Floral Design for an Autumn-Inspired Wedding

Rich blooms of amber, gold, bronze and red populate these autumn wedding arrangements. They are bright and striking, but arranged in quite an informal way to give a rustic look. Sprays of blackberries bring a country feel to each design, but be sure to use unripe berries. Ripe berries drop off easily,and can stain clothing.

Flowers, Foliage and Other Materials

For the boutonniere
1 'Pinky Flair' St. John's wort (hypericum)
1 unripe blackberry spray
3 ivy leaves
1 orange calla lily

For the bouquet
7 calla lilies
9 unripe blackberry sprays
11 'Pinky Flair' St. John's wort (hypericum)
6 'Cherry Brandy' single roses
8 'Sonia' sunflowers

For the pew end
6 'Excellent Flair' St. John's wort (hypericum)
6 'Pinky Flair' hypericum St. John's wort (hypericum)
7 unripe blackberry sprays
12 'Sonia' sunflowers

For the table centerpiece(s)
4 'Excellent Flair' St. John's wort (hypericum)
4 'Pinky Flair' St. John's wort (hypericum)
7 unripe blackberry sprays
8 'Sonia' sunflowers
6 'Cherry Brandy' single roses
5 smokebush stems
5 ivy stems

Other materials
Floral wire
Stem tape
Pin(s) for boutonniere(s)
Garden shears
Raffia
12-inch round wicker basket(s) for table centerpiece(s)
Watertight container(s) for table centerpiece(s)
Chicken wire

Enlarge Photo+Shrink Photo-DK - Fresh Flower Arranging © 2011 Dorling Kindersley Limited

How to Arrange the Boutonniere

The unusual mango color and swirled shape of this calla lily makes it an interesting variation on a classic rose boutonniere. The sprays of blackberries and hypericum berries add a delightful detail.

1. Wire the calla lily, St. John's wort berries, unripe blackberries and ivy leaves.

2. Group the wired foliage around the wired lily stem in a graduated sequence, trim the wires, wrap stem tape around all the wires and press the tape down with your fingers to seal it.

3. Mist the calla lily occasionally to keep it fresh until it is needed, then attach it to the lapel of a jacket with a pin.

For more details on making a boutonniere, see our step-by-step instructions.

Enlarge Photo+Shrink Photo-DK - Fresh Flower Arranging © 2011 Dorling Kindersley Limited

How to Arrange the Bouquet

This bouquet uses miniature sunflowers; larger sunflowers would overpower the arrangement. This means that it retains a delicate, pretty feel, even though its colours are quite strong.

1. Divide the different ingredients into separate piles. Begin with a rose or calla lily and place one of each of the ingredients around it at an angle to create a spiral stem effect. Use a high binding point to give a compact look. Turn the bunch in the same direction as you add each stem.

2. Add one of each of the different flowers until you have included all the blooms and they are balanced equally throughout the bouquet. Arrange the last two layers of flowers slightly lower around the edges for a domed effect.

3. Secure the bunch with string or raffia. Then, fold a very long piece of raffia four times to create eight strands and make them into a bow. Attach the bow to the bouquet with a small piece of raffia. Trim the ends of the stems straight across with a pair of garden shears.

For more details on making a hand-tied bouquet, see our step-by-step instructions.

Enlarge Photo+Shrink Photo-DK - Fresh Flower Arranging © 2011 Dorling Kindersley Limited