Roses, orchids, natives, pops of colour, neutrals… we have seen it all this year, lovely readers, and we have frothed for it all because – let’s face it – florals are the freakin’ best. From petite posies to trailing bouquets and incredible creations that can really only be described as art, the flowers that 2021 brought us were nothing short of spectacular. You guys picked out your clear favourites, though, and we did see a few themes pop up that, clearly, you can’t get enough of. Natives and neautrals always stand the test of time, while peachy pinks, deep reds and splashes of yellow made up the sunset hues that many brides seemed to be begging for this year. But with so many talented floral folk rolling with the brief, not a one of these bouquets doubles up.
They do, however, double down on phenomenal artistry and some of the best in the biz have made the top 10. Our friends at Film & Foliage, The Marmalade Sky, Bloom Boy, Mrs Gibbons Flowers, Pia + Jade, Pomp and Splendour and Poppies For Willow (to name but a few) all put on epic floral displays, making for some very happy couples. Meanwhile, our favourite snappers were on hand to make sure these bright, bold, beautiful bunches stood the test of time. From Damien Milan to Alexandra Cohen, Elsa Campbell to George Bowden Photography and Lauren Campbell, these lens experts and more captured the botanicals’ best angles.
Take a scroll through the top 10 bouquets of 2021 – and when you’re done, we def recommend you check out some of the other roundups from the year that was. Check out more florals and venue styling in our 2020 Top 10 in Styling roundup, the very best Cakes of 2021, and your favourites in Wedding Party Styling and Grooms’ Style.
JORDYN & JACOB, TAS
“Neutral, light [and] no-fuss” was the brief for Jordyn and Jacob’s Tasmanian elopement – but this bouquet by Bek Burrows is proof fuss-free can still be absolutely beautiful. The talented gal behind the flowers made the whole day “seamless”, shares bride Jordyn, and “[sorted] everything out for us” when the day came. Fiona Vail Photography stepped behind the camera to document the intimate day, delivering this couple “the most amazing wedding photos we’ve ever seen” and capturing this stunning flower creation in all its glory. Peek at all the pics from their understated elopement right here.
MEL & ADAM, NSW
There’s a lot to love about Mel and Adam’s nuptials, which also appeared over in our 2021 Grooms Roundup. But right now we’re talking the florals and Datura Studio totally nailed the couple’s vision for a “garden party turns cocktail” affair. And it wasn’t just her stunning bouquet this bride was head-over-heels for – “the flowers at the reception were incredible”, she spills. “[Reception venue] The Apollo felt like a bush – like a wonderland – with these huge Australian native instalments. There were these massive red Gymea lilies that looked like a royal sceptre that everyone took on the dance floor and passed around at the end of the night!” Lens lad and Hello May favourite Damien Milan snapped all the best moments – check them out here (and don’t forget to head to Damien’s directory listing while you’re at it!).
TSHINTA & STEVE, QLD
With Alexandra Cohen behind the lens and Poppies For Willow on flowers and styling, you truly cannot go wrong – and Tshinta and Steve’s big day exists as the evidence! The “bohemian-chic” vibe with a touch of rustic and terracotta tones, mixed back with concrete and timber, was the perfect base for dried florals, at the suggestion of florist Bec, and the bride “was sold”. “Bec, from Poppies For Willow, [was] the creative genius behind the florals and styling for our day. I went to her with a mood board and less-than-adequate brief, and what she created was a freaking dream!” You can say that again! Check out the rest of the big day here and hit up Alexandra Cohen for her mad camera skills right here.
POMP & SPLENDOUR, CHIARA & LACHLAN, VIC
Pink and red is a vibrant colour combo that never goes out of style, but it’s been particularly big this year, with bold, popping hues a bit of an ‘F you’ to old mate COVID. And we, for one, are loving it. Our pal Elsa Campbell snapped Chiara and Lachlan’s big day, shooting some stunning close-ups of the vibrant bunch Pomp and Splendour created for Chiara to hold. “The flowers from Pomp and Splendour were incredible,” says the bride (whose Annette of Melbourne dress we can’t get enough of) – and she’s not wrong! “Such a pop of colour, they adorned the tables and really were such a statement.” Bloomin’ gorgeous, gal! (Psst – get in touch with the clever cookies at Pomp and Splendour for your own big day blooms, and click here for Elsa Campbell’s contact details. She really does know how to take a pic!)
