Flowers

Waikato florist Anna Moule, of She’s Blossomed, says foraged, wild, and textural elements as well as types of flowers considered ‘‘old-fashioned’’ are springing up amongst more classic florals and arrangements.

‘‘Texture is really popular right now, steering away from bouquets of the past, which were made up of tightly bound blooms nestled neck to neck,’’ says Moule.

‘‘Blooms should be able to move and fall freely as they do in nature.’’

‘‘Old-fashioned blooms are no longer dated – carnations, hollyhocks, campanula bells, foxgloves, and pansies are now sought after, and are the perfect elements to set the 2017 bride apart.’’

Moule says this trend is also encouraging brides to gather and cut stems from their mother’s or grandmother’s gardens, and to keep their wedding flowers New Zealand-grown.

Colour-wise, brides are much bolder this season, and ‘‘are stepping away more and more from pink and white. Bright colours need not to be garish, but toned down, with earthy hues.’’

Wellington-based florist and stylist Yvette Edwards says hints of peach and blush pink are the most popular colours for summer weddings this year, with lilac and grey a close second.

She agrees that garden-style Anna Worthington, of Cakes by Anna in Christchurch, says although there is still a demand for traditional, white, iced wedding cakes, she’s seeing a much more relaxed approach from her customers when it comes to this part of the wedding day.

‘‘The ‘naked’ (un-iced) style has been popular for a while now, and is a hit with those who love cake but want to avoid anything overly sweet,’’ she says.

‘‘I’m also making a lot of ‘seminaked’ cakes, covered in only a thin layer of icing, which allows the cake to show through.

‘‘Our range of flavours include classic options such as lemon and chocolate, but there’s an increase in people choosing flavours that are a little more different, to really wow the guests and leave a lasting impression.

‘‘Pear, date, and salted caramel is a favourite, as well as gin, lime and coconut, and lavender, earl grey, and blueberry.’’

Decoration-wise,