is a very common addition for Irish weddings with its distinctively shaped leaves and soft red blooms.
- Red garden pansies and scarlett pimpernels are small, yet eye-catching flowers which can be added to round bouquets.
Pink Wildflowers for an Irish Themed Wedding
- Bartsia and bell heather are pink stalky plants that feature many tiny pink flowers along the stalk. Bartsia's buds are bell-shaped and lighter in color, while heather's are more round and bright. Either flower is a fine choice for arm sheath or cascade bouquets.
- Anemones are larger flowers with star-shaped petals that make strong focal points for round or cascade bouquets. They are also available in white.
- Thistles are wildflowers with prickly pink buds that are traditional additions to any type of Irish bouquet.
Yellow and Orange Wildflowers for an Irish Themed Wedding
- Agrimony is a long, green stalk covered with tiny yellow flowers that makes a dramatic focal point in cascade and arm sheath bouquets.
- Birds foot is a yellow and orange exotic-looking wildflower that is shaped similarly to a lotus and can be used in round or cascade bouquets.
- Montbretia is a bright orange flower that is similar in appearance to a lily. It is a dramatic flower and can be used in any type of bouquet.
Green Wildflowers for an Irish Themed Wedding
- Alexanders are soft, green flowers that resemble Queen Anne's lace and are well suited for round bouquets.
- Henbanes are large, light-green flowers with dark, dramatic centers that can be used in any shape of wedding bouquet.
- Ivy is a common greenery used in cascade bouquets and nosegays. Also, Irish tradition calls for the use of green rosemary in the bride's bouquet in honor of deceased relatives.
Blue Wildflowers for an Irish Themed Wedding
- Blue bells are tiny blue wildflowers that take their name from their bell-like shape. When used in wedding bouquets, blue bells can be offset by white or lightly colored flowers to make their tiny blossoms stand out amongst the arrangement.
- Cornflowers are large blue flowers with many V-shaped petals that are appropriate for round or cascade bouquets.
- Forget-me-nots are a small, four-petaled flower that is a common addition in round bouquets.
Purple Wildflowers for an Irish Themed Wedding
- Sea asters are small to medium-sized wildflowers with thin, purple petals and yellow centers that resemble daisies. Sea asters can be used in round or cascade bouquets.
- Foxglove is a long stalk flower with large bell-shaped weeping buds. The foxglove is a popular addition to arm sheath and round bouquets.
- A variety of purple orchids are native to Ireland, including the bee, fly, heath, and marsh orchids that can be used in any type of bouquet.
After selecting the perfect wildflowers for their wedding, couples who are planning an Irish or Celtic-themed wedding can decide upon ceremony music and readings for their special day. When designing their bouquets, couples may wish to utilize a combination of Irish wildflowers or utilize one type of Irish flower as a main focus in combination with other, complementing types of flowers that are not necessarily Irish in origin.
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