BIANCA & NOA, QLD
Guys, this is what happens when you make flowers your top priority on your wedding list. You bring the talented Mrs Gibbons Flowers on board and you get absolute magic. “The flowers were one of my favourite details of the day,” gushes Bianca, who names the of the pretty pastel rose and orchid creations in sunset tones as a standout of her wedding to Noa. “Mrs Gibbons Flowers was the first vendor we picked and from the start, I told Noa that I wanted to splurge on flowers! They exceeded my expectations and more! I cried when I saw my bouquet for the first time.” Naturally, George Bowden Photography did a stand-up job of capturing the big day on film (give him a holler over here if you’re vibing his style).
RACHAEL & EDMOND, NSW
Did we mention reds, pinks and sunset-sky shades have been huge for 2021 florals? Clearly, you guys know when you’re onto a good thing, coz you were loving this stunning spray created by Pia + Jade for Rachael and Edmond’s big day (and shot by epic shutterbug Gui Jorge). That bouquet 100 percent fits the bride’s brief – “a vibrant atmosphere within the reception venue, with lots of berry florals and warm lighting so you could really feel the love”. Oh we can feel it! BTW, Pia + Jade‘s stunning work also made it into our 2021 Top 10 Styling Roundup, which we definitely suggest you give a squiz because there’s some serious goodness over there. You’re welcome.
The inspo for these modern nuptials was “fashion, art, design and an earthy, tribal take on a modern bride/wedding” – very cool, super specific and a vibe that was totally captured by the team at Laurel & Lace. “They absolutely nailed our florals,’ gushes bride Tash, you said ‘I do’ to Joel at Canberra’s Ovolo Nishi. “I was truly blown away when I saw our bouquets as they were better than anything I could have expected… We had so many compliments on the day and after the wedding about how amazing our floral arrangements were set up in both the gallery and reception space.” With Lauren Campbell on pics (see more from her here) and a stunning structural Comme des Garcons dress, this one’s something really special, guys.
THE MARMALADE SKY, ASH & KALIM, NSW
Never has a hands-off approach gone so right! When Ash and Kalim tied the knot, the bride gave her fab florist, The Marmalade Sky, nothing more than a basic colour brief. But, boy, what a result. “I gave Kimberley from The Marmalade Sky free rein with my bouquet,” Ash explains. “I basically just told her a few colours I like and she absolutely nailed it. I couldn’t have wished for a more perfect bouquet. It was epic and felt so right for me.” We love that cheeky paper daisy poking its head out from the middle of the bunch, and those gorgeous floral strings held by Ash’s bridesmaids. Gorge! Oliver Smith Photo captured the florals in all their glory against the casual-cool backdrop of the South Cronulla Bowling Club.
BLOOM BOY, AMY & CASEY, VIC
Amy could not have been happier with her epic bouquet when she and Casey tied the knot, and it was all thanks to Ross – aka Bloom Boy. “You know when you get so happy you want to kick something or punch the air?” she asks, explaining her reaction to her flowers on the big day. “Well, he did that to me! I had to control myself. [They] were absolutely the best,” she gushes. “I asked Ross if he could run with inspiration of flowers from Star Trek and Hobbiton cottage gardens. I sent him a few photos and he completely understood my weird request. I told him the colours and flowers I liked and then he ran with it.” A few more Hello May faves pulled together to make this day what it was (the sweet Lola Varma dress, a classic M.J. Bale suit and catering by Fourside Food Design and Events) and the talented Rolan John Photo captured it all. Check out Bloom Boy’s directory listing for more of his “vintage kitsch” style!
FILM & FOILAGE, MEGHAN & ASH, NSW
Here’s proof that an elopement doesn’t need to skimp on the glamour! When Meghan married Ash, her Film & Foliage bouquet was absolutely everything, from the pops of creamy-peach in those lush roses to the deep, moody burgundies and dusty vintage pink shades of Australian natives. But it wasn’t just her beautiful bunch that had bride Meghan singing. “We absolutely loved the floral arbour created by the florist, which was made up entirely of native flowers,” she shares. “They also put together a gorgeous flower crown for me to wear with my dress.” Working alongside the rest of the Anteloping team to create this special day, photographer Barefoot & Bearded caught it all on camera – check out all the pics right here then head to Film & Foliage’s directory listing when you’re ready for your own phenom flowers!